HEALTH

I am sure you are wondering why did I even put finances on and why firstly. It has a major impact on every day life. Without finances we also cannot receive the medical attention we need, when and if needed. It is vital to our survival in this world.


Health is equally so important for without health we cannot go to work, we cannot make any money, we cannot exercise and be disciplined and put in effort. Without health life becomes one long big pain.


So why do I hammer on health now…


Well, part of my body project was obviously to lose weight, but also to do it in a healthy manner. To support my body, to give it the nutrition it needs, etc. And I believe I have done that. However, over the past two months I have been having extreme pain in my legs at night; restless legs; terrible bruising; veins that just pop out on my legs; tiredness. It has also been the two months that I have not been eating too healthily for reasons explained as well as it being the December holiday season.


I decided to pay the Doctor a visit a couple of days before my 32nd B-day in Dec 2011. I said to him that I am not sure if I am just getting old and not accepting it, or that I may be losing my mind, or that my posture is wrong. . . and I explained my dilemma to him. After a physical examination he suggested that we draw blood and run a couple of tests as there may be a problem.


Unfortunately for me the blood was spilled in transit and I had to go back and get more blood drawn. Eina!!! Och! And worse, to get a vein seemed to be a mission as well.


The results were delayed, but a week later I went in to review the results. It turns out I have an auto-immune disease. More tests has not yet been done, but it is either Rheumatic Arteritis or Systematic Lupus or a combination of both.


I looked at the results and started feeling rather anxious. I have seen a similar blood result more than 13 years ago – it was Burkett’s Lymphoma – Cancer of the lymph system. I beat it then – I am sure what ever it is, I can beat it now.


I am currently putting a lot of energy into research. Not only on my condition, but also on a way to “cure” it! I have relocated since my last illness 10 years ago and my Doctor in Cape Town is now trying to help my find a Doctor here in Johannesburg that use the same treatment methods I used back then. It is alternative treatments, but from previous experience, it works.


I am very grateful that I have caught this early and that I was brave enough to investigate. Prevention is better than cure, but early treatment can prevent a lot of pain and horror in one’s life.


This is however leaving me somewhat obsessed with eating right and exercise although I do not really have the energy to pull anything through – I am giving it my best shot and I am blessed with friends and family that truly care and support me. Best of all, this time around I have a husband that loves me and it makes it so hard, but yet, so much easier.

1. FINANCES

The saying is quite right that money is not everything; money cannot buy you happiness; etc, etc, etc. But without money a lot of other things are not possible. The price of food is very high in our country, but especially so in the City that I live in – Johannesburg, South Africa.


Due to some inevitable events and growth on other parts of our lives, I have had a lack of money, hence also a lack of the right food, organic raw veg and fruit mostly.


We have sold our town house (2 bedroom, upstairs unit) and have moved into a big house (3 bedrooms. We have literally gone from 64 square meter living space to a house of approximately 400 square meter and an erf of 1400 square meters!!! That is a lot of responsibility. We have had so many expenses, which we kind off suspected, but we were not 100% prepared. We are coping very well. But unfortunately just coping financially.


There will now also be additional medical expenses.


So, this year I am back to the drawing board and I hope that I will find a way to make healthy food a priority. No, let me correct that – I WILL find a way, I MUST, it is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity…

Old and new years obsessions!!!

I realise that I am more obsessed with my body than ever before… I have officially gone into overdrive and I need to find a way to balance all my emotions out and to find a balanced healthy path from here forward.



I have not blogged for quite some time, so I have a lot to catch up on – amongst other things the following has been happening to my little project MY BODY:






1. Finances


2. Health


a. Auto-immune disease


b. Lack of general energy


c. Dentistry


3. Self-Discipline and control


4. My weight struggle


5. Personal image


6. Family and home decisions






I will write a little bit about each of these factors as part of my process in processing all the events, but before I do that I have to give an honest update on my current status:

Weight: Up to 68 kg (was 62 at some point last year)


Emotional state: Very fragile, yet at the same time I find strength in all my troubles and have a certain sense of calmness in knowing that God has a plan for my life. My life is not as meaningless and boring as I believe it to be. I know that and my faith will carry me through.


Going forward:


• Blogging as part of dealing with my emotions.


• I will also start yoga classes with a group on 16 January and I have to personally get into a bit of yoga before then.


• Healthy eating habits after the holiday season.


• Practicing patience and kindness in my everyday life.






I realise that things do not happen overnight and sometimes one has to just wait a little bit, just rest a little bit in-between, just give oneself the benefit of the doubt. Although there’s so much do to and sort out and plan and get together, one must also just take things and each day as one step at a time.


And although I am disappointed with my weight, I also realise that I am still in a much better place than where I was last year this time weighing 73 kg, I am still 5 kg lighter and to me that is a lot! I am counting my blessings everyday as things can change so quickly in life.


Happy new year and I hope to add value and positive energy into every woman that may follow my blog whether it be now or in the future.