Self Love Improvements

Since starting the new year, I've been working on my self love and self care; physically and mentally. I started off going to the gym with my boyfriend and working on my endurance and muscle mass. After having POTS and my other chronic illnesses, my muscles have deteriorated over time of diagnosis, treatments, and coping. The gym really helped me feel good again, regardless of the pain that came with it. I had a few minor POTS episodes but was able to catch them before I passed out by laying on the floor with my legs up.

However, since my boyfriend has developed some sort of unknown health condition of his own, we've stopped going together cause he kept an eye on me at the gym. So, I picked up aqua therapy at Allied Services. I have a therapist that watches me as I exercise in the pool. It feels amazing being in 90 degree water, the only downside is POTS. It helps with the fibro pain, not so much with conditioning and building endurance. And the heat of the pool sometimes makes it hard to do the exercises or stay in the pool for too long. As of now, I keep it to a minimum, but would like to get back to the gym because I feel like that has done the most help.

And as a side note, being on my gluten free diet for about 6 months now as improved my stomach and my POTS episodes. It's also helped the amount of tension headaches I have on a weekly basis. I know when I eat too much gluten and cheat that I'll usually have a headache.

Finally, my mental health has improved greatly since 6 months ago and to be frank, probably the best it's been in years. I've have a proper diagnosis and proper treatment with an amazing therapist. We've been working on a lot of issues and on myself as a person. It also helps to have an amazing boyfriend who's been supportive on my mental journey as well. He's put up with the random breakdowns and irrational thoughts I have with MDD. (Major Depressive Disorder)

Below I have a few links to things that have helped me on my mental health journey and self love. They have been a blessing to me!

Building Self Esteem

Overcoming Guilt and Self Punishment

Practicing Self Love

More Self Love

Self love, Self love, Self love

Try this challenge! 

And make a list of things that make you happy! 

Artsy Update

Kind of been playing around with old photographs. I want to prepare some for xerox lithography! 

Growing Stronger

Since 2011, I've been up and down on the weight scale and muscle mass decline; due to a series of things, such as not knowing I was gluten intolerant and having my seizure scare (which turned out to be POTS). I could only keep so much weight on and felt exhausted and like crap all the time.

I basically looked like skin and bone and my hair loss was getting worse as well. You can see above how small I was.  And my boobs were none existent. 

BUT BEHOLD! 

I'm getting back to a normal weight and I'm gaining muscle! Look at those abs beginning to form! eek! 

I haven't felt this great in years and I'm glad to be getting back to better health!