MY STORY
For as far back as I can remember, I was in pain every day but was taught to push through the pain. I had gotten migraines throughout my life up until this point. However around 11 years old it became constant. After numerous doctors and tests I was diagnosed with a chronic daily migraine. Which pretty much means I had a migraine 24/7 and they had no idea what the problem was.
Countless doctors, tests, procedures, medication, emergency room visits and even hospital stays were what I endured from about 11 until I was 22. Nothing worked. When one medicine failed to produce any effect, they moved on to the next.
I didn’t let it stop me though, slow me down sure but not stop me. I still went to school, danced and tried to have a life. I did miss out on things due to the pain flaring up causing me to be stuck in bed but I tried my best.
I went to college and got both my Bachelors and Master degrees in Architecture over the course of 5 years. My 4th year at college I had just been told by my neurologist that I couldn’t do any high intensity exercise, that I was pretty much stuck with yoga. Which sure if you like yoga, and I tried really hard to like it, but it's a no for me.
This made me realize that I know my body best. I can decide what is best for me. So I started working out at the gym, you know I was paying for it in my tuition so might as well take advantage of it. Was I completely clueless at the time and scrolled through Instagram for workouts, yes. Did I go at 5:30 am to avoid people and hide out in the smaller room to do my workouts in, yup.
I slowly realized that I could workout and lift weights and even run without issue. Yes, I was still in pain but if I can suffer all day through my classes, working out I could also manage.
It wasn’t until a year later, during the pandemic when I made a big change. Pretty much everyone at this time was sent home from college campuses to finish out the year remotely. Because of this, I no longer had access to a gym. So I picked up running. I downloaded a couch to 5k app and ran with it. And ended up falling in love with it!
Fast forward to June 2020, I made a big decision. Medicine still wasn’t working and I was getting fed up with just being shoved new medicines to try, so I decided to go cold turkey and stopped taking them. Yes, I knew there was a huge chance things were going to get way worse and I could very much regret this. To be honest i didn't think it would work.
*Also I do not recommend doing this, check with your doctor first*
But to my surprise, after about a week I was pain free! After 11 or so years of a constant migraine and being in pain every day, I was finally free! All it took was adding a few things I do daily to completely change my life!
I added movement I enjoy!
I added more nutrient dense foods!
I prioritized sleep!
I focused on my water intake!
These 4 things helped change my life immensely!
So what are you waiting for?
Let's make today your day 1!