A renal diet is one of the harder diets to follow. It is very important to meet with a dietician and review options that make the most sense for you. Below are the main things that I try to balance on a daily basis.

• Low Protein - Unhealthy kidneys lose the ability to remove protein waste and it starts to build up in the blood.
  

• Low Sodium - Following a low-salt diet helps keep high blood pressure and swelling (also called edema) under control. It can also make breathing easier if you have heart failure. Goodbye Goya seasoning.
  

• Limit Phosphorus - When you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), your kidneys cannot remove phosphorus very well. High phosphorus levels can cause damage to your body. Extra phosphorus causes body changes that pull calcium out of your bones, making them weak. High phosphorus and calcium levels also lead to dangerous calcium deposits in blood vessels, lungs, eyes, and heart. Phosphorus and calcium control are very important for your overall health. Goodbye cheesy goodness.
  

• Limit Potassium - when your kidneys are not healthy, you often need to limit certain foods that can increase the potassium in your blood to a dangerous level. You may feel some weakness, numbness and tingling if your potassium is at a high level. If your potassium becomes too high, it can cause an irregular heartbeat or a heart attack.

Sometimes potassium and phosphorus contradict each other. Everyday is like a game of food Jenga. It is very important to make sure I eat enough calories daily. My appetite fluctuates and it is important to eat enough to control albumin levels.

I have managed to stick to a work out schedule and I know I need the proper fuel. I work out 2x a week with a friend/co-worker and personal trainer. I have for the past 2.5 years. I am not trying to lose weight - I am trying to maintain my weight, build muscle and stay strong. Despite my numbers I have made significant gains and I get stronger every week. Personal training is not affordable for everyone but you can't put a price on your health. Not being in control of your own body is very frustrating but PT has helped me feel powerful in a powerless situation. Even when my trainer makes me do something I don't want to do (which is basically anything that involves equipment) I push through. Even when I fail, she cheers me on. Even when I give her "side eye" she encourages me.  So when the time comes for me to take a few months off and get this new kidney - I WILL BE STRONG. THERE WILL BE BURPEES.