Episode 58

Wednesdays I share remedies to help reduce pain, decrease hospital visits, and improve quality of life. Techniques I test, practice, and recommend based on how powerful the results are for so little effort.

Last week’s topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sicklecell/comments/1uxiu78/whats_working_for_me_now_settlement_money/

This lesson is powerful. Some of you already know this and get the benefits, but don't even know it.

So I want to make sure you can name it and become even stronger.

If this is new to you, it may be tough to here and uncomfortable to practice. However,, if you followthrough, you'll get the benefits in hours or days too.

This isn't easy. Nor is it hard either.

It's a higher awareness of how you see yourself, others, and the world overall.

Shifting perspectives is simple, but wanting to master a new perspective is what challenges people.

Keep this in mind as we dive into it.

It's easy to play the blame game. Blame this person. That person. We know we shouldn't. it's never satisfying. And it doesn't help us get where we want to be.

So why bother.

Now the harsh truth.

Blaming robs us of our power and future.

When we blame something we give that person or thing power over us. They define and dictate our life. It becomes our religion.

Think about it:

When I blame my boss for holding me back at work, then that means he has full control over my career. Even though he doesn't.

I have plenty of options to get ahead at that office. I also have options to leave and get better treatment elsewhere.

And what if he leaves. Does that mean I can only do well if he's gone. If that's so then I wasn't all that Great in the first place.

NONE of that is true though.

Thank God.

Here's the scary part that every knows, but never admits.

When I blame my boss for everything negative in my life, I'm also giving him credit too.

I give him credit for the positives in my career and life.

Blame & Credit are inseparable. What you blame with the bad, you credit with the good too.

I can't stand giving people credit for things I do.

How bout you?

I don't even like giving credit to people for things I choose not to do either.

This happens in all areas of life.

Bottomline: When you bump into a rock and trip, you don't blame the rock. You take full responsibility.

"I wasn't paying attention"
"Next time I'll look where I'm going"
"Oh that's funny, that rock wasn't there before"

But if you blame the work.

Then that means it's the rock's fault when you trip. It's also the rock's fault when you walk well.

I say don't give away you power. You need it.

In my case, by taking full responsibility, I get to understand what I do that makes me unwell. The emotional triggers, mental triggers, social triggers, and physical ones too.

Now I see the full board.

When I blamed everyone, I ignored the details that mattered. I let my pain get worse and uncontrollable. I spent time with people who made me sick. I said and did things that made me sick. I had awful thoughts about myself and others that made me sick.

Not anymore.

I made it all up.

Now I don't.

I stilll have pain. BUt I'm in control to make them better. Makes all the difference when you're having a tough moment.

The docs and nurses and meds don't make me better. I make myself better and I recruit people and things to help me get the results I want.

No more dependency

My latest test is to improve my veins. Specifically I want easy labs and IVs.

Right now my veins are decent because I heal them from scarring. Takes about six-weeks to take a newly scarred vein back to usability. I shared that remedy here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sicklecell/comments/1l35prf/whats_working_for_me_right_now_lavender_oil/

That's Great, but recovery is only one part of a three-part task.

Parts 2 and 3 are:

2- Being vascular enough to have bigger veins that are smoother to reach, draw, and/or give fluids.

3- How long a vein can be tapped without being lost to infiltration so I don't need multiple IVs over a single admission.

We've had this conversation before. I noticed many people were doing push ups and bicep curls, which doesn't target forearms. So they weren't' getting the results they wanted.

Now we get to correct that and get smooth wins.

So here's my plan.

Starting today I'm training my forearms. It'll give me many advantages...

One. Bigger arms aesthetically. Great for my ego and my overall weight goals.

Two. Bigger arms mean more blood flow and stronger bigger veins.

Three. Helps with old veins scars too.

Four. Stronger grip strength.

Five. Easier to handle more girls on my arms.

These are the things important to me.

I'll be following Michael Eckert as my main instructor on this. Though training forearms is thousands of years old and there's only a handful of exercises that I need to do for my goals. I dig Eckert is all.

I'll do three exercises for each part of the major forearm muscles. Then I switch the direction of each to get their opposite muscle movement.

I know my right side is weaker overall. I'll start with this side til failure on all movements. Then I'll match those reps with my left side. That way my right side gets stronger. When it matches my left, I'll move forward at the same intensity.

Besides that I'll only exercise when my arms are rested and can handle my routine.

So the biggest part of all this is nutrition and rest.

I need to eat 4000 calories a day to feed the growth, and I need about 8 hours of rest at night for the muscles and tissue to grow.

