Keeping Healthy While Traveling & What a Difference a Year Makes

I've arrived! I'm in our nation's Capital for the American College of Rheumatology Conference, an event that's attended by over 16,000 rheumatological health professionals from all over the world. And little old me will be giving a presentation on Wednesday at this amazing conference.

As I sit here in my hotel room, I can't help but think about how far I have come in the last year. When I last attended this conference in Chicago in 2011, I had just finished up with my rounds of methotrexate (low-dose chemo) and Cellcept (anti-rejection meds for organ transplants commonly used in lupus). I was at my heaviest weight ever and felt sicker than I ever had before. I was quietly planning my resignation because my body couldn't take anymore. I had trouble walking to and from sessions, and I was miserable.

But today I'm not. And I had to really think about what is the difference. Well, I'm healthier now. Not just in the sense that I haven't been to the ER since January (knock on wood), my lupus labs look great and I've lost weight. I am healthier overall.

When I got to Chicago I was all about room service and finding the junkiest food possible. I would load up on sugary snacks to keep me through the evenings when everyone else was out but I couldn't walk. I ordered heavy stuff from room service like French Onion soup, wings, burgers, desserts (not all in the same night). I figured if my body had given up on me, why should I care about taking care of it.

But that has changed. This year, I'm 45lbs lighter due to a complete overhaul in eating habits and exercise, and of course great doctors who have switched up my meds. I have yoga videos that I plan on doing in the morning and plan on walking the Mall to all the site-seeing attractions. Instead of loading up on junk food and ordering room service, I packed jerky and a few granola bars in my suitcase in case I get munchies in the evenings or between meetings. I'm ordering a protein heavy breakfast because I know it will keep me full longer and keep my blood sugar level throughout the day. I plan on enjoying this town, going out to nice restaurants, seeing the sites, but doing it in a way that is more consistent with the way I want to live - active and healthy.

It's a good place to be.



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Location:Washington D.C.,United States