So I decided to try oil pulling today. Sounds strange, but it's where you put some oil in your mouth (ideally coconut oil) and you gently swish it around for 20mins before spitting it out in the bin (not the sink). Oil pulling is an Ayurvedic technique which is supposed to help remove toxins and bacteria from your mouth, and help improve dental health as well as other benefits like sinus issues and of course whitens your teeth in the process.
You can read more about it here: https://draxe.com/oil-pulling-coconut-oil/
As someone who has been plagued with sinus issues for years, I figured it was worth a try. I have also been drinking small amounts of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) as a way of warding off cold & flu. So far this year I have done well - only had a small head cold in early August, at the start of flu season and thankfully it didn't hang around. Considering we are having our worst flu season in a very long time, I'd say this is a good success. Although today I woke up with my throat feeling like I am coming down with something again. So back on the ACV and now oil pulling. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I kept myself occupied for the 20mins whilst I swished the oil around in my mouth, trying not to swallow. Then rinsed my mouth with water, and did a water brush of my teeth (no toothpaste) afterwards. They say it should be done at least 3-4 times a week - and i figure at worse case at least maybe my teeth will be whitened. Cheaper than getting a whitening treatment at the dentist! Will keep you posted on that.
I'm also back onto the 5:2 wagon - after having surgery at Christmas last year, I have struggled to get back into the habit of fasting, and having not exercised as much either I have sadly gained weight. But I know that I've done it before and I can do it again - today so far is going well. I have not eaten as yet since around 10.30pm last night (I should note I don't normally eat that late..lol). I am planning on a nice healthy dinner of around 500-600 cals - turkey & veges. Then tomorrow I will aim for a minimum of 16 hours before I eat - which should be around lunch time depending on what time I finish dinner tonight. So essentially I'll be doing a combination of 16:8 and 5:2. Although the way I'm feeling at the moment with my throat and possibly coming down with something, I'm tempted to do a 3 day fast.. in 3 days your whole immune system regenerates.
You can read more about the 3 day fast at these websites:
* http://www.collective-evolution.com/2017/05/16/study-shows-how-fasting-for-3-days-can-regenerate-your-entire-immune-system/
* https://spinalresearch.com.au/fasting-can-trigger-stem-cell-immune-regeneration/
Although I'm not really sure I could do a 3 day fast. I think the longest I've done was maybe somewhere between 24-30hrs when I had surgery last year. But something to think about anyway.
In the meantime, I have plenty to keep myself occupied between work & film shoots - with a screen test due this week (an audition for another film), plus 2 scripts to learn. Oh, and some study to finish so I'd better get to it!
Showing posts with label illness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label illness. Show all posts
Monday, October 2, 2017
Sunday, July 23, 2017
I'm still here
I've never been great at consistently writing in a blog or diary. I found a diary the other day which I've been writing in for a few years and my last post was about 2 years ago - and the one before that was a bit longer! I think maybe because I don't feel I have anything worth writing about I don't end up writing. Especially when I'm feeling down or depressed - which is probably when I should be writing.
I can see on here my last post was in May, so that's not too bad as its only been a couple of months, and things haven't been too bad. Mind you I'm still struggling with weight and depression. Especially in the past week or so. The film work hasn't been too bad - I found out yesterday I was cast in another independent feature film which I was hoping to do (can't say too much yet), and am up to a total of 17 days on set, with number 18 today. Still mostly student / unpaid films, but I'm happy with that. However the last day I had on set I had to wear corporate gear, and the night before I got all my stuff out only to find most of it didn't fit. It has been six months since I had the hysterectomy, and I'm finding I still get swelly belly - where my tummy swells by a good couple of inches (cause can be a few different things, including exercise). I measured myself that evening, and then again in the morning and there was a 2" difference in size, so I wasn't seeing things! At least by the morning I was able to fit into one of those outfits, but it was very depressing.
