Alexandra Beaty’s Journey
Hello readers! My name is Alexandra Beaty; I am a Graves disease survivor. I recently have fallen madly in love with stepping out of my comfort zone by challenging myself and working out every day for 21 days straight. Oh and I haven’t stopped there, I’ve continued to workout. Every day my fitness goals are being met and I am eating my way to a healthier, happier version of me.
I aspire to help those struggling with their health goals, need a positive mentor; crave positivity in their lives and are looking for a real way to fueling their minds, body and soul. I want to first start off by saying, how stinkin’ honored I am Nadya asked me to be a guest blogger on her blog. So, thank you Nadya for allowing me a safe space to share my story. I am truly grateful and super excited to share.
I was diagnosed with Graves’s disease in February of 2016. Five months after my second child was born. I remember sitting there completely perplexed by the diagnoses. The name itself sounded like a death sentence. Let me take you back to why I thought to even have myself checked out. I was suffering with depression, loosing my hair in massive amounts and was always tired. At first I dismissed the symptoms and assumed I was suffering from postpartum depression. I had just had a baby and I thought I’d eventually get over it. I am glad I listened to my husband and went to my doctor with my symptoms. After my doctor had my thyroid levels tested, it was obvious I had Graves’s disease and Hashimotos.
All of us depend greatly on our thyroid to help our body’s function properly. I would advise anyone to read up on it, because Grave’s disease affects about 1 in 200 people. The disease occurs more often in women than in men, which may be related to hormonal factors. Graves disease is the most common cause of thyroid over activity (hyperthyroidism) in the United States.
After my diagnoses my symptoms got worse and worse. Such as excess sweating, fatigue, heat intolerance, high blood pressure, fast heart rate, puffy eyes, anxiety attacks, enlarged thyroid, hand tremor, iron deficient, insomnia, irritability, muscle weakness and weight gain. Ultimately resulting in surgery, specifically a thyroidectomy on August 4, 2016. I was in a very dark place that only my husband truly knew. With his support, the love of my girls and that small fire still lit inside me, I knew I couldn’t give up on life. After a year of, blood testing, medication dosage testing, looking within for the cause of my depression, I made head way and haven’t looked back. I have found a community of empowering women, like Nadya who are looking to change their lives and committed to their transformations. Today, I am grateful for my life, I am grateful for new beginnings and I am grateful for life after Graves.
I knew that making my health was a priority after my surgery. I read books to help me better understand what life after a thyroidectomy looked like. I informed myself on what foods could increase my energy naturally, clear my skin, help my digestion system, help with my mood swings and lets keep it real, taste delicious. So, here’s where I discovered a new passion, FOOD! Colorful, vibrant, raw, fresh, plant based foods. I am not a vegan; I do eat turkey, chicken breast and white fish. I’ll occasionally have red meat, maybe three times a year. Not for any particular reason, but just because I stick to what makes my body feel amazing. Below are some photos I’ve taken of what I like to refer to as “happy foods” I’ve prepared. If you all enjoy this post and recipes I’ve shared I will continue to share with you what I’m cooking in the kitchen. Again, thank you Nadya for letting me share my experiences. I hope this has been informative, but most importantly inspiring.
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