WEGO Health Activist Awards

My blog has been nominated for a WEGO Health Activist Award for "Best in Show: Blog".
I am thankful, and humbled at the same time, for the nomination.  If you would like to endorse the nomination, please go to:


https://awards.wegohealth.com/nominees/142


and click on the "Endorse" button under my picture.
I thank you all in advance, but it really IS nice to be nominated

Crohn's and Fitness : Part 3

Just a quick update, as I haven't updated as often as I'd like, on my fitness program.
Over 2 months in and believe it or not, I' still working on core work.  Yes, that's how bad my core is.  I'm on a new set of moves now and it's slowly working.  It's amazing how small deliberate moves can strengthen your abs and back.  We're not moving to weights until the core is strong....or stronger at least.
I've had some minor "problems" with my Crohn's, like small flares, but nothing serious thank god.


Slow and steady

Instacrohns

 

Check out this new Crohn's community site. 

Also on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!!

 



 

You Might Be A Crohnie

If getting out of bed and having a shower is your version of "working out"
...you might be a Crohnie

Remicade : Day 1498

I missed my regular infusion day by a week because I was away on holiday, so needless to say, I am tired and exhausted.  It's always amazing how my body knows when it's time for "the juice".
I seem to be maintaining my weight finally after 25 + years.  I'm able to eat and not have to rush to the washroom all the time.  Not that it doesn't happen, but it happens less often. 
I've said it before and Ill say it again, Remicade has turned my life around.  Fingers crossed it keeps working.

Crohnie Quote of the Day

"IBD is like a penis......it has a mind of its' own"

Crohn's and Weight Loss / Gain

One of the biggest things I had to go through when I got Crohn's was the drastic weight loss.  When I say drastic, it came hard and fast.  It was scary at the time and there was nothing I could do about it.  Some of it was the disease itself I think, but also I just stopped eating.  It hurt way too much after I ate.  I had dropped so much weight, at one point a stranger on the street asked if I had AIDS.  Keep in mind, this was the late 80's and AIDS was a big "thing" then.  That comment hit hard for me and I didn't want to go outside anymore.  I didn't want anyone to see me.
So to give you an idea about how I WAS...before I was diagnosed I was a competitive figure skater and I played soccer as well.  I was fit and strong, thick thighs and such a tight ass (just sayin)  I weighed 165 pounds (11.7 stone or 74.8 kilos) at 5' 10", I looked great and "healthy".
By the time I had my first surgery I weighed a mere 115 pounds  (8 stone or 52 kg).  I was skinny enough that the surgeons were a little concerned about doing the surgery, but it was an emergency at the time.  I had a grapefruit sized matting of the intestines.  That was 1989....
It has taken me to 2016 to get my weight back up, I am now 160lbs, almost to my original weight.  Gone are all the muscle I had, Crohn's had them for a snack after it ate all my fat, but thanks to Remicade, it has slowly gone up and has stayed there for a few months now.
I hope to keep it as I have started working out.  With the help of my trainer I'll get there.
I want my muscle back, not to mention my ass!!

Crohn's and Fitness : Part Two

Well, just an update on the "program" I'm on. 
It's been a month and surprisingly everything is coming along well.  I say "surprisingly" because honestly, I was expecting more pain and fatigue then I am experiencing.  I still feel it, don't get me wrong, I was just expecting it to be worse.
My trainer, Kristine, is great.  She keeps me focused and is quick to correct my positioning and posture. We're working on my core, shoulders and hips but also working the glutes and chest.  The only equipment I use is a resistance band and a lacrosse ball for massaging the muscles.  Who knew pulling on a large rubber band and rolling a lacrosse ball along a wall actually works.  No need to spend hundreds of dollars on fancy equipment.  The ball really works on getting the kinks out and nicely massages the muscles to loosen them up.  She knows her stuff and constantly asks how things are going during the session so not to "hurt" myself.
Between sessions, I workout at home and the challenge is to remember to DO IT !!  And for the past month, I HAVE been.  There's a lot of self motivating and I've been making sure I do the exercises either everyday or every two days.  Starting next month, we're going to change it up as she puts it, but I don't know what that is yet.  But for the next month, going to keep it up.
My goal for now is to be "Fit by Fifty", which is my 2 year plan, and get back to my athletic physique.
I'm going to get there.....health willing.


Slow and steady wins the race

You Might Be A Crohnie

If your veins are as hard to find as the Invisible Man
... you might be a Crohnie

Remicade : Day 1404 Happy Crohn-aversary!!

Had a quick infusion yesterday, but wow did I feel it afterwards.  I wanted to curl up in a ball and just sleep....but I had to drive home still, so THAT would be awkward.

Then I realized as I was slowly nodding off, that it has been 4 years now of Remicade infusions.  I can't remember the exact amount now, but in the 30's I think.  AND it's just over 28 years since my "official" diagnosis.  I had been having symptoms months before, but a doctor finally gave what was happening to me a name.  And when he told me that name, I was like "huh??" because I had never heard of Crohns before that date.

So, Happy Crohn-aversary to me!!  Now let's eat cake !

.