Encouraging Cushies

Although these were written for people with fibromyalgia, these ideas would also work for someone with Cushing's.  8 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Mom

I especially liked number 4:

Avoid telling her about the cures you’ve heard for her illness, the juice products you may sell that could help her, or about your mother’s cousin’s sister who has the same illness but still manages to raise five children and work full-time. Don’t comment that the diet she is on is harmful, that the medications are just a bunch of poison or say, “don’t you realize those doctors are just out to make money off of you?” She’s heard it all and if you can be her safe haven from that it will result in a deeper friendship.

I can’t remember how many suggestions I’ve had to fix my Cushing’s, my lack of energy, my fears of cancer recurrence.

I should take fish oil capsules, essential oils, selenium, antidepressants, SAM-e, join yet another gym, rejoin Weight Watchers, buy a Wii Fit…

Tried them all and none of it helps.

Read that article and send it to all your friends and relatives!  Her book, Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend (Conquering the Confusions of Chronic Illness), is out of stock but I’m adding it to my wish list!

What ideas have people suggested to you?

Electronics and Health

A while back I posted about my WiiFit in a post called Just Mii and My Shadow... Sine the Music Camp experiences, I've gotten out of the WiiFit habit but I've also started a Nintendo DS program called My Weight Loss Coach.

I just started doing this today and it was kind of interesting - better than the games I usually play, anyway! Maybe by the end of the year or so I'll actually lose some weight and / or get some more energy. Either or both would be great.

I'm sure that this program gets harder as time goes on. They didn't want to put people off the first day.

Now, I have to restart the WiiFit after too long a hiatus.

It's amazing how easily the excuses come. I couldn't do this because of music camp, because of the dentist, because of an eye doctor appointment, because I was napping...

So - wish me luck as I try to get healthier.

Just Mii and My Shadow...

I just love our Wii Fit. I've had it for just over a month and I'm actually working out on it most days. I've lost some weight and my clothes are getting a little looser. Not bad for someone who is not a "workout" person. In my pre-Cushing's days I worked out at the gym nearly every day but, of course, I didn't lose any weight because of the Cushing's.

I have belonged to gyms since but it was always a hassle to drive somewhere, get dressed, shower, drive back. With the Wii Fit I can just do a little here, a little there, but mainly here, in my own home. no spandex required. And, it's fun, too. A friend has taken to coming over and using it, too.

I'm not a runner at all with my bad knees from years of arthritis but I can finally do the whole short run without stopping to rest. Way (or should I say Wii?) cool!