I’m sitting here writing this post, with a very special friend. We’ve been friends for a long time. Sometimes we can’t go several hours without seeing each other. But starting tomorrow, we’re on a break. Coffee…I’ll miss you.
I recently broke the news to you that I have Scarring Alopecia. I’ve been trying different medications, shampoos, varying levels of exercise, an occasional good cry and potentially unwarranted bouts of yelling. But after visiting my general doctor for one of my regular check-ups, he suggested I try some diet changes to see if that could help.
Diet hasn’t ever really been an issue for me. I mean, yes, I have an insatiable love for donuts, but when the scale starts to tip in the wrong direction, I’m pretty good about giving the treats a rest. But as I’m getting older, I’m looking at diet in a different way. I no longer just want the pants to fit (without having to do 45 lunges immediately after I put them on). I want to FEEL good. There are so many studies out there showing the positive effects of “clean eating”. And soooo many companies and people capitalizing on this very concept. And I’m not knocking it. Well, maybe some of the programs. All of our bodies are different and so I do think it’s good to have options for everyone.
But I needed a little help in deciding what clean eating means for me, without sifting through millions of suggested Pinterest posts. So I enlisted the help of a nutritionist near where I live. This help has so far consisted of:
- Pre-appointment blood testing
- Instructional videos on general eating principles (what exactly does the body need to eat in its most simplest form)
- A 90 minute consultation to review my blood results and come up with an action plan
My lab results were actually pretty good (yay!). The blood tests reviewed a wide spectrum of things, from food intolerance, thyroid concerns, insulin levels after fasting, cholesterol levels, and other organ functioning (liver and kidneys).
Results showed borderline higher levels for Candida (a yeast in the body), higher than average glucose levels after fasting, and higher levels of LDL cholesterol (aka “the bad kind”).
And the action plan? Well, initial thoughts, if I’m being honest. Aggressive, really hard (yes, this overlaps with Thanksgiving), and pretty much, no fun at all.
But I can’t help but wonder if I will feel better. Will I not wake up every morning and itch? Will I realize that recently going off of my mild dose of anti-anxiety medication was the right choice? Has diet really made me feel sad or tired, or are those inescapable symptoms of motherhood?
With so many questions still looming, my conclusion is that I owe it to myself to explore all of my options. And eating is in my control. It’s something that I can do for myself. So for the next 30 days I’ll be checking in to let you know how I’m doing. And if you’ve done any sort of detox or cleanse for medical issues (be it emotional or physical), I’d love to know how it went.
Next up, a trip to the grocery store!
5 Essentials to Rediscovering Your Joy After Loss
Taking care of yourself is most important. Good health is everyone’s priority. Congratulations on taking action and especially during this “food” time of year. Don’t let the ‘turkeys’ get in your way.