2015 sure flew by! One of my traditions is reflecting on five milestones each year. Sometimes with the hustle of life and being in fast forward mode I forget to absorb the experiences. For me, this is free therapy. It also gives you a personal insight into me. Yes, I'm actually a real person not just some food obsessed, fitness loving Instagram nerd. So today I'm sharing Five Things That Changed Me In 2015.
Suffering {Too} Many Injuries
When 2015 began, I was recovering from a tibia medial malleolus stress fracture of the right leg that was misdiagnosed by 3 orthopedics at the end of 2014. Six months later I suffered a grade 2 plantar fascia tear of the left foot. I found myself in the boot for the third time in two years when I was rear ended coming home from work. The accident resulted in a tibia plateau fracture of my right leg. I was on crutches for the right leg and in a boot on the left foot for 3 months. I was in bad shape and couldn't get around without a lot of help. The doctor offered a wheelchair, but it wasn't practical with a two story house.
I've now been off crutches since November. While I am stronger, walking is still difficult. There are days that my knee hurts so much. Those injuries left me physically and emotionally wrecked. They affected every aspect of my life. On the positive side, those injuries taught me to workout more effectively and efficiently. Now I get in and out of the gym a lot faster and with better results. If it weren't for those injuries, I never would have discovered my love of swimming. Now if I could just stay injury free forever.
Being Diagnosed With Food Allergies
Because of my bone density issues, doctors recommended I see an endocrinologist for testing which I did in early 2015. Long story short, the endocrinologist was of no help and passed me off to an OBGYN who didn't help either. Both told me what I already knew. I had amenorrhea, was iron deficient anemic, had no estrogen, had osteopenia but neither knew why. They diagnosed me with HA, gave me estrogen pills and sent me on my way. Deep down though, I knew something else was going on. I felt sick a lot, but not one symptom stuck out. I can only describe it as feeling tired, foggy, lethargic and hungry all the time. Despite a huge appetite, nothing I ate stuck with me and I kept gaining weight. It was like my body wasn't absorbing nutrients.
Ultimately, it was discovered by another doctor that I'm gluten sensitive and allergic to some dairy. It wrecked my gut health, shut down my reproductive hormones and caused my immune system to attack my thyroid (Hashimoto's disease). My body became malnourished and was robbing my bones of vital minerals to survive. It's likely I've had food sensitivities for 6 years, maybe longer. I suspect I'm sensitive to other foods and may need to follow a low FODMAP diet for awhile. Being diagnosed with a food allergies has given me a new appreciation for the value of nutrition and the damage it can do to your body. It also changed my view of traditional medicine. Health is not always black and white.
Becoming A Food Photographer
When I started this blog, I never thought I'd succumb to food photography. I loved experimenting in the kitchen, but never thought it would be possible for me to take a foodgawker worthy picture so I planned to write about weight loss and fitness, but that crashed and burned when I became injured two months after starting this blog. So I dabbled in recipe creation, bought a DSLR and by some miracle, taught myself how to use it last summer. In 2015, I had recipes featured in Fitness magazine, Health magazine, Cooking Light, Buzzfeed and Huffpost. Recently, I was going through old papers and found a list of goals I wrote for 2015. Do you know what was on there? Learn how to use my DSLR and that's exactly what I did! I still have a lot to learn, but I'm excited to see how much more I can improve my photography and styling in 2016.
Writing Two eBooks
Do you know what else was on that list? Writing a book! Apparently writing down your goals, makes you more likely to do them. This year I wrote not one, but two books! Ditch The Diet and Achieve Your New Healthy & Active Life have been published for a few weeks now and while writing two books was a grueling process, it taught me a lot about the creative process, setting personal boundaries (too many late nights) and the value of setting a marketing strategy. Lessons I will take with me as I begin my next project!
Leaving Corporate America
One of the hardest things about being sick and disabled is being abandoned by people around you. Your friends, co-workers, even your employer will turn their back on you. I can't go into details, but I can tell you I've left Corporate America to focus on improving my health, growing SF and some other pretty awesome next steps. Sometimes taking a step back after taking a step forward isn't horrible, it's more like a cha-cha. Equally scary and thrilling! 🙂
What changed you in 2015? What will you take with you into 2016? Do you cha-cha?
