A life catch-up with Natalie-Amber

Hello my beautiful friends,

It’s that time again, where we get to catch up. I hope you had a lovely summer and are preparing for Christmas. A few of my friends have already put the tree up which personally for me is too early. December 1st onwards the decorations can go up and Christmas movies can begin. My favourite movie is The Grinch, it’s always one of the first films I watch in December to really get me into the Christmas spirit believe it or not!

Anyway, since the last time we spoke a lot has happened. I have finally started my ‘Show Girl’ work out classes which are going amazing. I was so anxious, and it took me far longer than it should have done for of began, but my anxiety just consumed my entire brain and I felt unconfident. However, the feedback has been amazing, and I really look forward to teaching each week. We all have so much fun and because it is dance fitness, you do not need to be a dancer to take part, oh yeah, we sing along too! I play songs we all know and love, so it feels like a party. I just want to help women feel sexy, sassy, and empowered and running my classes is exactly what I am achieving and reminding them that fitness can be fun at the same time.

The last time we spoke I was finishing my course of steroids following a flare up. The water retention weight is now slowly coming off. I know with steroid weight it can take a long time. I won’t lie it did get to me a bit because my belly is the one place that always fills up with water the most and when people make ignorant comments it does get to you – I am only human. I am slowly wearing clothes that are more fitted again, whereas when I am at prime steroid weight, I tend to wear oversized clothing, not because I am ashamed because at the end of the day the steroids are there to help me, but just because I cannot always deal with the ignorance of some people. I think it’s extremely rude to ask a woman about her weight or ask if she is having a baby (unless they have told you otherwise). I found eating this time round a lot more controlled, I think now I am aware of how steroids work and the effects they can have, I was mentally prepared, so every time I thought I was hungry when in fact I probably wasn’t, and just in my head I would have a peppermint tea to help control that appetite craving.

I am also fortunate enough to of recently come back from Pisa, Florence and Lucca in Tuscany, Italy, which was divine! Gorgeous. I took my ‘Urgent Can’t Wait’ card with me – I took my Italian one. It’s so amazing that Crohn’s and Colitis UK can provide you with a ‘Urgent Can’t Wait’ card in different languages. You can head to their site to see how to get yours if you are travelling abroad and worried about the language barrier and needing the toilet. If I am being honest, I did have a mixed experience with the card, which leads me to refuse to believe that nobody in Italy has Crohn’s disease.

Maybe, there is just not as much awareness about the disease, or the subject of poo is still taboo, they don’t talk about it like we do in the UK. I hear from a lot of people with IBD who are worried about travelling because of various reasons, but if I could share some advice with you, it would be that life is too short. You need to go out and travel and experience life where you can and not be afraid to do so. We shouldn’t let our illness control who we are or how we live our life. Just make sure you do your research before travelling and find out if you need any vaccines. And if you can have the vaccines with IBD or the medication you take. Don’t forget a good insurance provider as you do not know when a flare up could happen. None of this should ever be the reason to hold you back from exploring the world!

Many of you may be aware October is breast cancer awareness month, it is also Black History month and in honour of this I had the privilege of speaking at two events. The first was for ‘The Barbados Association’ in Reading Berkshire, where I spoke about my background, misdiagnosis and the symptom checker Crohn’s and Colitis UK have introduced, it was interesting to hear from people in the audience who have IBD and their experience.

The second was at my local GWH Hospital, I focussed on the topic of why I decided to make an Amazon wish list and donate hair products for curly/afro textures to ICU. Both were a huge success and I received so many questions and people could relate so much to my story. Sadly, it is known that the black community are less likely to speak up about symptoms they may be experiencing, so it’s important that I raise awareness and use my voice as much as I can on this topic.

Finally, I am shooting something exciting on the December 5th and I cannot wait to share more with you. I feel this was meant to be and the reason it means so much to me is because December 5th will also be my 5 year anniversary of the day I collapsed and had to fight for my life. The day may have been the anniversary of my death but instead, it’s my anniversary of life. I am honestly so grateful to be here and that I can now dedicate my life to helping make a change and being a voice for everyone who has IBD or a scar like myself and making them feel seen and heard.

Before I was confirmed for the role, I had to attend a therapy session so they could assess If I was mentally healthy to be able to do this. I found this very triggering as the questions I was being asked were so detailed about everything that had happened to me that when I came off the meeting I just burst into tears. This made me realise I still need therapy and that maybe I had been masking some of my trauma this entire time. Hiding it with my bubbly personality I often get asked how I still have that considering all I have endured. Honestly, I believe therapy when you find the right one is one of the best things you could do for yourself (even if you haven’t got PTSD) it is still something everyone should do because its healthy – another taboo to be broken. There is nothing to be ashamed of and the reason we speak to a trained stranger is because they do not know us, there is a blank canvas there with no opinion. They are simply there to listen and to give you tips, advice, and exercises to help you heal or start the healing process.

Thank you for taking the time to catch up with me and do not forget you can always reach out to me on Instagram if you have any questions as I’d love to help. I cannot believe I am saying this already but see you in 2024!

Lots of love

Natalie-Amber | @natalie_amber1 x