So yet again I'm on the vicious cycle - depression, comfort food, weight gain :( I do have moments where I feel good about myself, and where I think "I can do this" but then that disappears and I'm back into the "I don't care" mode. I've been on this cycle for many years, but at least now I can recognise the symptoms, plus I can talk about it. There was a time once (in my late teens/early 20s) where I was so depressed that my friends had no idea that I was contemplating suicide. It annoys me when people just say to talk about it or seek help - unless you have been down that sink-hole, you have no idea what it is like. I couldn't see any other way out at the time, and I couldn't vision any future for me. I didn't even think I'd live to see 30. Thankfully, something happened to make me realise there was a future, and here I am today.
But now as a Personal Trainer as well, I know even more about what I should be doing, and feel like I'm not setting a good example for my clients. I know what I should be doing, I'm just not doing it. I know I need to stop making excuses and get back on the healthy train - eating well and exercising regularly. I may fall off again, but that is life and I just need to accept that and have strategies in place to deal with it. So, I raise my glass of sparkling water to life and say 'bring it on'!
I can see on here my last post was in May, so that's not too bad as its only been a couple of months, and things haven't been too bad. Mind you I'm still struggling with weight and depression. Especially in the past week or so. The film work hasn't been too bad - I found out yesterday I was cast in another independent feature film which I was hoping to do (can't say too much yet), and am up to a total of 17 days on set, with number 18 today. Still mostly student / unpaid films, but I'm happy with that. However the last day I had on set I had to wear corporate gear, and the night before I got all my stuff out only to find most of it didn't fit. It has been six months since I had the hysterectomy, and I'm finding I still get swelly belly - where my tummy swells by a good couple of inches (cause can be a few different things, including exercise). I measured myself that evening, and then again in the morning and there was a 2" difference in size, so I wasn't seeing things! At least by the morning I was able to fit into one of those outfits, but it was very depressing.
So yet again I'm on the vicious cycle - depression, comfort food, weight gain :( I do have moments where I feel good about myself, and where I think "I can do this" but then that disappears and I'm back into the "I don't care" mode. I've been on this cycle for many years, but at least now I can recognise the symptoms, plus I can talk about it. There was a time once (in my late teens/early 20s) where I was so depressed that my friends had no idea that I was contemplating suicide. It annoys me when people just say to talk about it or seek help - unless you have been down that sink-hole, you have no idea what it is like. I couldn't see any other way out at the time, and I couldn't vision any future for me. I didn't even think I'd live to see 30. Thankfully, something happened to make me realise there was a future, and here I am today.
But now as a Personal Trainer as well, I know even more about what I should be doing, and feel like I'm not setting a good example for my clients. I know what I should be doing, I'm just not doing it. I know I need to stop making excuses and get back on the healthy train - eating well and exercising regularly. I may fall off again, but that is life and I just need to accept that and have strategies in place to deal with it. So, I raise my glass of sparkling water to life and say 'bring it on'!
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Time to Re-Focus
I can't believe I'm still sick after 2 weeks! What started as a sore throat on two Monday's ago, turned into a cough to the point where I completely lost my voice after a week on the Tuesday - and of course that would be the day everyone tries to call me! - and now nearly Monday again, despite having my voice back I am still coughing and have a slight sore throat. I did go to the doctors (viral infection), nothing they could do, and have tried just about everything to get better. I just can't afford to be sick, as no work = no pay. Aside from my 3 x 1hr classes I am currently running per week (which barely covers food let alone anything else) I haven't done any other work other than one hospitality shift. I also had to cancel my trip to Sydney for a Bollywood competition because I was not well enough to dance, let alone doing an acting performance after having lost my voice :( I did ask for a refund for my $200 entry fee as they had no cancellation policy and I did give them over a weeks notice, as I had to make a decision as I also had flights & accommodation I had to cancel. Sadly it looks like I won't get my money back though - could really use that at the moment!
Despite not being well enough to go to the gym, I have managed to get in a couple of prac sessions for my PT studies in the past few days as my voice came back. Luckily I wasn't actually training, only observing other PTs so didn't have to talk much, and my coughing hasn't been too much of an issue during the day - just seems to be worse at night now. I'm quite keen to finish my prac as I can then start working as a PT. I still have 2 assignments to do - one being a business plan - and then I have to decide where I want to work. I've been doing my prac with Goodlife, but I'm not sure I want to work there yet. My goal is to work part time as a trainer (mostly mornings), so that I can still act/dance in the evenings and weekends. I don't mind paying rent (which most gyms charge) but I want it to be reasonable based on the hours I am wanting to work, so am checking out some other gyms to see how they operate as well. This will also help give me an idea of how the industry works in general, as every gym is slightly different.
