Case of the Mondays

The Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge

Write about something that gets you down, burns you out, or makes you sad. Purge it in a blog post.
Turn it around at the end. Tell Tuesday why you’re ready for it.

Let's see. Things that get me down: The fact that I don't have a full-time job right now. My husband has a great good job and he loves it. I do freelance PR and I had a really great project recently doing all the PR for a new restaurant that just opened up. I loved it! I felt so energized getting up everyday and working on this new project.

Now, I'm back to square one. When I think about the fact that I can't help contribute to our marriage, financially, and at a steady rate, it gets to me. I know things could always be worse. But it's like Chris and I keep getting things thrown at us and we're really not ready for it. Doctors bills that should've been covered by the insurance but weren't; expensive rent; bills; pet bills; car insurance, etc. Yes, bills that everyone has, but probably on two incomes. So we're trying to cut back where we can and hopefully get our savings back up to where it was before we moved here.

That's the major thing that gets me down. Smaller things: not seeing my family and friends as often as I would like; not working out when I should; not reading as much as I would like; driving around a new city not knowing the back streets; traffic; construction; our loud neighbors; my psoriasis.

Now, on to Tuesday. Bring it. I have pretty much been stressed to my max, so I'm ready to take you on like no other. I am actively looking for and applying for jobs which will eventually lead to me getting a job and making a steady income—fingers crossed. Cmon awesome company that wants to hire me! Chris and I are also setting a weekly budget for ourselves to make sure we stay afloat and on top of all financial things.

I always take things one day at a time and try not to stress out while doing it. I am always thankful for the wonderful husband I have who I am able to come home to (well, he is able to come home to me) and thankful for the life we have together. That's all you can do, is to be thankful. So bring it Tuesday, I am thankful for everything.

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

If I Could Do Anything As A Health Activist

… Get aspirational. Money is no longer an option. What is your biggest goal that is now possible? How could you get there?
Now bring it back down to size. How much of this can you accomplish now, in a year, in five years?

Once I got certified as a Health and Nutrition Consultant—and even before—I knew all I wanted to do was help as many people as I could. To be able to do that, I would want to start a Health Consultant company. But it wouldn't be one of those super expensive ones that charges this much for a consultant and then you have to sign a contract then meet with someone else before you even start talking healthy anything.

It would be called Healthy Food, Healthy You. I would make it super affordable for all types but enough to earn the best reputation for being one of the best companies out there. We would start with a consultant asking about current health status, areas of concern and questions, medications, etc. Then I would come up with a healthy food plan and recommendations that are easy to incorporate into the busiest of lives. We would talk about short-term and long-term goals and come up with a plan to meet both of those. I would also offer at cooking tips, recipes, grocery tours and even cooking lessons at a clients house.

Part of this company is not just about learning how to eat healthy, but it's also about being a healthy you. So it would have to include a Pilate's/workout area. I would be working with my best friend who is a Certified Pilate's Instructor. And we would offer Pilate's classes, easy exercises anyone can do at home, etc.

Everyone can dream big, right?

But then reality sets in. If I could accomplish this with in this next year, I can start with my website, which is still in the works. It is called Healthy Food, Healthy You. And include everything from above.

After five years, I would hope that the word has spread and I have clients with long-lasting relationships and satisfied with the results; word-of-mouth clients eager to get started; and an amazing studio to do everything.

While also showing people how easy it is start their healthy life as long as the motivation is there, I would also be able to bring awareness to living with psoriasis. I would like to be a guest speaker, guest blog or even write a book and talk about living with it and how to eat healthy to keep it under control.

I would continue to stay on top of my health certifications, attend conferences and network with those in my field. And hopefully it takes off from there.

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

5 Things That Changed My Life

The Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge

5 things that changed my life. For better? For worse? List 5 things that changed your life as a patient, caregiver, or Health Activist and how.

There has definitely been more than 5 things that have changed my life not just as a patient or Health Activist, but as a daughter, sister, friend and wife.

1. Being diagnosed with psoriasis. It was definitely a change for the worse when it first happened. I was in high school, and these red, scaly patches started to appear on my skin. All we knew was that my mom had it, it was obviously genetic and there is no cure. Lovely. After undergoing numerous medications, trials, tar baths and disgusting shampoo's, it's now under control. But back then I was so ashamed and embarrassed. I barely spoke to my family about it. I just didn't know a lot about it, so how was I supposed explain I felt?
Fast forward to present: I still have it on my elbows and scalp. Elbows are manageable with weekly medication, and scalp... well let's just not go there (haven't found anything that works). But I am now a National Psoriasis Foundation mentor and love it. I no longer shy away from it. I want to talk about it and help anyone I can. So, now I can say it has changed me for the better.

2. Being there for my parents while they have battled through their health scares with cancer and a triple by-pass. They both and my mother-in-law were the strongest people I know while going through their own problems. They never once had a pity party (well who doesn't?) but always made sure everyone else around them were taken care. It's because of how they have responded to what life as thrown at them, that gives me the strength to take on life now. Definitely changed me for the good.

3. This next thing changed me and my husband... well it just changed us. I include it because my husbands best friend was a caregiver himself, a Registered Nurse. And we actually lost him very unexpectedly—and it hasn't been easy. No matter what he did, he absolutely loved his job helping others as a nurse and he made a lasting impression where ever he went. He could make friends with anyone and was loved by everyone. If I can make that type of impression on—not only the people in my life—but complete strangers than I owe that to him. We miss you a lot Kenny. It's definitely been a change.

4. Another change would be becoming a certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant. After being there for my parents, I want to be able to equip anyone I can with the simple knowledge it takes to lead a healthy life. No one can ever predict cancer or an sudden illness, but you can do everything in your power to live the best life you can—which I think my parents are doing a great job at.

5. Living with psoriasis has also given me the power to research and want to learn more about other less known about diseases. Something I probably would have never done if I didn't have psoriasis. Thinking, "Oh, if I don't have that, it doesn't affect me." I have a completely different view on things like that. I now want to educate myself and others. Psoriasis(or anything bothering you at the moment) can be a very stressful thing if you let it. Or it can completely change your life—for the better.

Take a look around. If you have always wanted to research something, get to know your new co-worker or read that book you never got around to—take the time now. You never know what you do, who you meet or what you'll see next that might change your life—in more ways than one.

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

What Happens After You Press “Publish.”

Part of the The Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge Prompts (#HAWMC)

What happens after you press “publish.” Write about your post-blog-writing process. Do you immediately tweet a link? Email it to everyone? Re-read it for spelling errors?

In this digital day and age, you can't ever be too careful. When everything you say or do is recorded and posted online via blogs, Twitter, Facbeook, Youtube, etc.

After everything I write, I ALWAYS spell check. Be it the "PR and AP style" writer in me, my mother's voice or just my self saying there's always a mistake somewhere.

After the spell check, yes, I definitely Tweet it and post to Facebook. I love sharing what I write to everyone I know and hopefully to people I don't. Maybe someone out there gets a giggle or a thoughtful insight from what I write.

No matter how your day goes, how many people you talk to, the person you come home to or the people in your life—there should always be time for yourself.

Writing is so therapeutic. There is always so much on my mind, which some times keeps me up at night. I think we're all guilty of that. So writing it down just makes it a little easier to deal with.

Whether you blog, spell check, tweet, Facebook post or Youtube upload, write down what you're thinking. You never know how much it helps or whose face it will put a smile on to make their crappy day a little better.

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J