Support Group Strength

What an amazingly beautiful day in Texas for the middle of August! Usually it is so hot and humid this time of year that the A/C runs non-stop and you avoid the great outdoors like the plague. But today, it is an amazing 79˚F at 1014 and I am enjoying my morning coffee on the porch.

Yesterday I had an interesting adventure and went to visit a local Fibromyalgia Support Group meeting for the first time. As I listened to the stories of the individuals around me, I realized more and more how blessed my life is. Yes I have terrible fibro, and yes I have suffered and many times I have flat out wanted to give up – but I have one thing that many of the people there come just to find – a support group.

With chronic illness we all experience moments (some longer than others) of feeling isolated especially when we are dealing with invisible diseases that even medical professionals argue over the validity of. Having a support group, either like mine comprised of family and friends, or an external group like the meeting I attended yesterday, can be hugely beneficial to making it through the tough moments in our lives that often arise from difficulties from our illnesses. If you choose to join support group meetings, I encourage you to find one that promotes improving your life, progression and coping mechanisms, rather than focusing on the negatives of the disease as this will do more harm than good. You want your support group to help build you up not tear you down further.

Now, I want to introduce you to my support group and hopefully you will be able to see that there are people like this in your life that perhaps you hadn’t noticed before!

My Daughter!

My baby is not only my biggest fan and my constant driving force to improve and keep going but she reminds me on a daily basis to be excited about the simple things life has to offer – a ladybug, a balloon, a walk in the park, or a bird flying by. Seeing the world through the eyes of a child is such a blessing and reminds me that yes there are many hardships that we face daily, but there are also so many beautiful little things to celebrate too.

My Mother!

My mom has to be the STRONGEST person I have ever met and if I can be half the mom she was to me for my daughter I will consider myself a success. Raising 7 children, working, and going to school full time this beautiful soul was diagnosed with MS about 10 years ago and even though I see her struggle with being in a wheelchair and losing her freedom, she has never failed to be the encouragement I need as a mom, a student, and coping with my Fibro. I know that I am truly blessed to have a family that understands invisible diseases and continues to support the three of us who have them but my mom has always been the backbone of our little tribe. I love you Mom!

My best friend!

Yes we fight, we get mad at each other, and we have misunderstandings but my BFF Iwona has stuck with me through some of the most heinous and horrendous times of my life. We met when we were in Pharmacy School in the Army back in 2005 and have been pretty much inseparable ever since. Even when she was deployed in Iraq she would call me to see how I was doing! Now we hang out all the time, she is always reminding me to stop stressing about things I can’t change, we laugh about the most ridiculous things, and I know that she will always be there for me and I do my best to be there for her too.

The Hilliards!

I just love these two with all my heart and soul. SFC Hilliard was my NCO when I was still on active duty and I always had so much respect for him as a leader and professional – this man knew his job and was damn good at it. Over the years I have come to know him and his exquisitely beautiful wife on a deeper level as they not only introduced me to the USANA products as a solution to my weight loss and health needs but now as my friends and mentors as I strive to grow my own business and be the blessing to others that they have been to me. I can say this with the utmost sincerity – these two continued to believe in me even after I stopped believing in myself. A more beautiful couple, inside and out, you will never find, and I am so lucky to call them friend.

My Trainer!

BOOM! Dustin is such an amazing personal trainer and he literally eats and breaths fitness. With his help and encouragement I have gained back a lot of the physical strength that I had lost during my years of being sedentary after I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. With the physical strength, the weight loss, and his constant encouragement to push the boundaries I created for myself in my head I have also gained back my self-confidence! Sure, he makes fun of me (good naturedly) but it also reminds me to laugh at myself (which is hard to do when you are having a fibro flare and a bout of depression). I used to hate it but now I realize that he does it not to belittle me but as a way of getting me to not let myself stop my progress. Look at him train! Yep he pushes himself harder than he pushes me – and is still such an amazing inspiration! I can’t wait to see him in the Octagon! MMA baby!

Whether your support group is comprised of family and friends or of a group of individuals who share the same difficulties you do, make sure that they are a positive influence in your life. Negativity only brings us down when we are already struggling. It may be hard but sometimes it is necessary to cut negative people from your life – if they cannot stand with you and build you up, then you don’t need them. Being healthy is more than physical, it is mental and emotional too. Thank those who stand with you for their understanding and support, and always remember that that support is a two way street – sometimes, you need to be there for them too.

Have a great week! Find your support group and remember, I am here for you too! Check back on Tuesday for some more easy recipes for eating healthy! Be Happy, Be Healthy!

<3 Rachel