Friday, September 30, 2011

Where is my journal?

So, I can't find my journal from my 30 day log of eating gluten free.  I'm blaming it on a kid, probably Ava.  It's probably kind of boring at this point anyway, lol.  I did make it, with only a couple of instances I accidentally ate it.  One was our trip to Boston and that was probably the most challenging days.  A few of the meals were you ate what they gave you, so I just hoped they were okay.  It was kind of a pain to go on vacation and see all the foods in a different city and not eat them ALL!  But I did it.  There is a building in the marketplace there devoted to food and it was INSANE all the good food I saw.  I had some gelato which was yummy.  The awards night they gave us a crusted fish, and I am pretty sure that was bread-type stuff.  It was good though. 
So when I got back, the next day was my last day of my 30 day commitment.  Well I actually made it to 35 days and then ate a burger on toast.  I didn't die.  lol  I did bloat like a whale, BUT I also had a milkshake and we went to the movies and I ate popcorn, so it could have been any of the above.  Until two days ago, I didn't eat it again, then I decided to try some pizza...oh my, how I missed pizza!  I did get a bloated stomach, so I do know that is one side effect of gluten that shows up really quick for me. 
I went back to the doctor yesterday for my follow-up since the initial appointment where I got my labwork done.  So I was told again, I definitely have hashimotos.  I have been reading the book Hope for Hashimotos, and have learned so much.  I feel like I do have hope that I can make some changes to better my quality of health.  I also have some low blood sugar issues and will have to make sure I get enough protein in my diet.  I am going to be taking a lot of supplements for a while to get my body back to a healthy state.  I am deficient in a lot of vitamins and minerals that will help my thyroid to supplement them. 
I asked her some questions about being gluten free and she said that I am probably not allergic, as in celiac disease, but cutting out gluten is extremely important to reduce inflammation in the thyroid gland.  So if I accidentally eat gluten, or have it every once in a while, it isn't like the effect someone with a for real allergy would have.  Hence why when I ate it after my 30 days I didn't have a ton of ill effects.  I do know I do better without consuming it, so I have decided to do my very best to not eat it 95% of the time.  That's a huge improvement from probably 80% of my diet including it!  It's kind of the same approach I have taken with dairy, which has worked great. 
Saying that, I am going to commit to a 10 day detox program.  I will be eating, but no dairy, meat, sugar, caffeine, or gluten for 10 days.  I have a powder to mix in my smoothies too, so I will probably drink a lot of berry and green smoothies those days.  It will kind of reset my body and then I will add one thing back at a time to see how my body reacts.  I know 10 days isn't a lot, but it is always harder than it seems.  So I am trying to find a good time to start and making a plan so I don't get overwhelmed with what to eat.
I am really thankful to have found a place that is helping me beyond handing me a Rx and sending me on my way.  I am also thankful that I have a passion for health and wellness and have the tools to really make this a lifestyle change.  Trust God to show you a path for healing and He will always provide.     

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