If you’ve read my previous blogs, you already know that I’ve spent the past couple of months researching the science (at least what’s known to us now) of vitiligo and emailing with people who have, through change of lifestyle, rid their body of vitiligo. It seems almost too simplistic that merely adding certain vitamins, exercising, altering diet, and lying in the sun, could produce results that millions of people hope for; yet, it is true.
I am not a scientist (organized and methodical), nor am I a health-nut (able to focus on doing/ eating only those things which are good for my body); that said, as excited as I am at the prospect of eliminating the white patches from my skin and potentially opening the door towards healing for thousands of other vitiligo-ians (sorry for exercising creative license with that new word), I am having the most difficult time staying regimented about the process necessary for the vitiligo experiment.
So what’s the problem?
I am taking 9 vitamin pills a day…this is a lot at once so I broke it down to taking 4 in the morning and 5 at night. Not so difficult, right? Well, it is if you’re prone to forgetting to take one or the other set because you’re running to work in the morning or wrapped up in other things at night.
The next issue has been taking the time to sit in the sun for 30 minutes each day. Funny this should be an issue at all given that I have absolutely no problem sitting at my computer writing all day.
Exercising daily isn’t an issue, thank goodness; it’d be a tough one to start up. I am an aerobics instructor and have a few classes each day. Plus, I love going to the gym and using free-weights…okay, really I love to socialize while I’m at the gym but that’s just a bonus to the benefits. Surely my biceps are going to show one of these days.
Lastly, altering my diet. No dairy products? Are you kidding me? I LOVE cheese and I don’t know if a cup of tea (man, I put milk in that too) will wake me up in the morning like my cafe au laits. Oh yeah, this change puts me off the most.
Whatcha gonna do about it then?
So, now that I’ve listed all of my issues with integrating this vitiligo experiment into my daily life, how will I stay focused and diligent? Easy!
The vitamins are going to be placed on the counter in my bathroom so that I have no choice but to see them and take them. Secondly, just like I schedule my day for my classes, I will schedule in sun time. Thirdly, I will stop socializing so much at the gym (this one will probably benefit the other gym-goers more than me but I thought I’d throw it in). And fourthly, argh, I will give up my cafe au laits, Tuesday night pizza’s, and cheese; however, I refuse to drink my tea without a splash of milk…it just cannot be done.
My final thoughts on this blog…
Today is a new day and, for the record, the first day of the vitiligo experiment. When I figure out how to add photo’s onto this site, I will add pictures each week of my vitiligo areas so that you can follow the progress.