Yes...it's true. I've been keeping a secret... but it's time to come clean.
The past 6 months or so, I have been feeling run down...Depressed even.
There! I said it...the "D" word! I didn't want to be depressed! I thought that if I worked out harder and more often, that I would kick it. I thought that if I got 7-8 hours of sleep a night, that I would kick it. I thought that if I tightened up my nutrition, I would kick it. Well...I worked out harder, and it made me more exhausted and fatigued than before! I slept 7 hours most nights, and could barely peel myself out of bed in the morning. I tightened up my nutrition, but my cravings got stronger! What? I've always been able to control my cravings and be strict with my diet! And then...I put on an extra 5 pounds in the last 6 months! What is happening to me? I lost interest in my job, had to force myself to work out, didn't want to go out anymore, couldn't bring myself to even look at my beloved planner! Being on the brink of 46 naturally made me question whether it's the "change of life". Nope...not yet!
A real fear set in. Thinking back...the last time I was severely run-down and fatigued, I found out (quite by accident) that I had Chronic Kidney Disease... and it was completely painless. I had absolutely no idea! I have kept it under control these last 5 years with diet and exercise. Was it back? Even that thought was depressing!
How could I be a Personal Trainer when I couldn't control my own weight? How could I...train for a Spartan Beast...or train for a Ragnar Relay...OMG... or train for a full marathon...when I could be overwhelmed making a cup of coffee?
I made a plan to get a new doctor. I'd been meaning to do that for a while, but now was the time. I liked her...she listened to everything I said with kindness and compassion. She was understanding when I said it must be my thyroid...and kindly said that she really suspects that there's nothing seriously wrong with me. She ordered a blood test and told me she was ordering a test for Vitamin D deficiency, as she thought that's what my problem is. Seriously?!!! Vitamin D? Whatever.
However, when the nurse called me back a few days later with my blood test results...I was shocked! Everything was normal...EXCEPT I was truly Vitamin D deficient!! I researched what exactly that meant...and here's what I found. Symptoms and Diseases associated with Vitamin D deficiency. Pretty much textbook...I had fatigue, general muscle pain and weakness (thought it was overtraining), muscle cramps (my calves...thought it was Achilles Tendinitis), weight gain (I was over-eating for energy because of the fatigue), restless sleep, poor concentration, headache (lots of headaches...thought it was dehydration), depression, etc.
I was told to take 2000 units/day of over-the-counter Vitamin D. I swear, within 36 hours I felt like a new person!! I'm so glad that I didn't just blurt out that I felt depressed...I didn't want to just be medicated and sent on my way. I am still in complete awe that a vitamin deficiency could make me feel like my world was ending. I am one week on Vitamin D and my energy and focus has returned...my appetite has diminished (that's when I realized I was eating to stay awake before) and I feel generally more efficient and clear-headed! The transformation has been unbelievable!
If any of this sounds like what you (or someone you know) is going through...I urge you to get a blood test done to see if Vitamin D deficiency is what the simple problem is! Don't just accept that you're depressed! Take control of your health and get regular checkups...be aware of your body. It's the only one you've got.
See you at the finish line!