This is all theory that I've seen get positive results for others. Now I'm testing it on myself and sharing my work.

I'll be DOing this on top of my daily hindu squats, push ups, and miles of walking. Not to mention the adventures I have through life too. We'll see how it goes.

I'll share my progress as I grow.

Stay tuned for more.

Episode 58

Wednesdays I share remedies to help reduce pain, decrease hospital visits, and improve quality of life. Techniques I test, practice, and recommend based on how powerful the results are for so little effort.

Last week’s topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sicklecell/comments/1uwgq0p/comment/oxm3qay/

It's on everyone's mind. The Oxybryta case, and the BIGGER DEAL, how much one can stand to make from it.

Many of you have asked me the same set of questions. They basically boil down to the same two things:

What will I do with the money?
What do I think we should DO with the money?

I think it's a Great question because you and every one here is responsible. Yes we'd love to ball and have fun, but this is life-changing money.

Meaning the choices we make are going to change our circumstances for better or wrose.

Why not make sure it's for the best?

So let's talk about it in two parts.

Part One - What I DO when I'm paid a large sum of unexpected money at once:

My mindset is to always have a plan for my life.

I know what I'm going to do, when, where, and how. It's solid and how I manage my health so SC doesn't define me. I get to be who and how I want to be. Integrity intact.

So before the case existed I had a plan of things I was saving and investing towards.

This means two things. No matter what they're going to happen. If money "falls" into my lap, I'm still going to do those exact things. I'm not going to change or UPgrade them.

If I get a settlement, I'm going to continue on my track, all that will change is I get to do it all faster maybe.

The following is not financial advice. I'm aggressive and these are things that suit MY personality. If you're not the same, this will WRECK you.

First, the mindset is that this money is for getting to the level of having $100K liquid that I can use to earn millions more that will take care of me and my family. So it's not spending money, splurging money, or even "my money". It's a blessing that helps me pay it forward.

Second, I'll put all the earnings into a trust or business. This way it's not in my name, but I have access to it though it's hard to get. People like to rob and sure to get your funds. i won't make it easy for them. This also works well for those of you who receive social benefits. You won't be taxed or denied benefits. Also helps so you don't spend it impulsively.

Third, I'll keep the funds as crypto, specifically BTC and ETH. So it earns over time and isn't taxed by inflation. I already do this so it's more of the same.

Third, I'll continue with my current plans. For example, I'm retiring my dad this year to a house somewhere. Likewise I'll move to a new apartment, get a new car, and invest in my network. My current income is going to pay for those things. In that order, no upgrades because I "have more money" (more on this later).

Fourth, I'm going to continue on my current path, which you already know. Invest my time, money, and best energy to improving my health so I'm stronger than I was yesterday and SC no longer limits me. That way I can enjoy more of my full life.

That's it. Rinse and Repeat. We're all going to earn more money so I use this approach now, and tomorrow if someone gives me an extra $40K, I'll still do it as planned.

Now the flipside.

What you get to do with your money:

Here's the harsh truth. About 80% of people will waste their settlement.

They may end up being worth less than they were before they received the payment.

The best mindset I can see here is to only do things you can afford to do without it. For instance, don't buy a Benz if you can't afford to keep it on your current salary.

Or a Great rule of thumb: i don't buy things you can't replace 100% if it were stolen or damaged.

That's that for me.

The following tips are for you to consider. NONE of it is advice or what you oughta DO. It's me sharing what I've learned from being homeless to living the jet set life, and the back and forth in-between.

More of a conversation starter so y ou can ask more questions and get a better sense of what works best for YOU.

All based on you growing stronger in spite of the settlement. Because the money isn't a saviour. How you think about and use it, IS.

Let's begin:

1— Protect it like you would if someone gave you any other type of advantage. I recommend an account that's tougher to access so you don't incidentally spend it fast. Little purchases left and right add up quick and it's gone. Consider a trust, joint account, or business. If you're more aggressive and don't care if you lost it all you can use crypto.

2— Right now make a list of all the things you're going to do regardless of the settlement. You probably already know, but never wrote it down. Now's your chance to make it real, and be specific.

So it's not, "get a new car". It's, I'm buying a reliable, clean car under $10K from a private seller". It's not, "go to Puerto Rico"; it's I'm going to spend 5 days in PR and it'll be about $2K".

This makes sure you're honest and accountable. Makes it harder to be persuaded to spend more than you can handle.

3— Invest in your basic needs so you don't have to stress over them. I like to pay my rent in advanced for example. The less I think about my rent and utilities, the more I get to focus on my health, relationships, and making more money.

