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Cloudy Night

It’s a cloudy night after a hot and humid mornings here in South Florida. In fact, I was lamenting to my parents that are few point was more than double their ambient air temperature. Who needs a 72 degree dew point in April?!! Not this girl!!! Fortunately, there was sufficient cloud cover to prevent our temperature from rising into the 90s again.  Meanwhile, the temperature in Minnesota was in the low 30s when they checked on my Grandma today. 

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Initially, I tried to wake up earlier so I could run earlier. Sadly, the best laid plans don’t always work. I guess you could say that I was a bit slow moving this morning. Nonetheless, Athena and I still got out for our morning run. Since it was so humid and still hot, I carried a water bottle for her and planned stops to rest throughout. Athena is my favorite running partner still home, so I have to take care of her.

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Additionally, running in the heat and humidity can be dangerous especially with a thyroid issue. Consequently, we took water breaks every half mile. Moreover, for our second mile I changed my running strategy. Instead of running the full second mile, I alternating running for a minute with walking for thirty seconds. I love changing up the workout and this is a good way to build endurance safely.

 

Post run I did my stretch routine and relaxed on the couch before yoga. I also took this time to rehydrate a little. Thursday yoga with Jenn was an awesome compliment to my run this morning and Christine’s class yesterday. Today we did a lot of work on our hips, legs and back. My shoulders were sore from all the work I did on them yesterday, but they loosened up after my run. Thankfully, the work we did on the lower body in class today is essential to keeping my legs and hips healthy. I have to admit running without pain is pretty great!

When I’m not working out, I’m hanging out with my precious puppies or harassing my children to complete their work. I much prefer my sweet Anakin to yelling at teeenagers. At this point in the quarantine, I feel like my life’s allusions are akin to a train wreck. Fortunately, I know I’m not alone in this feeling. Moreover, I know this is a temporary situation. Nonetheless, writing and talking about the pressures of life in a pandemic is absolutely necessary and healthy. If could describe your quarantine experience in less than two words, how would you describe it?

Here’s a list of our day’s activities:

*Reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë and loving it!

*Watched episode one of Sanditon and Schmitt’s Creek

*Completed BBG day 4 week 8 

*Walked 1 mile with Athena and Anakin

*Attended Gentle Yoga For Strong Back with Jenn from Open Heart Yoga Studio

*Took Anakin, Maya and Athena on multiple walks

*Pulled my hair out (again) managing my teenagers virtual schooling.

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Steak Night

We made it steak night in South Florida. Since I had to go pick up a prescription at Target today, I perused the meat section. Thankfully, they had a full case of steaks at a great price. Naturally, I made the hubby’s day and bought two cases. We also had corn on the cob left from the farm box. Fortunately, the South Florida weather allows for using the grill 365 days of the year. I don’t think there’s any better scent at dinner time than a charcoal grill. Thus we had a delicious meal with grilled sweet corn, steaks, roasted potatoes and fresh cucumber salad.

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Of course I earned this delicious meal with a hard day’s work virtual schooling my boys, walking the dogs, working out and going to yoga. In fact, I even started an executive certificate program through FAU’s Business School. Needless to say it was a busy and productive day. I gave myself a generous reward tonight after dinner as I finished off the last remaining Cadbury eggs in the house. Thank God Easter is over because two months in quarantine with a healthy supply of Cadbury Eggs would quickly double my BMI.

We’ve been under quarantine for almost a month now. For those of us with a March/April birthday or anniversary it is a hard time to celebrate. I mean I officially entered my fourth decade of life with no grand celebration, party or trip. Clearly once the pandemic is over I will be primed to celebrate in a grand fashion. Of course, I’ll also be up to celebrate all my friends birthdays and anniversaries. After this is over, we will all be ready to party and drink together.

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Meanwhile, I’m trying to stay healthy by eating sort of responsibly (less the Cadbury egg today) and working out regularly. This way when we can go out and party again, I’ll be able to fit into the clothes already in my closet. In fact, I started the 8:2 plan again. This helped me manage my weight once my thyroid died, which was a tall order. The 8:2 is a type of intermittent fasting in which you eat regularly for 5 days and then only 800 calories for two days. It is also referred to the 5:2 where you eat 500 calories on the fasting days. Since I’m active, I’m eating 800 calories on my fasting days.

Today’s BBG resistance workout was arms and abs. I realized that I really hate drop pushups and raised leg sit-ups with a twist. Sadly, I suck at both and they suck the life force out of me. They’re simply inhumane. Most importantly, the workout was really taxing. Consequently, my shoulders were quite sore afterwards. To be clear, they were tight when I woke up. I’m a side sleeper, which is doing neither of my shoulders any favors.

