I'm A Whole Mood
My journey to becoming a healthier me in living color.Suffering in silence is a concept I know all too well after experiencing a health scare three years ago that led me to drastically change my lifestyle.
My Story
When it comes to nutrition, my consciousness has historically been superficial. I have generally only paid attention to food labels when counting calories or macronutrients as part of a weight loss/maintenance diet. That was until the summer of 2017, when I began to experience significant tingling and swelling within my arms, hands, legs and feet. Triggered by many foods and the slightest physical activity, these symptoms eventually progressed to sharp, shooting pains within my arms accompanied by a racing heartbeat. My diet was reduced to mainly fruits, vegetables, and herbal teas. I had to stop my morning workouts because even a 10-minute walk on the treadmill would yield swollen hands and feet. I even cut out coffee, which for me, was a DRASTIC change.
It seems like overnight I had become bound by a debilitating condition that no one could name. I spent a little more than six months and thousands of dollars between physicians and specialists getting tested for everything from lupus, neuropathy, and other autoimmune diseases, to blood clots, diabetes, and liver damage. While lab results consistently showed extreme inflammation in my blood, raised liver enzymes, and raised glucose levels, each physician and specialist dubbed me healthy and sent me away with no medical treatment.
I went from having a normal work and social life to passing up engagements with family and friends (or passing on most foods and beverages when I actually did attend engagements). The worst part of all was the fact that I looked perfectly fine. I had exhausted my options for medical help and after lots of prayer and research, I decided to take my health into my own hands.
My Approach
I drastically changed my diet.
Committed to eliminating anything that caused an adverse reaction, I cut out many foods and beverages that I love. I practically became a restricted vegetarian for a while because most meats and dairy aggravated the condition. I limited my diet to green vegetables, brown rice and other whole grains, nuts, berries, and the occasional ginger and peppermint tea. I enjoyed the occasional hormone free chicken or fish dish as well.
I researched countless vitamins and herbal supplements.
This was certainly a process! I experimented with alpha lipoic acid, turmeric (curcumin), vitamins D and B complex, and various enzymes before settling on a daily regimen of serrapeptase, turmeric, and prenatal vitamins. I eventually incorporated zinc, selenium, and vitamin A into my routine to support clear skin (if you have cystic acne, try it…it really works!) as well as probiotics (Jarro-dophilus and Femdophilus) for overall feminine health.
I embraced natural healing techniques.
So prior to 2017, the most I knew about acupuncture was what I saw on movies and shows. But by that fall, I was desperate. I researched the science behind acupuncture, reflexology, and pressure points, and then scheduled a consultation with an herbalist/acupuncturist in the city I had just relocated to. That consultation opened my mind to the role that each body part plays in overall health and wellness and made me a believer. Through this platform, I will delve into my journey with acupuncture and hope to help others who may be considering this process as an alternative or supplement to medical treatment.
I altered my lifestyle.
One of my biggest takeaways from the debilitating condition that I experienced was that I should always listen to my body. I stopped pushing my body beyond normal limits; I stopped apologizing for saying no when I was depleted; I started paying attention to each trigger and did more work to address the root cause and not the symptom. While I no longer have chronic complications with the condition, I still experience symptoms during times of extreme stress or when I have consumed too much of the wrong things. However, those episodes are rare because I did the work.
The Platform
Through I’m A Whole Mood, I unpack my entire wellness journey, which continues to unfold as I learn more about my own body, and help share the story of others committed to living well and helping others live well. I’m A Whole Mood features men and women with platforms that help to improve the physical, mental, and/or emotional well-being of others in various capacities.
Features
Crystal, Allergy Lifestyle Mom
When it comes to nutrition, Crystal Golden – also known as Allergy Lifestyle Mom – can’t afford any cheat days. For the past two years, Crystal has been building a platform rooted in all things food allergies after discovering that both of her daughters have them. This “I’m a Whole Mood” feature offers a unique perspective on nutrition and how this fearless advocate is working to help others navigate through life with food allergies.
Melissa, Owner of Honey Bee Organics, LLC
Through the I’m A Whole Mood initiative, my goal is to highlight ways to improve overall health and wellness – especially among people of black and brown people and women – and those with platforms that amplify living well. Melissa S. does just that through her company, Honey Bee Organics, LLC, an Atlanta-based company that specializes in organic products. A few months ago, Melissa agreed to an interview, where we discussed her wellness journey, holistic practices, and her signature sea moss gel.