I've just realised it's been nearly two months since my last blog post. Oops. I'll admit it, I've been terribly lazy.
When I last posted, I was still in the throes of Cura Romana. Unfortunately, that ended with a bump as I had an allergic reaction to something I was eating and became really quite ill. I had to break the diet in a hurry simply to allow my body to recover. I still haven't figured out exactly what caused the reaction, but I think I've more or less cracked it. But as I had already lost two and a half stone in 5 weeks, and have only regained 7lbs of that, I still consider the diet a success overall and will give it another go when I know that my body has recovered from the previous burst. Even ending the diet abruptly, I have found that I have managed to learn a lot about what works for me and what doesn't simply by keeping a food diet and looking for patterns in the fluctuation of my weight and any digestive issues. And there have been very few digestive issues.
So since then I have been busy recovering, getting ready for Christmas (with an immediate family of 40 that is no mean feat!) and slowly doing a bit more work. Business is still quite slow, but I am finding that word is starting to spread and more people are willing to give alternative treatments a go. Which is very exciting news.
I have also decided that I am not going to stay at Regus in the new year. I have another couple of months before my contract runs out with them, but the way they operate does not agree with the way I operate. I still have space at A New Leaf... in Maidstone, and if there is demand I can always find a new fixed space that will suit me better. If you have any thoughts on this, please do let me know.
And I think that that might actually be all of the news I have from over the last two months. Which is a little sad really. But hopefully this year I will be a bit better about blogging regularly with more interesting topics than I have found so far!
Friday 30 December 2011
Tuesday 1 November 2011
Day 18.
I'm now onto the third week of hCG + Food Plan, and it seems to be going quite well. I've lost 17lbs so far, which is very enviable. For a while Merlin the rabbit stopped talking to me, but he's back on side now. We think he probably just smelled the detox taking place in my system and didn't want anything to do with it. I contemplated doing an extra 3 weeks for a while, but I've decided not to as I can afford it and I'm rather looking forward to eating something other than chicken, steak, tuna or omelette. There are many other options on the list, but given how I have responded badly to some of these in the past I've decided to stick to the proteins that I know and trust. I've stopped detoxing and craving, I'm barely feeling hungry at all, and I'm starting to feel a bit less tired. I don't think I'm going to get the complete health revolution that I was hoping for within the next week, but any weight lost is to be praised, I do feel like I'm on better terms with my body, and I can go back onto hCG + Food Plan without the mentoring once I have completed Consolidation.
I've learnt an awful lot from Leslie over the last two weeks, and I can't help thinking that I've got a lot more to learn over the next 7 weeks. I've got a lot to learn from my body too. I suspect I know what it's going to tell me, and the future of squidgy chip shop chips does not look good for me. But the rule with Cura Romana is not to create a list of rules for what thou may and may not eat, but rather to make you more aware of the impact each food has on your system. If I know that chips make me bloat, for example, I can choose to indulge occasionally knowing that the result will be a bloat. Or I can choose to eat something lighter, and pinch one or two of my husband's chips to get a taste.
I'm still struggling to rest as much as I should be. It doesn't help that this week seems to have a busy schedule in store for me, following on from a busy weekend. I just seem to be incapable of taking time to chill out and relax and, interestingly, that is starting to really annoy me now. I just want to put all of my commitments on hold so that I can spend an hour lying on the sofa listening to plinky plonky music. Or maybe head over to the "spa" at Larkfield Leisure Centre to have a dip in the jacuzzi and a quick sauna. Hmm, that sounds nice. I've never really been annoyed by not being able to take time to relax before, just tired. It does explain how I've managed to wind up with a fatigue deficit quite as large as I have!
It probably doesn't help that I've signed up to NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month. It's a challenge that requires participants to write a novel (or at least 50,000 words thereof) over the course of November. It's going to be tricky, and will probably be keeping me very busy, but it will be something different, interesting and potentially rather cathartic to do. It also keeps my stuck on the sofa behind my laptop, which is a good place to get some rest. So now, as well as keeping you posted on the progress of my weight loss, I will be keeping you posted on the progress of my novel. It sounds like a fun month.
But at least I'm not trying to take part in Movember.
I've learnt an awful lot from Leslie over the last two weeks, and I can't help thinking that I've got a lot more to learn over the next 7 weeks. I've got a lot to learn from my body too. I suspect I know what it's going to tell me, and the future of squidgy chip shop chips does not look good for me. But the rule with Cura Romana is not to create a list of rules for what thou may and may not eat, but rather to make you more aware of the impact each food has on your system. If I know that chips make me bloat, for example, I can choose to indulge occasionally knowing that the result will be a bloat. Or I can choose to eat something lighter, and pinch one or two of my husband's chips to get a taste.
I'm still struggling to rest as much as I should be. It doesn't help that this week seems to have a busy schedule in store for me, following on from a busy weekend. I just seem to be incapable of taking time to chill out and relax and, interestingly, that is starting to really annoy me now. I just want to put all of my commitments on hold so that I can spend an hour lying on the sofa listening to plinky plonky music. Or maybe head over to the "spa" at Larkfield Leisure Centre to have a dip in the jacuzzi and a quick sauna. Hmm, that sounds nice. I've never really been annoyed by not being able to take time to relax before, just tired. It does explain how I've managed to wind up with a fatigue deficit quite as large as I have!
It probably doesn't help that I've signed up to NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month. It's a challenge that requires participants to write a novel (or at least 50,000 words thereof) over the course of November. It's going to be tricky, and will probably be keeping me very busy, but it will be something different, interesting and potentially rather cathartic to do. It also keeps my stuck on the sofa behind my laptop, which is a good place to get some rest. So now, as well as keeping you posted on the progress of my weight loss, I will be keeping you posted on the progress of my novel. It sounds like a fun month.
But at least I'm not trying to take part in Movember.
Monday 24 October 2011
Day 10.
Well, Day 10 has arrived and I am now into double figures. It's been an emotional rollercoaster this far, and the next couple of days look set to be even more rocky. Especially if I don't stop having dreams about eating forbidden foods by accident.
I've been a bit down over the last few days. One of the effects of the Cura Romana diet is to purge the system of artificial stimulants, such as sugar and chocolate (I should know better, I know), which had been keeping my heart rate high. As all of the toxicity and stimulation is slowly leaving my body my resting heart rate has dropped from 73bpm to a much more healthy 56bpm. The effect of this is that I feel a bit down. But as my detoxing phase is slowing (and with it the scarily fast weightloss), my body should be starting to adjust to the new regime. No chocolate. Check. Lower heart rate. Check. Normal level of toxins. Getting there.
During this period of low mood, I've been rather handful. I've had to lean on my husband quite hard for emotional support, as well as being absolutely useless due to working through my fatigue deficit. Even the rabbit has wanted very little to do with me. He came up for a good old sniff at one point, but I later realised that was because I'd been chopping celery and was smelling a bit like lunch to him. I had wondered why he get going up my sleeve. He's warming to me again a little now, but I think he's still suspicious of the changes that are taking place inside my body.
I'm still feeling quite low, but now the miserable phase seems to be interspersed with periods of actually feeling quite chipper and positive. This is a relief. One thing that has really helped me has been to make a Bliss List. I sat quietly for a while and made a list of all of the things that make me feel completely blissed out. Not a little bit happy, like the feeling I get when I realise there is a new episode of House on the Sky+ box, but properly blissed out. Now that I've identified a few, I need to do one every day.
Some of the items on my Bliss List are easy to incorporate into a daily routine, such as finishing an assignment in whatever course I am studying at the moment, or getting so engrossed in a book I sit down and read for the whole evening because I can't bear to go to bed without knowing how it ends. Some of them are less easy. For example, I would be hard pushed to take an hour out of my life to sit in the sun (or just out of the sun) in lightweight clothing with a good book today. At least, not without turning blue and feeling thoroughly unblissed.
Looking down my list I see that the word 'Christmas' appears repeatedly. It's a little bit early to go looking at trees, or walk around a shopping centre with their decorations up, so I've decided to have a little bliss moment by playing some of my favourite Christmas tunes while I write my blog. I'm not going to name any - that would be far too shameful - but the whole ensemble is making me want to cry with happiness.
And that's how I know I've reached my bliss.
I've been a bit down over the last few days. One of the effects of the Cura Romana diet is to purge the system of artificial stimulants, such as sugar and chocolate (I should know better, I know), which had been keeping my heart rate high. As all of the toxicity and stimulation is slowly leaving my body my resting heart rate has dropped from 73bpm to a much more healthy 56bpm. The effect of this is that I feel a bit down. But as my detoxing phase is slowing (and with it the scarily fast weightloss), my body should be starting to adjust to the new regime. No chocolate. Check. Lower heart rate. Check. Normal level of toxins. Getting there.
During this period of low mood, I've been rather handful. I've had to lean on my husband quite hard for emotional support, as well as being absolutely useless due to working through my fatigue deficit. Even the rabbit has wanted very little to do with me. He came up for a good old sniff at one point, but I later realised that was because I'd been chopping celery and was smelling a bit like lunch to him. I had wondered why he get going up my sleeve. He's warming to me again a little now, but I think he's still suspicious of the changes that are taking place inside my body.
I'm still feeling quite low, but now the miserable phase seems to be interspersed with periods of actually feeling quite chipper and positive. This is a relief. One thing that has really helped me has been to make a Bliss List. I sat quietly for a while and made a list of all of the things that make me feel completely blissed out. Not a little bit happy, like the feeling I get when I realise there is a new episode of House on the Sky+ box, but properly blissed out. Now that I've identified a few, I need to do one every day.