Consider paying the rest of your lease for the year in cash. When you offer to pay bills all at once you get to negotiate the final price too. Now you're making power plays instead of being treated like a pauper.

4— Sell or get rid of people/things that don't serve you. There's a lot of things you have that you don't use or need. If anything they stress you out to keep them. So get rid of them. Donate, sell, or trash em all.

When you hold onto them, you'll put more money into them by default. That's money you'll regret spending. Regret is probably the worst thing. You'll hate yourself for those choices in a way that'll make you feel more miserable even though you have some breathing room from the settlement.

It'll be hard, but the instant relief is worth billions

These next two are opposite choices. They contradict. Choose which suits you best. Or do both in different times of your life.

5— Spend NONE of it. Absolutely nothing. Life your life as if nothing's changed. Because guess what... NOTHING has changed.

You're still the same person. Same goals, dreams, fears, and biases. Having money doesn't change you.

So if you're stressed by the sudden windfall and what to DO with it. DO nothing and you'll get instant relief since there's no pressure for you to DO anything anymore.

6— Spend ALL of it.

Having money is as stressful as not having enough of it.

Getting rid of it all means you're no longer stressed.

Then it forces you to focus on how much power and control you already had to make that type of money on your own effort, without a settlement.

Having the payout can be like an albatross round your neck. Remove it and breath easier. Forucs on what matters to you, which was never money. Only the people and things you enjoy doing matter.

Automatic reset back to normal for you.

7— Commit to yourself.

Let's say you get $40K. Invest all of it into improving your health so you get measurably stronger. Cure your SC as it were.

This is what I did when I was homeless and had no money. I didn't have cash, but I knew having SC didn't have to be horrible so I made sure my choices were about improving my strength, stamina and reducing my pain. Then when I had better health, I made more money, and I doubled down on my pursuit of solid health.

That's how I learned all the SC tips I share with you weekly.

Whatever your fitness level is now. Imagine a full year committed to Growing Stronger every day. Need a book on raising your hemoglobin, buy it. Need to speak with a specialist across the globe, book the appointment and plan tickets. Need to eat a certain way, buy the foods you need.

Spend every dollar towards being healthier so you never have to be a lab rat for a medical company ever again.

There's so much I can add in terms of tips.

Bottomline, money is a tool. Your tool to do what you want to get you where you want to be.

There's no wrong answer here.

Final note that I say every week in some way or another.

You are smart, strong, and powerful. SC doesn't define you. You get to decide who you are, how you want to feel, and design the life that gives it to you.

This is true when you owe $5K in debt or are worth 5 Million.

As long as you know that to be true, you're going to do amazing things that you thought weren't possible.

There's no rules about how life is supposed to be for SC. Only your choices about what you'll do in your life regardless of the diagnosis

That's that. Let's talk about the good, bad, and ugly here in the comments. There's so much I didn't cover so we'll sort those details in conversation.

TAKE CHARGE👊💯

Episode 57

Wednesdays I share remedies to help reduce pain, decrease hospital visits, and improve quality of life. Techniques I test, practice, and recommend based on how powerful the results are for so little effort.

Last week’s topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sicklecell/comments/1uvgtdt/whats_working_for_me_now_be_tough/

Dig this, the single most effective technique for total hydration that beats what "ex-spurts" recommend.

You're familiar with saline solutions. Various combinations of electrolytes inside water fed through an IV.

Thing is it's not effective.

They only feed a liter an hour max. But it takes two liters to correct dehydration, and it could take up to four hours.

Likewise the amounts of electrolytes aren't enough to help you retain the water they give you.

So you get more trips to the restroom, without the full benefits of total hydration. Unless you compensate over days.

That's a lot of time to do a simple task.

Rather than rely on out of touch medical support.

I hydrate with the proven alternatives that I shared here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sicklecell/comments/1lk73i1/whats_working_for_me_now_no_h2o/

Today we cover sea and rock salt, the ultimate source of electrolytes for complete hydration.

Let's use the example of ssaline solution, which is salt water. Better put sodium in water. About 3500 mg of sodium in a full liter bag.

That's a lot of sodium and seems to take care of the problem. Thing is, your body doesn't absorb it all, which is why you tend to bloat.

Your body only needs tiny bits of electrolytes in an exact ratio, every 15-minutes, when you're dehydrated.

That exact ration is found in sea and rock salt across the globe. So you necessary upload of sodium, plus the other electrolytes that remedy dehydration that tend to go ignored by docs and private brands too.

So the solution becomes, nature. A pinch of true salt, NOT table salt which is only sodium.

