Day 8: #30GratefulDays | Hypothyroidism Sucks

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Hypothyroidism has been in my life since my diagnosis at the age of thirteen. I was a hormonal teenager with a chronic autoimmune condition, and at that time, it became my worst enemy. Over the years, I had to learn how to befriend my condition and now, I can say that yes, hypothyroidism sucks, but it does not mean the end of the world (at least for me). It has become more of a frienemy, so to speak. The yo-yo weight became a pain to live with, as I needed to watch my diet and eventually, live with the mean comments of people around me that I have lost/gained/lost weight. As a result, I have embraced exercise and now, I make sure to workout daily. It has helped me with weight control and emotional stability. 

I am also jobless. I am looking for a job which is dayshift, within Ortigas and Quezon City, has no Saturday work, Corporate, and with HMO. My health condition has left me with no choice but to limit my work location to those near my residence. Also, I cannot do shifting and graveyard work because my hormonal deficiency will get messed up if I live against the usual daily routine. Weekends are my only time to accompany my parents and I badly need HMO coverage. In the past couple of months that I have been unemployed, I have felt desperate, needy, sad, and angry. After reading a book on life coaching, I have learned that taking responsibility even for things beyond my control can ease me into acceptance and eventually, into taking action. 

So here I am now, accepting my hypothyroidism and owning up to my unemployment. I am continuously working out, eating right, and jobhunting. Routine has become my ally. This is my life, and it has totally become my journey.  

Zumba and Breakfast

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It is no secret that I enjoy my daily workouts. I religiously exercise each morning because it helps balance all my systems, especially since my hypothyroidism tends to put everything off-sync in the absence of physical activity. I have also noticed that exercise works wonders for my mental health. I feel better about myself after compeleting a workout, and my mood throughout the day is more consistent. It is the endorphin rush that keeps me going and happy. Because I workout first thing in the morning, it is essential that I have a hearty breakfast. Now that I am unemployed, my default brekkie are two pieces of pandesal and peanut butter. However, I felt extra hungry earlier because our instructor switched things up with more taebo. As a result, I craved for toasted naked longganisa, brown rice, and egg. I rushed to Breakfast Bin the minute my workout wrapped up. I had my longganisa fix and it was utterly satisfying.

I have realized that depriving myself is never a good idea. Even if I am currently on a tight budget, an occasional meal to satisfy my cravings would not hurt and it makes all the Zumba moves worth it. Breakfast also regulates my metabolism, which is a big deal with hypothyroidism. I get full and I also balance my health with a nutritious post-workout breakfast.

Groove and Grin

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There are days when I just want to stay in bed to read. This morning, all I wanted was to wrap my blanket around myself again and go back to my ebook. However, I knew that Saturday mornings are awesome for working out. So I changed into my gear and drove to the park. 

I burned to the beat and forgot about my worries. For an hour and a half, I was good at something. I followed our instructor, and improvised some steps along the way. I was grooving and grinning. It was not easy to smile when things are uncertain. However, I am lucky to be alive and able to dance.  

I hope that the coming week will be better. Tomorrow, I will dance again. And the day after that too. I will keep smiling, grooving, and hoping. 

Zumba and Cake

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​I started my day with my workout. I danced away last night's ramen and cake dinner with my besty, Fe. We met up as Monday is her day-off. It was a lovely break from my usual schedule with my family. I got to catch-up with her. She is a doctor and balances her career with a fun social life and occasional travels. She is also one of the most level-headed people I know, so talking to her is a real joy. 

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I am happy to balance my workout with hearty food which I occasionally feast on. It is still my birthday month so I have decided to reward myself with my favorite food. I am blessed with loved ones and possibilities. I hope that I can find my place in the sun soon, just like how I found myself in Zumba and cake. ​