Vegetables and IC!

     With my new outlook on life fresh on my mind, I had to reevaluate a few things. What I eat is a major one both my health and also my condition. 
     The main problem with our condition is that no two people experience it the exact same way so there is not a list of 100% safe items that will work for everyone. I found the following website: 

https://www.ichelp.org/living-with-ic/interstitial-cystitis-and-diet/elimination-diet/ic-friendly-fruits-and-vegetables/

    This website gives some great insight into what food to try and what may work for people with IC. But as I said no two people are the same. However, I do think that most people are able to eat one thing the same and from what I can gather its potatoes. 
     Now I am a huge fan of potatoes. In fact, I really love them.  In any way, I can get my hands on them whether they are fried, roasted, mashed or of the sweet variety. And as I am trying to eat healthier, potatoes are the last thing on my to eat list. However, I feel this causes a problem for me as I also use potatoes for suffering days. 
     When each person has a flare up, really bad or not, we immediately try to do whatever we can to make the pain go away. Take medicine, drink so much water our stomachs may very well implode and in my case eating lots and lots of potatoes and if I have any left, cucumbers. 
      I am not one to shy away from harsh truths and I admit fully that there have been occasions when my flare up was getting to me and I eat an entire plate full of mash potato for dinner. Every time I felt relief pretty quickly, not to mention it helps settle my stomach after taking my gross tasting medicine. 
       But now I run into this problem of trying to healthier. 
       What can I do to ensure that during a bad flare up I do not resort to eating a plate full of potato?
       Will just eating my cucumbers be enough to help the flare up?
       So needless to say I needed to work on a plan, not only for my fitness and trying to be healthier but also what foods I can turn too if such a situation should arise. 
        
       Here is the plan: 

• Ensure extra green vegetables are available on hand just in case. 
• If potatoes are purchased I will ensure that should such an occasion arise I will prepare only one at a time, to be served with a huge pile of said 'other' vegetables.
• Avoid all chocolate and candy, even though Halloween is right around the corner. 
• Focus on what food is good for me and my condition. No more excuses. No more pain. No more exceptions.
• Increase my exercise, by a million percent, since right now I am very much a homebody hobbit. 

      I understand that my start over is not a switch I just pull or a whiteboard I can scrub clean so this process will probably take time. Working out does not immediately give a six pack and skinny legs. It will take work, dedication, and support. 

       If you do not have the support for yourself, consider me on your team. We can do this. We deserve this. We will become healthier and happier people because of this. 

       Always keep fighting team. 

     

      Alison 

Starting Over with IC - Phase One Create a Plan!

                  I know the title of this entry could be a little confusing but I promise it will not be in the end. Basically, I have reached the point we all try to avoid and fear with a dread that sometimes makes it impossible to face the day. 
                Rock bottom. 
                Now nothing hugely dramatic has happened for me to come to this place. My husband, children, pets, families, possessions etc are all great. It is myself who is not. I mentioned in a previous post about some personal issues I have been dealing with over the past few months and after my recent trip, I decided I was going to make a change. 
                A lifestyle change if you will. 
                In the Twilight Saga, there is a character called Jacob, who undergoes a dramatic transformation over the course of the books. Both from teen to adult, but also physically into a ripped mountain of a fellow. 
                Now clearly I will not reach his level, considering I'm somewhere in the neighborhood of between 5 ft 3 and 5 ft 4 tall, however, I feel it is that time in my life where a change needs to made and not just for my conditions sake. 
                My name is Alison and I am addicted to sugar. Today I weighed myself and discovered that I weigh more than I ever have before. 
                Seeing that number, knowing my mental state the past few months and remembering my decision to make a change today is the day. I'm going to do something I never thought I would do...post my weight/measurements online for all to see. So here goes....
   
            Day One - October 2nd, 2017

            Weight - 213 lbs (just over 15 stone for my English fans...YIKES!!)
            Measurements:

• Bust: 45 in
• Chest: 40 in 
• Waist: 41 in
• Hips: 47 in
• Midway: 44 in
• Thighs: 27 in
• Knees: 19.5 in
• Calves: 18 in 
• Upper arm: 14 in 
• Forearms: 12 in 

          For my height, let's be generous and say I am 5 ft 4, I should be in the ideal weight range of around 110 to 145 lbs. Personally, I would settle for anything around 150 or 160 since I have a bigger frame but due to the sheer number of pounds to lose, and hopefully plenty of inches, I will take what I can get. 

           My main goal in this personal challenge is really just to be healthier. A lot healthier. Eating better, exercising as much as I can and finding a better quality of life for myself and in turn my family. I feel doing this challenge for myself will help my condition quite a lot since I really have put it thru the ringer the past few weeks....okay, months. 

          I'm wiping the slate clean and starting a new. 

          If you feel the need or just want to see what I am eating to help with this, please let me know in the comments. I may include pictures of working out and/or meals I have to help my fellow IC sufferers anyway. I am hoping to update my progress every week, but you all know how crazy life can get. 

          Always keep fighting and remember you are not alone. 

          Alison 

          #alwayskeepfighting

          #youareenough

          #youarenotalone