Some of the items on my Bliss List are easy to incorporate into a daily routine, such as finishing an assignment in whatever course I am studying at the moment, or getting so engrossed in a book I sit down and read for the whole evening because I can't bear to go to bed without knowing how it ends. Some of them are less easy. For example, I would be hard pushed to take an hour out of my life to sit in the sun (or just out of the sun) in lightweight clothing with a good book today. At least, not without turning blue and feeling thoroughly unblissed.
Looking down my list I see that the word 'Christmas' appears repeatedly. It's a little bit early to go looking at trees, or walk around a shopping centre with their decorations up, so I've decided to have a little bliss moment by playing some of my favourite Christmas tunes while I write my blog. I'm not going to name any - that would be far too shameful - but the whole ensemble is making me want to cry with happiness.
And that's how I know I've reached my bliss.
Friday 21 October 2011
Day 7.
Almost a week into the Cura Romana programme, and I'm starting to feel the shift. I have lost an astonishing 9lbs since the weekend (and the programme only offers up to 7lbs a week), although I did have a slight panic on Wednesday evening when (6lbs down) I had a wrestle with my favourite jeans as they refused to go over my bum. Having dropped two dress sizes and gained 4 stone over the last couple of years, I think that finally the invisible weight is trying to become more visible! That said, I have noticed my wobbly bit on my belly is retreating, and I'm no longer getting stuck on the rabbit gate every time I go through it.
The hunger was there on and off for about 2 and a half days before I realised that I am not actually experiencing hunger now, but more a craving for food. The very lovely Leslie Kenton, who personally mentors everyone who takes the Inner Circle programme, has established (with a few other symptoms) that I have an overgrowth of Candida. The "yeastie beasties" as she calls them are widely believed in alternative medicine to lead to fatigue and weight gain amongst other things, so there is a part of my brain that is still sitting slack-jawed thinking that all of this could be the result of a bad case of intestinal thrush. I don't know how, but I seem to have a definite knack for picking up gut parasites. (If you haven't heard the story of my dairy allergy, please let me know.)
I miss parts of my daily routine, such as not having breakfast. First thing in the morning is usually the only time I am hungry, so I've always eaten a good-sized breakfast. Passing over that feels like I'm missing out, although it is more from routine than hunger than I feel like this. I'm making do with the insoluble fibre and vitamin C combination that I am drinking each morning, and following it up with a cup of laxative tea to prevent my bowels from becoming sluggish on such a small diet. The danger here is that I am really starting to enjoy the laxative tea. I may have to get my husband to hide it somewhere away from me once I return to normal eating to avoid accidentally brewing a cup to enjoy the flavour without thinking through the consequences. Hey, I am a blonde.
I am still detoxing. I have sat on the sofa doing very little except for reading, watching TV, playing Minecraft on my computer and daydreaming. Mainly about being slim and healthy. It feels so wrong after the pacing and being housebound with illness, but my body is working so hard to purge itself of all the rubbish its been carrying around that it needs the rest. It will let me know when it is time to get up again. I am hoping it will be before my birthday though. The intense detox that I am experiencing is what has led to my unusually high weightloss. Most people who undertake the programme would lose less weight in the same space of time, but would also be free from the drowsiness, the bunged nose and the generally feeling a bit rubbish.
On the plus side, I have already noticed that I am getting fewer sharp pains from my fibromyalgia. I am still aching all over, and am still tired, but the improvement is definitely there. I also feel a bit more flexible, as if the stiffness from my muscles is easing away. I've even managed to take baths without the aid of my bathseat, which feels fantastic. Give it a couple more days and I feel sure I'll be able to touch my toes like I used to!
A few people have expressed an interest in Cura Romana after discovering how much weight I've lost with how much ease. Even with the detox taking place, I feel much better than I ever have on any diet I've done before. I have no hunger now, am eating tasty steak on a regular basis and even the disgusting-looking supplements are actually rather tasty. Compared to most diets, Cura Romana is easy. And the big selling factor for me is that they have a 98% success rate at keeping the weight off permanently. Most diets boast a 70% success rate at losing weight initially, but don't broadcast their statistics for long-term weightloss. The 2% who gain weight again after the programme usually did something wrong at some time during the process. So if you are serious about permanent weightloss and want some of the health benefits that Cura Romana offer over other diets, check out what they have to offer at http://www.lesliekentonhcg.com/ . There is a free download called 'Pounds and Inches' which is well worth a read, and you can book a free 15-minute consultation with Leslie Kenton. She is not into hard selling, so you won't feel obligated at all if you decide you'd like to have a chat with her.
Sorry it sounds so much like a sales pitch, but I am just so relieved to have found Cura Romana that I want to share it with everyone who wants to know!
The hunger was there on and off for about 2 and a half days before I realised that I am not actually experiencing hunger now, but more a craving for food. The very lovely Leslie Kenton, who personally mentors everyone who takes the Inner Circle programme, has established (with a few other symptoms) that I have an overgrowth of Candida. The "yeastie beasties" as she calls them are widely believed in alternative medicine to lead to fatigue and weight gain amongst other things, so there is a part of my brain that is still sitting slack-jawed thinking that all of this could be the result of a bad case of intestinal thrush. I don't know how, but I seem to have a definite knack for picking up gut parasites. (If you haven't heard the story of my dairy allergy, please let me know.)
I miss parts of my daily routine, such as not having breakfast. First thing in the morning is usually the only time I am hungry, so I've always eaten a good-sized breakfast. Passing over that feels like I'm missing out, although it is more from routine than hunger than I feel like this. I'm making do with the insoluble fibre and vitamin C combination that I am drinking each morning, and following it up with a cup of laxative tea to prevent my bowels from becoming sluggish on such a small diet. The danger here is that I am really starting to enjoy the laxative tea. I may have to get my husband to hide it somewhere away from me once I return to normal eating to avoid accidentally brewing a cup to enjoy the flavour without thinking through the consequences. Hey, I am a blonde.
I am still detoxing. I have sat on the sofa doing very little except for reading, watching TV, playing Minecraft on my computer and daydreaming. Mainly about being slim and healthy. It feels so wrong after the pacing and being housebound with illness, but my body is working so hard to purge itself of all the rubbish its been carrying around that it needs the rest. It will let me know when it is time to get up again. I am hoping it will be before my birthday though. The intense detox that I am experiencing is what has led to my unusually high weightloss. Most people who undertake the programme would lose less weight in the same space of time, but would also be free from the drowsiness, the bunged nose and the generally feeling a bit rubbish.
On the plus side, I have already noticed that I am getting fewer sharp pains from my fibromyalgia. I am still aching all over, and am still tired, but the improvement is definitely there. I also feel a bit more flexible, as if the stiffness from my muscles is easing away. I've even managed to take baths without the aid of my bathseat, which feels fantastic. Give it a couple more days and I feel sure I'll be able to touch my toes like I used to!
A few people have expressed an interest in Cura Romana after discovering how much weight I've lost with how much ease. Even with the detox taking place, I feel much better than I ever have on any diet I've done before. I have no hunger now, am eating tasty steak on a regular basis and even the disgusting-looking supplements are actually rather tasty. Compared to most diets, Cura Romana is easy. And the big selling factor for me is that they have a 98% success rate at keeping the weight off permanently. Most diets boast a 70% success rate at losing weight initially, but don't broadcast their statistics for long-term weightloss. The 2% who gain weight again after the programme usually did something wrong at some time during the process. So if you are serious about permanent weightloss and want some of the health benefits that Cura Romana offer over other diets, check out what they have to offer at http://www.lesliekentonhcg.com/ . There is a free download called 'Pounds and Inches' which is well worth a read, and you can book a free 15-minute consultation with Leslie Kenton. She is not into hard selling, so you won't feel obligated at all if you decide you'd like to have a chat with her.
Sorry it sounds so much like a sales pitch, but I am just so relieved to have found Cura Romana that I want to share it with everyone who wants to know!
Wednesday 19 October 2011
Day 5.
This is now my third day on the Cura Romana hCG + Food Plan. I've been a bit hungry, which is not entirely uncommon, but no light-headedness or woozy feelings so I know my blood sugar hasn't plummeted. I've also been having some mighty detox effects, but given how toxic I was to begin with, that is also not a surprise. And if suffering the effects for a couple of days now means that I will feel better, stronger and less toxic in the long run, then I am quite willing to deal with it!
A lot of people experience no hunger at all,except right before mealtimes,from Day1 of hCG+ Food Plan. I was not one of these lucky ones. Admittedly,the hunger I felt was very mild, and seemed to pass quite quickly when I had a rest or a drink. As the days are passing, I'm becoming more and more aware that what I am thinking of as hunger is actually a craving for food. Over the next three weeks, I am hoping to see an end to this pattern. I miss my breakfast routine, and my body is slightly baffled when it doesn't get its usual meal at this time. I will adjust to this too, in time. I had also known for a long time that I felt hunger when I was bored and often had a little graze to stave off this feeling. As the detox is taking effect I am feeling lazy and sad, and the boredom graze desire is constantly nagging at me. I'm trusting myself though, and trusting the system, and doing my best to ignore these urges. I haven't succumbed yet, and if I can make it through the first two days-the hardest two days- I know I can make it to the end.
Plus I've already lost 6lbs, and that's quite an incentive to keep going.
I am feeling sad and achy, bored and irritable, and all in all rather sorry for myself. Basically, I seem to have been transported back to the body of the teen I was when I started taking the contraceptive pill to control my period pains and first gave in to the world of weight gain. This is not a bad thing. If I have not been living my life to the fullest since then, why not start my Cura Romana journey from this point? After all, I have a gap of about 12 years to fill in, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to relive some of the experiences I've had during that time from a more balanced, mature and healthy perspective. I can't undo the things that I have done"wrong", nor would I want to for the most part, but I can revisit them and learn the lessons I may have missed the first time around, or simply look at them again and say "I see how I let that happen. Let's never get to that state again." Either way, I feel that this journey will have a lot to teach me.