But true salt from the sea or rock deposits and contains the full catalogue of electrolytes:

• Sodium
• Potassium
• Chloride.
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Phosphate
• Bicarbonate
• Plus a few more

These are the elements that keep you alive. Without them your body shuts down slowly. Unless you correct the imbalance.

This is what's mean by malnutrition causing your pain, discomfort, and dis-ease.

Saline only address one part of the collection. It's like having four flat tires on a car and only putting air in one. It's not going to make a BIG DIFFERENCE.

I reckon this is why we spend days or weeks in the hospital and not only a few hours or one day.

Problem solving and all treatments are (w)holistic. Meaning you have to cover all bases if you want a positive, longterm, happy ending.

Sea and rock salt has it all, plus more minerals to help you boost your fitness level.

Here's how you use it.

Take a pinch of sea/rock salt with a measured cup of spring water every 15 minutes.

That's nature's Gatorade.

Do this until your hydration is optimal. Takes about an hour per percentage point of dehydration that you have. Won't take more than 4 hours though.

Use your urine color as an indication for when you're de- or hydrated. Dark means you need some electrolytes.

However, if your body is in a chronic condition, as soon as you are full hydrated, your body will carry out all the tasks it shut off earlier. At that moment, you'll feel yourself get a bit dehydrated again.

That's when your restart the process.

Knowing this means you can stay out of the hospital.

Also means when you visit the ED or are admitted, you can get out sooner by supplementing what they give you.

Get a cup, which is 8 ounces, and have some sea/rock salt handy. Set a 15-minute timer, and you're good to go.

Pop the salt in your mouth or mix it into the cup or measure it into a pitcher.

As long as you do this, you'll find yourself unbothered by the summer hear or winter cold, or general stressors like people and places.

Nine times out of ten all that discomfort is from chronic dehydration. So you'll drop a lot of diagnosis labels when you do this too since you're attacking the root cause of most human misery.

Get after it and of course...

TAKE CHARGE👊💯

Episode 56

Wednesdays I share remedies to help reduce pain, decrease hospital visits, and improve quality of life. Techniques I test, practice, and recommend based on how powerful the results are for so little effort.

Last week’s topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sicklecell/comments/1uhkhb0/whats_working_for_me_keep_your_iv/

When you're in a tough situation, you need extra support. Thing is it's not automatic. Sucks to say, but we gotta earn it. Courtesy and decency aren't freely given.

Everything's a stage and we play our role to get the help and respect we need.

When it applies to being in the ED, at a medical appointment, or while admitted that means you talk like the "pros" in the room. Speaking their language goes a long way.

I've talked about that before: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sicklecell/comments/1qj041z/whats_working_for_me_now_smarter_than_the_dog/

However, there's another aspect to "speaking the language". It's your demeanor that gets attention, respect, and positive results.

By talking in the language everyone shares due to evolutionary biology**— Toughness**.

When you want to be seen and heard, being perceived as tough gets you what you want.

In the workplace it leads to promotions and raises.

Among friends it leads to them supporting your causes.

By yourself, it leads to assured confidence, and higher self-respect, and self-esteem.

So what does it take?

The following is a list. Do them all or find the ones that suit you.

All that matters is that you act and talk tough. You don't need to change your lifestyle or personality. Only play the role with the staff when a situation needs to go in your favor. (Which is always)

Here's what Tough People DO... They:

• Don't Lose Control - They're calm, cool, collected under pressure. Talk logically and relaxed as if there's no problem. Same way they would talk if you were describing the weather. Once you "lose it" they legally get to make decisions for you because you're "not in the right mind".

• Don't Whine - No one respects a whiner. The moment you do, they drown you out in their heads. Nod without listening. Then do what they want to you because, "they know better".

• Don't Discus Personal Affairs - You're in a professional context so it's best not to get friendly at least not over YOUR personal life. Talk about THEIR life all you want though which earns you more points, especially if you remember the details and bring them up when you see them.

• Don't Quit - Persevere. You've already done so your whole life. Talk as if you're going to be cured tomorrow and you'll get to do all the things you want to do in life. This is powerful for many reasons.

• Don't Fall For Flattery - People fake niceness to get over on you. There's no need for it in a medical situation. Of course you're smart, stronger, beautiful, impressive, etc. All that's a given so bringing it up is as silly as talking about how you brush your teeth with them. Useless.

• Fight Back - When someone does something to harm you, Be clear and call them out for their unprofessional approach to their prestigious title. Let them know that this is your life and things go according to your terms.

• Don't Have Psychological Problems - If you have a diagnosis, it's OK. However, they hold it against you. You say something and they write it off as, "She's X or Y diagnosis so it doesn't matter.". Shame it happens, so be sure to not bring those concerns up and instead focus on the case at hand.

