Seriously, for this post, I just couldn’t. I am on day four of no caffeine and my brain just isn’t functioning. I know it’ll get better but, right now, it just sucks.
Last week, I went to the doctor to have my thyroid checked. I checked it by myself back in March through Everlywell when I didn’t have health insurance. It was the first time that I’d ever heard of TPO antibodies. None of my doctors over the past few years of dealing with thyroid problems had ever mentioned them. Ever. So, when I tested positive for those antibodies, I decided I needed to be checked by my actual doctor and referred to an endocrinologist. Fast forward to last week. I finally had insurance, so I scheduled an appointment. After a bit of talking, I asked my doctor to check for those antibodies. She did and I got a call the very next day. My TSH was super low and I had quite a bit of the TPO antibodies. Everything else was within normal range. Obviously, I have been referred to an endocrinologist, but I started to wonder what I could do to better my health on my own prior to being seen.
Honestly, my body has been off for a few years now. I eat and within an hour my stomach hurts like crazy. It just hasn’t been a good few years for me and food, ya know? After watching a documentary (I watch way too many documentaries), I decided to try a plant-based diet AND to stop drinking sodas.
I bet you think I’m nuts. Giving up soda and meat all in the same week. But, let me tell you, the experience has already been AMAZING. Four days. The number of days it has been since I last dealt with a bad stomach ache after eating. And the number of days that I’ve gotten close to eight hours of sleep per night. The sleep thing. Yeah. That’s been a bitch. For a few years now, I haven’t gotten more than three to four hours of sleep per night even when medicated, so I’m always tired. I always want a nap. But, the last four days, I’ve had SO MUCH ENERGY throughout the day. And I’m sleeping soundly at night. My handy dandy FitBit has confirmed that. My resting heart rate has come down a bit. My heart rate variability while sleeping has already begun to improve. I don’t have to convince myself to get up and go for a walk. I just want to get up and go outside. It’s been four days, but there are already clear improvements in my health.
Even if it doesn’t help with my thyroid problem, I plan on continuing to maintain a vegan diet and avoid sugary things full of empty calories because I just feel better. That makes it worth it for me.
I should’ve been using Cassey Ho’s recipes a long time ago. She’s onto something!
By the way, if you don’t follow Cassey and Blogilates, you definitely should. She has the BEST energy! I’ve been following her for years and even if I don’t do the workout, my mood is improved just by watching her. She’s just so happy and full of life that it’s hard not to get a mood boost. And she also posts some really great recipes!
And if you’re wondering what I’m drinking instead of sodas, it’s cucumber-lemon water, which is completely amazing, by the way!
Have a great Sunday and a wonderful week!
-Quinn
Not A Mombie 