A lot of people experience no hunger at all,except right before mealtimes,from Day1 of hCG+ Food Plan. I was not one of these lucky ones. Admittedly,the hunger I felt was very mild, and seemed to pass quite quickly when I had a rest or a drink. As the days are passing, I'm becoming more and more aware that what I am thinking of as hunger is actually a craving for food. Over the next three weeks, I am hoping to see an end to this pattern. I miss my breakfast routine, and my body is slightly baffled when it doesn't get its usual meal at this time. I will adjust to this too, in time. I had also known for a long time that I felt hunger when I was bored and often had a little graze to stave off this feeling. As the detox is taking effect I am feeling lazy and sad, and the boredom graze desire is constantly nagging at me. I'm trusting myself though, and trusting the system, and doing my best to ignore these urges. I haven't succumbed yet, and if I can make it through the first two days-the hardest two days- I know I can make it to the end.
Plus I've already lost 6lbs, and that's quite an incentive to keep going.
I am feeling sad and achy, bored and irritable, and all in all rather sorry for myself. Basically, I seem to have been transported back to the body of the teen I was when I started taking the contraceptive pill to control my period pains and first gave in to the world of weight gain. This is not a bad thing. If I have not been living my life to the fullest since then, why not start my Cura Romana journey from this point? After all, I have a gap of about 12 years to fill in, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to relive some of the experiences I've had during that time from a more balanced, mature and healthy perspective. I can't undo the things that I have done"wrong", nor would I want to for the most part, but I can revisit them and learn the lessons I may have missed the first time around, or simply look at them again and say "I see how I let that happen. Let's never get to that state again." Either way, I feel that this journey will have a lot to teach me.
Monday 17 October 2011
Day 3.
Well, I am now onto day 3 of my Cura Romana journey. I stuffed myself full of fatty foods for 2 days and am now 2 pounds lighter. That's not quite how it's supposed to work, but I'm pleased nonetheless. Now I'm onto day 3, and the real programme starts. 500 calories a day. Eek.
As I am living on the fat that is being released from my body's stores, I don't need to worry. I'm a little hungry now, but it will pass in the next few days. Besides, it's almost lunch time and I haven't eaten yet, which is unusual for someone who loves breakfast more than any other meal. I'm not feeling woozy or light-headed, which I usually would if I went this far into the day without eating. I am very tired, but given how tired I was before that is not a huge surprise either. On the plus side though, I did sleep uncommonly well last night.
Now that I feel like I am on the programme proper I'm kind of excited. I'm getting ready to make the changes that I have been so desperate to make. I am hitting the reboot button that I've been looking for for so long. I can cope with passing up on my favourite meal of the day for 3 weeks if it means that I can get back in touch with my body, sleep well and wake up feeling rested. And if I can shift a few pounds in the process, so much the better.
As I am living on the fat that is being released from my body's stores, I don't need to worry. I'm a little hungry now, but it will pass in the next few days. Besides, it's almost lunch time and I haven't eaten yet, which is unusual for someone who loves breakfast more than any other meal. I'm not feeling woozy or light-headed, which I usually would if I went this far into the day without eating. I am very tired, but given how tired I was before that is not a huge surprise either. On the plus side though, I did sleep uncommonly well last night.
Now that I feel like I am on the programme proper I'm kind of excited. I'm getting ready to make the changes that I have been so desperate to make. I am hitting the reboot button that I've been looking for for so long. I can cope with passing up on my favourite meal of the day for 3 weeks if it means that I can get back in touch with my body, sleep well and wake up feeling rested. And if I can shift a few pounds in the process, so much the better.
Saturday 15 October 2011
Day 1.
My last post was about getting excited to start a weight loss programme called Cura Romana. After plenty of shopping to gather all of the supplies that can help me through the process, I finally pushed the start button yesterday. This meant that today is the day. I have now officially started.
It's quite a scary step. After all, part of the process involves a very low calorie diet and strict guidelines as to how those calories are made up. I've always belittled VLCDs such as LighterLife, as I think they are dangerous, and now I find myself not just starting on one but actually looking forward to it. Of course, there is something that makes this version safe, and that is the homoeopathic equivalent of hCG. Yes, that would be the pregnancy hormone.
Those who follow my blog because they are or know chronic pain and fatigue sufferers may have heard of the pregnancy remission. Basically, when the human body is pregnant, it is like a reboot button has been pressed. Chronic pain and fatigue seem to ebb away, and sufferers tend to get a new lease of life during pregnancy that lasts after childbirth. The hormone that causes this energetic reboot is called hCG, and Cura Romana came about when a scientist discovered that injecting hCG into non-pregnant subjects (including men) triggered the same reboot. Once the homoeopathic was discovered, the programme became viable to the greater public rather than just those who could afford to go to expensive clinics to have the injections regularly administered.
Basically, hCG causes fat to be released from storage. When you're not pregnant, this means that with a little protein, vitamin and mineral support you can actually live on the fat that is being released without feeling hungry. This is how Cura Romana works. Okay, there's actually a little more to it than that, but that's the basics.
So this morning I woke up and too my homoeopathic in spray form under my tongue. I usually start my day with a big swig of water, but I had to wait 15 minutes before I could put anything else in my mouth. This was uncomfortable. My mouth and throat felt dry and scratchy. I distracted myself by doing my morning weigh in. I don't now whether it's appropriate to share this with you or not, but in the interest of being completely open I weighed in at 19 stone 13lbs. That's 279lbs. More than Homer Simpson. Let's see where it is by the time I'm done with Cura Romana.
Day 1 of Cura Romana is called a Feast Day. As it takes a couple of days for the homoeopathic to become effective in the body, for the first two days you eat plenty of high quality, rich and fatty foods. This results in a slight weight gain over the first couple of days, but as the food isn't really stored but is quickly released by the homoeopathic it is usually gone within 48 hours of starting the Food Plan. By doing Feast Days, your body is functioning with all of the necessary fats, as well as being a psychologically pleasing start to a "diet".
This meant that breakfast today was sausages, bacon and naan bread. This is officially the best diet ever!
I did have to complement the tasty breakfast with some interesting digestive support though. I usually use a Polo to mask the foul taste of my medication. As all mints are completely no-go, I've now got two mint plants sitting on my windowsill. Whenever I feel myself reaching for a mint (and those of you who know me will know how often that happens) I now pick half a leaf of mint and chomp away. It tastes cleaner and fresher, and is more satisfying as I get to chomp away on it. I don't know why I didn't make the switch years ago.
I then had a bizarre concoction of 3g of vitamin C (yes, I know it's more than the body can absorb, but it's a funny old protocol and the rules are strict) mixed with 250ml of water and a rounded teaspoon of psyllium husks. When I was told psyllium husks were insoluble fibre, I wasn't expecting them to be as insoluble as they were. I tipped my spoonful into the water and watched it bob across the surface in an almost perfect spoonful shape. Even the hand blender seemed to have difficulty getting them to socialise with the water in any way. Still, down it all went, with a slightly lemony taste from the vitamin C that was not wholly unpleasant.
I then moved onto the laxative tea. Knowing how medicinal herbal teas usually taste, this was the part I was least looking forward to. But, again, it went down quickly and easily, and rather nice. Perhaps a little sweet for my tastes, but certainly better than I was expecting and not something I will dread for the rest of the protocol.
The other task I have for the morning of Day 1 is to think about what I want to achieve on the protocol. I have 3 goals, and they are all rather simple.
Goal 1: I want to lose weight. I want to shift about 9stone, and hopefully Cura Romana will help me to kickstart that. I'm not expecting to be a shapely 11stone by the end of the nine-week programme, but I want to be in a position to see myself realistically getting there without having to struggle and cry and starve myself to death on something like LighterLife.
Goal 2: I want to be rid of my aches, pains and fatigues. It sounds like a big ask, but if any protocol has the power to do it, Cura Romana does. Let's think big.
Goal 3: I want to reunite myself with my body. For a long time now I think I was so absent in my own head that my body just carried on doing the best it could without me. I'm looking forward to being able to connect with my body, and let it know that I want to help it, I want to exercise it, and I want to look after it. After all, it's been looking after me for a long time now.
I feel like I've achieved a good amount for a Saturday morning before lunch. Now I need to go and make sure I've got plenty of tasty food in to last me for the rest of the weekend.
It's quite a scary step. After all, part of the process involves a very low calorie diet and strict guidelines as to how those calories are made up. I've always belittled VLCDs such as LighterLife, as I think they are dangerous, and now I find myself not just starting on one but actually looking forward to it. Of course, there is something that makes this version safe, and that is the homoeopathic equivalent of hCG. Yes, that would be the pregnancy hormone.
Those who follow my blog because they are or know chronic pain and fatigue sufferers may have heard of the pregnancy remission. Basically, when the human body is pregnant, it is like a reboot button has been pressed. Chronic pain and fatigue seem to ebb away, and sufferers tend to get a new lease of life during pregnancy that lasts after childbirth. The hormone that causes this energetic reboot is called hCG, and Cura Romana came about when a scientist discovered that injecting hCG into non-pregnant subjects (including men) triggered the same reboot. Once the homoeopathic was discovered, the programme became viable to the greater public rather than just those who could afford to go to expensive clinics to have the injections regularly administered.
Basically, hCG causes fat to be released from storage. When you're not pregnant, this means that with a little protein, vitamin and mineral support you can actually live on the fat that is being released without feeling hungry. This is how Cura Romana works. Okay, there's actually a little more to it than that, but that's the basics.
So this morning I woke up and too my homoeopathic in spray form under my tongue. I usually start my day with a big swig of water, but I had to wait 15 minutes before I could put anything else in my mouth. This was uncomfortable. My mouth and throat felt dry and scratchy. I distracted myself by doing my morning weigh in. I don't now whether it's appropriate to share this with you or not, but in the interest of being completely open I weighed in at 19 stone 13lbs. That's 279lbs. More than Homer Simpson. Let's see where it is by the time I'm done with Cura Romana.
