Lemon and Cayenne – NOT The Master Cleanse

“I’m obviously crazy. It’s only logical…right?”

Those that have experienced B12 deficiency may be able to relate to the feeling of deep desire – almost a yearning – of wanting to actually FEEL healthy, energized, not tired, and joints and muscles not stiff, sore and aching. However, the recurring disappointment time and again of NEVER being able to get there; at any level. The times when you worked tirelessly and diligently to eat the rights things and keep at bay sugar, processed foods and the other crap we know isn’t good for us. The times when you painstakingly drug your lug of a body out of bed at 5am to get in a workout before work and yet again in the evening to keep your body – as you could only hope – to keep moving, energized and feeling good.

Yet, sadly,doing the right things with nothing to show for it and having the self-esteem blowing days when you wake up weeks later and realize none of your dedication and hard work has made any significance improvement. Still not getting good sleep and waking up feeling as though you were on a weekend drinking binger. Still dragging your body to the workouts with the trainer and not being able to finish the treadmill workout without your legs being in so much charlie-horse pain that the streaming tears finally turns into an emotional breakdown in the middle of the gym. The only response you can give is your legs hurt. Your trainer, like everyone else, thinks you give up too easy and you’re a quitter. Any motivation and inspiration that you had was quickly replaced by a belief there is something wrong with you. Nobody knows what. The doctors tell you nothing is wrong, it’s in your head. Then you think, “well, I’m obviously crazy.” It’s only logical…right?

You don’t forget that feeling. Even when you are healthier and some ‘miracle worker’, whoever they may have been, discovered your B12 deficiency and started you on the path of treating and managing it. Your body might not be feeling the pain, but your mind does not forget that feeling of failure that you have no control over. What a horrible and vicious cycle and I am here to hopefully help you lessen that burden. No matter how many times you have started and felt like you have failed. You start again. And when you fail again. You start again. Failure is only a perspective. Putting aside any expectation of the outcome, other than “I am going to be better.”

Credit: lifeoutsideoflaw.com

I am starting again. I am going to be better.

I’ve joined a 30-day ‘Booty-Bustin Boot Camp’ that is being held by a local yoga-pilates-barre studio. The first week is a 10-day cleanse of drinking warm lemon water with cayenne pepper 2-3 times a day. We are also taking our measurements this week so we know what we’ve accomplished at the end of our booty buster. Since being instructed to do this 10-day lemon and cayenne cleanse, it seems like I’ve just happened along articles talking about this very thing. Who knew so many people do this on a regular basis.

After a little research, it seems that many health and wellness people recommend this practice.

However, the mixing of lemon and cayenne pepper is NOT to be confused with the wildly popular Master Cleanse that includes adding maple syrup and this is all you eat or drink for the course of the cleanse. The belief behind the lemon and cayenne cleanse is to get our bodies and internal organs to detox naturally with the lemon and water and help kickstart fat burning and metabolism with the spicy cayenne pepper. I have to say I do like the taste of the mix. It is slowly replacing my need for coffee in the mornings. The cayenne pepper gives it a pleasant kick if your taste buds are naturally on the sassy side.

Today is day two of the lemon and cayenne pepper mix. So far so good. However there hasn’t been any booty busting yet. I’ll let you know how that goes.

Here’s to an ongoing feeling of health, never giving up regardless of feeling like a failure, and knowing that we ALL have a crazy space that we live in. Don’t let anyone else tell you what your crazy space is and how to live in it. Just live in it. Own it.

“Welcome to my crazy space – where attitudes and muffin-tops are always adjustable!”

 

New Day – New Blog: My first Blog Post

As a newbie to the blogging world, I am a bit apprehensive but excited to be an ‘official blogger’. I will let you know when I actually embrace that title. But, as of right now, I feel like I’m about ready to cliff dive. Once you step off, there is no turning back; and you don’t know whether you are going to slice gracefully into the water or belly flop like there’s no tomorrow.

Either way, through much encouragement and feedback from family and friends, I’m excited to be on this adventure in the online writing world, and anticipating to see what the future holds.

This is my first blog posting for “The B12 Chronicles: Today Is A New Day”. If I could get past obsessing over the best title, you may have had a chance to read this blog much earlier than you are now. If you have any suggestions for a name that might be more relevant, I am all ears. I’m slowly learning; it may not be perfect, it’s a process.

Back in September, I was diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency and Pernicious Anemia, a hereditary autoimmune disorder. This is something that has changed my life immensely and I feel compelled to share my story to help other people who struggle with the same things and connect with people who have also experienced the repercussions of this vitamin deficiency.

As a direct result of discovering my B12 deficiency, my mom and brother took it upon themselves to get tested. Happily, my mom has discovered she has the same condition, and I am excited to be on the journey together with her to find healing. My brother however, was told he was not deficient, but through my research and reading, I’m keeping my eye on him as it may just not be as advanced.

To get a better idea of what is motivating me to write this blog,
you can read: My Story: B12 Deficiency & ‘The B12 Chronicles’
Or you can read more about me: About Me: Lisa M Johnson

Feel free to make comments or contact me; either logistically about the site or content.
I’m not claiming to be an expert (yet!) about the subject matter nor am I a doctor or have had medical training. I do however do a lot of reading and research and will only post confirmed factual information and my personal experiences.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy.
~Lisa