Oct 15th, 2013 8:25pm
At the stroke of midnight tonight Cinderella's Pumpkin is going to look like a pretty good deal to me lol. As of Wednesday, Oct 16th, I'm going to drop the chocolate, lose the cheese and try my damnedest to avoid the following things: Dairy, Soy, Refined Sugar, Gluten, Egg, Fats and Alcohol. Take pity on me. This isn't going to be pretty in 4 or 5 days. So why am I doing it?
Well, I'm going to call it my experiment. And I am not taking credit for coming up with the idea to try this out. My very close friend GP had this brainwave, and she planted the seed in my mind until about a week after the sowing (so to speak), I thought it was a great idea. Oh boy. An Elimination Diet, officially. Confusing doesn't even begin to explain this thing. If you Google ED's, you'll come up with a million different versions of how to begin, what to eat, what NOT to eat, etc. The rules seem to be very customized to each person. We've decided to do it the following way: Strict but Simple. Cut out all the processed, refined, fatty foods, and eat fresh, whole and lean. We are not cutting all meats, but sticking with chicken breasts, lean beef and fish. (Some ED's cut all meat and fish). All fresh veggies and fruits are allowed (some ED's cut nightshade veggies and citrus fruits). Whole grains, i.e quinoa, wild rice, red rice, brown rice, are all ok as long as they are Gluten Free (GF). Sweeteners like honey, or agave nectar, are good. No eggs, or egg products. No dairy or soy, which means Almond Milk, which I have never had before and am a little nervous to try. When it comes to oils, ONLY cold pressed EVOO is for me. No junk or fast food. No snacking on the kids school treats. No cheating at parties or midnights. No excuses. Oh, and did I mention we are throwing in the 30 Day Shred to top it all off? Eek! Actually, I really don't think that *what* I can or can't eat will be a problem. Except for the Almond Milk, I eat all these other things. What I think will be the biggest issue, will be getting through the DT'ing of sugars and fats. My family and I generally eat well, and I am very much into fresh, homemade, from scratch foods. I am choosing to believe this will give me a good start hahaha,
A couple years ago, I began to notice that I was feeling gross pretty much all the time, very nauseous and tired. After a long time, I finally got an answer that seemed to fit for what was going on. The ubiquitous gall bladder. It seems to me, that there are a lot of people out there that have issues ranging from very mild to very severe in GB problems. Mine, thankfully, are very mild. Nothing showed on tests, so I guess you could call it an undiagnosed condition. However, I did as my doc suggested, cut the fats and alcohol and though it took a while (about a week), I did start to feel a lot better. I paid close attention to how I felt when I added back in something fatty or alcoholic and realized quickly that these foods have a crazy impact on my body. However, it's just reality that with a busy life, comes bad food choices and though I certainly don't eat junk the way I used to, I like my treats. Not only that, but I am what I would honestly all a "big eater". I love food. I love well prepared food. I might eat a Mc'D burger once a month, maybe. But give me a beautiful goat cheese ravioli in cream sauce, or a grilled, blue rare striploin with parm risotto next to it, and I am in feasting glory. Those are seriously 2 examples of food that I make at home for my family 5 out of every 7 nights. the other 2 are sometimes a "fend for yourself" thing or a "eat out" thing. We eat big, hearty and well....and it's catching up with me. Between that and the brain fog, poor sleeping habits, memory issues and lack of energy, ( I swear that by 1 pm, I am passing out wherever I am. Every. Single. Day.), I am ready for a change.
So anyway, the point to the ED, is that for 2 weeks, you take away all the "bad" foods, then on day 15, add in ONE, only one, trigger food. So say on day 15, I decide I want my eggs back. Well, I will probably poach one in the morn, have an omelet at lunch and maybe try to incorporate something in for supper. Eat it in the purest form I can, at each main meal. Then STOP. Do not eat it again. Monitor and record how you feel on days 16 and 17, and maybe even 18 as it can take up to 3 days for a food to take it's full effect on you. Then on day 20, add back in the next thing. Maybe dairy. Have milk, and yogurt and cheese throughout the day. Then STOP. Monitor what happens on days 21-23. So on and so forth. The end result being that you can know how these foods affect your body and if it is a good or a bad thing. When you have added back in all the trigger foods and your eliminations are over, then you can be more aware of what you are eating, and what the consequences really are if you eat something that you know is adverse to your body. It isn't about never having cheesecake again, but about recognizing that you may pay for it (and sometimes, it's gonna be worth it lol).
My goal in this is not weight loss, (though please, would I really argue if I dropped a few pounds?!?!), it's just about getting to know the inside me just a little better. I will be recording all recipes and food that I eat, all exercise I do or don't do, and update on how I feel throughout this whole process I'll add in some info on how GP is doing as well, just to liven it up some :) . I may get a little too graphic (i.e periods and poops), but it's of a whole and it's definitely all going to be affected. I will also probably add pictures. Before and after body shots, food, etc. (nothing graphic there though, I swear).
Now if anyone out there is actually reading this, and you are anything like me, you like to know details. All details, so that you can gauge the failures and triumphs, and also know how relatable this all is to you. I will post all this in another blog just titled "My Details". I will also update that as I go along. Maybe at every 7 day interval. I am hoping this will keep me on track. I have started many things like this before, and have never, ever seen one through. Ugh, I am frustrating to myself.
Wish me luck.
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