Kayaking on Bruce Lake 8.14.14
It’s amazing when I think about going from the darkest of times to enjoying the blessings and joys of life. Today I can appreciate those hardships and challenges in ways I never expected.
In October 2011 I was told by two different orthopedic specialists that I needed to have both my knees and my left hip replaced. I was depressed, in pain and miserable. Instead of giving up and accepting that fate, I went on a journey of discovery. I found a naturopath, Dr. Michael Ellenburg, who performed prolozone therapy injections instead. It worked on both of my knees. When it didn’t work on my hip Dr. Ellenburg recommended stem cell treatment. This is also an injection therapy and that did work on my hip.
Today I’m jumping rope, doing handstands and running again. I started Crossfit training a few months after the stem cell treatment and I’m thrilled by what it has done for me. It hasn’t been an easy journey and there are lots of days I still have pain but most of the time I feel a huge improvement.
I also changed my diet and eating habits so I’m focused on raw, natural foods and lots of leafy greens. I started a garden and spend a lot of time pruning, and harvesting the food I have grown.
When I started on this journey I was overweight, had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar and polyps in my colon.
Last week I went on a cleanse diet and yesterday got a colonoscopy. For the first time in over 10 years my blood pressure is normal, my blood sugar is normal, my weight is down and there are no polyps in my colon. I’m healing and getting stronger and feeling better every day.
Along the way I learned that stress really can kill you. I managed to get out of a stressful job and a stressful relationship which also helped my health. I know today that it really pays to be proactive with your health. You can’t eat junk and think you’ll be okay. You can’t do a 30 minute workout 3 or 4 days a week and think that is enough. It’s not.
These days I’m working out 5-6 days a week (some days twice a day) for an
hour and during that time I’m working hard. Pushing myself and doing more than I thought possible. A typical work out might include a warm up of five minutes of jumping rope on a spring floor or trampoline, three rounds of 10 pushups, situps and hanging from a bar doing tap swings or bringing knees to elbows. The work out following could include deadlifts, kettle bell swings, air squats, running, rowing, climbing a rope, hand stands, kick boxing or a host of other things that all emulate real life activities.
When I exercise now I generally need a towel to wipe away the sweat dripping off my face and chest.
My body is getting sculpted and I feel strong and healthy again. Now I want to encourage others to get up, get active and eat lots of ‘real’ food that has never been processed.
Life can feel amazing and it’s worth seizing the challenge to make it happen.
You can experience the happiness and joy of good health so don’t give up!