Day 1 of Cura Romana is called a Feast Day. As it takes a couple of days for the homoeopathic to become effective in the body, for the first two days you eat plenty of high quality, rich and fatty foods. This results in a slight weight gain over the first couple of days, but as the food isn't really stored but is quickly released by the homoeopathic it is usually gone within 48 hours of starting the Food Plan. By doing Feast Days, your body is functioning with all of the necessary fats, as well as being a psychologically pleasing start to a "diet".
This meant that breakfast today was sausages, bacon and naan bread. This is officially the best diet ever!
I did have to complement the tasty breakfast with some interesting digestive support though. I usually use a Polo to mask the foul taste of my medication. As all mints are completely no-go, I've now got two mint plants sitting on my windowsill. Whenever I feel myself reaching for a mint (and those of you who know me will know how often that happens) I now pick half a leaf of mint and chomp away. It tastes cleaner and fresher, and is more satisfying as I get to chomp away on it. I don't know why I didn't make the switch years ago.
I then had a bizarre concoction of 3g of vitamin C (yes, I know it's more than the body can absorb, but it's a funny old protocol and the rules are strict) mixed with 250ml of water and a rounded teaspoon of psyllium husks. When I was told psyllium husks were insoluble fibre, I wasn't expecting them to be as insoluble as they were. I tipped my spoonful into the water and watched it bob across the surface in an almost perfect spoonful shape. Even the hand blender seemed to have difficulty getting them to socialise with the water in any way. Still, down it all went, with a slightly lemony taste from the vitamin C that was not wholly unpleasant.
I then moved onto the laxative tea. Knowing how medicinal herbal teas usually taste, this was the part I was least looking forward to. But, again, it went down quickly and easily, and rather nice. Perhaps a little sweet for my tastes, but certainly better than I was expecting and not something I will dread for the rest of the protocol.
The other task I have for the morning of Day 1 is to think about what I want to achieve on the protocol. I have 3 goals, and they are all rather simple.
Goal 1: I want to lose weight. I want to shift about 9stone, and hopefully Cura Romana will help me to kickstart that. I'm not expecting to be a shapely 11stone by the end of the nine-week programme, but I want to be in a position to see myself realistically getting there without having to struggle and cry and starve myself to death on something like LighterLife.
Goal 2: I want to be rid of my aches, pains and fatigues. It sounds like a big ask, but if any protocol has the power to do it, Cura Romana does. Let's think big.
Goal 3: I want to reunite myself with my body. For a long time now I think I was so absent in my own head that my body just carried on doing the best it could without me. I'm looking forward to being able to connect with my body, and let it know that I want to help it, I want to exercise it, and I want to look after it. After all, it's been looking after me for a long time now.
I feel like I've achieved a good amount for a Saturday morning before lunch. Now I need to go and make sure I've got plenty of tasty food in to last me for the rest of the weekend.
Wednesday 5 October 2011
Cura Romana.
Over the next few months, I hope that there will be more blog posts. However, I will be hijacking my own blog a little. I have been introduced to a process called Cura Romana, which is essentially a detox diet combined with a homoeopathic remedy that trigger weight loss, improved health and a sense of mental and emotional wellbeing. I am looking forward to it, as these are all things I desperately need, and I want to document the journey and share it with other people who are interested. To do this, I will simply blog regularly as I undergo the process.
I recently met a therapist named Shirley, from Transition Therapies (http://www.transitiontherapies.holisticlocal.co.uk/). We were chatting generally, and the subject of my weight and health issues came up. She recommended Cura Romana, having tried it successfully herself some time before, and lent me her copy of this book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cura-Romana-Weightloss-Plan/dp/0593066731/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1317813287&sr=8-2 . I very quickly felt that this was something that I needed to try, and now have my own copy. I have been saying for years that I feel like I just need to hit my reboot button, and this seems to be a protocol that will allow me to do this.
So after having a massive clear out and eBay frenzy, I have managed to get the money together to get started. Leslie Kenton offers a free consultation via her website (http://www.lesliekentonhcg.com/), and if you are interested in trying this for yourself you will find that she is a wonderfully positive, non-judgemental person, who takes the same attitude towards hard sell that I do. She doesn't want to just leech money out of people and make a quick buck; she wants to see people's lives transformed, and so will choose to help those for whom the protocol will be massively beneficial over those who seem to be faddy, yo-yo dieters. If you can only accept so many people onto your programme, you want to choose those who will provide the best success stories.
At this stage, I am a little nervous. The protocol allows so little food per day. How can I possibly not be hungry? And it is almost entirely successful, as long as you follow the protocol precisely - what happens if I make a mistake? What if I get ill? What if I can't manage it? What if I am away from home, and can't eat the appropriate food? There are so many worries going through my mind. But the feedback is universal from people who have tried it - you CAN do it. It is easy. It is considerably easier than you could possibly imagine. And I am so ready to lose weight, lose pain and lose fatigue that I can be ready to make the other necessary lifestyle changes to ensure that I can make it work.
Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go buy some scales.
I recently met a therapist named Shirley, from Transition Therapies (http://www.transitiontherapies.holisticlocal.co.uk/). We were chatting generally, and the subject of my weight and health issues came up. She recommended Cura Romana, having tried it successfully herself some time before, and lent me her copy of this book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cura-Romana-Weightloss-Plan/dp/0593066731/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1317813287&sr=8-2 . I very quickly felt that this was something that I needed to try, and now have my own copy. I have been saying for years that I feel like I just need to hit my reboot button, and this seems to be a protocol that will allow me to do this.
So after having a massive clear out and eBay frenzy, I have managed to get the money together to get started. Leslie Kenton offers a free consultation via her website (http://www.lesliekentonhcg.com/), and if you are interested in trying this for yourself you will find that she is a wonderfully positive, non-judgemental person, who takes the same attitude towards hard sell that I do. She doesn't want to just leech money out of people and make a quick buck; she wants to see people's lives transformed, and so will choose to help those for whom the protocol will be massively beneficial over those who seem to be faddy, yo-yo dieters. If you can only accept so many people onto your programme, you want to choose those who will provide the best success stories.
At this stage, I am a little nervous. The protocol allows so little food per day. How can I possibly not be hungry? And it is almost entirely successful, as long as you follow the protocol precisely - what happens if I make a mistake? What if I get ill? What if I can't manage it? What if I am away from home, and can't eat the appropriate food? There are so many worries going through my mind. But the feedback is universal from people who have tried it - you CAN do it. It is easy. It is considerably easier than you could possibly imagine. And I am so ready to lose weight, lose pain and lose fatigue that I can be ready to make the other necessary lifestyle changes to ensure that I can make it work.
Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go buy some scales.
Thursday 29 September 2011
Escape.
By now, many of you have realised that I refuse to just sit back and let me condition rule my life. I prefer to carry on doing the things I love, even if it has to be a slightly toned down version. Since becoming ill, I have discovered a hobby that, although physically demanding, allows me to escape the world of pain and exhaustion. I like to live role-play.
For anyone not familiar with this concept, I dress up in fantasy costume, sometimes I paint my face, I pick up a foam and latex weapon and charge off into battle. Admittedly, the only time I ever use a weapon is to parry blows, but I still have a great time. For those who are not inflicted with chronic pain, it is a brutal, highly physical hobby. For those of us who are, it is somewhat softer. I tend to prefer playing a healer, so I float along behind a party, watch them spring into action and then appear with either a roll of bandages or a nifty incantation that will fix any broken limbs and allow the fighters to continue keeping me safe.
Most systems seem to allow for players to avoid combat in one way or another. I now play with two different groups, who do this differently. One group give me a white sash which renders me immune from combat - incredibly useful for a healer - and the other tells me to run away as fast as I can. At the latter I have been hit twice, and it can be incredibly painful, but given how long I have been playing being hit twice is reassuringly low. When I compare it to how many times I've cracked heads with another backstroker, accidentally stuck needles into my fingers (or legs, or arms, or belly...) or fallen over trying to get from one room to another, I do find LRP a surprisingly painless hobby.
The other thing that LRP offers that other hobbies don't is the opportunity to escape. If you look at videos such as the one below, you will see how immersive the experience is, and what an amazing opportunity it offers to escape the routine of daily life. LRPers will tell you time and time again that you can be whoever you want to be, and whatever you want to be, and when I devise my characters I choose not to be ill, and not to be in constant pain. It's not foolproof, but the difference in pain levels catches me by surprise every time I play. And this is why LRP changed my life.
Any of you who have known me for a while will know that earlier this year I experienced a change. The pain changed for me, and I am now much happier in myself. Some of this was due to a change in medication. Some of it was due to a change in mindset. I realised that when I am Ezra, or Thalia, or Jessalyn, or Ruby I manage my pain in a completely different manner. It is still there, I just choose to feel it in different ways. Each of my characters deals with their pain in a different way, and this made me realise that as Sally I can choose the method of coping that works best for me. And if I work really hard, in time, I will be able to escape it altogether.
Now I'm not saying that LRP is a magical cure and that every chronic pain sufferer should throw themselves whole-heartedly into playing. I have simply found that this is the way of escaping that works for me. What I do think every chronic pain sufferer should do if they want to get better is to find the hobby, the mindset, the activity or whatever else it is that gives them a way to escape. It is hard work being in constant pain, and we all deserve a way out.
For anyone not familiar with this concept, I dress up in fantasy costume, sometimes I paint my face, I pick up a foam and latex weapon and charge off into battle. Admittedly, the only time I ever use a weapon is to parry blows, but I still have a great time. For those who are not inflicted with chronic pain, it is a brutal, highly physical hobby. For those of us who are, it is somewhat softer. I tend to prefer playing a healer, so I float along behind a party, watch them spring into action and then appear with either a roll of bandages or a nifty incantation that will fix any broken limbs and allow the fighters to continue keeping me safe.