• Don't Have Cute Names - When you have a cute name, they treat you like a cute kid. Go by Thomas not Tommy. Robert, not Bobby. Rebecca not Becky. Present the strong version of your name so they mentally see you as that instead of a kid.

• Don't Flirt - We don't flirt in professional settings. Shows you're not serious and lack control. Now they'res a poor opinion of you in the air, which affects your level of care. Save it for social situations or better yet let women/men chase you. A great way to know they're serious about you.

• Don't Laugh Much - Don't giggle or put on a clown show. No need to tell jokes. They may happen. Simply smirk or reply, "That's funny.".

• Don't Yell - People gets this wrong. Insecure people yell to act tough. As soon as you yell we relax because we know you're harmless. All bark and no bite. Tough people speak calmly. At best they repeat themselves until everyone complies. Everything is about principle not random feelings.

• Never Appear To Be Weak - You are not weak. You are strong, smart, and powerful. You happen to be going through challenges, no different than anyone else. That's the posture ya gotta have. The moment you show you're weak at your core, the they make decisions for you. When they need to be following your lead. If you practice the above you won't be seen as weak. That said don't make it easy for them to label you as such.

That's that.

Being tougher means you handle situations and people with maturity. Helps out in a lot of ways I mentioned and others you'll have fun discovering yourself.

It's not easy though it is simple. Practice at work, with friends, or yourself in the mirror. Get comfortable expressing these traits, and be comfortable when people do them with or to you.

As it relates to medical staff, I find it helps things move along smoother. Been doing this since I was 3. At this point in my life I can articulate it this way. Medical staff follow my lead, trust my insights, listen more, and dare I say, act more compassionately.

It's awesome.

When I do the opposite that's when I get stuck in hallway somewhere ignored for hours.

So I know my preferred choice.

TAKE CHARGE👊💯

Episode 55

Wednesdays I share remedies to help reduce pain, decrease hospital visits, and improve quality of life. Techniques I test, practice, and recommend based on how powerful the results are for so little effort.

Last week’s topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sicklecell/comments/1u8tj7o/whats_working_for_me_now_pov_youre_healed/

IVs can be hard to come by for us.

So I find ways to keep them going as long as I can.

Something that's worked for me this decade is keeping them when I go home. Then returning with a line ready to go.

Here's how it usually goes.

I have an appointment with my Infusion team for hydration and pain management.

When our session wraps, I keep the IV. Top it with a green top. Wrap it so it's less conspicuous.

A solid IV will last about 30 days.

To me the idea of getting one then taking it out hours later means I'm overusing the vein and wasting a good line.

So I go home with them.

If pain escalates, I go tot he ED and skip the fumble session of them finding a line for me while I'm uncomfortable.

If I'm admitted, and anticipate there's more to crisis to come, I discharge with the IV too.

That's the principle here. Make the most of what you have so you have smoother sessions going forward. That way you can focus on what matters in the moment without stressing the basics like getting a line.

Lots of details go into this of course.

You need to get the support of your medical team to cosign this. That takes a conversation.

Then coordinating what what one physician says across other departments and teams.

Everyone is not aware of my plan. I let them know what I'm DOing and why. Then give them a contact to reach to confirm.

Nine times out of ten, it's OK. Other times they say NO because it goes against typical protocols.

However, I think it's worth the process to confirm. If it's YES, things go smoothly. If it's a NO, things still go smoothly for next time.

It's the Catch-22, either you win or you win.

Though it does take having a plan, knowing what to say, and making it easy for people to say YES to you.

My favorite part is how this opens the doors to other things we may want, but hesitate to ask.

Nothing is an automatic NO. Everything's only a conversation away for our relief.

TAKE CHARGE👊💯

Episode 54

Wednesdays I share remedies to help reduce pain, decrease hospital visits, and improve quality of life. Techniques I test, practice, and recommend based on how powerful the results are for so little effort.

Last week’s topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sicklecell/comments/1u5yahm/whats_working_for_me_now_easy_exercise/

Dig this:

Solving a problem sometimes works best when you start at the end and work backwards.

It's easier to plan predictable success this way.

Think GPS. It starts at the end and draws a way for you to go based on where you are now.

Knowing where you want to go, makes it easier.

What I do is think of where I want to be. Use a date way in the future. At least 90 days. Though I think 1 year is a Great benchmark since you can envision an ideal You with that much time.

Start with the physical:

• What type of clothes and accessories will you wear?
• How will they fit?
• What do you want your body to look like?
• How will you feel inside your body?
• What can your future self physically DPO
• What can Future-You DO that current you doesn't yet?

