100 Days

I thought I would want to jump up and down and throw a party today.  After all, I've been looking forward to this occasion for quite some time now, and today does represent a fairly hefty accomplishment.

Instead, I'm feeling quiet, reflective, and more than a little bit sad.

Today is my 100th day of Clean Eating on my Allergy Diet.

To be honest, there have been a few slips....not many...but they've been there.  The difference is that this time I didn't let those slips turn into stumbles which carried me to the edge of a cliff and then sent me over the edge to tumble down, down, down - head over heels - into the depths of despair.  (I like to imagine Wesley and Buttercup when I'm visualizing this.)  This time I slipped, but quickly picked myself up, FORGAVE myself, and got back to the business of doing the best I could do...which is why I still count today as 100.

Novel concept, this being nice to myself. 

I would also like to add that this time there has been a pretty big price to pay for each and every slip.  Having been clean for a time, my body is now extremely touchy and gets pretty upset if I ingest an allergen.  My doctor calls this, "unmasking,"  which means that I've moved from a state of chronic illness to one of acute reactions.  In a way, I'm grateful for the heightened reactions because they are scary enough to frighten me away from the things I shouldn't eat. 

At any rate, 100 is a big number...but it's just a drop in the ocean.

I would be lying if I didn't cop to the fact that the social difficulties of this diet are really starting to come into focus. I've found myself withdrawing quite a bit lately rather than face up to them.

But that is a post for another day....or another blog.

Today, I'll focus on the positive.

So what exactly do I get from this diet?  I think many people are surprised at just how much of my overall health and well-being my food allergies have affected.  A partial list (and believe me, I could go on and on if I wanted to!) of benefits includes: 
  • freedom from tummy aches, gas, digestive distress, constant (and embarrassing) belching...in sort, every IBS symptom that has been plaguing me on a near daily basis since I was 17
  • Freedom from joint pain, (most) headaches, locked muscles, and carpal tunnel
  • greatly reduced anxiety levels, an even temperament, and rapidly evaporating depression problems
  • relief from acne and from facial swelling (which I didn't notice until it was gone)
  •  freedom from the crazy exhaustion and brain fog
  • lessened chemical sensitivity
  • the best - and most consistent - sleep I've ever had
  •  falling numbers on the scales (without any effort)
100 days down...a lifetime to go.

Thank you all for indulging me by allowing me to share this journey with you.

Comments

Bonnie said…
Congrats on 100 days. You're awesome! Please keep sharing; it's really inspiring.
Shelda said…
I've been in a rebellion phase, so it was really good to read this. Sigh. I have to change some things, big time. Thanks for sharing again why this is important. I need to get to a list like that for myself.

Hang in there, girlfriend!
Alpaca Lady said…
I am so proud of you! Hang in there.
Anonymous said…
Feeling well is the best way to stay focused. My slip ups have not been intentional, but I know when I've had something I shouldn't.
Margene
Leciawp said…
Congratulations! xoxo

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