Most systems seem to allow for players to avoid combat in one way or another. I now play with two different groups, who do this differently. One group give me a white sash which renders me immune from combat - incredibly useful for a healer - and the other tells me to run away as fast as I can. At the latter I have been hit twice, and it can be incredibly painful, but given how long I have been playing being hit twice is reassuringly low. When I compare it to how many times I've cracked heads with another backstroker, accidentally stuck needles into my fingers (or legs, or arms, or belly...) or fallen over trying to get from one room to another, I do find LRP a surprisingly painless hobby.
The other thing that LRP offers that other hobbies don't is the opportunity to escape. If you look at videos such as the one below, you will see how immersive the experience is, and what an amazing opportunity it offers to escape the routine of daily life. LRPers will tell you time and time again that you can be whoever you want to be, and whatever you want to be, and when I devise my characters I choose not to be ill, and not to be in constant pain. It's not foolproof, but the difference in pain levels catches me by surprise every time I play. And this is why LRP changed my life.
Any of you who have known me for a while will know that earlier this year I experienced a change. The pain changed for me, and I am now much happier in myself. Some of this was due to a change in medication. Some of it was due to a change in mindset. I realised that when I am Ezra, or Thalia, or Jessalyn, or Ruby I manage my pain in a completely different manner. It is still there, I just choose to feel it in different ways. Each of my characters deals with their pain in a different way, and this made me realise that as Sally I can choose the method of coping that works best for me. And if I work really hard, in time, I will be able to escape it altogether.
Now I'm not saying that LRP is a magical cure and that every chronic pain sufferer should throw themselves whole-heartedly into playing. I have simply found that this is the way of escaping that works for me. What I do think every chronic pain sufferer should do if they want to get better is to find the hobby, the mindset, the activity or whatever else it is that gives them a way to escape. It is hard work being in constant pain, and we all deserve a way out.
Sunday 11 September 2011
Clutter.
I always forget how many facets conditions like fibromyalgia can have. I've reminded myself of this repeatedly over the last two weeks, as I have run myself so ragged that I haven't had time to blog.
It all started when I decided that the time was right to find a more convenient premises than A New Leaf, and move into the Regus building, which is something I have been considering for a long time. The idea of this is that if I am located somewhere like Kings Hill I can treat local office workers and Mums, for whom A New Leaf is simply not convenient. Even if it is a spectacular oasis of calm. In order to streamline as much as possible, whilst still carrying everything I needed, I went through my large case and cleared out all of the stuff that I don't use any more. There was a surprisingly large amount of it. And everything felt much better for getting rid of unnecessary clutter.
This inspired me to get rid of more unnecessary clutter in my life. I've had a good clear out (okay, well not a good clear out, but it's a start) in my back room, and put a load on ebay. It'll feel good to have a bit of space back, and a few more pennies in my purse will feel even better. And hopefully this will pave the start of a good habit for me, and I will be able to keep my physical space free of clutter.
Of course, it's not just physical clutter that can make a fibromyalgic feel rough. I'm sure many of you are familiar with the feeling of fibro fog. For those of you who aren't, this is a feeling of fog on the brain, that makes your brain move slowly, words seem outside of your grasp, and any kind of mental faculty something you can only dream of. And, sadly, clearing the clutter out of your mind is not as easy as clearing it out of your home. I find a bit of meditation can really help, but sometimes the clutter feels so thick that any amount of sitting quietly cannot give you space to clear your mind. And I feel like this has been the case for me recently.
My personal goal for this week is to find a little bit of time every day to zone out and meditate. I will clear my mind of errant thoughts, and focus on a slow progression of numbers counting from 1 to 10. Every time a sneaky thought pops into my brain, I will thank it and ask it to return later when it is more convenient. I don't know if I will make it to 10. It's an exercise I find very difficult. But one thing I can be sure of is that if I practise every day I will find it much easier by the end of the week than I did at the beginning.
It all started when I decided that the time was right to find a more convenient premises than A New Leaf, and move into the Regus building, which is something I have been considering for a long time. The idea of this is that if I am located somewhere like Kings Hill I can treat local office workers and Mums, for whom A New Leaf is simply not convenient. Even if it is a spectacular oasis of calm. In order to streamline as much as possible, whilst still carrying everything I needed, I went through my large case and cleared out all of the stuff that I don't use any more. There was a surprisingly large amount of it. And everything felt much better for getting rid of unnecessary clutter.
This inspired me to get rid of more unnecessary clutter in my life. I've had a good clear out (okay, well not a good clear out, but it's a start) in my back room, and put a load on ebay. It'll feel good to have a bit of space back, and a few more pennies in my purse will feel even better. And hopefully this will pave the start of a good habit for me, and I will be able to keep my physical space free of clutter.
Of course, it's not just physical clutter that can make a fibromyalgic feel rough. I'm sure many of you are familiar with the feeling of fibro fog. For those of you who aren't, this is a feeling of fog on the brain, that makes your brain move slowly, words seem outside of your grasp, and any kind of mental faculty something you can only dream of. And, sadly, clearing the clutter out of your mind is not as easy as clearing it out of your home. I find a bit of meditation can really help, but sometimes the clutter feels so thick that any amount of sitting quietly cannot give you space to clear your mind. And I feel like this has been the case for me recently.
My personal goal for this week is to find a little bit of time every day to zone out and meditate. I will clear my mind of errant thoughts, and focus on a slow progression of numbers counting from 1 to 10. Every time a sneaky thought pops into my brain, I will thank it and ask it to return later when it is more convenient. I don't know if I will make it to 10. It's an exercise I find very difficult. But one thing I can be sure of is that if I practise every day I will find it much easier by the end of the week than I did at the beginning.
Thursday 25 August 2011
Heat.
Over the last few years I have noticed my body temperature has risen a little. This was compounded one Christmas when my GP sister-in-law produced a new-fangled thermometer to check the temperature of one of her children, and we had to pass it round the breakfast table and all have a go. Out of the 16 present, everyone measured within the 37-37.5C range. Except for me. I had a temperature of 38.5C. This is still within the normal range, but might indicate that I'm sickening for something. Actually, I felt about as good as I ever do that day.
One of the things that baffles a lot of my clients is how much I start to sweat when I do energy work such as reiki or reflexology, but this is quite simply explained. I'm hot. Anyone who has ever had a treatment with me is likely to have noticed that my energy is very hot, and can raise the room temperature by a couple of degrees over the course of an hour. Imagine what that is doing to my body! That is the reason that I will turn up in a short-sleeved shirt for treatments in the middle of winter.
I've learnt recently that this is really common amongst chronic fatigue sufferers, and is known as ME Fever. It's not a literal fever, but more an increased temperature as the body tries to fight off an infection that isn't there. If you imagine that is what is going on inside the body of someone with ME, the tiredness, the aching and the compromised immune system all make perfect sense too. And it also explains why so many people are first diagnosed with post-viral fatigue before being 'upgraded' to ME or CFS.
All of this does, of course, make summer quite hard work. The moment the ambient temperature increases at all I get hot and sticky, and don't want to do anything other than take cool showers and lie on the sofa in front of a fan. Knowing how bad that is for my Boom and Bust tendencies, I continue to plod on through the summer months, stopping for baby wipes and fresh clothes whenever I can. But even amidst the mediocre summer we're experiencing at the moment, I do find myself looking forward to autumn.
One of the things that baffles a lot of my clients is how much I start to sweat when I do energy work such as reiki or reflexology, but this is quite simply explained. I'm hot. Anyone who has ever had a treatment with me is likely to have noticed that my energy is very hot, and can raise the room temperature by a couple of degrees over the course of an hour. Imagine what that is doing to my body! That is the reason that I will turn up in a short-sleeved shirt for treatments in the middle of winter.
I've learnt recently that this is really common amongst chronic fatigue sufferers, and is known as ME Fever. It's not a literal fever, but more an increased temperature as the body tries to fight off an infection that isn't there. If you imagine that is what is going on inside the body of someone with ME, the tiredness, the aching and the compromised immune system all make perfect sense too. And it also explains why so many people are first diagnosed with post-viral fatigue before being 'upgraded' to ME or CFS.
All of this does, of course, make summer quite hard work. The moment the ambient temperature increases at all I get hot and sticky, and don't want to do anything other than take cool showers and lie on the sofa in front of a fan. Knowing how bad that is for my Boom and Bust tendencies, I continue to plod on through the summer months, stopping for baby wipes and fresh clothes whenever I can. But even amidst the mediocre summer we're experiencing at the moment, I do find myself looking forward to autumn.
Tuesday 16 August 2011
Tentacles.
The problem with being self-employed is the difficulty with getting your name known. I've done a couple of health/beauty/psychic fairs, which I think is helping. I love doing them though, so it's not the end of the world if they don't help. The thing is I know I'm good at what I do. I just don't know how to let the everyone else know.
I've tried advertising through the Kings Hill Directory and the Yellow Pages. KHD was quite good, but it was too expensive to keep up without getting enough people coming back to me from it. I needed one treatment a month simply to pay for the advert, and another to cover the overheads of the first treatment. Yellow Pages was a nightmare. It cost a fortune, and I was plagued with phone calls from other companies trying to sell me more advertising. Not a single person so much as looked at my website with an interest in what I do.
The problem with holistic therapy is that people don't look in the usual places for it. If you want to try reflexology, say, you don't turn to the Yellow Pages straight away. You ask your friends whether they can recommend someone. They give you a business card, and you find your therapist that way. Hands down, the best way to do it. This means that the way I need to get myself known in the area is... to be known in the area. Pants.