On the upside, my dance troupe, SARI, we delighted to be informed that we had made a direct entry into the Indian Australian Singing & Dancing Competition to be held in Sydney on Sat, 09 July. We did make the finals of this event last year, after an audition process and public voting, but this year there was no public voting for Dance Groups. We didn't actually get to the finals in 2015 though, as the event was held on a Sunday, and we were only provided with a weeks' notice to get down there. We had intended to go down & back on the same day, however due to the event running late we realised we would never make the last flight back from Sydney (and due to the late notice, my dancers couldn't get the Monday off work) so we had to withdraw. Thankfully, this year they have put the event on a Saturday evening, so we can go down & back for the weekend which we are very excited about! Now we have to raise about $2500 to get down there - $300 per person for return flights, and around $500 for one nights accommodation! The rest of the funds will go towards taxi fares & food. Now we just have to figure out the best ways to raise funds! Now I just have to get back into my fasting routine and get back off the sugar (ice cream does help a sore throat, but that's about all it's good for..lol). So time for a new goal:
On 09 July 2016 I will weigh 67kg by doing 5:2 and not eating sugar..
Despite not being well enough to go to the gym, I have managed to get in a couple of prac sessions for my PT studies in the past few days as my voice came back. Luckily I wasn't actually training, only observing other PTs so didn't have to talk much, and my coughing hasn't been too much of an issue during the day - just seems to be worse at night now. I'm quite keen to finish my prac as I can then start working as a PT. I still have 2 assignments to do - one being a business plan - and then I have to decide where I want to work. I've been doing my prac with Goodlife, but I'm not sure I want to work there yet. My goal is to work part time as a trainer (mostly mornings), so that I can still act/dance in the evenings and weekends. I don't mind paying rent (which most gyms charge) but I want it to be reasonable based on the hours I am wanting to work, so am checking out some other gyms to see how they operate as well. This will also help give me an idea of how the industry works in general, as every gym is slightly different.
On the upside, my dance troupe, SARI, we delighted to be informed that we had made a direct entry into the Indian Australian Singing & Dancing Competition to be held in Sydney on Sat, 09 July. We did make the finals of this event last year, after an audition process and public voting, but this year there was no public voting for Dance Groups. We didn't actually get to the finals in 2015 though, as the event was held on a Sunday, and we were only provided with a weeks' notice to get down there. We had intended to go down & back on the same day, however due to the event running late we realised we would never make the last flight back from Sydney (and due to the late notice, my dancers couldn't get the Monday off work) so we had to withdraw. Thankfully, this year they have put the event on a Saturday evening, so we can go down & back for the weekend which we are very excited about! Now we have to raise about $2500 to get down there - $300 per person for return flights, and around $500 for one nights accommodation! The rest of the funds will go towards taxi fares & food. Now we just have to figure out the best ways to raise funds! Now I just have to get back into my fasting routine and get back off the sugar (ice cream does help a sore throat, but that's about all it's good for..lol). So time for a new goal:
On 09 July 2016 I will weigh 67kg by doing 5:2 and not eating sugar..
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Burlesque Night with Dita
Well despite having no voice, I managed to get a better nights sleep and went to the doctors today. Not much she could do (viral infection) but she did recommend an overly expensive script-only nasal spray, as she suspected that my sinuses were contributing to my sore throat and coughing (even though I can breathe through my nose fine), and this is what has led to the performers nightmare of completely losing my voice. Okay, I can whisper - but this doesn't help when I've been getting phone calls all day for possible work, and haven't been able to answer the calls :(
On the upside, I haven't coughed much at all today, which is just as well as tonight the stunning Dita Von Teese is in town, and at $95 a ticket I really didn't want to miss it! Normally I would find any excuse to dress up (after all, that's one of the reasons I became an actor - because I can dress up as different characters); but I've gone down the sensible path of wearing comfy jeans and top, with jumper and throwover - because getting better is more important to me at the moment than looking good. Mind you, I did still put on some makeup & sparkly earrings! I was going to take a selfie - but I couldn't get a good pic (they all actually make me look like I'm pale and sick - which I am! lol). If any good ones are taken later, I might post one then.
