Small Tweaks, Big Wins: Finding the Perfect Balance

I can definitely say things are a lot better this week, and the difference is huge. Last week's decisive adjustments to my medication have truly paid off:

• HRT Success: Increasing my dosage has zapped approximately 90% of the joint pain I was experiencing.

• Thyroid Relief: Adding in a couple of days of increased T4 has brought massive improvements in my overall fatigue. The best part? I'm finally not cold all day!

To tackle the last bits of lingering discomfort, I also started a new supplement called Joint Ease. After extensive research to find a formula that worked best for me, I settled on a Clinicians brand, and I’ve found it's taken away the remaining joint pain that the HRT wasn't quite managing.

Putting the Energy to Use: A Productive Weekend

This crucial burst of energy didn't go to waste. I got a huge amount done around the property this weekend, finally tackling some of those items from my mental to-do list.

Saturday Success

I managed to catch up on a few jobs inside before heading out to the chicken house to give it its much-needed spring clean. I try to deep clean it yearly to keep things hygienic and sanitary, supplementing that with "budget" cleans throughout the year.

With the water blaster already out, I still had energy, so I started cleaning the pavers and giving the house a good wash. I was hoping to get 80% of the pavers done but, unfortunately, ran out of petrol. Still, getting the water blaster out and making that much progress was a massive win for a Saturday!

Garden Progress & Setbacks

On Sunday morning, I got some of my new vegetable plants from Mitre 10 planted. This was a little tricky, though, as I somehow managed to tweak my back and now need to find time to see the chiropractor again.

I finally got my cucumbers in on Thursday morning! It was a team effort—I needed a spade to help me get off the ground—and it was only a budget clean of the weeds, which I’ll have to return to, but they are planted, and that's what counts.

Food, Fuel, and the Coconut Lesson

Diet-wise, I've been really good this week, focusing on breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dinner has usually only been scrambled eggs, but it's food, and I'm happy with fueling my body with something, rather than avoiding it entirely.

I also learned a very important lesson about my body: coconut now reacts with me. Since cutting that out of my breakfast, I no longer feel bloated and heavy, and I actually have an appetite at lunchtime! It's amazing how much difference removing one single food item can make. This is the definition of self-tuning—listening closely to those small, daily signals.

The Brazil Nut Lesson: Trusting Your Unique Gut

One of the most profound things I’ve learned in this journey is never to jump into something someone else is doing just because it works for them—it doesn’t mean it works for you.

When I first started trying to manage my health four years ago, I was so desperate to feel better and had all these recommendations thrown at me. One supplement I kept being told to take was selenium, which is crucial for thyroid health. What I didn’t know was that too much could also make you sick.

When I finally learned this, I had my selenium tested and found it was through the roof. All I was doing was eating two Brazil nuts daily, but it was far too much for my body. Now, if I can, I check my bloods first, or I do a lot of research to see if I truly need a supplement. If I try something new, I never add in extra stuff, just in case one makes me sick and I don't know which one it is.

It is certainly hard in this world full of information to get caught up in what we should or shouldn’t be doing, but in reality, we only need to be doing what works for us and our bodies.

Why I Write: Processing and Connection

One of the reasons I started this blog was not to try to say "do it my way," but to say, "Hey, you're not alone in your struggles. You're not crazy," even when that's how it’s played out. It's also helped me process my own struggles a bit more—like my own journal, but made public for everyone.

It’s certainly not something I ever thought I would do, as I’ve always been a private person, kept to myself, and struggled in silence. Sharing these ups and downs has been incredibly helpful.

Practical Tips for Self-Tuning and Managing the "Wellness Trap"

1. Isolate the Variable: When adjusting HRT or thyroid medication, do not introduce new supplements or foods simultaneously. If you have a setback, you won’t know which "small tweak" caused the problem.

2. Test, Don't Guess (The Selenium Rule): If taking a nutrient supplement (like selenium or Vitamin D), ask your doctor to test your blood levels first. Do not rely on general advice like "eat two Brazil nuts." Your unique absorption rate matters.

3. Use the 3-Day Removal Rule: If you suspect a food is causing fatigue, pain, or bloating (like the coconut), remove it completely for 72 hours, then reintroduce it. Your body's immediate reaction provides clearer data than guessing.

4. Accept the Budget Clean: When energy is finite, a "budget clean" of the chicken house or the garden (removing only the most aggressive weeds) is a victory. It preserves your energy for essential recovery.

Which "small tweak" has made the biggest difference in your health journey? Share your unique self-tuning lessons below!