Usually I would write about this kind of stuff in my livejournal, but now that they have that stupid ad before you can enjoy your experience, I have totally been taken away from writing there now. It's their way of getting you to purchase an ad-free account... it might be working, too.
Anyway...
Recently my doctor diagnosed me with hypothyroidism. Actually, my doctor never said I had this condition, she just mentioned that the reason for my coldness and tiredness, and a bit of a weight gain is because my thyroid isn't producing enough... and that if I don't take this medication called Synthroid (which is basically a mirrored version of the hormone needed but I've heard it doesn't help you PRODUCE after you're taken off it) then I will get fat. Well, I had to give this condition a name so everything she explained basically led to hypothyroidism... I basically found out about this after a blood test I had to take for some lumps that I received shortly after my arrival back to Canada from Japan. Turns out the lumps are benign and most likely because of parasites that I have from eating sushi in Japan. Then they discovered that my thryoid hormone levels were a bit off than the standard...
I was required to go on this medication for 3 months, then during that I was supposed to get a blood test. I haven't taken my medication at all because honestly, I don't want my body to rely on that and I have been told by a natural doctor that I should take kelp supplements instead to help my body learn how to produce the hormone on its own without reliance. I haven't done that either... but I will pick up some kelp supplements soon.
I actually did go get the blood test required... no results back yet, but I am hoping that with my positive mind, the thyroid hormone level is fine and I won't have to take that medication. My only fear is that, I don't know how to tell my doctor that I didn't take the medication, and that I would like to know if there is a natural alternative, and what the side effects are of taking that medication... what it can do to my hormone levels, etc. I dunno, the doctors I visit make things seem so quick... it's hard to ask questions right on the spot because you don't know what to ask. From now on I will be more prepared when i visit the office.
So lately I have developed some habits that have contributed to my weight gain. Basically, because I told the doctor I was tired and cold all the time (this was after I came back from Japan, I had jet lag... so of course I was tired. Cold? Because Canada is cold and Japan was not.) she assumed I had to have weight gain... I told her that I didn't. She then told me to go get my weight measured on the scale. I did that, and she said my weight increased from my last visit. Wtf? I've actually lost so much weight over the course of one year after I enrolled in university. I walked more and wasn't lying around all the time. Just because of a little weight gain she is really concerned.
Now I'm afraid because she might just be concerned on my next visit to her. Lately my habits have increased...
Some things I need to do/quit:
1) I need to stop taking a nap EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL DAY.
- Going to a new school is tiring, especially since my schedule is pretty much 8 -5. It's hard to sleep on time, I enjoy the night life so much but because of that I stay up, get tired in the day, and then take a nap... then the cycle repeats. I need to stop this, because I know my naps can contribute to weight gain. I used to nap everyday in junior high... and I just kept gaining weight. :(
2) I need to exercise more.
- Definitely a big habit I need to develop again. The new campus I go to is really not as spacious as my University is... so all my walks to class are really short, and so many bad food places are readily available to walk straight to. I don't get any exercise at all because of this, and there's too many sweets and fatty foods at school to purchase as well.
3) Replace naps with exercise.
- From now on I will do exercise when I feel tired. Exercise gets the heart pumping, energy goes through the body and then you also get the result of feeling great and healthy. I need that.
4) Stop eating junk food shit.
- Almost 2 years ago, I would eat McDonalds almost 4 times a week, buy/consume candy almost everyday, never exercise, and always enjoyed my cheese sandwiches. After I got to university though, I started eating healthier because there were healthier food choices available on campus and well, I had A&W once and felt so sluggish and tired in a class after consuming a meal from there... I decided not to do that again right before a class. I also had blizzards twice a week during my heavy-phase... but after meeting my boyfriend and going out with my friends more during spares, I got more exercise and basically didn't have a craving for junk food anymore. Now, being at another campus, junk food is less expensive than the healthier foods... and I don't have a job so, junk food wins sometimes. Also, boredom in classes makes me eat candy/chips more... I really need to stop.
5) Drink more tea on a regular basis. Also stop going to Starbucks every week because of my friends' influence.
- I have worked in a tea shop before and realized how important tea really was to health AFTER I didn't work there anymore. I bought matcha one day and kept drinking it everyday during every morning. Now, I wake up late so I don't have time to make tea and drink it before I leave anymore, and then I don't crave it as much... I should probably get a drink thermos so I can just make it and carry it to school with me. And every week we have a screening during class, so my friends and I have recently started going to Starbucks every week before our class to get something to wake us up/keep us up for the movie. Not a great idea for my weight, and not a good idea for my poor jobless wallet.
6) Get a job.
- I have to admit, going to a new school and being in this program gave me more time to nap right after school. I also get to sleep in more now because two of my weekday mornings are free. If I get a job, I can fill up this time and be active and move around and will be required to be awake... then when I get home I will be tired, ready to SLEEP for the NIGHT. I'm thinking of applying for a job this week. Maybe I will apply at other places as well. I need to occupy my time better, and well, stop asking for pocket money from my parents (because really, I am very grateful for everything they do for me, and I'm totally not great at budgeting money...).
6) Obey these rules.
- Nuff said. I think it's just the transition to a new school that really messed things up. My weight fluctuates 3 - 5 pounds.. goes up, goes down... stays, then goes back up again and remains. This really needs to stop.
Sorry this post is so long. I needed to write this somewhere, otherwise I really won't adhere to these rules. If you have any suggestions/feedback, please leave a comment!
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