My autoimmune diseases seem to be in check. The Grave’s Disease test came back negative and my Hashimoto’s appears to be in remission. No more medication and see you in 6 months, says my endocrinologist.
The problem is I still don’t feel right. At first I thought I was crazy, perhaps being paranoid about odd but unrelated issues. I’ve experienced some symptoms similar to when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, namely problems sleeping, irritability and an on again/off again digestive system. My fingernail also hasn’t grown back. I’m going to see a dermatologist for my nails. I was thinking about a psychiatrist for my irritability and sleep. I thought perhaps I am just feeling the weight of being a working woman in the modern world and a little mental health help might be the answer.
Then I started reading a book called The Hormone Cure by Dr. Sara Gottfried. She’s a Harvard Medical School graduate and board certified gynecologist. I originally got the book to see what she said about gluten. After reading the first few chapters, I’ve determined that gluten may be the least of my issues. Based on her clinical experience and well reviewed research, here are my thoughts so far about my current situation:
- I’m not crazy.
- I’m not getting any younger.
- I stress my body too much – in good and bad ways.
- My serum thyroid levels may be okay but that doesn’t mean they are able to do their job well.
Welcome to the next step of my journey.
Reading Dr. Gottfried’s book has come at a time when I am taking a step back and reexamining my life as a whole. I am reminded of something I often tell my clients.
As we change so does life. What worked before may not work now.
I am not the same person I was when I started this journey 15 years ago. My life is much different. I am now closer to 40 than I am 20 and my body is changing as well. I am sure many of you are in a similar situation. That’s why I’ll be more than happy to take you on this journey with me.
Fitness was a new adventure in my 20s and is well establish habit in my 30s. Fitness as I approach my 40s may need to be redesigned. Food will always be a focus but it many not hold most of the answers as it once did. Balancing stress and hormones may become more important than balancing calories.
Managing my autoimmune system is still a priority. I just want to learn how to do it in conjunction the other hormonal changes in my life. It makes things more complex but I like a good puzzle. I’m going to finish Dr. Gottfried’s book and I encourage you to read along with me. I hate to be “that patient” but I’m also going to take it with me to my doctor’s appointment. Since I am not the type of person who jumps at every Dr. Oz fad or pharmaceutical commercial (and I have an extremely patient primary care doctor) my hope is she will listen to what I and Dr. Gottfried have to say.
Please don’t take this to mean my fitness principles will change. Strength, cardio, food quality and food quantity are the keys to real fitness no matter what your age. This isn’t about working out with less intensity or taking things easy. I certainly don’t think I’ve peaked and I truly believe my best is yet to come. It just means accepting that going all out all the time might not be the best idea. It means adding another dimension to this idea of living a fit and healthy life. It means listening to my body more intently and encouraging my YOU to do the same.
What’s your body telling you? How has your fitness changed as your life has changed?