Fortunately, Christine’s yoga class was all about the shoulders. Her yoga classes are unlike any other I have taken before. I like to think of it as a cross between physical therapy and yoga. It’s extremely functional. In her classes, Christine uses these magical balls (get your mind out of the gutter) to really get into and massage your soft tissue. To be honest, it does hurt at times, but it’s an effective and not damaging pain. She combines the therapy ball massage with stretching and strength building exercises. The end result is muscles that are stronger more flexible and more mobile. It has been the perfect class for healing my body. You really should check her out (link is below.)

Here’s a list of our day’s activities:

*Reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë and loving it!

*Watched Balthazar and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia 

*Completed BBG day 3 week 8 arms and abs

*Walked 1 mile with Athena and Anakin

*Attended Midweek Yoga Break with Christine from Movement Yoga

*Took Anakin, Maya and Athena on multiple walks

*Worked on Obedience Training with Anakin inside.

*Pulled my hair out (again) managing my teenagers virtual schooling.

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Week 4 of the PT Challenge

It’s hard to believe we’ve made it to week 4 of the PT challenge! Since Jake left for basic it feels like time has both stood still and moved at light speed. What is not moving at light speed is me running. While I had a much better run this morning, I’m still far from the 14:26 needed. This morning my 1.5 mile run took 16:13 minutes. A big improvement over last week, but I still have a lot to do.

Since Jake is graduating next week, vice decided to continue the challenge until I get the required time. First of all, it gives me a specific training goal, which is important. Secondly, I am really enjoying my return to running. I’m not running six days a week like I was years because it would be too much for my body. Additionally, I want to ensure my exercise habits are more balanced than they were before my diagnosis. This means 3 days of BBG (strength training,) 3 days of running and 6 days of yoga.

As for the pushups and sit-ups, I still hate them. However, the strength I’ve gained by completing Kayla Itsine’s Beginner BBG program has helped me succeed here. I’m up to 33 sit-ups and 18 pushups. I could probably do more pushups, but they seriously suck. I did, however, do some vinyasa yoga today and plenty of chaturangas in class. That should make up for a lack of over achievement on the push up front.

Yesterday marked day 1 of the BBG program. After 8 weeks of BBG beginner, I thought I was ready to graduate. However, the first workout of the full BBG program kicked my arse. My legs were super sore this morning. Needless to say, the workout was super effective. Tomorrow will be BBG day two targeting the arms and abs.

While I’m busy trying to meet the PT standards Jake exceeded, my airman trainee is in the field for BEAST week. While he’s immersed in a mock deployment situation with his squadron, we’re counting down the hours until we see him again. My mom and I have been collaborating to ensure we have everything he made need for graduation weekend. I cannot wait! More on BEAST week tomorrow.

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Tension Tamers

Tension tamers have become an essential part of adulting these days. If you’re like me, you carry all of your life’s stress and tension in your shoulders and neck. Since my Graves diagnosis, the pain in my neck and shoulders has increased. Apparently, your thyroid hormones like to f*c& with your body in a myriad of ways.

Since most of us have issues with tension in our neck and shoulders, I thought I’d share some of my favorite tension tamers. These items have been extremely helpful. Here’s the list:

  1. Trigger point massager: this simple contraption from Gaiam is great at taking at knots in your shoulders and back.
  2. Tune Up therapy balls: these little miracle workers can help you release muscle and soft tissue tension all over your body. They’re very effective in relieving tension headaches. I’ll be posting a Vlog soon on just how do do this.
  3. Yoga Mat: best place to stretch and utilize your Tune Up therapy balls.
  4. Bolster: the bolster is a great tool that will allow you to settle into restorative poses that will reduce tension in your body.
  5. Foam Roller: I love using my foam roller to roll out my trapezius muscles when my upper back, shoulders and neck are tight. It feels amazing!!!
  6. Shiatsu neck/back massager: this is an essential tool for days when the tension in your upper back and neck are at its highest.
  7. Massage gun: so these things are all the rage. I decided to give it a try. I’ll be posting a full review shortly
  8. Essential oils: I like using Chill Pill by Aura Cacia to relax and reduce tension. A small pat on the forehead or in a diffuser will do wonders for your relaxation.
  9. Tiger Balm/Salonpas patches. These are perfect to wear at night for some relief while you sleep. It is a bit of an unspoken rule that you don’t wear them to work or school. Unless, of course, you want to smell like Ben-gay all day.
  10. Hand warmers: this is my favorite hockey mom hack. I carry all of my tension in my left shoulder right under my bra strap. Accordingly, by placing an activated hand warmer in that place, the heat starts to melt the tension in my muscles.

