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I am trying to take my health back. I've had one disease after injury after another, of which I stay in denial for. I had cancer for the second time at 39yrs old with 17 surgeries secondary to it and the treatments. The first time I was only 23 and didn't miss a beat. The second time I thought I was doing well, but my body started rejecting treatments and refusing to allow me to get out of bed. I got extremely sick, lost almost all my muscle mass, went from a college 4.0 to can't remember what I said a minute ago. Insult to injury, I got hurt bad on the job, but as per normal, I took care of everyone else but me. Several years in a fog later, I want myself back. I very, very rarely ate sweets most of my 20's and 30's but I started using sugar after I got sick and hurt. It was such an addiction I would go days of only eating sweets-even when I craved a huge green salad with loads of veggies! It was just easier, already prepared, open the package and eat. I aided my illnesses because I ate so unhealthy. I was quite active, but after an active day or few days, I would pass-out for several days. I don't drink, so not that kind of passing out. Just excessively fatigued with extreme pain. I didn't gain a ton of weight in pounds, but I lost over 30#'s of muscle then gained it all back in fat around my middle. I was slammed into surgery-induced menopause and holy moly! Menopause is no joke! It feels very similar to going through treatment again. Then! I just recently got the diagnosis to change my life for the worst and best. I have EDS which is a genetic mutation attacking connective tissue. We are still learning which form is dominant.... Well crap! Slap in the face yet again,... but at the same time I MAKE SENSE! THANK GOD!! I am learning to control the symptoms and the symptoms of menopause now, in which dietary intake is vital. I am so happy and motivated to lose the tires on the midsection and the box-y look of menopause while eating and intermittent fasting to help my body fight the scavengers that cause so much fatigue and pain. I have so much to learn, but I love learning things that make change, especially when I know what I want or need to change in order to be the person my mind thinks I am. I can't say I'm off sugar, but I can say I am motivated to eat better, feel better, get my mind clear, go back to work, and learn how to manage the fatigue and pain. My story has A LOT of heartache and hardships, but doesn't everyone's?! So I'm going to skipped all that.
Intermittent fasting has not been too hard yet, probably because I don't like breakfast. I don't eat breakfast until lunch and hardly ever eat past 7pm. I'm doing the 18-6, fast for 18 and eat for 6. It is super hard not to be lazy and eat sweets as a meal. I freeze as much fruit in the summer as I can and this app is teaching me the nutritional value of berries! Ohhh, how I love me some berries! The hardest thing for me on this journey so far has been to give up coffee creamer. I love that creamy jolt of sweetened coffee to start the day!!
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