Life as I once knew it

Dec 06, 2015

Going down this path of trying to get healthy and changing my eating habits, I stop to reflect on where I've been and where I'm going sometimes and I just want to offer up a word of advise for anyone who thinks or doubts the effects of soda, sugars, and other bad things we put in our body really doesn't effect them. I'm here to tell you that I'm a prime example of what it's like. Prior to changing my habits, I was a 2 liter soda a day drinker. I would eat a pan of brownies all by myself and I ate out all the time. I was a junk food fast food queen! I really hated it and found it quite sad when the McDonald's breakfast drive-thru lady knew me on sight and by name and would ask me if I wanted my usual of the #1 with a large Dr. Pepper in a styrofoam cup.  My joints would ache all the time. The most shocking thing for me was how badly my feet hurt from the moment I woke up; even before my feet would hit the floor. I, myself, kept saying it couldn't be what I was eating or drinking. It just couldn't. I felt sluggish all day and I thought drinking a soda or a coffee loaded with sugar was the only way to seek mentality clarity and awareness needed to survive the day. I suffered severe insomnia and I am, still somewhat, bipolar / manic depressive and have sever anxiety attacks. The last three years I've suffered memory issues that I've been ashamed to admit to anyone, family included, that I'd been going through. I've gone through many diagnostic medical screenings to ensure I wasn't experiencing the early onset of dementia or Alzheimer's as that does run in my family. It was scary.

I've been two months nearly sugar free and three months soda free. I didn't quit cold turkey and would not advise anyone to do so. I backed off slowly. I started with only allowing myself 1 20oz soda a day. Then it was 1 every couple of days till I just found I lost the taste for them completely. Sugars have been a little harder because, let's face it, sugar is in everything. So I've watched what sugars I do have and I try to keep my sugar uder 4g in any food I have. Even fruits, which has natural sugar, I really really keep a close eye on.  As a result, I've lost weight, my blood pressure has been normal. I feel great, full of energy, and insomnia isn't as much of an issue for me anymore. Even my panic attacks have been under easier to manage and I'm dealing with my bi-polar much better now that I'm exercising more.

Recently, during the nutrional counseling for the surgery, the nutritionist said something profound that struck me: "weight loss is 70% diet and 30% exercise because you can't outrun your fork." This statement has stuck with me. I watch and count everything going in my mouth. I try to eat as best I can without breaking the bank. I can't afford the organic route, but I can afford to eat food I make at home made from fresh ingredients. I rarely eat out anymore. When I do, I make sure to choose healthy. For example, I treated myself to a few sweet potatoe fries that had been baked when we went to a comedy club last week. 

It's the little things folks. Therefore, I challenge those of you who don't believe it is that big of a deal to make the change and try it. Drop the sodas and just see how much better you feel after 1 week. I won't lie: it's not easy! You can't just drop soda and pick up coffee loaded with sugar. Replace it with water. If you don't like water, try the sugar free / Splenda drop-ins to help with the transition. It's amazing how much better you'll feel after you rid yourself all of the chemicals. I know I have a long road ahead of me and I'm not claiming to be a know-it-all or that I won't fail, but I am sharing my story so that if someone out there is having some of the same symptoms or going through some same thoughts, maybe they will make the changes too. I've seen the differences and I don't want to go back to feeling the way I did before the way I feel now!

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