These are just a few of the tools, I keep in my tool belt to fight tension. On a macro level, I’ve gone back to my yoga practice and stretching daily to alleviate muscle tension before it begins. Yoga has been an essential part of my recovery and my quest for remission.  All of my  product recommendations are below and range in cost form $6.00-$129.  While it may seem like a lot of products, it’s a lot cheaper and a healthier alternative than popping NSAIDs or other medications.

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What Next: taking supplements

So you’ve been diagnosed with an autoimmune thyroid disease, what next? Can you still take my supplements? When I was diagnosed with Graves Disease, my life was flipped upside down. There are plenty of treatment decisions to make, but there are immediate consideration as well. In fact, I had to evaluate all the supplements I was taking. Anything that was considered goitrogenic had to go because it could cause a thyroid storm. Moreover, I had to make decisions on how to mitigate the symptoms before treatment.

Here are the supplements I’m using to cope with my autoimmune disorder (as a major caveat everything I take has been played by my endo:)

1. Selenium – this mineral is essential for normal thyroid function and is beneficial for hyper/hypothyroid patients.

2. L-Carnitine – before I was given beta blockers, I used L-Carnitine to mitigate the hyper thyroid symptoms. Once I was post-RAI, I stopped taking this supplement.

3. CoQ10 – I was taking this before I got diagnosed and was advised to continue. Apparently, patients with Graves’ disease have lower amounts of CoQ10 in their blood.

4. Zinc – I just added this to my regimen after meeting with the registered dietician at my Endo’s office. There is evidence to support that zinc supplementation helps support thyroid function.

5. Collagen – I’m loving Vital Proteins Collagen Powder. It ‘a flavorless, can be mixed into coffee, is only 70 calories and has 17 grams of protein. As for why I’m taking this, it’s really about my vanity. I’m trying to keep my hair, skin and nails as healthy as possible. Thyroid disease and thyroid hormone supplementation can lead to hair loss. I am not about that life.

6. Biotin – see the explanation above.

7. Essential oils – no I don’t think they are a cure all, but lavender has helps calm me down if I’m Graves’ raging. Peppermint and Eucalyptus are critical in relieving congestion . Since my blood pressure is not always normal, I avoid taking decongestants.

I used to take a multivitamin and myriad of other supplements, but had to stop them once diagnosed. There are a lot of supplements that interact with the thyroid or thyroid medication, so you have to be careful. I have a lot of friends that have great results with Thrive and other supplements. The temptation to try those supplements is real, however, until my doc gives me the all clear, nothing in my small regimen will change. What’s next: adjusting my exercise routine.

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Handling Thyroid Disease

Handling thyroid disease is the title I settled on after ruminating on coping and dealing. Both coping and dealing felt too passive to me, so I opted for handling. What does handling thyroid disease even mean? It means learning to thrive in spite of the misfiring or non-existence of that bitch is a gland.

When I was first diagnosed with Graves, I did what most people do and consulted Dr. Google. The medical part didn’t bother me too much. No, what bothered me is how those coping with the disease were failing to thrive or continue a productive existence. I was resolute that I would not follow that path.

Of course, in the beginning it was easy to think that way. It became hard as my heart rate soared and the RAI (radioactive iodine) was slow to work. Nevertheless, the fun and my weight were doubled when my thyroid failed. It literally happened over night. For the next several months and even still, I would migrate between hyper and hypo from day to day. It was beyond frustrating.

Thankfully, I have a wonderful Endo and have high confidence in her. Slowly, she has returned me to my normal life. I’ve run three 5ks since diagnosis, restarted my yoga practice and started the BBG workout. Nevertheless, it has taken a lot of work to get back to this place. I’ve read a lot about auto immune disease, worked with my endo and her in house R.D. and changed my workouts. I even feel back to my old gregarious self.

Now that my thyroid levels have stabilized, it will take 1-3 years for the symptoms of Graves to abate. My antibodies still show positive for both Graves disease and Hashimotos. My next task is get rid of those. In the meantime, I continue to research ways to reduce inflammation and improve my health. Each Thursday, I’ll be sharing my autoimmune experience with you. Next week, I’ll be sharing a list of the top 10 items that have helped me through my personal journey.

P.S. the title photo is from my first post diagnosis/treatment 5k.

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