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Many would think that a healthy lifestyle is a choice. However, I think it should not even be thought of as a choice at all. It should be a necessity. This is something that myself, too, am guilty of.
That is, until now.
This was when I gave myself the ultimatum, assist the virus to destroy my body, or make the changes to heal and live.
I chose the latter.
The Reason For Change
Image: @pozitivityspace
So many habits of mine were very, very detrimental. Smoking up to three packs of cigarettes a day, drinking everyday no matter the time of the day, the drugs, the parties and the list goes on.
When they say youth is wasted on the young, they must have had me in mind.
In September last year, I was admitted to the hospital as I was coughing up blood. I had to be placed in isolation and under supervision as they suspected that I had contracted tuberculosis.
Fortunately, it wasn't due to tuberculosis. However, the news didn't end there.
To cut the long story short, I found out that I had lymphoma.
A Healthy Mind Begets A Healthy Body
"It doesn't just rain, it pours"
Those were my thoughts when I just got to know of my condition. Negativity started taking over me.
Then I realised that I should not feel this way. If I were to just give up like that, I would have already lost the fight. I needed to keep myself positive and stay strong. To keep fighting on.
Everyone knows that it all begins in the mind. When your will is strong and your thoughts pure, you can overcome obstacles and challenges. This was what I chose to do.
With that mindset, I started embarking on my journey towards wellness and healing.
Healing From Within: Going Au Naturale
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To kickstart my journey to healing and wellness, I started out with the most basic aspect - my diet.
While I did not follow follow an elaborate health and nutrition plan, I did what little I could by feeding my body with healthier, wholesome food.
I began cutting down on all the junks, started tracking my daily food intake and eating more balanced meals.
There was nothing elaborate here. I did not just suddenly went all paleo or all vegan. I just chose to eat healthier to nourish my body.
"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food" - Hippocrates
On top of just eating healthy, I was supplementing my body with herbal formulations and other health products.
I spent many hours researching on various natural and alternative treatments. From reading medical journals to others' personal anecdotes and even seeking out naturopaths and therapist.
My education in pharmaceutical science helped me a lot over here. From these various sources, and in discussion with my medical care workers, I incorporated the use of alternative medicines to complement my treatment regime.
Healing begins from within. As such it is very important what I put into my body. If I want to get better, then I would have to start by putting all the good things in my body.
Getting Physical To Keep The Rhythm Going
Yoga, Meditation, Exercises
These were words that did not exist in my dictionary. It replaced the words 'party, dance and getting sloshed'.
I started with yoga and jogs. Slowly as I built up strength, I started hitting the gym for a little bit of strength training.
The activities I chose to do are quite meditative in nature. Which not only helps strengthen the physical self, but also the mind. I was more at peace, and at the same time feeling really good about the changes.
I felt the fruit of these changes, which kept me even more motivated to carry on and push forward.
Started With An End In Mind
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Following the principle of the law of cause and effect, the actions that I have taken has it's effects on me. Only this time it is beneficial.
I've grown so much stronger and healthier. My last CD4 count was hitting 500, which is similar to that of a healthy adult. My viral load has dropped to about 1000+ copies/ml.
I've gained back my weight to a healthy 55 kilos from being 42 kilos. My strength has built up so much that this December, I would be running my first full marathon as part of a World Aids Day celebration and awareness campaign (wish me luck!).
"Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship." - the Buddha
While the journey hasn't been an easy one, it has been a fulfilling one.
All that was needed were some changes to my lifestyle, the desire for health and wellness and the will to see it through.
Disclaimer
Written in this post are my own experiences to what works for me. They are not and should not be viewed as a substitutes to medical care and advice.
Should you wish to try out some of the activities written here, please consult with your medical professional before doing so.
For more posts and updates, follow me @pozitivityspace