"My faith gives me hope and strength." she truly believes. Primarily faith helps me with my condition."
Without faith I would have not made it this far. With lupus you also have depression." You do have mood swings. This can also be a side affect of medication.

Her current symptoms are lots of joint pain, trouble walking. Sometimes she is able to get around and sometimes not. She can get very fatigued. Joanna helps her spirtually, lovingly and emotionally.

I look for rest of my future as being bright because I came to realization that I must cope with my condition for rest of my life. I was in denial in beginning. Now I realize Lupus is a life long condition.

She tries her best to avoid rain and snow since dampness can worsen her condition. She also makes wholehearted attempts not to get to get too stressed out. Amy copes with her Lupus with a strong faith and equally with help and love from Joanna.

Disabled disability activist.

This worked because as a healthy "NMPer" I eat what I enjoy—things like cheeseburgers, chicken tacos, meatballs and chicken caesar salad in their more healthful non-meat/poultry forms, along with fish, eggs (egg whites or liquid substitutes), fat-free/low-fat dairy products, whole grains, vegetables and fruit. I applied same philosophy--experimenting until I found what I enjoyed—-to my exercise program, which currently includes walking, kick boxing, weight training and yoga.

My healthy lifestyle change was truly gradual--it did not happen overnight. And guess what, it doesn't end either. I am always looking for ways to improve with new food products and choices, new forms of activity, new ways to relax and appropriate supplementation. Healthy living should be an ongoing journey that is an enjoyable one at every stop along way. And this year is one that it can begin for you too! Take first step by making your "gradual lifestyle change" resolution. If you do, odds are very good that it will be one resolution you'll actually keep.

(c) Copyright 2001 By Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Author's By-line: "Have Your Cheeseburger And Keep Your Health Too!" by Melanie Jordan can be downloaded at following URL: http://www.infopost.com/ItemDescription.asp?navtyp=SRH&ItemI=80058