Mid-Year Check-In and a Check-Up
Getting healthy without dieting and setting myself up for success in Q3.
I feel sick. If life is moving this fast in my 30s what must people in their 90s feel like? This is a question I ponder on the regular. When Al and I first booked our big vacation for the year in February I kept thinking that I couldn’t wait for it to be here. Now, less than a month out, I can’t believe how quickly life is going by.
When I sat down to write this month’s newsletter I was brainstorming topics when I realized we were at the end of Q2 and officially going into the second half of 2024. I was shocked… and a little scared. Have I been living up to my potential in 2024? Am I going to hit my goals? Am I proud of myself? Read on to find out!
Getting better in 2024 part deux
As I’ve discussed a few times since the new year, a big goal of mine has been to feel better. Over the past year or so I have been struggling with what can only be described as hot girl stomach issues. Though I am honored to be in the company of so many hot women, the idea of living life in constant discomfort didn’t seem very hot to me. This desire to be hot in a new way led me to my goal of feeling better. Better meant happier and what is more hot than being happy?
I touch on some of the lifestyle changes I made in my quest to feel better in my March newsletter and all of those things still hold true. However, I still wasn’t feeling 100% great so I decided to take it up a notch in Q2 and see a specialist.
This may shock some of you but I’m kind of a crunchy gal. I love an herb, I try to fix myself with vitamins and minerals. I am not against western medicine but I truly believed I could heal myself with diet and supplements. Sometimes this approach worked. This time it did not.
I’ll spare you the nitty gritty details, but after a year of suffering I was sent to a specialist who let me know I needed surgery and a colonoscopy.
The colonoscopy was a safety measure to ensure I was not one of the rising number of young people suffering from colon cancer (thank goodness I was not). Two years ago after feeling a lump on my breast (aren’t bodies fun!) I was sent to a breast specialist who had me do genetic testing in order to see if I was a carrier for the BRCA2 gene mutation due to my Ashkenazi Jewish roots. Thankfully I came back negative for the BRCA2 gene mutation but they did discover a gene mutation that put me at higher risk for colon cancer. Side note: turns out I just have really lumpy boobs?
Anyway, long story short, I got the surgery and the colonoscopy and they were both a great success. The surgery (along with a very detailed aftercare protocol) has basically fixed my issues. The colonoscopy came back clean. The surgery helped me get back to feeling like myself again, something I wasn’t sure would ever happen and the peace I feel from knowing I don’t have colon cancer helps me sleep so much better at night.
The moral of the story? Sometimes your issues are not what they seem and only a specialist can help you. Surgery may seem scary but when you truly need it, the outcome is so worth it. Also I had Al take pictures of me at the hospital so now I can use them for clickbait and attention. There hasn’t been this much #winning since Charlie Sheen gave that interview.
A bonus tip: If you have ANY Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry make sure your doctor knows. Being part of this group puts you at higher risk for certain diseases which also means insurance will cover preventative screenings and tests.
One last thing: the anesthesiologist keeps TEXTING me a satisfaction survey. I fell asleep so do I give him a 5 out of 5?
2024 Goals Check-In
Now let’s revisit some of my 2024 goals to see how I have progressed.
Stop drinking hard liquor/cocktails - Sue me but I’ve had a few fun beverages since the summer started. I am sticking to wine and spritzes (no hard liquor still!) but after a recent trip to Napa I think I need to take a break from the vino. I’m still giving myself a gold star here.
Workout 3 times a week - I was doing really well here up until my surgery. After that I couldn’t lift heavy weights or raise my heartbeat for three weeks which was to difficult. When I wasn’t able to work out I realized just how much my body craved movement which was actually a really great feeling. Now that I am on the mend I am working out AT LEAST 3 times a week and trying to get 10k steps in daily. I love movement and it makes me so happy to no longer view working out as torture but rather as a tool for health.
Send out a newsletter each month of the year - I’ve been staying consistent and the consistency is paying off! I have had so many people reach out and say they not only read the newsletters but they also enjoy them. That means so much to me. I hope I can continue to do them for a long time to come.
Finish 40 books - So far I have finished twenty-three books this year. I have read some really amazing titles including Kasher in the Rye, My Dark Vanessa, The Fake, and Elizabeth Taylor: The Grit & Glamour of an Icon. I just downloaded Big Swiss on my Kindle and cannot wait to dig into it during my trip to Utah.
