Hectic Holidays and HSA's

How the holidays get hectic!  Then add open enrollment for health insurance.  This year, my husband's company did a massive overhaul to the system.  Now, we are extremely lucky in that he works for a great company that truly provides excellent benefits so don't take any of this post as a complaint.  The overhaul was encouraging employees to switch to a Health Savings Account instead of the previously offered PPO's.  As I said, we are extremely lucky in that they didn't just take the PPO off the table completely.  I know change is scary so we took a good look at the two plans.

In the process of doing our homework, which they gave lots of great resources as well, it occured to me that the quote I often say in my classes is really showing up in corporate America - "You are in charge of your own health.  You need to make the choices for yourself."  Well, I say something like that but basically when I am teaching about using doTERRA oils, I want people to know they have options even when their doctors roll their eyes.  With this major change to insurance and premiums where you cover your out of pocket expenses for just about all your sick visits until the deductible is met, it solidfies it for me.  I must make choices and my choices have consequences either to my health or my bank account - probably BOTH.

So with choices let's look at how each day we can make positive choices to keep us out of the doctor's office and those charges in that HSA.  Personally, I would rather keep that money for retirement than for being sick, what about you?

There is a quote I see frequently on my friend's Facebook feeds, "You will never out train a bad diet."  What you eat is the foundation of your health.  If you are filling your body with neon colored drinks and food then expecting to feel great, you are fooling yourself.  I have never seen neon colored fruits and veggies in the produce section.  But I am not telling you to clear your fridge and pantry and throw it all out because that is irresponsible.  There is too much hunger on this planet to waste food.  Start with one....1....uno...thing you can change to be healthier.  Drop one can of Coke for a large glass or two of water.  Instead of chips, try crunchy veggies.  Just one habit per week.  Then add another then another.  After a year, you will look back and be amazed at the changes you have made with small manageable changes.

In the meantime, make sure you get some good nutrition with good vitamins.  At our house, we use the LLV as we call it.

Knock on wood, as those around us have really been catching some major germs we have only suffered with a cold.  I really do credit good vitamins with keeping us well.  Why do I love them more than other vitamins?  I absorb them.  how do I know?  Let's just say, nothing is neon!  Watch this video to learn more.  

Following the chart above, you have to get moving.  Exercise.  We all know it, yet so many avoid it.  I am as guilty as anyone.  I will get better and you can too!

Rest & Stress management....I have blogged on stress so many times but it is so important.  Getting your sleep too.    The links will take you to my experiences where I didn't follow this plan.  It can get ugly.  With the new health insurance models, it looks like it will get expensive too.

If this blog does nothing more than make you think about what you eat and drink first, then I have accomplished my goal.  I want us all having the happy, healthy lives we want. 

Freezing, Fatigued,Fat and Frustrated!

Do those four words describe you most of the time?  For over 10 years, it was exactly how I would have described myself.  While everyone else in the room was comfortable or even warm, I was wishing I had a giant quilt covering me.

Despite, my layers of fat covering me, I could never keep warm.  

Of course those layers of fat would not budge even with a disciplined diet and exercise program.  Everyone was doing the Atkin's Diet and dropping 20-30 pounds…and cheating.  I was strict and dropped 7 lbs in a year.  Completely unfair.

The culprit?  My thyroid.  I had long suspected my thyroid was not running at optimal levels but doctor after doctor tested me and I was "normal".  I would hear from these professionals all sorts of things….perpetual jet lag from my job, just one of those "cold people", and more times than I care to say "you must not be dieting and exercising like you claim."  Talk about ticking off a person.  

Frustration was a constant for me.  I tried every diet trend that came along.  The weight never came off despite truly valiant efforts.

Before finding doTERRA,  I had my first baby.  I had lots of complications that really could be connected with a malfunctioning thyroid.  For one, my baby was small due to IUGR.  It was a small amount found in the placenta but because of her size, we both went through a rough time of testing.  Me, as her mom watching my sweet baby get tested and tested and ultrasounded.  Her….well you take a nice warm, snuggly baby and prick her foot or make her cold and she screams.  I would too!  I also was unable to breastfeed her due to the fact my milk never came in.  I did everything suggested and dried up after 3 1/2 weeks.  My lactation consultant asked me if I was hypothyroid.  

Talk about feeling like an inadequate mother.

After attempting Weight Watchers again, and losing a whole 4 lbs in 8 months and losing so much hair my part was almost an inch wide, my doctor finally said, "Your thyroid isn't working.  You would be what we call a textbook case of Hypothyroid."  

