Follow My Progress

January 13th 2013

Day 1 

My goal for 2013 is to lose 70 lbs have more energy and have a clear head.

 It started as a small rash on my left lower leg on August 5 2012 as small bumps each the size of a pin head. I thought they were spider bites, but itched like mosquito bites.The bumps took its course and  went away after a few days, but I was left with severe fatigue and a much increased foggy brain.


Late October 2012 the bumps came back, this time with a vengeance starting just above my ankles. My legs became inflamed small dots spread up my leg to my knees, soon blisters and a hard coat of skin developed with in 48 hours.

Man, did it itch and burn. like a dummy I thought I got into something and eventually it would go away. Well it didn't, within two days it was spreading, my hands exploded swelling itching and burning, then spreading to my face.

After two days it was to much to bare. It was 11:00 pm and I was not in the mood to wait until the next day for a Doctors visit, I went directly to the Hospital. I was admitted and was on watch for an infectious disease.

After numerous visits by the Doctors, being treated by antibiotics and steroids it was still not conclusive what I had. At one point my hands swelled so severely my wedding ring was cut off due to the possibility of cutting  off the circulation throughout my finger.

They ruled out any external conditions. Such as, bug bites, chemicals or the environment.

 After 7 days in the hospital, on November 7th 2012,  I was diagnosed with a autoimmune disease. My immune system was attacking itself, thinking it was an enemy.

Since then with not much help, I turned to the internet in hopes for some answers.Their are many causes to Autoimmune disease:

Family or Personal History of Autoimmune Disease

Many, if not most autoimmune diseases, have a genetic or hereditary basis. This means that if you have a family member with an autoimmune disease, you are at an increased risk of developing an autoimmune condition as well. And it does not have to be the same disease - one relative may have autoimmune thyroid disease, another multiple sclerosis, and another inflammatory bowel disease.

Gender or Hormonal Status

Seventy-five percent of autoimmune diseases occur in women, and most frequently during the childbearing years. Higher estrogen levels seem to stimulate the immune system, which may explain why men are less affected.

Bacterial and Viral Infections and Illnesses

Viruses, bacteria and mycoplasma, a type of small-cell bacteria, are implicated in autoimmune diseases. Often a bout of illness with a virus such as the Epstein- Barr virus triggers the onset of an autoimmune disease.

Toxic Metal Exposure

An estimated twenty-five percent of us have some form of heavy metal poisoning. Studies have shown that exposure to toxic metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead, arsenic, aluminum, nickel and other heavy metals can be linked to the autoimmune process: The heavy metals induce autoantibodies, which then create autoimmune diseases.

Toxic Chemical Exposure

Toxins such as pesticides, solvents, industrial chemicals, even household cleaners and hair dyes are being implicated in autoimmune diseases. These toxins are are everywhere, and they greatly increase the risk of all diseases in general.

Vaccinations/Immunizations

Scientists have found a connection between some autoimmune diseases and vaccinations. In the February 2000 issue of Autoimmunity, ten research articles evaluate the causal link between vaccinations and autoimmune disease. For instance, the controversial anthrax vaccine has been causally linked to the development of autoimmune diseases.

Stress and Trauma

Many people have noticed a direct link between a major stressful life event and the development of an autoimmune disease six to twelve months later. Unmanaged stress is a risk factor for the development of all major diseases, including heart disease and cancer. I myself noticed that I always got much worse symptom-wise during any stressful situations.

Our thoughts and feelings have a direct impact on our immune system. Loneliness is now recognized as the number one predictor of disease due to its immune suppressing action. Laughter and feelings of happiness, on the other hand, increase and enhance the actions of our immune cells.

Smoking

Smoking increases the risk of several autoimmune diseases, primarily because of the chemicals in cigarettes.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Poor diet is an important factor in autoimmunity because poor nutrition compromises the immune system. Processed foods are loaded with chemicals, hormones, steroids, trans-fats and sugars, which promote the creation of free radicals in the body, which in turn damage the cells. 

I decided to break it down to my diet which seemed the most logical to me. I then watched the documentary I stumbled upon called "Fat, Sick and near Death" by Joe Cross.

It seemed to fit the way that I felt, though I don't weigh 300 pounds and don't take medications, but I could lose 70 pounds and get rid of this autoimmune disease.

 I will start on a new frontier for me to lose weight and change my diet. Why not it's the first day of a New Year 2013. I'll ease into it by juice fasting. Vegetable juicing, apple cider ( the pectin in the cider will loosen any stub-urn toxins in inner linings ) and water. I have fasted in the past many times in the for several days on just water, but this time will be different. I will also become a vegetarian for the first time when i'm done fasting.

I will be also increasing my consumption of Omegagize3 to 8 capsules twice daily. It will work on the inflammation.

So I will document my journey to keep me honest and focused with my blog and people I trust in to keep me accountable.

January 14th 2013

Day 2


All disease begins in the gut.

- Hippocrates

Research over the past two decades has revealed that gut health is critical to overall health, and that an unhealthy gut contributes to a wide range of diseases including diabetes, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, autism spectrum disorder, depression and chronic fatigue syndrome.