Before I got into Bollywood, I was into Burlesque. Now this was well and truly before the lame movie of the same name came out.. I actually discovered Burlesque when I was working as an exotic dancer (when I was younger and a bit fitter!). Someone likened my dance style to that of Burlesque, to which I was fascinated about it. Of course, it wasn't as widely known about by the general public back then as it was now. I remember having a big birthday bash (at the Tivoli where I'm headed tonight actually), and I hired the gorgeous (Dr) Lola the Vamp to dance at my party. This was my first true introduction to the art form. Little did I realise at the time, but we had a mutual friend in Lisa Lamb (may she rest in peace). Lisa was a Brisbane comedian and also danced at my party that night. After then, I decided to take some classes with Lola and whilst I really loved the dance form, and met lots of lovely dancers (many whom have gone on to become quite well-known in the Burlesque scene), I was never quite ready to do my own performance. Mind you, I still continued to dance - after Lola stopped teaching, I started classes with Lena Marlene from Scoundrells. Lena had a completely different style to Lola, but I loved them both! But there was still something stopping me from doing my own routine.
In 2009, despite not having performed myself, I wanted to do something in the scene, so decided to run the inaugural Miss Burlesque QLD competition. This was held over 6 months (one show on the last Sunday of each month) at the Brisbane Arts Theatre. Each show had a vaudeville / variety section, then the competition section. One dancer was selected by audience vote each month, and the grand finals held at the last show were judged by a panel of dance experts (including Dr Lola). The winner of this competition was the lovely, Miss Alyssa Kitt - who has since gone on to win more competitions, and perform around the world!
During this same time, I also discovered my passion for Bollywood Dance and in 2010 I decided to focus on Bollywood over Burlesque. The Burlesque competition was continued on a national scale by another group, which I was glad to see, and I do miss it sometimes, so am very excited to be catching up with some of my Burly-friends tonight (albeit voice-free!)!!
POST SHOW UPDATE:
Worst night of my life!! Didn't even stay for the full show. The venue was standing room only. Now I've never been much of a concert person, and I understand the concept of standing room only, which is fine when you are going to listen to a band play etc, but I now know is completely inappropriate for a performance show. Not only was the venue so overcrowded (I would hate to have been there in the event of an emergency.. wouldn't have a hope in hell of getting out alive).. but unless you were one of the lucky few to get through the door first and secure a spot along the upstairs railing, or had a VIP ticket (which was double the standard ticket price) where you got to stand down the front near the stage, or unless you were about 7 feet tall, there was no hope in hell you could see anything happening on the stage! As far as 'experiences' go, I'd have to say this was the worse experience of my life and I'll be contacting Ticketmaster tomorrow for a refund. I didn't pay $95 to stand in a crowded room and listen to music - I paid to see a show, dammit! Not happy at all!!
On the upside, I haven't coughed much at all today, which is just as well as tonight the stunning Dita Von Teese is in town, and at $95 a ticket I really didn't want to miss it! Normally I would find any excuse to dress up (after all, that's one of the reasons I became an actor - because I can dress up as different characters); but I've gone down the sensible path of wearing comfy jeans and top, with jumper and throwover - because getting better is more important to me at the moment than looking good. Mind you, I did still put on some makeup & sparkly earrings! I was going to take a selfie - but I couldn't get a good pic (they all actually make me look like I'm pale and sick - which I am! lol). If any good ones are taken later, I might post one then. Before I got into Bollywood, I was into Burlesque. Now this was well and truly before the lame movie of the same name came out.. I actually discovered Burlesque when I was working as an exotic dancer (when I was younger and a bit fitter!). Someone likened my dance style to that of Burlesque, to which I was fascinated about it. Of course, it wasn't as widely known about by the general public back then as it was now. I remember having a big birthday bash (at the Tivoli where I'm headed tonight actually), and I hired the gorgeous (Dr) Lola the Vamp to dance at my party. This was my first true introduction to the art form. Little did I realise at the time, but we had a mutual friend in Lisa Lamb (may she rest in peace). Lisa was a Brisbane comedian and also danced at my party that night. After then, I decided to take some classes with Lola and whilst I really loved the dance form, and met lots of lovely dancers (many whom have gone on to become quite well-known in the Burlesque scene), I was never quite ready to do my own performance. Mind you, I still continued to dance - after Lola stopped teaching, I started classes with Lena Marlene from Scoundrells. Lena had a completely different style to Lola, but I loved them both! But there was still something stopping me from doing my own routine.
