Emily L. : February 2016

2016 is my year.

When I was pregnant with Hadley, I swore up and down that I was going to get super fit once I had her. It's so true when they say that the most you will ever be motivated to ''get fit'' is when you are 9 months pregnant and can no longer move around. You don't feel like yourself! I was so excited.

Once I had Hadley, reality hit in. I was busy being a mom, figuring out nursing, always hungry from nursing, then I started working again and the pounds just piled on. Every Sunday was ''I will start tomorrow''. But lets face it, who doesn't love food? Being young, and only having one kid, my friends and I go out to eat a lot. Being married and having only one kid who eats barely nothing, its easier to go out to eat than it is to make dinner. And I promise no one loves pizza more than I do. HA!

A year later, and whats my excuse? I don't have one. I can't believe it's been a YEAR since I had Hadley and I'm still the same person I was then. And I'm finally to the point where I'm sick of it.

Back up a little bit:

--October 2015

I woke up one morning and my legs were so itchy. I ignored it thinking it was just mosquito bites or something. By the end of the day, the itching stopped. The next morning, I woke up and I was covered in Hives. Covered. The size of a quarter. So I called my Dr and went in and he gave me a prescription for 10 days. He said, they should be gone by then.

10 days later: the pills worked but as soon as I came off of them, the hives came back. I was then referred to a Dermatologist

He then put me on a drug called Cyclosporine. But that medication made me feel crazy. And I was still taking Zyrtecs, Allegra and Benadryl every morning and night. It wasn't working.

I then went to an allergist. He diagnosed me with Chronic Hives. Basically, its when the immune system fights against itself. Its not caused by anything- it just happens. And I have a hard time with that. Because I believe everything is cause and effect. But what do I know right? So now I go in once a month for a shot called Xolair. I've only had one shot so far and it wasn't working.

One night I had the worst pain ever in my left arm. It was awful. All through the night and into the morning. So I decided to go to the doctor. She was feeling my arms, my back, my throat and then said, "Has anyone ever tested your thyroid?' and I said "Yes I have had my blood work done". So she pulled it up and said "Oh honey, you have Hashimotos Disease". I started to cry. I KNEW IT. I've known this for a long time. And no one would diagnose me with it. I have had all the symptoms, weigh gain, anxiety, no energy, tired beyond exhaustion. And finally she diagnosed me. She then asked me a bunch of questions about medications for my hives and after a list of about 20 that she mentioned, I haven't heard of any of them. And so she put me on different medications and since that day I haven't had one Hive. Not one. Its been life changing.

So who knows if Hashis and hives are linked- we'll find that out.

And I don't like admitting I have Hashimotos- but it is what it is.

But I'm not going to let this disease define me.

I refuse.

I got this book, and I've just started reading it. This pharmacist wrote it. She was diagnosed with Hashimotos when she was 27 years old and she believes there is a Root Cause. She doesn't believe you just wake up one morning and have this disease. Cause and Effect. She said that medication for thyroid disease has been the same since 1960's and hasn't changed. Ever. She says that medication is the last resort and I agree. So I'm anxious to find my root cause and fight this disease. I've also been told that weight loss is hard with Hashimotos and I wont let that be true.

Watch me.

So here I am. A year later from having a baby, summer right around the corner and I'm going to be the best me this year. I've always had this goal of being this super fit girl and I'm going to make it happen. Not just for the reflection in the mirror, but because I WANT to be healthy. I want this for myself. Sure I want to look cute in clothes and not have to suck in anymore. I want to be able to put on a swim suit like I used to be able to and run around on the beach. I have danced for years and years and I used to be really in shape. And I remember thats when I was my happiest. I had all the energy in the world, and I just.. felt.. GOOD.

I love health and fitness. I will be that girl and nothing is holding me back. No excuses anymore. Its time. Its my year. and Im SO SO SO EXCITED.

So thank you for listening to me ramble. And if you want to follow my health journey, every Tuesday I am going to check in. Transformation Tuesday I'm going to call it. I have taken before pictures, measurements, and I will keep you all updated. It's time to eat clean, get fit, GET HEALTHY, and be the best me this year.

I'm doing this. No more excuses.

No more binge or irrational eating.

Because it only makes me feel bad about myself afterwords.

This year will be my year and for once

'I'M NOT JUST SAYING THAT .

I will make the necessary changes.

I'm going to get to my healthy weight.

I dont care if I'm going to have to sweat like a pig

or cut back on junk food

No more hating on my body and filling it up with crap.

I'm going to treat myself right

and teach myself healthy habits.

Because I know

I KNOW

that four months from now,

I'm going to be so glad I started today.

Hadley Jeanne is 11 months old and time is definitely not slowing down. She is going to be ONE before I know it. She is really at the funnest stage. She keeps us laughing all day long. We love you miss Haddy.