@chronically-healthy - Tumblr Blog

Most of us with an auto-immune condition have had low Vitamin D levels at one point or another. ☀️☀️☀️ Low vitamin D levels are linked to conditions like MS, depression, type I and II diabetes, heart disease, PCOS, RA, etc. ☀️☀️☀️ As summer ends, it's important to be aware of this and know that those levels can greatly impact how you feel. Even in the winter, try to soak up some of that natural sunlight at least once a day! ⠀⠀ Synthetic vitamin D is readily available, but is only half as effective as natural Vitamin D, and can actually mess with your calcium levels. There are definitely some really great (non-synthetic) supplements available! If you need help picking one, send us a message. 💛 (at Milford, Connecticut)

For the diabetic followers: I started my workout at 199 and didn't give myself any insulin. 1 hour post workout and I'm dropping. This is the power of a HIIT workout. (high intensity interval training) Isn't it kind of cool? This shows just how careful you have to be with insulin doses before and after a workout! (at Milford, Connecticut)

The stress of carb counting, watching ingredients, and avoiding certain allergens and inflammatory foods can be pretty overwhelming. Ideally, meal time should be approached from a place of peace and mindfulness. If you are filled with stress right before sitting down to a meal you are setting yourself up for impaired digestion, and if you’re a diabetic, this will affect your blood sugars. . . . You hear a lot about meal prep lately and how great it is. You see images online of perfectly lined up containers, filled with beautifully pieced together meals. Meal prep can feel “trendy” and intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. . . . Click the link in our bio to read 5 tips for making meal prep feel less daunting! (at Westport, Connecticut)

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Do you ever find your chronic illness to be extremely isolating? Do you ever feel as though you're there for others all of the time, but you feel weird bringing up your own crap? For me, it's the worst part. That's why our group, "Chronically Us" is so important. We all need that outlet. We all need a place to go filled with people who understand. You're not alone, even if it feels like it sometimes. ❤️ (at Milford, Connecticut)

Remember that through the ups and downs, that there will be days that are pure magic. There'll be days that you feel down and defeated, but there will also be those days when everything seems to fall into place. . . . Shoutout to the T1D warriors who recognize the blood sugar graph reference. Sometimes no matter how well you take care of yourself, there will be days you're high or low for no apparent reason. And sometimes, it's hard to stay on top of everything at every hour of every day. Be kind to yourself, feel all the feels, and then remind yourself that there will be days that suck, and days that rock. . . . We can't help but sing Van Morrisons song: Days like This. . . . "When all the parts of the puzzle start to look like they fit. Then I must remember there'll be days like this." . . . Head to the website so you can rock this style/message! 😊 (at Milford, Connecticut)

From the post "10 Benefits of Matcha" 🍵🍵🍵 "When we talk about Matcha we aren’t talking about your green tea latte from Starbucks. Yes, Starbucks green tea lattes taste great, but they probably aren't something to have as a part of your everyday routine. More often than not, if you’re out and order a green tea latte (or anything with matcha) you’re most likely getting a drink that is filled with processed dairy and sugar..." 🍵🍵🍵 Do you like matcha? Click the link in our bio to continue reading! (at Milford, Connecticut)

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I recently switched over from patient to caregiver... check out this excerpt from the blog post and head to our website to continue reading! "FROM TABLE TO CHAIR… We’ve all sat on that rubbery, paper covered table in the doctor’s office. You’re up higher than everyone else, at the level where you can easily be poked, prodded, examined, and tested. Most of us usually have someone in the other chair in the room. For me, it’s been my mom. In recent years my boyfriend has taken my mom’s place, and occasionally we even have to pull in an extra chair. (I feel so unbelievably lucky that sometimes there isn’t enough room for my advocates and caregivers in that tiny room) It is really hard to be the one on the table. You’re the one feeling the physical pain and the fear. What many of us on that table never realize, is that the person in the chair is feeling some pretty intense pain too. Our caregivers may not feel our physical pain, but you can bet they are feeling it in ways that are just as, if not more, powerful." (at Newport, Rhode Island)

This might seem ridiculous to some, but if you've ever lost control over something having to do with your appearance and confidence, you'll understand. Hair has always been this weird, triggering thing for me. When I was on methotrexate I lost a lot of it, and it basically stopped growing. I did a project during my undergrad career about the psychological effects of hair loss, and they're quite extensive. My hair hasn't been the same since methotrexate and I've always hated that fact. If I could tally up the amount of money I've spent on hair-related crap in the past 8 years... 😳😳😳 In all of this, I have learned a few things... 1. Deficiencies were contributing to the hair loss/lack of growth thing. Addressing those really helped. 2. Gaining confidence and accepting myself in general really helped me be less hyper focused on my hair. 3. Finding a great stylist and learning how to find confidence with short hair was supaaa benenficial! I used to think I couldn't be happy with myself until my hair was down to my butt, but now I realize that's not true. PS: thanks @kinganthonyyyy for fixin me up yesterday! ❤️ . . . Has your chronic illness or medication altered your appearance or the way you feel about yourself?

Happy Friday! What was the best part of your week? Ours was releasing our high blood sugar video and our program for kids with t1d! (at LA Fitness - MILFORD)

Are you LIVING, or merely existing? (at Milford, Connecticut)

Be like a sunflower. Even on the darkest days, stand tall and try to find the light. 🌻 . . . This has been a difficult concept to master, both for myself and for many of my clients. The thought process goes something like "I have ____, so what is there to be happy about?" This mindset is damaging. We all have bad days, but when they are all you can see it becomes a problem. Each day, try to find one thing you are grateful for or happy about and focus on that. Write it down. Appreciate it. 💛 (at Wilton, Connecticut)

Getting all hopped up on #unicornkisses and #dragonwhispers 🦄😘🐲thanks @polarseltzer for creating these awesome kid friendly flavors 😊 . . . PS: this is our special shirt this month.. all proceeds go to @jdrfhq 💙Head to chronically-healthy.com to purchase 💙 (at Wilton, Connecticut)

#unicornkisses #dragonwhispers

Getting all hopped up on #unicornkisses and #dragonwhispers 🦄😘🐲 (at Wilton, Connecticut)

#dragonwhispers #unicornkisses

Yup. 🍫🍩🍪

Rising Strong by @brenebrown is our book club book this month, for both our parents and patient support groups. Here's a little glimpse into part of our conversation. Check out what one of our members wrote below! Link in bio to join either group. 😊 "When I read this part I felt a little pang. “We can take the edge off emotional pain with a whole bunch of stuff, including alcohol, drugs, food, sex, relationships, money, work, caretaking, gambling, affairs, religion, chaos, shopping, planning, perfectionism, constant change, and the Internet. And just so we don’t miss it in this long list of all the ways we can numb ourselves, there’s always staying busy: living so hard and fast that the truths of our lives can’t catch up with us. We fill every ounce of white space with something so there’s no room or time for emotion to make itself known.” ―Brené Brown, Rising Strong When you numb your feelings, they’re not resolved. They live in your subconscious, weighing you down. I have always thought of myself as self-aware, but I didn’t realize how much I was numbing to cope until this year really. So I’ve been working on writing things down more often, because it helps me clarify my frustration and what I can actually do to move forward. I’m a talker for sure, but I’m aiming for less word-vomit. What do you guys do to work through roadblocks?"

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