Things That Made Me Happy in June
Walking - Ok so last month I told you all about my new found love for running but I ha to put it on pause as I recovered from my surgery. This pause helped me remember how much I love simple walks through the neighborhood. Luckily for me, this summer in Austin hasn’t been too bad so I am able to take early evening walks while listening to a podcast or audiobook. It’s such an amazing reset and allows me to spy on all the remodels happening in our neighborhood.
Cappelletti Spritz - If you love and Aperol Spritz then let me put you on. This to me is the drink of the summer. Slightly sweeter and less bitter than Aperol, the Cappelletti Spritz is refreshing and fun. Not many places serve these so whenever I see it on the menu I get so excited. I prefer mine served with an olive. Trust me here, if you see it on a menu GET IT.
Weekend getaways with bae - Al and I travel a lot but a recent getaway to Napa felt so special. Getting wine drunk in a gorgeous place and eating the most amazing food with the one I love most was so fun and a memory I will cherish forever. Sometimes it’s nice to not have a ton to do and just take in the beautiful scenery around you. Though I am not sure I want to drink wine for the rest of the year I loved our weekend away.
June 2024 Empties
IGK Antisocial Dry Hair Mask - This is such a unique product. A leave in mask that you spray onto your dry hair in order to help fight damage. I would use it before bed and it would make my hair smell amazing. I also think I noticed a difference in how my ends looked with consistent use. I already bought a second bottle which I will be using.
Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil - My favorite oil cleanser that I think I have already raved about in a previous newsletter. I love to buy the travel size ones for when I go on trips. It’s pricey but definitely cleans my face without stripping it.
ZitSticka Pore Vac Acid-Rich Clay Mask - This stuff smells like sulfur which might be a deal breaker for some. If your skin is super dry I would say skip this but overall it is a nice and affordable clay mask. I wasn’t using it up fast enough so I sued it on my body. Not a must-buy but if you like a clay mask you should totally give this a go.
Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Mascara - I feel like this is a hot girl sleeper hit. 9 time out of 10 when I ask a friend what mascara she uses it’ll be this one. It’s an awesome mascara that provide volume and separation and the fact that it is a tubing mascara means that I won’t look like a raccoon when I take it off (though I do think raccoons are cute af). I am going to get this again but in brown.
Guru Nanda Coconut + Mint Pulling Oil - I remember reading about oil pulling an interview with Shailene Woodley (red flag) and decided to try it. I think it isn’t a bad idea if dental hygiene is a real concern for you but I honestly don’t have the time in the morning to swoosh oil in my mouth for 10 minutes. I tried it, I moved on. I’m crunchy but not THAT crunchy. Also I asked my dentist and she confirmed this does not replace flossing.
Dr. Idriss Major Fade Hyper Serum - This product is too good. A great daytime serum that helps even skin tone and brighten the complexion that comes in the most innovative packaging I have ever seen. The packaging ensures the freshness of the serum which in turn ensures better results. Will be repurchasing.
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil - I have a dry ass scalp so I decided to try out this oil. Some people claim that Rosemary oil helps with hair growth for thinning hair which I can’t confirm nor deny. The mint in this oil felt really nice and soothing on my scalp and the consistency of the oil did not leave me with an oily scalp after washing. Overall I think this is a nice scalp treatment pre-shower. Unsure if I will repurchase since I think there might be better oild out there for me to try.
Naturium The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Hydrating Body Wash - A really cool body oil/body wash hybrid that left my skin feeling super silky. I wish I liked the smell of it more but it didn’t linger post-shower.
NATURELAB. Tokyo Perfect Repair Shampoo - People really sleep on this brand. It is affordable, leaves my hair feeling clean and healthy, and smells absolutely amazing. I have praised their spray hair oil in a previous newsletter and loved this shampoo as well.
Thank you so much for reading this installment of the Gborysh Gazette. I’m so happy to have you here. If you like what you’re reading, please consider sharing this newsletter. (And if you have the time to like it or leave me a comment, that would mean a lot to me!)
P.S. I don’t have any affiliate links :)
I will be experimenting with the spritzes and report back!
No one has ever looked hotter in the hospital (and plz sign me up for 10 of those spritzes)