My new way of thinking is that I want to get people through the door. I don't mind not making money at first, as long as I'm not losing any.* After all, I'm not making any money now. I'm thinking about offering discounts to local businesses who want to send their employees along in their lunch hours, and having offers on particular therapies to get people to try something new. And I've got a couple of beauty/health/psychic fairs lined up, which are always good opportunities for mingling. Basically, it's time to get my tentacles out as far into the community as I can.
*Successful advertising doesn't count as losing money; that is investing. Unsuccessful advertising on the other hand...
I've tried advertising through the Kings Hill Directory and the Yellow Pages. KHD was quite good, but it was too expensive to keep up without getting enough people coming back to me from it. I needed one treatment a month simply to pay for the advert, and another to cover the overheads of the first treatment. Yellow Pages was a nightmare. It cost a fortune, and I was plagued with phone calls from other companies trying to sell me more advertising. Not a single person so much as looked at my website with an interest in what I do.
The problem with holistic therapy is that people don't look in the usual places for it. If you want to try reflexology, say, you don't turn to the Yellow Pages straight away. You ask your friends whether they can recommend someone. They give you a business card, and you find your therapist that way. Hands down, the best way to do it. This means that the way I need to get myself known in the area is... to be known in the area. Pants.
My new way of thinking is that I want to get people through the door. I don't mind not making money at first, as long as I'm not losing any.* After all, I'm not making any money now. I'm thinking about offering discounts to local businesses who want to send their employees along in their lunch hours, and having offers on particular therapies to get people to try something new. And I've got a couple of beauty/health/psychic fairs lined up, which are always good opportunities for mingling. Basically, it's time to get my tentacles out as far into the community as I can.
*Successful advertising doesn't count as losing money; that is investing. Unsuccessful advertising on the other hand...
Friday 12 August 2011
Wake me up before you go-go.
Is it just me, or is it ridiculously difficult to get out of bed some mornings? This morning I was given a helping hand getting out of bed when I woke up to an enormous crashing sound. Worried about Robin, I leapt into action before I'd quite finished opening my eyes to check he was okay. He was. Which is more than can be said for the kitchen, as the shelf holding all of my cookbooks had taken a spectacular dive towards the floor, taking the contents of the kitchen table with it. While Robin gathered up all of the books and drill bits (which I had left on the table after my bathroom DIY escapades yesterday), I swayed dangerously on the spot before turning around and heading for the sofa to regain my sense of balance. Even on days when I manage to spring like an ungainly gazelle from my bed, I have trouble staying in action for more than a few minutes.
Usually it takes me a bit longer to manage that first step. When we need to be out of the door for a certain time, we have to set the alarm at least half an hour earlier than we should need to get up to make sure that I will actually be able to stand up in time to leave. What we always forget is that when I wake up of my own volition it takes me half an hour to come to. It takes considerably longer if I have to be roused by the infuriating buzzing of my alarm clock.
I have developed a little trick to bring me to a little faster. Basically, I lie on my back, kick my legs into the air and waggle for a couple of minutes. This gets the blood flowing, and will usually allow me to get straight up from there. The real problem comes on mornings when I don't have either the strength to kick my legs up in the first place or the wherewithal to remember that this trick can help to speed up the process. Luckily these days are becoming fewer and further between, but they do still seem to be annoyingly existent.
Even when I've managed to get out of bed without faceplanting into the carpet (or anything else, for that matter), I don't function correctly until I've sat upright for a while and poured at least 2 pints of water into my system. That's half of the government's RDI, for anyone who's keeping track. I've managed to get enough of a routine to do the important things in the morning, but beyond that I'm useless for a couple of hours. If you don't want me to feed the rabbit, feed myself, take my medicine or check my email, I don't know what you're asking. That's why my appointments tend to start from about 11am.
Twice this year I have woken up feeling less tired than when I went to bed. Given that this is August, that would be a shocking statistic for anyone not affected with ME. I wouldn't go so far as to say I felt refreshed, but after 9 years of illness those two mornings are ingrained on my memory as being some of the best mornings in memory. As my memory is also failing, that's perhaps not the complement it could be, but I'm still proud. If I could make it to the hat-trick by the end of 2011 I would be a very happy girl.
Usually it takes me a bit longer to manage that first step. When we need to be out of the door for a certain time, we have to set the alarm at least half an hour earlier than we should need to get up to make sure that I will actually be able to stand up in time to leave. What we always forget is that when I wake up of my own volition it takes me half an hour to come to. It takes considerably longer if I have to be roused by the infuriating buzzing of my alarm clock.
I have developed a little trick to bring me to a little faster. Basically, I lie on my back, kick my legs into the air and waggle for a couple of minutes. This gets the blood flowing, and will usually allow me to get straight up from there. The real problem comes on mornings when I don't have either the strength to kick my legs up in the first place or the wherewithal to remember that this trick can help to speed up the process. Luckily these days are becoming fewer and further between, but they do still seem to be annoyingly existent.
Even when I've managed to get out of bed without faceplanting into the carpet (or anything else, for that matter), I don't function correctly until I've sat upright for a while and poured at least 2 pints of water into my system. That's half of the government's RDI, for anyone who's keeping track. I've managed to get enough of a routine to do the important things in the morning, but beyond that I'm useless for a couple of hours. If you don't want me to feed the rabbit, feed myself, take my medicine or check my email, I don't know what you're asking. That's why my appointments tend to start from about 11am.
Twice this year I have woken up feeling less tired than when I went to bed. Given that this is August, that would be a shocking statistic for anyone not affected with ME. I wouldn't go so far as to say I felt refreshed, but after 9 years of illness those two mornings are ingrained on my memory as being some of the best mornings in memory. As my memory is also failing, that's perhaps not the complement it could be, but I'm still proud. If I could make it to the hat-trick by the end of 2011 I would be a very happy girl.
Tuesday 9 August 2011
Boating.
I've just got back from a week's holiday. I feel all refreshed, after spending some time on the canals in a narrowboat. It's something we do about once a year, because it's so relaxing.
For anyone who hasn't been boating before, the premise is very simple. You board your boat, head off at up to 4mph (walking speed), and then when you reach a convenient spot you stop, moor up and spend your evening relaxing however you choose. For us, that is to cook a meal in the small galley, watch a DVD and then get an early night. For many other boaters, it is a great way to visit every pub within walking distance of a canal over the course of a week. Basically, it's a plusher form of camping with the tent carrying you between pitches rather than the other way around.
At the start of every holiday on the boat, I look down at the ladders to get in and out of the living area, and can't imagine how I'm going to manage the whole week. I wobble, I groan, I heave, and I manage to get back up onto the deck. I spend a couple of hours at the tiller, and then I start to feel relaxed, refreshed, and even a little bit more human than usual. I don't know what it is about the boat, but something manages to really ease my condition. It might be the slower pace of life that you experience when nothing happens faster than 4mph, it might be the extra sunlight I get as I sit outside all day, or it might be the fresh air. All I know is that by the end of the week, I'm leaping up and down the steps like a seasoned seadog.
As you can imagine, it is a very peaceful experience. If you take enough food with you and choose to stay on board and moor up in the middle of nowhere, you can pass a whole week without really colliding with non-canal civilisation once. You might pass roads and pubs, but they are gone just as quickly as they arrived.
I know that boating isn't for everyone, and that there are plenty of people physically worse off than me who aren't able to give it a try. I think the point I am trying to make, though, is that there are activities out there that look horrendously painful at first, yet seem to actually provide a sense of enormous relief if you persevere a little. For me, the benefits of a week on the boat each year definitely outweigh the initial pain of trying to manage the steps on the first couple of days. I have a special stool to allow me to sit at the tiller rather than try to stand, and I have a very helpful man who bends down to fix the ropes to the moorings in exchange for me tying the knots (I am a Girl Guide, after all!). My boating experience isn't entirely disability-free, but it does feel like a very 'normal' activity, harking back to my pre-accident days.
That said, narrowboats can be adapted for wheelchair users, so there's no reason why the physical limitations should be the be all and end all...
For anyone who hasn't been boating before, the premise is very simple. You board your boat, head off at up to 4mph (walking speed), and then when you reach a convenient spot you stop, moor up and spend your evening relaxing however you choose. For us, that is to cook a meal in the small galley, watch a DVD and then get an early night. For many other boaters, it is a great way to visit every pub within walking distance of a canal over the course of a week. Basically, it's a plusher form of camping with the tent carrying you between pitches rather than the other way around.
At the start of every holiday on the boat, I look down at the ladders to get in and out of the living area, and can't imagine how I'm going to manage the whole week. I wobble, I groan, I heave, and I manage to get back up onto the deck. I spend a couple of hours at the tiller, and then I start to feel relaxed, refreshed, and even a little bit more human than usual. I don't know what it is about the boat, but something manages to really ease my condition. It might be the slower pace of life that you experience when nothing happens faster than 4mph, it might be the extra sunlight I get as I sit outside all day, or it might be the fresh air. All I know is that by the end of the week, I'm leaping up and down the steps like a seasoned seadog.
As you can imagine, it is a very peaceful experience. If you take enough food with you and choose to stay on board and moor up in the middle of nowhere, you can pass a whole week without really colliding with non-canal civilisation once. You might pass roads and pubs, but they are gone just as quickly as they arrived.
I know that boating isn't for everyone, and that there are plenty of people physically worse off than me who aren't able to give it a try. I think the point I am trying to make, though, is that there are activities out there that look horrendously painful at first, yet seem to actually provide a sense of enormous relief if you persevere a little. For me, the benefits of a week on the boat each year definitely outweigh the initial pain of trying to manage the steps on the first couple of days. I have a special stool to allow me to sit at the tiller rather than try to stand, and I have a very helpful man who bends down to fix the ropes to the moorings in exchange for me tying the knots (I am a Girl Guide, after all!). My boating experience isn't entirely disability-free, but it does feel like a very 'normal' activity, harking back to my pre-accident days.
