Hydration Is Key ...

Water has no calories, it is colorless and is essential for maintaining a healthy body environment.  Yet most people do not have the recommended eight glasses of per day.  A natural resource, individuals will choose soda, energy drinks and others over water.

For me, I was a soda drinker.  I loved Coca-Cola!  As a young person it would help any hangover, the sugary caramel flavor.  Yyyuuummmmm!  Coca-Cola always satisfied my thirst cravings, but it wasn't until later in life did I realize the effects it was causing.

Drinking 4-6 cans a day, I had sugar rushes as well as crashes.  It was hard to give up.  Gradually I reduced the amount of soda and incorporate water into my diet.  After a year of not drinking soda, I can say when I indulge, it no longer has that pleasure factor.   Soda doesn't taste the same either, it now has an aftertaste.

Regan putting in my IV.
 

As mentioned, water is essential to a health body.  It maintains your organs, bloodflow, hydrates the body, aids the digestive system, removes toxins through the kidneys and sweat through the skin.  For me I need a steady drink of water throughout the day.  When I start to feel a headache coming on, I have water and within minutes feel better.  It is your system signaling you are dehydrated.

Each month I have Zometa treatments to help strengthen my bones via IV.  Requiring tests to ensure my kidneys are running properly and other indicators, my veins are difficult for blood draws and IV's.  Drinking the recommended eight glasses of water the day before and a fair amount in the morning, my IV's have become easier to put in.  Usually it would take 2-4 sticks.

Are you still drinking soda or energy drinks?  Make a change for a healthier body environment, drink water.  My reasons may not be yours, but you never know when the body becomes acidic.  An environment that accepts disease.  Over time you will feel a difference and perhaps change the course an unhealthy body environment.  Now is the time.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I have setup a GoFundMe page for donations to help with my medical bills.  Your generosity is humbling and appreciated.

Be genuine, share yourself and have a fabulous day!  Susan (aka SuzzzyGal)

Disclaimer:  I am not a medical professional and any information contained here is an opinion.  Seek advice from a professional. 

Have You Taken Your Vitamins Today?

As we get older our bodies are constantly changing, adjusting to our diets, medications and daily stress.  I remember as a child my mother making breakfast.  It always included vitamins.  Not understanding the value of vitamins, I simply did what I was told.  It wasn't until I was older and living on my own did taking supplements and vitamins become a choice.

My background does not include being a Nutritionist.  So my diet consisted of processed and takeout foods, Coca-Cola, pizza, pasta, cheese with very little fruits and vegetables.  I didn't take any daily vitamins, thinking the food being consumed had everything I needed.  This certainly is not the case. 

What I have learned this past year is it isn't about what you eat but how you add nutritional value to your diet.  Think of your body as an engine.  It requires fuel, good fuel.  Each item eaten has the usual carbohydrate, protein and fat values, all necessary to keep your engine running.  But, you also need to have vitamins, each one helping the body in some manner regulate as one efficient component. 

Once a vitamin becomes deficient (such as Vitamin D or Calcium) it may compromise the absorption process for strong healthy bones.  Everyone should consider this after age 40 when osteoporosis can set in.  It may also have a domino effect to other organs.  I have been taking a daily women's pack that has a vitamin, calcium magnesium tablet, anti-oxidant and a biotin supplement.  The daily pack comes prepackaged so I do not have to think about which ones I need to take.

Strawberries and fresh cream
 

Having changed my diet from the above to eating healthier choices, more fruit to replace the carbohydrate cravings and a few vegetables, I notice the difference.  Still having trouble with vegetables because I am single living alone and do not like the looks of them.  I don't know why, just do.

Now this was meant to tickle you in some way in regards to your diet and supplements.  There are a lot of good companies providing vitamins in liquid and tablet forms to accommodate everyones needs.  I also recommend taking your vitamins and supplements with a meal or after eating.  It will help absorb more of the nutrients.

I have been with several network marketing companies and take Amway's NutriLite Women's Daily Pack of vitamins.  My bloodwork report shows my nutrient or vitamin levels are well within their range during my recovery process.

So ... Have you taken your vitamins today?  Make the adjustment from eating poorly to eating well and supplement with vitamins to ensure your engine is running properly.  Don't wait until your body becomes sick like I did.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I have setup a GoFundMe page for donations to help with my medical bills.  Your generosity is humbling and appreciated.

Be genuine, share yourself and have a fabulous day!  Susan (aka SuzzzyGal)

Disclaimer:  I am not a medical professional and any information contained here is an opinion.  Seek advice from a professional. 

My Weight Loss Came With A Price

By this point you know my mother passed away in 2013.  It was an emotional struggle losing her and someone I long to speak to since.  When I hurt my back in January 2014 I was down 34 pounds and feeling good about it.  It seemed to be easier.  But, as it turned out weeks later I was diagnosed with hormonal Breast Cancer Stage IV.  That is why my back was hurting, it was in my bones.  To be specific, it was in my lower and upper spine, left shoulder, hips and right knee.  I have had radiation treatments in my spine and right knee, with possibility of more in the future.



Me / February 2012

Having been overweight to severely obese in my adult life, I needed to really buckle down and stop overeating for any reason at all.  Such as, celebrating the good and bad, because I wanted to, happy, sad, the list is long.  Eating for me was the only control I had in my life.  I was like anyone else, single living alone and really didn't like to cook.  I liked to bake and good at it.  Eating fast foods, processed foods along with my favorites of pasta and pizza, rarely eating fruits and vegetables.  Wrong carbohydrate cravings galore.  I could eat them everyday. 

Before I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and at home, I had smaller portions and managed to lose a about 10 more pounds.  Once in the hospital, my diet change helped with my weight loss.  I was put on a schedule with portioned meals, fruit, vegetables and desert.  I thought I was overeating but it jumpstarted the carbohydrate cravings normally felt when starting a diet.  Having failed diet attempts, I gave up long ago from the carb cravings.  I wasn't able to walk while in the hospital, especially on my right leg for fear of breaking it and I was hurting on my left side.  I did all my physical therapy in my bed with leg raises, etc. to maintain some semblance of strength.  When I was released the first time to the skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, down 56 pounds.

The same occurred through my second hospital stay and hip surgery.  When I entered the skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in Largo, FL I lost nearly 60 pounds.  My clothes were hanging on me.  Since I had started physical therapy, it added to my weight loss and when released to go home, I was down another 22 pounds.  Since being home, I have a main healthy portion meal and then fruits, nuts or vegetables throughout the day.  I haven't felt a carbohydrate craving they way I used too.  Actually when I have a high concentration of carbohydrates (breads or pasta) in a daily diet I feel cranky and tired.  Go figure!

Me and Adele Brown / February 2015

I am happy to say that I'm now a size 16 pants / 14 top.  I have lost a total of 131 pounds since my mother died and can't believe what I see in the mirror at times.  I have donated half my wardrobe with more remaining in my closet that I can no longer wear.  Cannot believe how much money had been spent throughout the years on clothing that weren't worn or barely used.  Now I shop sparingly for the necessities as I continue on my diet.  I already have my size 14 pants and shorts for the end March.  Hoping my one year anniversary with breast cancer goes on without a hitch.  Keep me in your prayers :)
 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I have setup a GoFundMe page for donations to help with my medical bills.  Your generosity is humbling and appreciated.

Be genuine, share yourself and have a fabulous day!  Susan (aka SuzzzyGal)