I’ve wondered for a while if I had some heart issues going on. Years ago when I was pregnant with the 13 year old, I was supposed to go in to see a cardiologist for some “fluttering” I had in my chest. I ended up canceling the appointment because I was put into the hospital for pre-term labor. Well, as you can see in my symptoms list below, chest pain became a regular occurrence in the last few years. It still happened from time to time after we switched to a vegan diet. I had plenty of the signs and symptoms of heart problems, but I just couldn’t bring myself to go to the doctor. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. The most disturbing was when I would exercise (especially running). I would have intense shortness of breath and often felt like someone was sitting on my chest. This really inhibited my running performance, something that had come so easily when I was younger.

Well, I don’t know if it’s that my heart has improved or what, but I went for a two mile run yesterday… after having not run in almost two weeks. This isn’t something I’ve been able to do for a very, very long time. Taking that much time off would generally have me starting over with run/walk intervals. It amazes me how quickly my heart rate and breathing return to normal after exercise now. I no longer have chest pains or shortness of breath or that heavy feeling in my chest. Another surprise is that I still have extra weight on me, and yet I feel better conditioned than when I weighed far less than this. Hopefully, whatever was up with my heart is getting better and those issues are behind me.

Are you looking to make some changes in 2013? Check out The Journey for more information.

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What I read: Deuteronomy 5-7

What I ate:

• Breakfast – Green Smoothie (6oz AJ, 6oz CW, 2 bananas, 2.5oz kale, 2.5oz spinach, 7oz strawberries)
  
• AM Snack – 1 banana, a couple of grapes
• Lunch – 8 oranges juiced
  
• Afternoon Snack – 1 banana, Two moms in the raw goji nut bar
  
• Dinner – Two moms in the raw goji nut bar + Apple Juice 

What I did: TKD class (1.5 hrs) + 2 mile run

Here are the notes I made regarding my symptoms throughout Day 72:

• slowed digestion (gas, abdominal pain, bloating)
  
• headaches
  
• puffy hands, feet, and face
  
• sinus congestion
  
• dry/itchy eyes, skin, and scalp
  
• acne
  
• aching muscles and muscle spasms
  
• foggy brain
• irritability
  
• mood swings
  
• blood sugar fluctuations
  
• fatigue – still having bouts of fatigue, but not as bad
  
• unable to sleep well
  
• unquenchable thirst
  
• cravings
  
• chest pain
• cold sores – last one 1/13/2013
  
• kidney stones – eliminated when we went vegan Oct 2011
• tooth pain
• sensitive teeth