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Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
OMG you left your job.. we need to chat that's awesome!!! Sorry it had to be due to some crappy ass circumstances though 🙁 I'm so proud of you and can't wait to see where this next year takes you!
Jody - Fit at 58 says
You have overcome a lot of health obstacles!!! You are a survivor!!!!
Megan says
Thanks Jody! I deserve a vacation from my health.
Emily @ Sinful Nutrition says
Great post Megan! I've been going through some similar health issues as you right now. Did you go to a specialist in order to discover your food allergies? I'm not really sure where my next step should be since my primary docs can't give me any answers!
Megan says
Hi Emily! Honestly, I became so frustrated with traditional doctors that I gave up and saw a naturopath. She has helped me tremendously and actually has told me she's observed an increase in patients who, like me, are not getting the right care from traditional doctors. Working with her has been extremely helpful for me and I like that she looks at the entire picture of the body not just one specific area. To me, that is what is lacking in traditional medicine. Too many specialities and not enough GP's who proactively look at the whole body function. Anyway, I hope that is helpful for you!
Beth @ Sublimely Fit says
Your food photography (accidentally stared to type phood photography, haha) is amazing, Megan! It's clear you put a lot of work into it and you've worked very hard. Glad it's paying off and your work is getting the attention it deserves! I hope everything you learned about your body last year makes a huge difference this year and you're able to avoid those devastating injuries. At least you finally have some answers!
Megan says
Thank you Beth! It been a tough year. Your kind words mean a lot!
Anna says
I'm thinking about doing low fodmaps again myself! There's a great SCD/low fodmaps hybrid diet my nutritionist gave me that works really well. if you're interested, I'll send you the plan 🙂
Megan says
Oh yes, please send it to me Anna!
nicole@ life after heels says
Wow I am sorry, as a podiatrist, you really went through a lot . I want to get tested for food allergies too. I know I must have some sensitivities.
Megan says
So many doctors do not listen to their patients and they should especially with athletes like myself who know their bodies really well & know when something is wrong. I asked one of the podiatrists to do an MRI, but he said it was unnecessary. I begged him to help & he would not. It may only be my experience, but it seems the quality of health care has diminished quite a bit.
Erin @ Erin's Inside Job says
You had an awesome year! I want to get tested for food allergies at some point so I can have a better idea if the things I think affect me actually affect me. Props on your pictures being published. I'm just happy that I can edit mine on my iPhone so they look better!
Megan says
I thought for a long time that you were using a DSLR. You have a unique eye for angles & shapes Erin!
Blair says
You have definitely had quite the year, but I love how you're able to see the positive in some of your most difficult situations. Hang in there, lady! 2016 is going to be incredible!
Oh, and congrats on leaving Corporate America. I did the same this year and I haven't looked back. Here's to new adventures!
Megan says
Congrats Blair! It's certainly a leap of faith.
John says
I can't imagine leaving corporate America, but I have been thinking about it a lot lately. Sounds like you had a pretty incredible 2015, heres to an even better 2016!
Megan says
It was not something I planned to do. I hope you're right about 2016 John!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says
It sounds like you handled a rough year incredibly well! Congrats on the eBooks and your blog growth! I'm excited to see what you do in the new year 🙂
Megan says
Thanks Ellen!
rachel @ athleticavocado says
Wow it looks like you've gone through some major rough patches this year! At least you're becoming stronger through it all! Congrats on your photography and e books!
Megan says
The last two years have been really hard, but I also have so much to be thankful for.
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
You know that I am ridiculously proud of you for how you handled 2015. I am so beyond glad and fortunate to call you a friend. Last year was trouble, plain and simple. But you are now in a place to do and become anything that you want to be. It is beautiful, scary... and full of possibilities. And you know that I will be there always if you need me. MWAH
Megan says
We were meant to meet and do great things! I'm so very thankful for you. xoxo
Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner says
I had know I had infertility issues but by the end the year it was confirmed my husband and I couldn't have babies even with the help of modern medicine. It left me pretty devastated but I have to think positive. I have to believe God has a plan for me.
Megan says
Oh Daisy, I'm sorry to hear this. Life is so unfair sometimes. You will be in my thoughts friend. xoxo
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
So many things changed for me in 2015 as well - mainly blogging things and my kids growing and shifting into a new stage. Here's to a healthier and injury free next year!
Megan says
I'm so excited to watch you grow more this year!