That said, narrowboats can be adapted for wheelchair users, so there's no reason why the physical limitations should be the be all and end all...
Monday 1 August 2011
Boom and Bust.
Wow. What a busy weekend. On Saturday Robin and I went down to Eastbourne to eat chips and doughnuts on the pier and then see Anything Goes. Yesterday I went running round a cave dressed as a rabbit (don't ask). All in all, today I am exhausted.
I've reached the stage in my illness where I no longer seem to be crashing after partaking in even the slightest hint of activity, so although I'm very tired and aching today I actually don't feel too bad. All my instincts say that today is a day to sit on the sofa and rest in front of the TV, but I've decided I'm going to overrule them this time.
I have a good friend who is also an ME sufferer and she found that she began to feel much better once she learnt how to pace herself, which involves 5 minutes of rest, 5 minutes of mental stimulation (even watching TV or reading is enough), 5 minutes of rest and then 5 minutes of physical activity (such as doing the laundry and all those things that make me wince). Rinse and repeat.
I hadn't tried this method of pacing until very recently, and I am finding that it seems to keep me more level in the long run. I still have days where I don't do it, such as when I'm at the theatre or running about in fancy dress, but on all of my regular, sofa-bound days I am now making sure that I routinely add a little mental and a little physical activity into my day. Rather than chilling all day and then going for a nice long walk, I'm chilling while I watch TV and springing into action when the adverts come on. It's not quite as structured as my friend's method, but it seems to be working for me.
It is really hard work on some of my rougher days, trying to find the energy to get up and move about every 15-20 minutes or so, but it does seem to be bringing my energy into alignment so that I'm not really experiencing boom and bust any more. It's more good day/bad day, and at the moment that's the best I can hope for.
I've reached the stage in my illness where I no longer seem to be crashing after partaking in even the slightest hint of activity, so although I'm very tired and aching today I actually don't feel too bad. All my instincts say that today is a day to sit on the sofa and rest in front of the TV, but I've decided I'm going to overrule them this time.
I have a good friend who is also an ME sufferer and she found that she began to feel much better once she learnt how to pace herself, which involves 5 minutes of rest, 5 minutes of mental stimulation (even watching TV or reading is enough), 5 minutes of rest and then 5 minutes of physical activity (such as doing the laundry and all those things that make me wince). Rinse and repeat.
I hadn't tried this method of pacing until very recently, and I am finding that it seems to keep me more level in the long run. I still have days where I don't do it, such as when I'm at the theatre or running about in fancy dress, but on all of my regular, sofa-bound days I am now making sure that I routinely add a little mental and a little physical activity into my day. Rather than chilling all day and then going for a nice long walk, I'm chilling while I watch TV and springing into action when the adverts come on. It's not quite as structured as my friend's method, but it seems to be working for me.
It is really hard work on some of my rougher days, trying to find the energy to get up and move about every 15-20 minutes or so, but it does seem to be bringing my energy into alignment so that I'm not really experiencing boom and bust any more. It's more good day/bad day, and at the moment that's the best I can hope for.
Monday 25 July 2011
Something for nothing.
So by now we all know that I am a Brownie leader, and very enthusiastic about it.
My Brownies, together with the local Guides, are holding a pamper afternoon for Mums, girls and assorted hangers-on (well, it's not exactly an invitation-only event) to raise money for new heating in the Church who very kindly let us use their hall for a pittance each week. I've been trying to find local therapists who are willing to come along for an afternoon to help out. They don't pay anything to be there, but all they make on their mini-treatments will be going towards helping out the Church heating fund. They can sell vouchers, take bookings, and get some free advertising in exchange for 3 hours of their time for a good cause. Sounds like a good deal to me.
But sadly very few therapists are coming forward to help out. It seems that people are not willing to do something to help a local charity unless they get something in exchange. It doesn't matter that they have an audience to whom they can sell their vouchers and make future bookings - they just don't seem to want to perform their mini-treatments for the monetary benefit of anyone other than themselves.
This makes me very sad.
I got into holistic therapy because I wanted to help other people, and the money side of it followed on behind. I offer free consultations and am always happy to take part in charity fundraising ventures, especially if I get to advertise too! Based on the experiences I had as a therapist down in East Sussex, I assumed that this was the normal attitude of holistic therapists, but I am finding more and more that I seem to be alone in my altruistic motives in this part of the world.
I've started approaching people directly, rather than asking groups generally, and I am hoping that some of these people will step forward and renew my faith in therapists. Surely there has to be a desire to give and help underneath the desire to become a therapist? Or perhaps we don't see advertising through Pamper Fairs as tangible because we don't receive a printed copy or see it on our computer screen? I can see no better way of advertising than by associating yourself with a good cause and talking to people face-to-face. But maybe that's just me.
Maybe we're just taking some simple principles too far. Reiki actually requires some form of payment, either in terms of money or by offering something in fair exchange. It is known as the Reiki Exchange. When Usui, the father of Reiki, first discovered that he could heal other people with this amazing energy tool, he rushed straight out into the streets, and started healing beggars of whatever caused them to be homeless. The beggars were leaping up, and rushing back into the world, completely renewed. After a week, however, Usui found that they were returning to their old ways. Without offering something in fair exchange, they felt like they were not receiving anything of value and were unable to maintain the healthful, positive way that their bodies were now functioning. Usui realised that because Reiki is intangible, people find it hard to accept unless they feel like they are offering something in fair exchange. After all, nobody will ever give something for nothing, right?
My Brownies, together with the local Guides, are holding a pamper afternoon for Mums, girls and assorted hangers-on (well, it's not exactly an invitation-only event) to raise money for new heating in the Church who very kindly let us use their hall for a pittance each week. I've been trying to find local therapists who are willing to come along for an afternoon to help out. They don't pay anything to be there, but all they make on their mini-treatments will be going towards helping out the Church heating fund. They can sell vouchers, take bookings, and get some free advertising in exchange for 3 hours of their time for a good cause. Sounds like a good deal to me.
But sadly very few therapists are coming forward to help out. It seems that people are not willing to do something to help a local charity unless they get something in exchange. It doesn't matter that they have an audience to whom they can sell their vouchers and make future bookings - they just don't seem to want to perform their mini-treatments for the monetary benefit of anyone other than themselves.
This makes me very sad.
I got into holistic therapy because I wanted to help other people, and the money side of it followed on behind. I offer free consultations and am always happy to take part in charity fundraising ventures, especially if I get to advertise too! Based on the experiences I had as a therapist down in East Sussex, I assumed that this was the normal attitude of holistic therapists, but I am finding more and more that I seem to be alone in my altruistic motives in this part of the world.
I've started approaching people directly, rather than asking groups generally, and I am hoping that some of these people will step forward and renew my faith in therapists. Surely there has to be a desire to give and help underneath the desire to become a therapist? Or perhaps we don't see advertising through Pamper Fairs as tangible because we don't receive a printed copy or see it on our computer screen? I can see no better way of advertising than by associating yourself with a good cause and talking to people face-to-face. But maybe that's just me.
Maybe we're just taking some simple principles too far. Reiki actually requires some form of payment, either in terms of money or by offering something in fair exchange. It is known as the Reiki Exchange. When Usui, the father of Reiki, first discovered that he could heal other people with this amazing energy tool, he rushed straight out into the streets, and started healing beggars of whatever caused them to be homeless. The beggars were leaping up, and rushing back into the world, completely renewed. After a week, however, Usui found that they were returning to their old ways. Without offering something in fair exchange, they felt like they were not receiving anything of value and were unable to maintain the healthful, positive way that their bodies were now functioning. Usui realised that because Reiki is intangible, people find it hard to accept unless they feel like they are offering something in fair exchange. After all, nobody will ever give something for nothing, right?
Friday 22 July 2011
Massage.
I recently went for a massage. It was lovely. But I completely unnerved the masseuse when I tried to explain fibromyalgia to her.
"So," she said. "You have pain... all over your body?"
I explained that yes I do, and I'll let her know if she finds a spot that needs to be avoided, or tell her if the pressure is too deep for my liking. Being quite well versed in different types of pain and the way that massage works, I don't find it a particularly scary prospect. Unfortunately, that's not usually the case for the poor girl on the giving side.
This got me thinking about chronic pain sufferers and massage. If you're not really familiar with different types of massage, it must be quite worrying presenting your back to someone who doesn't know your condition inside and out, and inviting them to apply pressure and potentially cause some severe pain. That's why I've made a list of some of my top tips for choosing a good massage if you suffer from chronic pain.
1. Choose your 'type' of massage carefully.
Do not opt for a sports massage unless you know what is coming. They hurt.
A Swedish massage is the safest bet - any massage that simply calls itself 'a massage' will almost definitely be Swedish. They use long strokes and are designed to relax rather than work out every last knot and kink.
2. Tell your therapist exactly what you need from you massage.
Be completely open about your pain, and remember to warn your therapist about any spots that are particularly tender. They might use particularly light strokes over that area to avoid aggravating the pain, or they might even have some gentle techniques that can help that area to relax slightly.
3. Feel free to communicate what you want during your treatment.
If you find that the massage is too rough for you, ask for a lighter pressure, or slower movements. If you feel like it's good but one area needs more work, say so. The more feedback you can give your therapist throughout the treatment, the more they can tailor their touch to create better results for you.
4. If you are worried, start with something different.
If you really fancy going for a massage but dislike being touched or are concerned about whether the experience might cause a flare, try starting with something like reflexology. Reflexology involves massaging the feet, so feels wonderfully relaxing without approaching the more common tender spots. This gives you an opportunity to experience the level of touch involved without having to remove more than your shoes and socks, and without having to risk the pain of a full body massage.
