Month: July 2019

Motivate yourself ? and lose weight….

July 31, 2019
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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

If youā€™re trying to lose weight your probably also trying to find the answer to this question.

Itā€™s even more difficult to do when youā€™ve got a chronic illness, like fibromyalgia,Ā sapping all your energy and enthusiasm.

I know I lack motivation.

Itā€™s something Iā€™ve been trying to unlock the secret to.

Itā€™s especially true for my diet.

Since my carer went on a low fat diet recently and lost a lot of weight. Iā€™ve also cut back on saturated fat, cheeseĀ and cake.

sliced cheese on brown table top
Photo by NastyaSensei Sens on Pexels.com

Now I try to eat low fat alternatives, which is not always easy.

My body wants to eat snacks and other unhealthy food.

I asked my carer how he managed to stay motivated enough to only eat certain foods.

He said he eats enough at meal times to feel full up and only snacks on fruit and healthy alternatives, when he is hungry.

He added.

Once your mind is set on achieving a target weight itā€™s easier to get motivated to keep working towards it.

Regularly checking your weight and keeping up exercise Ā which helps to keep the weight down.Itā€™s obviously a formula thatā€™s working for him.

But everyone is different and what works for one person is not necessarily going to help someone else.

You may remember my post aboutĀ Keeping Positive and Motivated with FibromyalgiaĀ from earlier in the year. I suggested a number of ways to reprogram the mindset, using positive thinking.

I read recently that the opposite is true for some people. Looking at things in a negative way motivates them more. Although I find it difficult to recommend using this technique to motivate, due to the downward spiral of thoughts it can trigger.

I have noticed that it has worked for me in the past. For instance the negative comments of others inspire me to prove them wrong. When someone says,

ā€You canā€™t achieve ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€.

ā€Youā€™re be unable to complete ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€œ.

I will always prove them wrong and work really hard to achieve that target and surpass it.

Its a bit like us fibro warriors when we pretend to be well and not ill. Weā€™re constantly striving to show we can do things, we want to engage in life and contribute.

To sum up, choosing the best way forward to motivate yourself is something that can be down to trial and error.

A period of experimentation could be helpful to find the way forward. Loosing weight is down to choosing the best motivational techniques for you.

assorted sliced fruits
Photo by Trang Doan on Pexels.com

On reflection from…

July 25, 2019
black withered tree surounded by body of water
Photo by Kyle Roxas on Pexels.com

So, you think you know all about fibromyalgia.

OK, tell me what your understanding of fibromyalgia is…

Itā€™s a chronic illness,

With no cure,

Itā€™s an invisible illness; because the pain or symptoms a sufferer has are not visible.

It predominantly effects women butĀ also some men,

What are the main symptoms?

itā€™s not a definitive list because fibromyalgia symptoms can be combined with other illnesses which can in some cases magnify the symptoms.

Pain throughout the whole body; the pain can vary in intensity and type.

Joints and muscles feel stiff

Poor quality of sleep

Feeling tired and fatigued

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Extreme Sensitivity

Cognitive problems, feeling confused, or dazed, sometimes called Fibro fog

Headaches

Depression

Anxiety

Painful periods

The symptoms can vary from person to person.

Symptoms can get better or worse from time to time.

Factors that influence this are:

the amount of stress youĀ are experiencing

how much daily exercise youĀ have

and changes in climate andĀ temperature

How does fibromyalgia effectĀ your daily living?

Everything I do from buying groceries, doing household cleaning, ironing clothes and cooking meals.

Using the example of household cleaning; my carer does the hoovering when it involves moving furniture. I can do some, but it varies how much I can do from day to day with fluctuating pain levels.

I wanted to reflect on my previous post partly to think about what has changed and how it can be improved.

Iā€™m pleased that others with chronic illnesses and fibromyalgia liked my other fibromyalgia related posts. Thanks for your likes and comments, which are really encouraging.

Iā€™ve been in situations with others not understanding what fibromyalgia/invisible illness/a chronic illness is and how it effects me.

I started my blog originally to give others some insight into what itā€™s like living and managing with fibromyalgia.

But, apart from surviving the constantly fluctuating illnesses and pain associated with fibromyalgia.

The main problem for me is,

getting others to understand that havingĀ 

fibromyalgia

means I have limitations on what I can do.

Itā€™s not just one thing thatā€™s affected

itā€™s everything, every day, all the time.

Thereā€™s a lot of ground to cover helping others understand what fibromyalgia is, but hopefully after reading my post you will be some way towards it.

Further information is available on theĀ NHSĀ website. Ā 

If you think you may be suffering from fibromyalgia, consult your doctor or health professional.

Going back to the fact thereā€™s no cure.Ā  Iā€™ve lived with fibromyalgia for 14 years and found although some times are really tough. I have been able to boost my general health through diet, exercise and meditation.

The positives are my symptoms are still there but have improved since I was first diagnosed. I can now do some hoovering!

First man on the moon šŸŒ“ looking back….

