I’ve been wanting to commit myself to a blog for some time now, but it has just never “been the right time.” Have you ever made that excuse? Well, I have and not only on the blogging front. Truly, I might be a master procrastinator.
For over 15 years I have been trying to figure this whole “wellness” thing out. Being incredibly obese and clinically depressed in your early 20’s is a difficult starting place. Over the years, I have slowly progressed healthwise, eagerly reading and studying nutrition, health and wellness books, articles and blogs. I have come a LOOOONG way from where I was. Among other things, I have concluded that a person cannot truly be physically healthy if he or she takes prescription medicines. Doesn’t the mere fact that I’m taking any prescription medicines mean I’m sick? If I weren’t sick why would I need to continue to take them? They might make me feel better, but is the underlying cause being addressed? It has just never “been the right time” for me to make lifestyle changes so I can stop taking them (there’s that excuse again). Please understand I am not talking about life threatening conditions and I am working with my doctor (you should too if you are considering the same course). I have struggled with depression for most of my adult life; periodically on and off antidepressants. However, about 6 years ago I added Adderall to the mix. I had 2 kids and was (trying) to study for a certification for my job. When my doctor prescribed this, it was as if my brain had been unlocked! I felt marvelous! Of course, I am basically taking a pharmaceutical version of speed and now instead of feeling marvelous I just feel normal. As the years passed, I would tell myself, “I will stop taking this when the kids are older,” or any number of excuses
including workload, season, allergies and weight. It was always a “someday” goal, but this year my copay increased from $12/month to $125/month. WHOA!
That bumped it up my priority list a bit.
One thing I noticed in all my wellness research is that so much of the advice is TOTALLY impractical, just doesn’t work or sucks the joy from life (i.e. hiding in the bathroom for hours because you’re peeing so much from all the water you’re drinking that it’s just easier to stay there. Just me?) One book I read prescribed walking 20,000 steps each day in the program. Not throughout the whole day, but in one exercise session. HAHA, don’t make me laugh. That would take me about 2 hours. Who has 2 hours per day to exercise? And if you did have the time, is that really how you want to spend it? So, my goal for this blog is to share, and continue to learn, how to be healthy and realistically well. I will fail at times, but that is where all the real learning happens! When I refer to wellness, I’m referring to mind, body and soul. If one is sick, the others are negatively impacted. So, don’t worry this won’t be just another list of diet tips we’ve all heard thousands of times. I’m sorry, but a baby carrot is not a realistic substitute for a potato chip. I’m not even going to talk much about weight loss. If it happens great! If not, also great! Side note: there are plenty of skinny people who are in poor health, so I’m not sure why weight is even the primary focus of health. My goal is to help other people. Some of you may learn things to help you become healthier and some of you may just feel better about your own lives because you have fewer problems than I do. I hope more readers fall into the first category, but either way, I guess my blog is helping people in some regard. Hopefully, you will share your knowledge, too!
So, here is my message to all the pharmaceutical and insurance companies out there: THANK YOU! Thank you for giving me the kick in the pants I needed to start my blog and to stop giving you as much of my hard-earned money. I have had enough of your greed and scare tactics and my best revenge is to get well…and help others get well, too. My first order of wellness is to address my Adderall situation. That will be coming in my next post, so stay tuned!
Love and wellness,
Sara
Wellness Meets Reality 