In 2009, despite not having performed myself, I wanted to do something in the scene, so decided to run the inaugural Miss Burlesque QLD competition. This was held over 6 months (one show on the last Sunday of each month) at the Brisbane Arts Theatre. Each show had a vaudeville / variety section, then the competition section. One dancer was selected by audience vote each month, and the grand finals held at the last show were judged by a panel of dance experts (including Dr Lola). The winner of this competition was the lovely, Miss Alyssa Kitt - who has since gone on to win more competitions, and perform around the world!
During this same time, I also discovered my passion for Bollywood Dance and in 2010 I decided to focus on Bollywood over Burlesque. The Burlesque competition was continued on a national scale by another group, which I was glad to see, and I do miss it sometimes, so am very excited to be catching up with some of my Burly-friends tonight (albeit voice-free!)!!
POST SHOW UPDATE:
Worst night of my life!! Didn't even stay for the full show. The venue was standing room only. Now I've never been much of a concert person, and I understand the concept of standing room only, which is fine when you are going to listen to a band play etc, but I now know is completely inappropriate for a performance show. Not only was the venue so overcrowded (I would hate to have been there in the event of an emergency.. wouldn't have a hope in hell of getting out alive).. but unless you were one of the lucky few to get through the door first and secure a spot along the upstairs railing, or had a VIP ticket (which was double the standard ticket price) where you got to stand down the front near the stage, or unless you were about 7 feet tall, there was no hope in hell you could see anything happening on the stage! As far as 'experiences' go, I'd have to say this was the worse experience of my life and I'll be contacting Ticketmaster tomorrow for a refund. I didn't pay $95 to stand in a crowded room and listen to music - I paid to see a show, dammit! Not happy at all!!
Sunday, June 5, 2016
No Voice Today
So am at home today trying to keep warm, and get over this stupid illness I've had for a week now which has left me with little voice and feeling like crap in general. I hate being sick for several reasons - I never get anything done that I need to do, due to spending most of the day in bed; and I can't work (no work = no money). Although I did manage to do a bit of choreography today for a song I've been teaching my beginners Bollywood class - however I don't know how I'm going to teach tonight without much of a voice. I might have to mime. I can't cancel the class because I don't have anyone to cover me, and I can't postpone it because the week after we finish I'm heading to Townsville for work. But as anyone in the performing arts industry knows, sometimes you just have to get in there and do it anyway.
I really should be trying to finish my last 2 assignments, but I can't concentrate much at the moment. On the upside, being sick does make my fast days a bit easier. All I have eaten today is some pumpkin bread with avocado and a coke zero. A total of just under 500 calories. Not sure if I'll have dinner yet or not, but if I do it will only be something small so will definitely be under my BMR (which is okay for a fast day).
To top things off, I've been waiting for a promo company to pay me for some work I did back in April, only to now find out they had my account number wrong so now I have to wait even longer for the money to come through! Just what I needed.... I'd like to go back to bed now but have to get ready to go to my class soon. ;(
I really should be trying to finish my last 2 assignments, but I can't concentrate much at the moment. On the upside, being sick does make my fast days a bit easier. All I have eaten today is some pumpkin bread with avocado and a coke zero. A total of just under 500 calories. Not sure if I'll have dinner yet or not, but if I do it will only be something small so will definitely be under my BMR (which is okay for a fast day).
To top things off, I've been waiting for a promo company to pay me for some work I did back in April, only to now find out they had my account number wrong so now I have to wait even longer for the money to come through! Just what I needed.... I'd like to go back to bed now but have to get ready to go to my class soon. ;(
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