Integritus Prime

This is a follow-up from my previous blog, “15 Things I’m grateful for after being Hospitalized”.  For me, being grateful was not enough: if I didn’t further change my lifestyle that landed me in the hospital. I definitely did not bring the incident on all by myself, however, be it a virus or otherwise, it did happen.

So, taking the bull by the horn, I embarked on the path of taming this bull and bringing all the possible risks under my control – a loved one tells me I am a ‘control freak’. This, however, has a wonderful application: my health and wellness. A review with my physician three months after my discharge from hospital, proves my success and effort. All my markers (blood sugar, kidney and liver functions, cholesterol, salt) were normal and I was told that my metabolic age is 15 years younger than my physical age and that I had at least 30 more years to go – wow, wouldn’t you want to hear that too?

This is how I did it:

1. Changing my food intake. I was already on a plant-based, low-oil and low-salt diet; with zero refined sugar-containing foods or drinks, and ate mostly fresh fruits and vegetables. Then I realized that processed vegan products (soy chicken and fish and vegan sausages) were becoming a regular item in my diet. These have more salt, oil, and additives compared to less processed items. So, I reduced the intake of these products (my daughter, Marilyn is my ‘partner-in-crime’). We still eat them but have decreased the frequency and the quantity of intake at any meal. There are even more fresh vegetables in our meals.
2. Monitoring and recording my markers on a daily basis. This helped to see the trend of my efforts and the medication. Tracking also helped me realize what causes my sugar or blood pressure to spike. Stress was a definite culprit!
3. Relieving stress as a daily practice. I mindfully take time to do things that make me relaxed and happy, such as meditating, reading, doing crosswords, listening to soothing music, watching romcoms and walking. I realized that I love myself and am the one responsible for taking care of me; I never want to be a burden on anyone else, no matter how much they love me. However, I will ask for help when I need it – this is what strong people do!
4. Taking medications regularly. I was willing the medicines to help me control my markers and not just taking it for the sake of it. I also monitored what the medications were doing to me and adjusted them in consultation with the physician after I had an allergic reaction to one of them. After the review, I’m taking fewer medications and lower doses of the ones I still take. The physician was positive that I’ll be reducing them further within the next three months or so!
5. Maintaining my no-smoking, no-recreational-drug and no-alcohol status. These days, it is so easy and common to fall into the trap of taking drugs, alcohol or smoking to relieve stress. Being strong-willed, I have maintained my principles of not causing harm to my body by making any of these unhealthy choices.

I believe that I’m on this Earth for a purpose. My physical body is the means through which this purpose will be fulfilled so I need to take care of it to the fullest. I also feel strongly that my health is my responsibility and no one else’s. I am definitely grateful for the support I receive from my loved ones in creating a ‘conducive environment’ for healthier choices.

Share with us your experiences and challenges in maintaining health and wellness for you.

This blog is written by our intrepid Wellness Advisor, Dr. Margaret Cornelius.