Next consider your hobbies (things you do purely for fun):

• What are your favorite things to do?
• How much time do you want to DO them each week/month?

Think of your family too:

• Who are the top five people you see the most?
• Who is in your chosen family?
• How much time is spent with them?
• Where do you live in relation to them?

Beyond family we have community:

• Who are the top 150 you see on a regular basis?
• What values and standards DO you all practice?
• What are the happy differences you have with them?
• Where do you live?
• Where do they live?
• What projects DO you work on with them?
• What fun things DO you DO with each other?

Next is dating (applies to both single and committed people):

• What's your dating life like each month?
• What're your dates like?
• Who is on the ate with you?
• What're the dates like for the other person(s)?

After that we step into currency:

• In what ways DO you make your money?
• What other currency do you have (family, respect, joy, love, influence, power, attention, etc.)?
• How much DO you earn monthly?
• What do you DO with yuor funds each month?
• How DO yuo use yuor other currencies to get what you want?

Finally the spiritual component:

• How DO you celebrate your self and maker?
• How DO you use your resources to help others?
• Who are the people who get your help?
• How do you want to feel about yourself?
• How do you want to feel about your world?
• How do you want to feel about other people?

That's it.

Seven life areas to assess yourself. Some will be more important than others. You don't have to have an answer for each.

Focus on your priority areas. Give it your full attention and make the necessary changes.

By thinking of the future you get to plan the steps ahead.

It makes all the difference, and you have a better sense of how to ask for help as you get there.

TAKE CHARGE👊💯

Episode 53

Wednesdays I share remedies to help reduce pain, decrease hospital visits, and improve quality of life. Techniques I test, practice, and recommend based on how powerful the results are for so little effort.

Last week’s topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sicklecell/comments/1u2c334/whats_working_for_me_now_er/

The stronger you are the smoother it is to live with SC.

Thing is, we have a bit of learning curve to figure out how to best get fit without getting sick.

Most shy away from this topic and count themselves out. While many of us go for it with heavy ifting or high-intensity sports.

Though it can lead to crisis'. So I practice things that are less likely to rob me of my energy or send me to the ER.

Thankfully, we have a ho lotta options.

I'm going to share one exercise that ticks all the boxes of optimal fitness and won't fatigue you much. Plus the two methods to use it based on your present capability.

The Hindu squat.

Squats in general are a huge bang for you buck. A squat upgrades your strength, flexibility, power, stamina, flexibility, endurance, blood flow, respiratory system and more.

Hindu squats do all the above more effectively, which is why people have been doing them for thousands of years.

You'll want to look up what these are and how to do them properly. They look and feel like rowing a boat, but without the intensity of doing that.

If you can do one, you're stronger than you give yourself credit.

If you can do more than 5, you're above average in fitness. For a reference point, most body builders can't do this.

If you can do 25 in a set, then you're elite.

Don't count yourself out since this reveals true fitness. This is separates people who look strong from the people who actually are strong.

Even with SC you have powerful abilities, but you don't know it. That's why I like doing this to prove to myself an d the world that I'm stronger than my diagnosis says.

Now here's how it works. You have two options (and can do both):

Hindu squats in a set:

Start by doing as many as you can in a row. Do as many as you can before you get tired or until you hit 25 reps. That's it.

Every day do the same thing. When you can hit 25, do that one set daily. When you feel up for it, add another set.

Rinse & Repeat.

Hindu squats as a hold:

Get in to the squat position. Then hold it for as long as you can. Could be 5 seconds or longer.

5-minutes means you're stronger than most.

Same as doing sets. Do as long as you can per day.

When you're strong enough to do 5, make that your standard. I also recommend adding one-minute a week to your time for more strength gains as you grow.

Rinse & repeat.

No matter which you do, here's what will happen:

1. Increased blood flow so your cardio health improves your organs, glands, hormone production, and nervous system functions
2. Regulates your hormones and glands so they produce the right amount you need to sleep, digest, and manage your emotions
3. Improve muscle quality
4. More muscles so you get the tone and size you want
5. Cuts fat so your body is more likely to only keep your good fats and eliminate the rest
6. Reduce brain fog so you can focus
7. Boost your confidence so you assured that your life is going to improve
8. Relax your body so you're calmer
9. Reduces your anxiety so you're naturally relaxed

And so much more.

It's nature's gift to you. Within 3 days you'll notice results. After a week or so people'll notice too.

When you can't do much do the little that counts the most— squats.

Hindu are advanced. Simple to learn and worth the extra technique since you get more than only muscle gains with them.

