as i've shared in my previous posts, i've been paying more attention to nutrition and gut health lately
by cutting on processed food, caffeine, sugar (switched to honey and cut on sugary snacks), and gluten.
based on what i've learned, increasing gut health looks like incorporating more probiotics and prebiotics,
so i've been on the lookout for good supplements to support it.

i've started consuming glutamine supplement that promotes healthy gut lining,
as for probiotics, i found crane wellness and reached out to them to try their vitamin C probiotic
since i've been wanting to try those asian jelly supplements.

it tastes sweet, sour and citrusy that i thought the color would be orangey,
only realised it has no color when i took these photos
and i found out it's because they contain no added coloring.

these probiotic-C jellies contains 10 Billion Bifidobacterium Longum and 100mg of Vitamin C,
has no GMO, gluten and sugar free.

 

as for caffeine, i've been switching my daily coffee for something less strong- matcha,
and when i do have my coffee a few times a week, i opt for some decaf.

 

what i've noticed after a month of this routine:
- less bloated
- less stressed (that can be caused by processed food and sugars)
- eczema/ itchiness fading
- better sleep

i've been dealing with severe red bumps for over a year, and it started since i moved to the states.
i noticed my gut/digestion's been acting up, even though poor gut health has been
a recurring thing for me, some times are worse than the other, and this time was one of them.
new environment and lifestyle may be a contributor.
i have never been a fan of leaning into pills and medicine, so i was hoping for it to go away on it's own,
but i did take some herbal/ chinese meds once or twice.

eventually (after a looong period) the digestive problems started to calm down just to the usual bloating
(which in reality is not at all normal), but the severe bumps on my face haven't.
i was not aware of rosacea, eczema, or any other skin conditions, so i though it was just acne,
and treated it like i would to normal breakouts.

what also contributed to this is obviously my eating habits, i snack on sweets a lot.
i can cut back on meals, so that i can have extra room for my dessert (uh oh),
which is actually worse when it comes to nutrition and the extra calories
(since small treats can equal to as much calories as a normal meal!)

after about half a year, the bumps started to fade, but then in summer it came back,
i'd say worse than before. this is the time i realized what i'm dealing with isn't acne but
Papulopustular Rosacea which is often mistaken as normal breakouts.
the first time i got it, they were just small bumps like whiteheads,
so you can't really do anything to them, but this time around, the bumps are red on and off.

here's what face mapping would tell us about what is wrong inside:

● ears & temple - kidneys: dehydration, poor lymphatic circulation, too much processed food, stress.

● between eyebrows - liver & stomach: dehydration, alcohol, greasy food.

● forehead - bladder & intestines: digestion, small intestines, liver, bad sleep schedule, toxin build up, stress, sweat.

● left cheek - lungs & respiratory: allergies, stomach problems, too much sugar, stress, dirty pillow/ phone.

● chin - stomach, kidneys, reproductive: hormonal, gynecological, kidney imbalance, greasy foods, dehydration.

● under eyes - kidney, liver, & intestines: dehydration, lack of sleep, make-up/ rubbing eyes.

● nose - heart: blood pressure, poor diet, bloating, indigestion.

● lip area - hormones & intestines: hormonal, ovulation, menstrual cycle, constipation.

● jawline - hygiene & stomach: dirt, greasy food.

1. Support System
   I started to gain weight in high school but didn't realise until a friend pointed it out, but still pushed me to eat whatever. From there, i started seeing that people and voices around you are big roles for this journey (or any other). I then started to make wiser food decisions.
   Then 3 years ago, a friend in my squad's just really a gym freak and i started to try as well.
   That's how i ended up being a gym member. So, what i can say is, surround yourself with people who have the same goals, those who actually take action, not always only speaking and planning!
   
2. Baby Steps
   Since i'm already used to and loves moving, i didn't see going to the gym as a burden. But if you are just starting, don't force yourself to go everyday. Just pick what kind of excercise you like and stick with it. As for me, if my schedule is really tight i don't force myself to go 2-3 times a week, sometimes even only once!
   
3. Fashion
   This, seriously was my core motivation that time in high school that i've mentioned. I love cute clothes! but oh, it looks flattering if you're fitter.
   
4. Get Packing
   I prepare my gym clothes the night before, and really, i just stick to what i said to myself that i would do. Not going to let myself down by breaking my own promise, that's it.
   You can also try putting on your workout clothes even when you don't feel like excercising, that way you'd feel like it's such a waste and end up working-out in the end?! Only you can answer that.