Welcome To My New Life Fighting A Disease I've Never Heard Of Before....... Ankylosing Spondylitis

  Last Wednesday I did something I have not did in years. Two of my children and I went for a long, leisurely walk in our town. We don't live inside our town limits but we are there at least 2-3 times a week. However, on those weekly trips it's for business or grocery shopping. Those trips are focused on the task at hand. We don't take time to enjoy the beauty of our little town.   I think I am not alone in feeling life gets too busy. I know when I was working full time, all I did was get up, go to work, get off work, come home, fix supper, spend a couple hours with my family and then do it all over the next day. There were days my son would have an after school activity and that made the day even more hectic. Also with my ankylosing spondylitis there were days where I came home literally exhausted and went straight to bed. I am fortunate my mother lives beside me so on my worst days she would fix my son supper. On some of those days when I was overwhelmed with fatigue, I...

This week's weight loss is a disappointment. I don't want to make up excuses for my failure. I prefer to reflect and determine the steps I need to change.   Where I went wrong..... I did not drink much water at all this past week. That truly was my greatest downfall. I gave into my cravings. Some days they seem overwhelming. I did not follow through with my plan to exercise more. I was more depressed during the past week.   I could easily beat myself up for this failure. I don't think that would benefit me, in either weight loss nor my depression. I choose to move forward this week and just keep trying my best. I assume others have faced these types of set backs, if you have any tips, please share in the comments.  This upcoming week I plan to...... Drink more water! Exercise more! Increase protein! Snack on healthy foods!   Ok, here's my shame..... Last week's weight: 220 lbs Current weight:       222 lbs Hoping you each ...

  I wanted to update you on my progress with my weight loss. I hope to post a weekly update. I think it will help keep me motivated. I'd love to hear ways you stay motivated.                                                                                                                               EXERCISE:   This past week the weather has been horrible so I didn't walk much. As anyone with ankylosing spondylitis knows there is a limitation on types of exercises we can do. I have tried more stretching this past week. I think when I can get outside and walk I will see more progress.                    ...

  I wrote, not too long ago, about I need to lose weight. As many of you know that is easier said than done. At my last rheumatologist appointment I was dreading stepping on the scales. This dread was compounded by my mom standing close enough to read the scale. My mother has not been kind about the fact that I weigh too much. In fact, she has had both my sister and I in tears many times.   I hold my breath as I step on the scale, as if that will help me weigh less. The digital readout flips between a couple numbers and finally stops at my weight. I currently weigh more than I ever have in my life. Even more than during my pregnancies!    I wish I could blame it on medication side effects, but that would only be one component. Last year, I was changed from Humira to Enbrel and then from Enbrel to Cosentyx. I also had flares last year that were treated with steroids.    I know a lot of my habits were the culprit. I have never been a healthy eater. From...