Before Diet and Exercise: Start Here

Why preventive care, self-advocacy, and paying attention to your body matter more than you may think.

Let’s jump into the first part of my “BMHS” framework – body.

But before we discuss diet.

Before we discuss movement.

We need to talk about something far less exciting – and much more important.

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Start With Prevention

If you can, check in with your primary care provider at least once a year.

Yes, I know – our healthcare system, every aspect of it, is fucked. It’s been that way for a very long time, & will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

That’s why it’s super important to be your own “patient advocate”, or have someone you trust help you handle that responsibility.

I did that with my father for twelve years – he was always pretty disillusioned by modern healthcare, couldn’t understand some of his diagnoses & medications, and he couldn’t hear worth a shit.

I’ve been advocating with my husband for most of the time we’ve been together, because his memory gets a bit finicky due to his TBI.

As annoying as it can be, it’s important to keep up with regular testing (bloodwork etc) & check in with your PCP at least annually to help prevent minor problems from escalating into major ones.

Keep copies of bloodwork, imaging, diagnoses, medications, allergies, surgeries, and specialist information whenever possible.

Which becomes even more important when your health isn’t something you can simply “fix” and move on from…

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When It Doesn’t Just Go Away

Regular visits & record keeping are especially important if you have any sort of chronic conditions.

One example would be chronic illnesses – heart disease, diabetes, COPD, kidney disease, MS, and so on.

Another example would be chronic pain – arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines, endometriosis, IBS, neuralgia, neuropathy, and so on.

Tracking your symptoms, how long they last, what treatments help (or don’t), and when you’ve seen your doctors can make a huge difference over time.

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My Back Sucks

I was told when I was about 7 years old that there’s misalignment at the base of my spine, & there was nothing that could be done about it. So I kind of just accepted & ignored it until more recently.

I never considered it “chronic pain” until my husband pointed out how often I silently complain about it.

I think I learned to interpret pain as discomfort unless it’s excruciating.

For example – because of my back, the epidural I had with my younger daughter didn’t work right, & I went from “fine” to “screaming bloody fucking murder” in a matter of seconds.

So I finally started taking it more seriously. My current PCP ordered Xrays, & pointed out that there’s “nothing” going on in the middle of my back (but oh yes there is), & there’s “mild anterior listhesis & degeneration” at the base of my spine. When she finally physically examined the middle of my back, she was like “oh…um…” Yeah.

So now I’m in PT, & I’ll likely need an MRI to get an answer better than “oh…um…”

But…

For years I assumed my pain was simply something I had to tolerate. It wasn’t until I started taking it seriously that anyone else could take it seriously too.

If you don’t advocate for yourself, who will?

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The First Step

Make sure you’re up to date with your healthcare, as much as possible.

Taking care of your body isn’t just about building strength. Sometimes it’s about making the phone call you’ve been putting off for three (or fifteen) years.

Respect your body enough to pay attention to it.

I know our healthcare system is failing the overwhelming majority of us, but we have a responsibility to ourselves to do the best we can.

Before you scroll away…

Ask yourself one question:

What have I been putting off because “it’s probably nothing”?

Then make one phone call.

Schedule one appointment.

Refill one prescription.

Request one copy of your records.

Your future self will thank you.

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Next up in the BMHS series : developing a diet that doesn’t suck.

Stay real. Live vibrantly. And rock the fuck on. 💚🤘🏻