Doesn't take much to get in shape and stay ready with this routine.

Add walking daily to this and you win more.

After 12 weeks of consistency, you'll find yourself able to do more calisthenics without fear of crisis. You'll be fit enough to go to the gym and work with machines and heavy weights.

You decide your path and pace.

Which is more than you get to do when you're inactive.

TAKE CHARGE👊💯

Episode 52

Wednesdays I share remedies to help reduce pain, decrease hospital visits, and improve quality of life. Techniques I test, practice, and recommend based on how powerful the results are for so little effort.

Last week’s topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sicklecell/comments/1tqibyy/whats_working_for_me_now_tailor_pyf/

Last year this series started and there's been a lot of good insights shared in comments and DMs. Thank you for making this something productive.

In that continued tradition. Something that helps me is working with accepting how I feel about SC and life in general.

Not a popular topic, but I find it's essential to the healing process.

We deal with stress hourly, daily. So being able to accept it, get through it, and resolve it, reduces SC symptoms.

Here's how I go through it in real time at any moment I get an emotional signal.

The most common emotions and why the pop up in us:

APATHY - You’ve been ignoring something.

GRIEF - Recognize what you can and cannot control.

FEAR - Address the real, present danger.

LUST - Wanting things you haven't earned.

ANGER - Something is wrong and needs fixing.

PRIDE - Be proud without thinking you're better than others.

COURAGE - Bravely answer the call to action.

ACCEPTANCE - Embrace the joys of the world.

PEACE - Be alive in this moment.

The following steps take practice, but you can become adept in a few days. The rest of the time you'll continue the practice and get through tough moments faster. Think of resolving issues in minutes not days, weeks, or years of unresolved trauma.

Step One - Get familiar with what each emotion is and how they feel. Diagnosis is the key to smooth relief. Sometimes Fear looks like Anger. Sometimes Grief comes off as Apathy.

We'll picture Anger for our example. Anger signals a problem needs to be fixed.

Step Two—  Once you know your emotion, it's time to slow down your thoughts to figure out exactly what's inspired it. The current situation isn't the issue, it's reminding you of what's deeper than the surface. Shows us our past to help us make sense of how to improve in the present.

Maybe we're angry because we want to make more money, have better relationships, or not be chronically ill.

Step Three— You got the emotion and the though that inspires it. Now we can take the time to accept it. Meaning se it for what it is without masking or hiding from how it feels. Dropping your judgment fr feeling guilty about your feelings no matter how unpopular they are is key.

It's OK to be angry about SC since it's something we're all working on fixing in our lives. How to live the life we want without being limited by it.

Step Four— Do the assignment your emotion and thought gives you. This usually involves asking for help. If you know what to do and how to do it, go for it. If not, this community is a true and responsible resource. The aim is to find someone who's made it to the other side.

Imagine you're angry and figuring out how to improve yuor life with sickle Cell. Then you get to find SC folks who are at least one step ahead of you in understanding what to do.

That's That in broad strokes.

Working with a therapist or coach to get more out of this exercise will take you to new levels. That's when you can do this in 25-minutes or less.

No more unresolved issues.
No more overwhelming shame and guilt about what you think and feel.
No more punishing the good people in your life

You'll still feel things, but you won't be stuck in moments or adding tougher situations to your plate.

Likewise, emotions aren't bad or ugly or difficult. This helps you realize how neutral they are so you can better respect and accept them.

So this has helped me in tremendous ways, especially this decade.

Basic psychological techniques you can use to help you when you're in a moment without support. Works even better when you do have support on hand.

Thank you for wrapping the first year with me.

Here's to 52 more techniques to improve your life with SC.

TAKE CHARGE👊💯

Episode 51

Wednesdays I share remedies to help reduce pain, decrease hospital visits, and improve quality of life. Techniques I test, practice, and recommend based on how powerful the results are for so little effort.

Last week’s topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sicklecell/comments/1tnof2z/whats_working_for_me_now_you_are_what_you_eat/

You and your life are one of kind. It's why people encourage you to think for yourself. That way you rely on facts, and not strangers who can't relate to for advice on how to live your life.

Best to be social, though not to compete with others or expect what they DO to be a benchmark for what you need and want.

I say do things tailored for you. So your decisions are fulfilling and naturally inspire and motivate you from the inside.

That's true power you can summon on demand.

What does this look like in action.

It means knowing your past. In detail, with measurable notes on how things were.

Then planning to make changes that can be tracked weekly. So you feel the improvements, and can show that you're making real progress

This leads you to making moves that you know for a fact make your life better.

