ABOUT SHELLEY’S HEALING JOURNEY
Hello my name is Shelley and I am 54 years young and currently live in the beautiful Gulf Islands in British Columbia Canada. I am learning to live by the seasons on island time and enjoy being out of the hustle and bustle of the city.
I have always loved living close to nature and have always dreamed of living a nomadic lifestyle and driving across Canada with a cozy camper.
However, years of living a corporate hamster wheel life that included several very unhealthy relationships and what once started out as a glass of wine a night to help me sleep turned into two bottles a night to help me cope, habit. I had abused my body into a very unhealthy state.
When I turned 48 years old I was almost 290 lbs and on 3 prescription drugs for high blood pressure and 1 for severe heartburn. I knew I had to change my lifestyle if I was going to be around for my daughter. I had so many dreams of adventures that would not be possible if I did not change my habits and take back my own health.
Over the years I had tried several diets and exercise routines and they would work for a while but then something would happen and I would go back off track and go back to my same old habits that got me to the unhealthy place.
It was like I was on a roller coaster ride of being unhealthy that I could not get off of. I knew I had to start to change my habits at the core. That if I was going to get serious about my health I had to get serious about my habits.
At the time I decided to start taking my health into my own hands I had no idea where to start. I decided I was going to start with the one problem that was currently the most painful. That problem was my constant state of anxiety and racing heart. I would wake up first thing in the morning with a racing heart and it would constantly feel like I was having chest pains.
There was a time when I purchased my first condo with my daughter who was 16 at the time. I was under so much stress and pressure that my anxiety level was at defcon 5 and I ended up getting my daughter to drive me to the emergency room because I thought I was having a heart attack.
When the ER nurse asked me how much alcohol I was consuming on a daily basis I was embarrassed to tell the truth. I lied and said 2-3 glasses a night with dinner (but it really was 1-2 bottles). At this time a light bulb went off in my head that told me I need to get alcohol out of my life if I want to be healthy and to show my daughter a good example.
I can’t tell you how many times I tried to quit drinking…it was not that easy and when you are drinking as much as I was you cannot just quit cold turkey you have to quit in stages.
I am super proud to say that I quit for good on my birthday in January 2019 and am never looking back!
Quitting drinking allowed me to take my health back dramatically! I was able to lose 50 lbs and two prescription drugs alone just by quitting alcohol. I still ate exactly the same and in fact gave myself permission to eat whatever I wanted as a reward for not drinking.
When I turned 50 I decided it was time to go for my first mammogram. When I got the results back I was told that there was a lump and that I was going to have to go for more tests. This sent me on a tailspin.
When you are faced with a life or death situation it really makes you sit down and think about what is important in your life.
After some deep soul searching I decided it was time to quit my job, sell my condo and move to Vancouver Island with my daughter and dog and see what my next chapter will be like living on island time.
After quitting my job I was able to incorporate more self care habits into my daily routine that allowed me to lose another 50 lbs and to eliminate my remaining high blood pressure prescription, which then left me prescription drug free. Which was an amazingly liberating feeling to be completely in control of my own health and not have to rely on going to a doctor or a pharmacy for a prescription that was going to keep me alive.
I am also super excited to announce that when I went for my follow up mammogram I was told that the lump in my breast was completely gone! It was like magic! My healthy routines not only helped me cure my high blood pressure and constant chronic anxiety but it has also eliminated a lump in my breast! How can I not share and let you know that healing naturally is possible!
Today I would like to leave you with the top 3 habits that I changed that really allowed me to take charge of my health. These topics will be talked about in further detail in upcoming blog articles.
3 Self Care Habits
to take back your health naturally
Eliminate alcohol (alcohol causes depression)
Eliminate processed food (eat locally sourced natural ingredients)
Journaling (get your thoughts out on paper)
Serenity Spice Blends Food Blog - a blog that focuses on cooking with Herbs & Spices and incorporating Self Care Habits for women over 45 who are looking to take back their own health and wellness naturally.
Sending you love & positive vibes!
