Big Changes

"The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are" 

- Morgan, John Pierpont

Six months ago I was sick. I had chronic headaches, muscle aches, joint aches, asthma, sluggishness, depression, sleepiness. Even though I was accomplishing things throughout my day, I still did not have enough energy to do all of the things that were on my mind. I had to take naps everyday to try and keep up with my schedule, a schedule I just wanted to pack more on. The more I tried to pack onto my schedule, the worse my symptoms got. 

However six months ago I had no idea that I even had these symptoms. Many of them I had lived with for so long, I just forgot that they were there. My rheumatoid arthritis pains I had associated with athletic injuries. My chronic headaches I associated with a busy schedule. My asthma I associated with me just not being fit enough (hah I know that sounds really funny).

"When you expect things to happen -- strangely enough -- they do happen." 

 - Morgan, John Pierpont

Over the past few months I have been a long and life changing journey. After being diagnosed with RA, I became very much aware that I was sick.Western medication and all the pills did absolutely nothing. 

In fact, it wasn't until my previous post at the beginning of this month that I finally saw changes in myself. The past month I have strictly adhered to my diet. Actually I am not going to call it a diet. I am going to call it a lifestyle change. The dietary change in my life has made me, at least when I strictly adhere to it, symptom free. 

I cannot even begin to explain how good it feels to not wake up without a headache. To wake up feeling like I actually got sleep. To wake up and hit the ground running with no coffee, sugar, or traditional breakfast foods. To workout and not be able to breathe because the workout is friggin hard, not because my lungs are inflamed. To be full after a meal full of green vegetables. To be able to say "no" to a piece of chocolate (that is a huge amount of will power, folks).

Now only to I feel better, but I look better. I get compliments about how my skin glows. My co-workers tell me that I smile more. My athletes realize that I actually do have eyes in the back of my head and can see them slacking off! Also, I have not taken a mid afternoon nap since the beginning of May! On top of that, I have had so much energy that I have been able to work out 5-6 days a week, up to three times a day! Not only can I workout hard, but I am injury free and have enough patience to actually stretch, practice yoga, and work on mobility almost everyday. 

This routine has been something I have wanted to accomplish for years. And in the past few weeks is the first time in my life where I finally can, and am well enough to look in the mirror and see my changes! 

Look for yourself!

January 2013

June 2013

I also have hit a bunch of new PR's in crossfit...

March:

Power Clean: 135lbs

Clean+Jerk: 125lbs

Power Snatch: 105lbs

Back Squat: 135lbs

June:

Power Clean: 160lbs
Clean+Jerk: 145lbs
Power Snatch: 125lbs
Back Squat: 155bs

I know that it might seem crazy that I love to workout as much as I do. The fact is, that it is just really fun for me. I love comparing myself, being competitive, setting goals, and feeling confident. 

Now that I have found I can do all of the things I dream about, I am just extremely excited to keep continuing with my lifestyle change and see where this new light at the end of the tunnel will take me.

"Go as far as you can see; when you get there, you'll be able to see farther." 

- - Morgan, John Pierpont

Oh and one more thing...thank you all for your support! Since my last post, I have gotten some overwhelmingly awesome supporters. I felt a new drive to keep at it and now I have realized that I never want to turn back!