When people do this they feel more like themselves.

They value their own voices.

They become bolder, and fearless in a lot of ways.

Overall I have less pain, and when I do feel it, I move through it smoothly.

In specific SC cases, it helps us nurture our needs, set boundaries, and command respect.

It's hard, and basically impossible, to DO any of that when you copy what other people DO.

Deep down your subconscious knows it's not fit for you. It feels betrayed and your health reflects the physical damage from it.

So be YOU and only You.

The alternative is disrespectful to the people counting on you. Disrespectful to you too.

That's a quick way to get yourself a crisis— pretending to be someone you're not. Stresses you in a similar way to running a marathon.

You ever feel exhausted for DOing nothing?

Yup. That's an example of your body bieng worn out because of the mental tax you gave it by trying to be and do things that don't suit you.

Bottomline is to commit to the first milestone.

Create a Tailor fit life.

Putting yourself first— PYF.

This is how you overcome thinking you're not good enough. Folks feel incomplete so they begin to act like it.

Your cells sickle and are incomplete, but you don't have to live that way too

TAKE CHARGE👊💯

Episode 50

Wednesdays I share remedies to help reduce pain, decrease hospital visits, and improve quality of life. Techniques I test, practice, and recommend based on how powerful the results are for so little effort.

Last week’s topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sicklecell/comments/1tiwwpf/whats_working_for_you_now_social_network/

Missed this earlier this month due to scheduling hiccup. Let's remedy it.

One of the best ways to improve how you feel inside your body is to eat.

Consumption changes your mental and physical state.

It's not only food that has this effect what you see, hear, smell, and your overall experience. They either make you feel better or worse.

Consider medical staff that irritate you or your favorite song that gets you in a better mood.

Today we're talking about the food though.

When you're in pain, there's food that calms it down so you can breath through it smoothly.

When you're low energy, there's foods you eat to give you a boost. The best options don't make you crash either.

When your cells are sickling, there's foods to bring more oxygen to each cell so they flow smoothly.

When you're irritated or in a rotten mood, you got foods to take the edge off or even make you smile brighter than you'd expect.

Bottomline is plants and animals are our original "drugs". Tools that change your body's chemistry to get a desire result.

These days I sue heavy cream and coconut cream for pain relief. Comforts my sympathetic nervous system while I get the medical attention I need. Plenty of options for you, but that's what works for me right now.

When I need energy, I reach for my multivitamin powder or an Emergen-C packet. Plenty of alternatives too. Your fatigue isn't about being tired, it's about being malnourished. Feed your cells and you'll feel the power that they've been wanting to give you but couldn't.

Electrolytes double for addressing sickling. What suits me these days arugula, beets, leafy greens. Plus much more. Today I'm focused on things that anyone has in the cupboard or can get at their grocery store.

Oh and another tip for when you're feeling cold. Grab some vitamin D pills. I recommend having this on hand regularly.

Next time you come in from cold rain or a cold, breezy day. Down a few thousand IU and you'll warm up faster than you normally would.

These are the basics.

What foods do you eat to get your positive results? I want to hear your remedies.

TAKE CHARGE👊💯

Episode 49

Wednesdays I share remedies to help reduce pain, decrease hospital visits, and improve quality of life. Techniques I test, practice, and recommend based on how powerful the results are for so little effort.

Last week’s topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sicklecell/comments/1t5nl4t/whats_working_for_you_now_no_insurance/

Right now I'm working on the first stages of a support project for SC. SO when you're at the hospital you'll have someone to visit, advocate, or take care of your home and career.

Basically someone to make sure your hospital visits go the way you want without being mistreated or returning home with major to-do list.

Only started this week with one specific person locally.

But it reminded me of how important your network is with dealing with hospital admissions.

When your sick you may stop, but life doesn't. The world carries on as if you're still there.

Works goes on still. The events you're invited still happen. Your house still need cleaning. Your groceries need to be managed or they rot. Your finances need to be managed too.

The way I manage it all is with people.

Having s group of people to help you with what you want brought to hospital for you.

People to bring you better food that you like and will actually finish.

People who make you laugh or protect you from nasty medical staff.

Three people seems to be the magic number. Three to help you in all areas and sharing the workload. This means they aren't stressed and neither are you.

The more people you have, the more you can have done, the smoother the experience is and the faster the recovery goes too.

There's lot of ways to approach. With people you know. With people you hire. And other methods still.

The idea is to ask for help, and putting a plan together so everyone knows their role and responsibilities once contacted.

Life is tough.

Tougher when you go it solo.

So don't go it alone because you don't have to at all.

TAKE CHARGE👊💯