Can you hear the angels sing?  I actually started crying in her office.  I was relieved that someone finally agreed with me.  It was a relief I needed.

So a small dose of Synthroid was started.  I soon got pregnant with #2.  She was a BIG healthy baby who to this day, rarely gets sick.  I could breastfeed her up to 4 months which felt like a huge victory.  My job got more in the way than my body.  

Then I started my lose the baby weight and more diet.  40 lbs came off…..I needed to lose more but I took this as another victory.  Then it stopped.  I needed a dose adjustment.  Frustration rolled in again because doctors are slow to do that.  Bring in baby #3 to the pick and they really don't want to change things even when it is reccommended that increase your dose during pregnancy.  I consulted the Modern Essential book, oils that help and support your thyroid are Clove, Lemongrass, Myrhh.  I had the oils so I started layering Lemongrass and Clove over my thyroid.  It helped.  It was a good pregnancy and I breastfed that hungry boy for over 6 months.  Again, work got in the way, not the body.

During the last pregnancy, I found doTERRA oils.  As I am back in the "lose the baby weight mode", I have noticed many nasty hypothyroid symptoms reappearing. Once again the doctor was reluctant of a dose adjustment.  That  forced me to look at the oils even more as a way to boost and support my thyroid.  My joints hurt, my head hurt, my hair was leaving my scalp so fast I could have made a wig with the hair on the floor.  I can't be a tired, freezing and crabby mother of 3.  Kids don't get that it is hormones.

Everythingessential.me offers other protocols.  

Protocol 1

• 2-4 drops Grounding Blend and Geranium

• 2-4 drops Lemongrass and Myrrh

• Alternate the above two combinations weekly.  Apply them directly to the thyroid area, the reflexology points on the feet (great toes), and on the wrists multiple times per day. For ease of application Grounding Blend/Geranium blend and Lemongrass/Myrrh blend can be in roller bottles.

• Some also suggest supplementing with Peppermint and Clove

Protocol 2 (simpler)

• 5 parts Lemongrass

• 5 parts Clove

• 2 parts Frankincense

• Prepare the above blend in a roller bottle and apply topically to thyroid area (and reflexology points on feet) 3 times per day

Protocol 3 (also simpler)

• One person found simply putting 2-3 drops of Frankincense topically on the area 3 times a day reduced the size of the goiter caused by hypothryroidism.

Symptomatic relief 

• Pain - dilute Soothing Blend and apply topically

• Tiredness and depression - Joyful Blend, citrus oils, Peppermint

• Anxiety and irritability - Grounding Blend and Melissa

Consistency of application is important.

I have done a version of Protocol 2. Instead of Frank, I used Peppermint.  I have used drops and drops of Grounding Blend to help with the irritability I feel with feeling lousy as well as the frustration of delayed dosage adjustments.  Soothing Blend has helped with the joint pain.  2 drops of Frankincense under the tongue was suggested to me long before anything else so I have been consistent with that as well.

To be completely honest on here, my dose was increased finally a week ago.  This was after 3 months of complaining to my doctor.  I was testing "normal" again.  I am still using Protocol 2 that I modified with Peppermint to help.  The dose increase has helped my stubborn fat layers to start shedding and helped keep me feeling good enough to exercise.  The oils I feel have helped with the transition of the Synthroid.   I have always found when my hormones are adjusted, I can feel pretty weird for a few weeks.  After just a week, I am feeling pretty darn good.  

I am not always great about the multiple applications of the oils but those who are have given some great testimonials.  Check out this testimonial from EverythingEssential.me:

Cheryol - I am beyond amazed! I have had hypothyroidism and a huge goiter for the past 11 years. I decided to try the Frankincense on my goiter last night. After only 3 applications directly to the thyroid/goiter area, and a few drops under my tongue...the goiter is almost down to nothing! I am so excited. This is something the doctors told me would not go away or shrink. I can't wait to go to my next Doctor's appointment! 

Another big help to my thyroid….well to my overall health is using the Long Life Vitality vitamins.  

I can always tell when I have not done my daily regiment well.  It does make a huge difference.  By giving your body what it needs, you can help it heal.  Eat clean and wholesome foods, avoid the processed junk and soft drinks and you will be amazed at how much can change in your life.

If you are looking to do a Wellness Consult and would like my help, please send me a message.  We can do them in person or over the phone.  It will give you a great plan of attack to take charge of your own health.  Doctors are great but they are busy with lots of patients.  Be sure to look after yourself.  You are the only you in the world!