I’M BACK

03 Feb 2011 2 Comments

by Cari Elliott in Tips

Helloooooooooooo!  After several months of stress and numerous wacky health problems, I’m back and more determined to maintain this blog than ever!

Some of you may remember me emailing you asking some questions for an article I was writing.  I got a couple of sweet emails in return from some kind souls that understood that I needed to keep school as my number one priority.  It meant a lot to me to have such understanding readers…I have felt very guilty about not writing for so long.  Last semester was a nightmare and I will never take on that much work at once ever again!  (Well, hopefully..lol)

I gotta say, now that the semester from hell is over I can really tell how much the stress effected my health.  I flared quite a bit and had strange problems with the nerves in my right arm and some weird cyst-like thing on my foot (that’s the best way I can describe it…my doctor’s didn’t even know what was up.  They just gave me some prednisone and scooted me on out the door.)  I was determined to work out as often as possible but with my RA like it was that ambition did not last long.

HOWEVER, this semester I feel sooooo much better.  It’s as if a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders.  Sleep was a big issue for me last semester, so finally I decided to quit fighting my sleep patterns and to just go with it.  I scheduled all of my classes in the afternoon this semester, my earliest being 1:30 p.m.  It’s made a huge difference in my stamina.

I’ve also decided to dedicate more time to do what I want to do instead of just studying all the time.  I don’t think I’ve been this social in at least a year.  I’ve missed my friends lol.

I  signed up for water aerobics with two of my best friends and, although some excerises are pretty rough on my joints and I have to sit those out, I’ve really enjoyed it.  I’ve always hated that I couldn’t work out with the RA; I don’t like feeling as though I can’t take care of myself if needed.  But I’m finally starting to feel strong again.  In addition to water aerobics, one of the same friends and I tried a pilates class held in our university’s rec center once a week.  While I couldn’t partake in the splits or “bridge,” every other move felt easy and comfortable but still gave me a great workout.  It was so calming that I didn’t even realize I was getting sore.

And finally, I’ve started going to church again.  I have been feeling better than I have in such a long time…and I know it is all because of God.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6

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