So today reaches 1 month of eating Paleo! It has been an adventure of joy & excitement, a bit of crying (I make Loren's lunches and crave that cheese), and some disappointment. I have eaten so much bacon and about 10 dozen eggs. That's the truth.
Unfortunately, it did not fix my "intestinal issues" as we had all hoped. However, I do feel lighter, I don't cough all night, and I don't have searing sharp pains after each meal! I also don't feel AS bloated AS constantly. However, my intestines (sorry folks, just bein real here) are still very...picky? Irritable? Touchy? Let's just say, they don't like to "let things go."
I must say, I was so blessed by my church family & friends. Everyone made Paleo dishes for me and encouraged me. It was so cool!
As the weeks of eating Paleo went by I was becoming more and more discouraged. Not allowing grains, dairy, additives, legumes, or corn into your diet is tough when your favorite meals are tacos, pizza, and chicken Alfredo! Don't forget apple pie made by a very English woman in our church. Wow! Such a delight. I kept telling myself it would be worth it if I got healthy & "normal," if you know what I mean! I am feeling more healthy all around except for...you know (the inestines. )
So many people have issues like this. I encourage you to remember that you're not weird! It is frustrating, yes! And real! You're not making it up. But we cannot let it consume us, becoming our focus, which is so easy. If you're like me, you've been attempting various things at any cost to fix it for years. (I've only been trying to tackle it for four). Here are some things you've probably tried:
Flax seed in everything eatable, caster oil, kombucha, tons of water, tons of coffee, no coffee, tons of fruits & vegetables, tons of fiber, not too much fiber, exercise a lot, exercise a little, exercise in general, apple cider vinegar, taking ex lax (I don't recommend this), taking docusate, taking a fiber laxative, chowing down tons of prunes, drinking prune juice, drinking aloe Vera juice (so gross), drinking MOMS (I don't recommend this), adding mirilax daily, taking a vegetable laxative, eating gluten free for months, eating Paleo, the list goes on. And it's exhausting.
Through it all, I have attempted & failed & attempted again to remember that Jesus is enough. That even if I feel bogged down with discouragement (this comes from my own brain) & discomfort, I am still able make disciples! To love God & those around me. But I must fight the urge to make my identity "unhealthy, pained, tired." I must take my focus off of self, which is difficult to do. I must make Jesus Christ my sole identity. My focus. Find joy through it all. Believe me, there is much to rejoice in, here in Corvallis! I read in Psalms two days ago something like this: My health may fail and my soul will grow weak, but my heart is always strengthened by God.
--- Another thought was that I had Endometriosis! The idea was that it was all over my intestines & colon, preventing anything from "moving" normally. So today I had a laparoscopy!
We can chat about that later. It was quite an experience with "leg warmers", memories from childhood, and an amazing husband!
Just some delicious brownies to cheer the mood! These weren't horrible!!
Absolutely blessed by the constant support of my husband!