2020 was a tough year for the world with the COVID 19 pandemic and 2021 continues to see no end to this virus. The vaccinations can hopefully help reduce hospital admissions however we still need to keep others safe.
Reflecting over the past year we have had our ups and downs but over all I am one of the lucky ones and wake everyday thankful for what we have. We are fortunate that my husband has a secure job and really glad my kids are easy to manage as teens. We are fortunate we can sleep and eat in the safety and comfort of our warm home and we have a large park beside us to walk our dog.
I am also very fortunate to be have my Dietetic nutritional consultancy business www.121dietitian.com online to continue to help and advise others. I am passionate about wholefood nutrition and this really matters with our current pandemic.
Not being able to visit loved ones has been very difficult. I am especially sad about not seeing my parents. My mum has Multiple Sclerosis and dependent on hoists and wheelchair and loves company. She needs many to assist her daily needs. Sadly they are 120 miles or a 3 hour car drive away in a different country – not easy to visit, so in between the lockdowns we have hopped in the car driven and spent a few hours chatting in the window to them returning home relieved they are safe and coping.
2020 was not easy for me in relation to my health. As you may already know I have been successful with fixing my auto-immune Thyroid condition Hashimotos in 2013 (more in my other blogs). Thankfully this continues to be under control. However the big kicker was a horrid episode of nerve pain. Never had anything like it before. I thought it was a pulled leg and butt muscle but when it was affecting my lower leg with burning I was at the end of my tether. Sleep was non existent and it made me grumpy and very jealous of everyone around me walking, running etc.
How did it begin?? A few reasons lead me to experience this.
- I gave up my weekly running club – this was to support a busy sailing schedule for my kids, supposed to be for a few months over the summer in 2019. Little did I realise this was going to be for a lot longer and how desperately I miss running and the friendships.
- In 2019 we changed our mattress – supposed to be for the better we went for a memory foam – big mistake for me. As a very flexible individual I seem to over do it when awake and asleep! This really was not good and I began to feel like I was lying in unsupportive quicksand.
- And finally Nov 2019 a holiday abroad and some showing off! My 3 kids are always up for a competition so I showed them my moves to see if they could do the same! One of my challenges walking hands down the wall behind into a crab position. This over stretching combined with no regular running and an unsupportive mattress was the worst. I started to suffer upper leg and hip pain. Thinking it was a pulled muscle I spent weeks stretching, foam rollering etc
- March 20 I was in agony. It took till Oct 20 to recover, fortunately I had some expert treatment along the way. I am still not back running and I miss this greatly. I have now purchased an Elliptical trainer and building up slowly.
Whilst I was in the thick of this, Summer 2020 was a tough time for my eldest 2 children: A-levels and GCSE’s were cancelled and they were hugely disappointed. They are now doing their best to continue focused for the future but it is damn hard. I am very proud of them.
Fast forward December 20 everything was going well, life was in a routine with work and school and we were preparing for Christmas at home. We managed to enjoy Christmas day and then COVID struck (brought home from my husbands work). We began to fall ill first my husband and then me. We told no one as we were scared of what was ahead. We self isolated and were fortunate to have extra food in with Christmas. The kids also had varying symptoms.
I can’t say for sure but as I write this we have got away lightly. Loss of taste and smell and fatigue being the most difficult for 2 weeks. We were dreading the worst as both myself and my husband are healthcare professionals and have seen first hand what COVID 19 is doing to people. The longer term damage of kidneys, heart, brain, stroke and lungs is all too real. I have over the past year of COVID been advising others on assisting their immunity and improving their overall health. Little did I think we would be saved by it too.
I personally feel that having underlying good health, eating a varied diet, taking Vitamin D, getting restorative sleep and keeping a safe alcohol intake has been advantageous in our recovery. 2021 has been a slow start for us but when you have your health you have your wealth so it can only hopefully get better.
From my experiencing with COVID 19 if you can do one thing in the next 12 months I would strongly urge you to please protect yourselves and your family from contracting COVID 19. Let 2021 be the year you make any changes you need. Optimise your diet. Have the best metabolic health you can. Ensure you have the best sleep, activity, mood and gut possible. Stay well and stay safe.
If you need any guidance or chat further about any of this please do let me know. Take care. Gillian x
Please feel free to share our blogs to help others.
Tel: 07717392306
email: info@121dietitian.com
Please feel free to share our blog to help others