7 years post diagnosis and I am still learning. Throughout my journey the most important aspects were learning what works well and what does not.
This hasn’t been easy nor has it been straight forward but at times it certainly has been an eye opener. The biggest pills I’ve had to swallow is balance and sacrifice. I’ve made many sacrifices to get to where I am today for the greater good of my health and wellbeing.
In 2021, I graduated with a first in civil engineering, this was one of my greatest achievements but deep down behind all of that, I knew I was no longer going to pursue this career. I had plans to implement a strategy to ensure that I stay active and healthy. Within a few months of graduating, I went back to studying and became a personal trainer. In doing so I gained a better understanding of anatomy, exercise and nutrition – all of which I use today to improve the lives of my clients and my own.
Training is great and in addition to getting fit you also build your confidence, discipline, organization, patience, perseverance, resilience and work ethics – all important qualities that has helped me in all areas of life. Although I spend a great amount of time training, I ensure I obtain my fair share of rest, as this helps me to manage my fatigue and improve my recovery. I have also found that communicating effectively is beneficial so the people around me understand exactly what I am thinking and how I am feeling. For example, when conducting PT sessions, if I’m feeling fatigue, I voice this to my clients so they understand what my input will be without it having an adverse effect on the session.
Before we go any further, I would like to admit how much of a foodie I am. I love food with a passion but here’s the catch, I’m vegan so this makes things 100 times harder. I became vegan to help manage my symptoms of multiple sclerosis. I have found this change in diet helpful as it minimalizes the junk, sugar and starch I can consume. As a result, in addition to reducing my multiple sclerosis symptoms this has also had a direct impact on how I look, feel and behave.
I have shaped my life around advocating, healthy living, a positive mindset and working within Confirmed Anomalies CIC to help improve the lives of the people within the multiple sclerosis & sickle cell communities. At times, it is difficult to balance everything on top of looking after myself but I can honestly say that every sacrifice I have made to date, has been rewarding and inspiring; as I thrive and feel a sense of achievement when the people, I’ve assisted reach their goals and milestones.
My advice to anyone planning to make adjustments to their lifestyle would be to ask yourself, “will this change, I am about to make, allow me to achieve my desired results?” If it doesn’t, maybe we should find a suitable alternative but if it does then let’s proceed and for those of you that are waiting for the right time, there is never a right time. You need to make that initial step and make it happen.