I've been talking about being healthy and weight and exercise a lot lately.. and I'm using my long forgotten blog to write this because I feel like it's going to get wordy.
Unfortunately there's no medical trail for the 60lbs I put on a couple years ago, so I've talked to several of my doctors, my trainer, my coaches, my friend who is a dietician, and my friend that has been on a similar journey with different complications. While there still aren't any direct answers, I have realized I'm finally making some progress. And two conversations recently are making me put my coach hat on...
One was in a gastroparesis group on Facebook; a woman was saying she realized her prescribed meds are making her worse due to the side effects and encouraged everyone to go as natural as possible. While I stand by natural remedies, I encourage anyone to use what works for them.. in my case, a combination of natural and prescription. She blames the doctors for just throwing meds at everyone, but I countered saying I asked and my doctor did talk about side effects with me, then gave me some natural suggestions to start with when I refused the meds (I fully understand I got lucky and not all doctors will do this). I've continued researching for myself and figuring out what works best for me which has changed multiple times over the years. However, I also commented that natural remedies take time as they're trying to help your body work correctly, so there's a different adjustment period for everyone... and so many people turn to meds instead for instant relief (understandably), but then have to counter the side effects and it becomes a vicious circle.
The other was with my trainer.. he has to do a check up each month now and one of the goal questions was about weight. I said I currently want to lose weight, talked about the 60lbs, then needed to make a time goal. I shrugged my shoulders and said, "I dunno, that should take 6 months to a year, right?" He looked at me a bit surprised and I told him to put down whatever the healthy timeline is (he put a year).
The conversation with my trainer has stuck with me (and amplified by the other conversation) because so many want the easy solution, the magic diet, or think just walking into a gym makes them healthy... especially with the New Year's resolution crowd about to join us at the gym. I'm just going to say it, there is no easy solution, every magic pill has its downfall. You have to be ready to work, to be disappointed (multiple times), and to keep trying. As my neurologist said at my last appointment, I get to take credit for my progress because, while it has been a team effort, I came in ready to do the work, to make the changes, to try different theories... and even come up with my own.
I absolutely cannot say that the path I've taken will have the same effects for someone else (which is why I'm not sharing specifics, but I'm happy to help with suggestions), but I will say you have to make goals and put in the work, take control of whatever you can, and be ready to take the hits sometimes in order to get where you want to be. Don't accept all the people that say you can't do something because you're sick or disabled or too young/old or too short/tall or whatever other excuses there are. And conversely, never let anyone think they know more about your own body than you do; fight doctors, and "well meaning" family and friends, and especially the voices in your head from all the "you can't" people.
You can do this, I believe in you.
