Fitbit Meets Crohn's Disease #crohns #fitbit #ibd

I didn't want to say anything last week because I wasn't sure I could complete my next goal. I expected to give up, but I haven't and perhaps vitamins were the issue after all. I am human and like all humans I forget or I get used to things or vitamins are too expensive or I just don't believe what I am told. And even though I have been here before I cannot help but wonder why I continue to be so foolish time after time after time.

About six months ago, I quit taking my vitamins. I really can't tell you why I stopped except it coincides with the time my mother-in-law became quite ill. Life caught up with me and there were more important things to consider than a vitamin pill or  twelve. However, when I started crying at the drop of a hat and I started to feel so tired I could barely move, I reminded myself that I needed to take my vitamins.

I hit the pharmacy and loaded up on, well, on the stuff below. 

I take B12, D, extra B, potassium (I hate that stuff) magnesium, iron, folic acid, conjugated linoletic acid and one multi-tab in case I missed anything. Sometimes it upsets my stomach and when that happens I spread it out during the day until my symptoms are gone.

After one week, I feel better, which was only to be expected. I don't digest this stuff through food. My B12 is liquid and if I can't do the other ones I mush them up and swallow with a water chaser. Gross yes, but worth it.  Next I added:

A Fitbit. It's a rubber/plastic/latex whatever wrist band that keeps track of your sleep cycles and how much you walk during the day. I double tap the top and it automatically downloads to my smart phone. My Fitbit arrived in the mail yesterday and I've already charged it and put it on. I did my normal exercise routine and racked up an impressive walking ability of 2500 steps. Uh, I have a long way to go with a goal of 10,000 steps. The company I work for paid for half of the band because they want us to join in a work-wide challenge. I do not expect to win nor do I expect to show, but I will try.  If I can make 10k steps in one day I will announce it to the world.

I am also on a modified Specific Carbohydrate Diet. I do eat some (very very little) carbs in the way of one potato a week and I do allow myself half a cup of pasta and one slice of bread. I tried going cold turkey, but I can't do it. I like my two tablespoons of non-fat frozen yogurt each night and one cookie. When I was strict on SCD I developed a sensitivity to grape and apple juice. If I eat drink those two flavors or eat pineapple, I break out in sores in my mouth and stomach so I am passing most of the fruit department.

I almost forgot about lifting weights and squats.  I am up to 60 squats per day and I do three sets of weight lifting with three pound weights. Now don't laugh. I was able to pick up my briefcase yesterday with very little effort. For me that is a win.

I'll let you know next week how I am doing. I really want to be as healthy a Crohn's patient as possible.  I am not saying my joints don't hurt and my muscles don't spasm because they do, but as a wise man once told me, "Lucy, you gotta walk through the pain."

Thanks Bobby for teaching me how to walk.  I can't wait to see you on the other side someday.

Louann