Health Update!

Warning: If you don't like reading about female cycles, please don't keep reading!

About three months ago, I calculated how long i've been regulating my menstrual cycle with birth control. It was a really long time - 6 years.

I decided to go off of the pill and instantly felt a difference in my energy levels, hunger levels, sleep patterns, etc. It was fantastic. That was in May. It's almost September now, and I haven't had a period since that point.

Last week on my other (now retired) blog, I mentioned that I had some tests done. There are a lot of factors that could weigh into all of this besides being on the pill for six months, one of them being the incredible amounts of stress i'm undergoing at work these days.

I had blood work done to check my glucose, my cholesterol, my thyroid gland and several types of hormone deficiencies. I was terrified, and I weighed in at 24 pounds more than I weighed last summer, which absolutely disgusted me. What am I doing to myself?

Well I received the test results last Tuesday, after what seemed like a lot of waiting - and everything came back completely NORMAL. I'm so relieved. I'm on some meds to get back on track with my cycle - just for 10 days though.

But i'm using this to kick myself into gear for what I need to be doing for my own self and my own health. I'm getting more rest. I'm cutting back my eating out. I'm drinking more water, and i'm generally just looking out for myself more. Now the eating and the working out has always been a struggle, but i'm working on it, and I will get there. I'm just so thankful that I have a clean bill of health. Now I just need to focus on eating right and really seriously losing weight.

And i'll admit it, I'm presenting this here for some moral support; I really can use it!

What a long crazy summer it's been!

I'm back! And i'm giving this blog more attention.

It's been a crazy summer. I've been working alot, and I haven't been focusing on myself, or on my own needs and outlets. Some things I have on tap for the last few months of the year:

1. A really cool conference in Shaker Village, KY: I need this! Totally just a weekend of inspiration with other designers

2. Planning a trip for my 30th Birthday: More details on that soon, I hope. Chris and I are hoping to sit down this weekend and next and really decide where we want to go and for how long!

3. Making better health choices for myself: This includes sticking to my regular gym schedule, and not letting work interfere with that.

4. Finding work/life balance: This is going to be my biggest challenge on this list. I'm not sure how i'm going to do it, but I will!

5. Taking the time to work on remodeling my kitchen: Fingers crossed big time here. I can't wait to get that nasty wallpaper down, and possibly take advantage of the fact that my very handy brother is laid off and looking for under-the-table cash work and just things to do in general!

6. Planting a fall garden: I'm hoping to start that this weekend! I can't wait for fall veggies!