5. If you're still unsure, try something more specific.
You can get a very nice, comfortable, thorough massage from a physiotherapist or osteopath, who will be more familiar with chronic pain conditions, and may even be able to help relieve some of the deeper knots that massage simply can't reach. You can also look for massage therapists who specialise in chronic pain, as they will be able to give you the gentle and relaxing experience without the fear of irritating the condition.
"So," she said. "You have pain... all over your body?"
I explained that yes I do, and I'll let her know if she finds a spot that needs to be avoided, or tell her if the pressure is too deep for my liking. Being quite well versed in different types of pain and the way that massage works, I don't find it a particularly scary prospect. Unfortunately, that's not usually the case for the poor girl on the giving side.
This got me thinking about chronic pain sufferers and massage. If you're not really familiar with different types of massage, it must be quite worrying presenting your back to someone who doesn't know your condition inside and out, and inviting them to apply pressure and potentially cause some severe pain. That's why I've made a list of some of my top tips for choosing a good massage if you suffer from chronic pain.
1. Choose your 'type' of massage carefully.
Do not opt for a sports massage unless you know what is coming. They hurt.
A Swedish massage is the safest bet - any massage that simply calls itself 'a massage' will almost definitely be Swedish. They use long strokes and are designed to relax rather than work out every last knot and kink.
2. Tell your therapist exactly what you need from you massage.
Be completely open about your pain, and remember to warn your therapist about any spots that are particularly tender. They might use particularly light strokes over that area to avoid aggravating the pain, or they might even have some gentle techniques that can help that area to relax slightly.
3. Feel free to communicate what you want during your treatment.
If you find that the massage is too rough for you, ask for a lighter pressure, or slower movements. If you feel like it's good but one area needs more work, say so. The more feedback you can give your therapist throughout the treatment, the more they can tailor their touch to create better results for you.
4. If you are worried, start with something different.
If you really fancy going for a massage but dislike being touched or are concerned about whether the experience might cause a flare, try starting with something like reflexology. Reflexology involves massaging the feet, so feels wonderfully relaxing without approaching the more common tender spots. This gives you an opportunity to experience the level of touch involved without having to remove more than your shoes and socks, and without having to risk the pain of a full body massage.
5. If you're still unsure, try something more specific.
You can get a very nice, comfortable, thorough massage from a physiotherapist or osteopath, who will be more familiar with chronic pain conditions, and may even be able to help relieve some of the deeper knots that massage simply can't reach. You can also look for massage therapists who specialise in chronic pain, as they will be able to give you the gentle and relaxing experience without the fear of irritating the condition.
Wednesday 13 July 2011
Five boys love me and I'm a princess.
I'm quite excited today. Tired and rough as I've been feeling, not only do I get to go to Brownies this afternoon, but I get to dress up for the occasion. It's like being 8 all over again.
I should explain. I volunteer as a Brownie Guider, so attending Brownies is a weekly occurrence for me. In fact, I'm not looking forward to the summer holidays for the simple fact that I don't get to go to Brownies for over a month. It really is one of the highlights of my week. This term we've been working on the Culture interest badge, and so tonight we are having "Book Night". Everyone is coming along dressed as their favourite book character, and we'll have a quick chat about our favourite books before we dissolve into games and general mayhem. I'm going to be the Wife of Bath. I just have to play down the whole sex-mad side of the character.
The thing I really enjoy about my time at Brownies is that I get to unleash my inner child for a while. For an hour and a half every week the only other adult in the room is Brown Owl, who is there for exactly the same reason I am. Although I have to keep order, there is nobody there who will judge me or think me odd when I sing loudly and badly, when I join in the silly games with the girls, or when I live so completely in the moment that everything stressful in my life just ceases to exist. A couple of weeks ago I pretended to be a mountain goat while singing a song that contains the words "when we are married we'll have sausages for tea". Where can you do that in the real world?
This is the magic of children. They always live completely in the moment. This is why so many weeks I go home brimming with confidence and proudly announce my quote of the day to Robin. One of my favourite examples came from last term, when one small girl was telling us about how popular she is at school and her role in the school play in one sentence. That's right: "five boys love me and I'm a princess". This is a phrase that has almost become a mantra for me; whenever I feel sad, lonely or stressed I just remember that five boys love me and I'm a princess, and everything seems right with the world again.
I should explain. I volunteer as a Brownie Guider, so attending Brownies is a weekly occurrence for me. In fact, I'm not looking forward to the summer holidays for the simple fact that I don't get to go to Brownies for over a month. It really is one of the highlights of my week. This term we've been working on the Culture interest badge, and so tonight we are having "Book Night". Everyone is coming along dressed as their favourite book character, and we'll have a quick chat about our favourite books before we dissolve into games and general mayhem. I'm going to be the Wife of Bath. I just have to play down the whole sex-mad side of the character.
The thing I really enjoy about my time at Brownies is that I get to unleash my inner child for a while. For an hour and a half every week the only other adult in the room is Brown Owl, who is there for exactly the same reason I am. Although I have to keep order, there is nobody there who will judge me or think me odd when I sing loudly and badly, when I join in the silly games with the girls, or when I live so completely in the moment that everything stressful in my life just ceases to exist. A couple of weeks ago I pretended to be a mountain goat while singing a song that contains the words "when we are married we'll have sausages for tea". Where can you do that in the real world?
This is the magic of children. They always live completely in the moment. This is why so many weeks I go home brimming with confidence and proudly announce my quote of the day to Robin. One of my favourite examples came from last term, when one small girl was telling us about how popular she is at school and her role in the school play in one sentence. That's right: "five boys love me and I'm a princess". This is a phrase that has almost become a mantra for me; whenever I feel sad, lonely or stressed I just remember that five boys love me and I'm a princess, and everything seems right with the world again.
Monday 11 July 2011
Crash.
I've had a really relaxing weekend. It was my first wedding anniversary, so my husband and I made use of a voucher we were given for Christmas to go away for a night to a spa hotel. After some busy weeks, I really felt like I needed a nice relaxing break.
My husband, Robin, and I had a nice lie in on Friday morning, had a lazy morning and took off for the hotel. We had massages, soaked in the jacuzzi and therapy pools, and settled down for an early night in our fluffy dressing gowns. Saturday wasn't much more taxing, as we got up to a delicious cooked breakfast before coming home to sit on the sofa and continue the relaxation for the rest of the day.
After all of this de-stressing I found myself sleeping like a baby. I always sleep rather well for a fibromyalgic, but it usually takes an hour or two for me to flake out. The last couple of nights have been fantastic. Out like a light for a good night of comfy sleep. I'm not waking refreshed, but hey, that would be a miracle!
On the downside of this, though, I feel like I'm barely waking up at all. I have spent the last couple of days with that horrible achy feeling around my eyes, peering through fibrofog as thick as my Mum's home-made celery soup. I don't understand; if I am this well-rested, why do I feel like I'm dancing along the edge of a crash? Surely I should be starting to feel like superwoman?
Alas, this is the way of things. It doesn't seem to matter which way I tip the balance of energy, it always results in my being wiped out. Just another quirk of my silly illness I guess!
My husband, Robin, and I had a nice lie in on Friday morning, had a lazy morning and took off for the hotel. We had massages, soaked in the jacuzzi and therapy pools, and settled down for an early night in our fluffy dressing gowns. Saturday wasn't much more taxing, as we got up to a delicious cooked breakfast before coming home to sit on the sofa and continue the relaxation for the rest of the day.
After all of this de-stressing I found myself sleeping like a baby. I always sleep rather well for a fibromyalgic, but it usually takes an hour or two for me to flake out. The last couple of nights have been fantastic. Out like a light for a good night of comfy sleep. I'm not waking refreshed, but hey, that would be a miracle!
On the downside of this, though, I feel like I'm barely waking up at all. I have spent the last couple of days with that horrible achy feeling around my eyes, peering through fibrofog as thick as my Mum's home-made celery soup. I don't understand; if I am this well-rested, why do I feel like I'm dancing along the edge of a crash? Surely I should be starting to feel like superwoman?
Alas, this is the way of things. It doesn't seem to matter which way I tip the balance of energy, it always results in my being wiped out. Just another quirk of my silly illness I guess!
Sunday 10 July 2011
Welcome.
For those of you who don't know me, my name is Sally, and I am a part-time holistic therapist from Kent. I got into holistic therapy when I was at University, as I found myself slowly becoming sicker and sicker and my GP was unable to do anything more to help me. I am still ill, but I can cope day to day without pain medication and am on the long hard road to recovery.
The purpose of this blog is to share some of my experiences as a chronic pain and fatigue sufferer. I started to make the transition into recovery when I found a support network and realised that I was not going through this alone. Now, whenever I have a bizarre thing happen to me I ask around the "FMily" and someone will almost immediately say "oh, yeah, I get that all the time". I cannot understate how important it is to link in with other sufferers.
I'm also not ashamed to admit that there is an element of catharsis involved. The little grey cells don't function quite like they used to, and I find that having a regular ramble can really help to focus my thoughts and help me make sense of what I'm going through.
So, in short, welcome to my blog. I hope you enjoy what you read. I hope it makes you realise you are not alone.
Sally xx
The purpose of this blog is to share some of my experiences as a chronic pain and fatigue sufferer. I started to make the transition into recovery when I found a support network and realised that I was not going through this alone. Now, whenever I have a bizarre thing happen to me I ask around the "FMily" and someone will almost immediately say "oh, yeah, I get that all the time". I cannot understate how important it is to link in with other sufferers.
I'm also not ashamed to admit that there is an element of catharsis involved. The little grey cells don't function quite like they used to, and I find that having a regular ramble can really help to focus my thoughts and help me make sense of what I'm going through.
So, in short, welcome to my blog. I hope you enjoy what you read. I hope it makes you realise you are not alone.
Sally xx
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