July 18, 2019

 

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For all you space enthusiasts out there. This week I want to reflect on the amazing achievement by man.Ā 

Saturday July 20th marks the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing.

It was on 16th July 1969, the astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins were launched into space.

The Apollo 11 mission took off in the rocket Saturn V from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The spacecraft had three sections which performed different roles throughout the mission.

The main part, the command module, was used throughout the mission by the crew and was required for their return to earth.

The service module provided power, oxygen, water and electrics; for the command module.

The luna module, Eagle was used for landing the men on the moon and the take off from the moon to join the command module in lunar orbit.

Only two men Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon, at the Sea of Tranquility. It was Neil who said

ā€œHouston, Tranquillity Base here. The Eagle has landed.ā€

Michael Collins stayed in the command module Columbia to keep it flying until he was joined by Neil and Buzz to return to earth. He kept vital communication links going and took photos of the moon, during this time.

The first man to take the first steps on the moon was Neil Armstrong.

As he stepped onto the moon he said the famous words

ā€œThatā€™s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Neil was accompanied by Buzz Aldrin and together they put up the American flag, collected moon rock, carried out experiments and left a plaque on one of Eagleā€™s legs with the words,

ā€œHere men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the moon. July 1969 A.D. We came in peace for all mankind.”

After their moon walk they rejoined the lunar module and ascended into space to join Michael in the command module for their return to earth. All three of them joined the lunar orbit to enable them to return to earth. They arrived back in the Pacific Ocean on July 24th.

The space mission had taken 8 days, 3 hours, 18 minutes and 35 seconds.

sky space moon astronomy
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

It got me thinking back to my visit to the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, some time ago.

It was an exciting place to visit for a space enthusiast.

I remember as we drove out there, it was very remote; the road seemed to get less and less busy as we approached.

During our bus tour of the centre we saw the launch pad. We were able to view the huge Vehicle Assembly Building where the Saturn V rocket šŸš€was constructed.

Our guide explained the incredible size of the building, being one of the largest in the world by area.

My most vivid memory was standing next to the Saturn V rocket šŸš€and having a photo taken in the Florida sunshine. Ā 

I also remember being encouraged to stand by a large lake with alligators šŸŠĀ in it for a picture! Happy memories!

It seems hard to believe now; I visited the place that Apollo 11/Saturn V rocket launched from, that took men to the moon.Ā An amazing day looking back. Ā 

Do you have any memories of that day? Or thoughts about if you were not around then, like me?

Summer Thoughts…

July 11, 2019
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Summer Flowers by Nick

A light summerā€™s day poem.

Watercolour Summer Painting

 

With a few drops of water,

The paper is ready,

Now to add the paint,Ā 

 

Sparkling jewel-like colours,

surrounding me,

on this dreamily sunny day,

 

Light casts shadows,

Beneath the green and white carpet,

Of lush daisy flowers.

 

Sweet scented perfume,

Drifting through the air,

Casting a pleasant aroma,

 

Low flying swifts,

Flying high up in the sky,

Swooping over my head,

 

An Industrious bee,Ā 

Hopping from flower to flower,

A gentle drone fills the air,

 

Golden sunlight,

Highlights bark and leaves,

On a silver birch tree,

 

Just the final touch of paint,

Mixing flowers and leaves,

In a watery final.

Poem by NickĀ 

The View from Southend Pier

July 4, 2019
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Southend Pier Photo by Nick

One place thatā€™s great to visit on a hot sunny šŸ˜Žday is Southend on Sea on the Thames Estuary in Essex.

Itā€™s a British seaside resort with an adventure playground, sandy beach, parks, gardens, shops, library and restaurants. 

For me; Southends main attraction is the pier, which is the longest pleasure pier in the world, at 1.3 miles long.

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Fishing boat Photo by Nick

The pier was opened to the public in 1830 and started out at 600 feet long. The pier was originally designed to allow tourist boats to disembark, from London.

As it was deemed too short for this purpose it was extended to 7000 feet by 1848. This distance ensured that it was the longest pier in Europe and would attract plenty of visitors.

A mini train track was laid on the pier and a service for passengers operates every day the pier is open, to and from the promenade.

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The Kursaal Photo by Nick

The Kursaal was one of the worlds first amusement parks. It was opened in 1901 and is a Grade II listed building.

The building was designed by Campbell Sherrin and was constructed with a huge dome.

It started out as a huge fairground and then a zoo was added. Nowadays itā€™s been converted into a bowling alley, a casino and an amusement arcade.

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Sailing boat Photo by Nick

We had a great day out in Southend and walked along the pier stopping for tea and biscuits in the cafe used to film Jamie and Jimmyā€™s Friday Night Feast, TV series.

The pier has been used in a number of films, adverts and TV programs including Minder in the ending credits.

Iā€™d love to hear about your visits to Southend or summer seaside memories. Post your thoughts below for me and others to view.

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Looking towards Southend Photo by Nick