I think living healthy in today's world is something we all struggle with at times. I have personally struggled with my weight all of my life. From being overweight in early childhood, losing weight as a teenager and maintaining that weight from late high school into college then gaining all of it back plus some throughout the past few years. Yesterday I finally reached my breaking point.
This year has been a wonderful year of transition for me. From being single to becoming married, moving to a new city and starting a daily commute. With my daily schedule, convenience became the name of the game and my body has paid the price for it. I stopped paying attention to what I was eating and my waistline definitely showed. What I couldn't see was that my inner health was also showing signs too.
As some of you may have seen, I've recently been rocking a new pair of glasses. Before getting these glasses, I went for my annual eye exam. I hadn't had an eye exam in a few years and while at my visit, the doctor mentioned that my optic nerves were swollen. Sometimes it can be normal, but most of the time, it's a sign of another issue. I decided to follow up with a specialist regarding my eyes.
At my follow up exam, I quickly learned that each of my optic nerves were swollen, which is a condition called papilledema. This means that there is elevated pressure in my brain and if left untreated could cause future vision loss. Alarming, I know. My husband and I were both shocked. As we decided to go over my final evaluation, a great deal of the evaluation pointed to weight loss being one of the ways to reduce swollen optic nerves.
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| My first weight loss goal - Getting back here! |
The specialist of course was ready to go into full blown action, which would include an MRI, possible spinal tap and medication. Because this has been caught early and I have my full vision, I decided to take my health into my own hands. My vision is far more important than any type of food. As I prepare to take charge of my health and my life, I want you all to be a part of the journey. I know it will be hard. I know it will be tough, but this is serious.
I plan to share my healthy living journey here on the blog. I look forward to having you all along with me and all I ask is your prayers of strength and good health over my life. Thank you!
What are ways you try to live healthy?
God bless & stay fabellis,
I am starting by just doing simple things like cutting out soda and drinking water. I agree with you...we can't wait for the right time to get our health under control. You have encouraged me today.
ReplyDeleteWay to go babes!! Your health is very important and I'm witcha! Supporting you along the way and joining you on this journey as well. Healthy is the new SEXY doll, so let's get it!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Naja
www.NajaDiamond.com
I am proud of you for fighting this condition and early on, what an awesome choice though hard. I know I struggle with my weight lately and I keep saying I will do something about it tomorrow and then I don't and the struggle becomes real when I can do something about it today. Will be praying for us both. Rachel xo
ReplyDeleteI am soo proud of you Ashley! Your health is most important and you want to take care of yourself the best way you can.
ReplyDeleteThere are many ways you can live a healthy lifestyle which include:
1) Download health apps that will track your calories (i.e. Myfitness Pal)
2) Set goals for yourself eat week and plan your meals
3) Find workouts that fit your needs
4) Push yourself and don't settle
5) Stay Positive
These tips helped me to lose weight and maintain my current weight. If you need an accountability partner I am here for you sister! You can do it :)
With Love,
Ashley
ASassyWoman.com
Ashley.....you got this girl! I will definitely follow you on your journey as I start on my journey to healthier lifestyle
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you caught this in time and kudos for making the decision to take control.
ReplyDeleteI have been on a health kick for months now. I am amping up my #curvesdefined journey which was essentially my first step towards health and involved working out regularly and I have been a junkaterian aka a vegetarian who eats lots of junk for almost 15 years but recently went completely vegan to get control of heart disease.
I also find that it helps to have a health buddy, someone on the same or similar path to keep you moving in the right direction.
So happy you have embarked on this journey, i must say i had a wake up call in 2011 when i couldnt get out of my bed.Went form 106kg to 84kg, even through i have made progress there is still so many mountains to climb.
ReplyDeleteIf i can do it, yes you can too and guess what you have done it in the past.
Take little steps each day and build up.Go from walking into jogging, try to cut out on processed food too.You can do it with God on your side and your strength.
You can also check out this website,http://www.100daysofrealfood.com.I have set myself to go on the 100 days challenge of no processed food.
I see you making progess and i am here to support.
http://embraceurcurves.blogspot.co.uk/
I'm so proud of you girl and I'll be following your lead! I, too grown too comfortable and haven't been taking good care of myself. I'm going to start eating better and exercising a lot more. I can't wait to follow you on your healthy journey.
ReplyDeleteAshley, I wish you the best of luck on your journey! YOU CAN DO THIS!!! Stay strong! Peace & Love
ReplyDeleteyou can do it Ash! I've been eating clean and working out
ReplyDeleteYou can do it! I had a similar experience in my 20s, had to have spinal taps and everything. I'm still working to lose weight. It's a process, for sure. Best if luck to you, Ashley.
ReplyDeletePraying for you Ashley!!! I am currently doing to same thing! I join you in solidarity and faith that we will be successful!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on reclaiming your health. I need to do the same. I need to exercise more and eat less sugar.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm noticing that small steps are making a huge difference already. I haven't gotten to the exercise part, but I try to move more. Since you have little ones, I know you probably move a lot. :-) Even moving a little more throughout the day, would probably help you like it's helping me.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome Danielle! I'm so glad this encouraged you. I'm actually surprised at how drinking only water has made me feel so good already. Not to mention giving my skin a glow. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks boo! :-) We can do it!
ReplyDeleteHi Ashley! I had the same condition back in high school. First, it started with a severe headache that lasted for 2 days. I checked into the hospital and spent about a week there. I went through all types of tests, including spinal taps, for the doctors to come up with a diagnosis. When I finally got out of the hospital, I was put on diuretics to try to get the pressure down...
ReplyDeleteI'm still working on getting healthier and losing weight. It's been a never ending battle. Good luck with your weight loss journey! You are definitely NOT ALONE...
I try to be healthy by drinking lots and lots of water. However, this girl really needs to exercise more and cut out the sweets. Good luck to you!
ReplyDeleteI need to increase my water intake as well, get a little more exercise and put down the wine glass!
ReplyDeleteyou are beautiful regardless of your weight but healthy living i can understand! i hope you are able to achieve the weight loss you desire!
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get that trench vest?!
ReplyDeleteAnne Taylor :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Mark! :-)
ReplyDeleteI have a very close friend who has the same papilledema and is now having some vision lost in one of her eye. I pray for your overall health that things goes well with you. Be encouraged and don't give up
ReplyDelete