Health Update: Sometimes You Just Have to Try Everything

Let’s be real—chronic inflammation, mystery flares, and feeling like a balloon version of yourself (shoutout to my Stay Puft Marshmallow Man era) is not it. Over the past couple of years, I’ve done everything in my power to support my body naturally. Strict anti-inflammatory diet? Check. Clean eating? Yep. Eliminating everything possible that could cause a flare? Done.

But even with all that effort, sometimes it’s just not enough.

I had a rough flare in November 2024 after what felt like a decent stretch of stability. Despite sticking to whole foods and doing all the right things, my body had other plans—and I was back to feeling swollen, achy, and exhausted. That’s when I had to face a tough truth: sometimes food and lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough, and if there’s more to try, even things like weight loss to reduce pressure on joints, organs, and overall inflammation, it’s worth considering.

A while back, I tried Metformin through Hers, hoping it could help support insulin resistance and inflammation. But honestly? It wrecked me. I couldn’t see straight, function, or keep anything down—and with no insurance support, the out-of-pocket cost made it even more frustrating. So I hit pause. Gave my body time. Tried to let food and gentle movement do the work for the next year.

But after that November flare, I knew I needed to pivot again.

Which brings us to today. I’m taking a new, more comprehensive approach. Here’s what’s changed:

Lean proteins are up – chicken, fish, plant-based proteins.

Fiber is a priority – tracking everything using myfooddata.com to monitor my inflammatory load and fiber intake.

Supplements are back – including a daily anti-inflammatory powder.

Movement is coming back – I’m converting the blue barn into a home workout space with a treadmill and a recumbent bike. No excuses now!

Zepbound is in – Today was my first injection! I’m working with a doctor through Ro.com, and thankfully, most of the cost is covered by our insurance. Even with the Lilly “Care Card” savings, it’s still a bit pricey, but overall the monthly cost is manageable—and honestly, it feels worth it to give this a real try.

What’s wild is that even before the injection, just making these small tweaks over the last few weeks—upping fiber, protein, and being more intentional—my face and hands have noticeably de-puffed. My body is responding.

I don’t believe there’s one answer to chronic health struggles. It’s usually a combination of things—trial, error, adjustment, patience, and starting again. So here I am, trying everything I can because my body deserves that. And honestly, so does my quality of life.

If you’re in the same boat—tired of trying, or scared to take the next step—just know that doing what’s best for your body doesn’t make you weak. It makes you resilient.

More updates soon on how Zepbound treats me, how the barn renovation goes, and what I learn next on this winding health journey.

Much love and many blessings,

Mrs. B

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