Horsewoman stays the distance with primal! page 47

[Horsewoman]

One last update from me...

I've continued eating as I was when I stopped considering myself to be paleo. My body just loves wholegrains LOL. I decided to make a few more tweaks, have been looking into IBS triggers (IBS is part of my condition as weak collagen also affects gut functioning). The main changes I made were cutting my fat intake and increasing soluble fibre by upping root veg mainly (increases soluble fibre without increasing insoluble fibre). I try to have some root veg every day, and decided to experiment with regulating my fat intake via the system used by a UK dioet club, LOL yes really!

The reason I chose this is because their plan consists of all lean meats, whole crabs and fruit and veg can be eaten freely as long as you eat 1/3 fruit and veg. Because I know I need good solid protein, I do 1/3 protein, 1/3 carb, 1/3 veg at meals. There is an allowance for milk (I use full fat, and use part of it for kefir) and cheese. And then some points for small amounts of other stuff (mainly high quality milk chocolate and low fat ice cream in my case).

I have also been working on the emotional side of overeating. Many times I have come across the idea of when cravings come, stopping and feeling the feelings etc, but was not able to do that. Well by coincidence I picked up a book on depression in the library, as I was feeling very down about my diagnosis (and the uselessness of my physio), and struggling to cope with the stress of my sister becoming more seriously ill with her NF2, and it had a section on grief and dealing with those kinds of things. Inspired by the book *"Heal depression and reclaim your life") I started spending some time every day just asking myself how I feel and focussing on the sensations rather than thoughts about them. Also when I start to feel uncomfortable feelings, instead of pushing them down and battling to keep going, I pause and feel them. Cravings almost completely gone! I don't think this is because I was just "emotionally eating", I think it is the combination of the right diet and this technique. A couple of times I have had a big blow up with my husband and felt strong cravings but been able to head them off. I have found that instead of all the positive thinking, cheer yourself up stuff I have been trying to do, if I am feeling down, some sad music and a wallow does wonders, after a while the feelings, having been heard and processed, lift, and life goes on.

Well I can say I am feeling the best I have in several years. I am embarrassed to say that, especially amongst family and friends who I have talked about Radiant Recovery, paleo etc with for years. Now here I am eating what is actually a fairly conventional healthy diet. The only difference is I probably eat a bit more protein than standard and also always use some of the diet allowance for healthy fats- 1tsp per meal if the meal is low fat. I still eat ferments, kefir etc and take vit D, Mg (brill for nighttime HMS muscle aches and cramps) etc.

I have had times before where I have said I have found the answer, but this time I really believe it. And it's embarrassingly simple! My digestion is a lot better too, and I can clearly see when I have eaten something that doesn't agree- like just too much at a meal, a bit fattier meal, or canned bean chilli twice in one day (lol). Higher fat didn't increase satiety for me anyway, I have been surprised to find that the same meal but with less fat fills me up and last me just the same. I think if I am running on carbs and having hunger due to blood sugar issues, fat is not helpful with that. Low carb fixes the blood sugar but the low energy and low mood was intolerable- ending with depression, days in bed, bingeing etc. Last year, my seocnd winter on paleo, I had my ligthbox out in early Sept and still felt horrible. This year- I have not even felt any need to get it out yet and it is almost Oct! Did I mention that I love wholegrains?!

As mentioned, my physio is useless, but thanks to google and various resources, I have worked out my own exercise program which is working well. I swim once a week, do one DDPYoga workout and one of weight training (better for me than bodyweight, being heavy and needing to take things gently). Not as good as a knowledgeable physio, but can't pay to go private so will just have to make the best of it.

I am reticent to say it after all these years, but I think I may have cracked it. I will always have HMS and be manageing the condition and symptoms, but now I feel I am on top of things and able to work towards having the best life I can. I've even started to dream about being able to work part time in a year or two. Who knows!

Closing thoughts-
Low carb is not for everyone
High or even moderate fat is not for everyone
Following dogma even when you know really that it is not right for you... not a good idea
Feelings can't be good or bad, they are messengers, feel them, hear them, and they will pass. If you need a cry, have one!

So on that note, I'll sign off with best wishes and good luck to all. (And if anyone in the UK wants some paleo books I have a lot to sell!) LOL

My new blog on living with HMS:My Wibbly Wobbly Life

Useful site about IBS: http://www.helpforibs.com/

ETA: Totally forgot to mention that I have lost 12lbs since starting my current diet plan a few weeks ago! I see my weight as a symptom, and if I am losing weight without struggle, without hunger, energy loss or a drop in mood, then I think I am onto something. Did not happen on primal.

In my siggy it says "Eat food. Mostly real. Enjoy life.". Yes please!

[FairyRae]

YAY Horsewoman!!! SO GLAD to hear you have found something that is working for you!!!!!!! Love and joy to you!!! Come back with updates if you want in the future--I'm still so interested in what you have to share! I will check your blog as well!

[Horsewoman]

YAY Horsewoman!!! SO GLAD to hear you have found something that is working for you!!!!!!! Love and joy to you!!! Come back with updates if you want in the future--I'm still so interested in what you have to share! I will check your blog as well!

Thankyou . How's it going for you? I am still amazed. I feel so much happier and more energetic, and weighed again yesterday, have lost a total of 15lbs, 13lbs in the last 26 days! It is just falling off me, without hunger. I'm not bloated, my digestion is better, I'm sleeping well and I look glowing with health. Yesterday someone told me she couldn't believe I have 4 children and am 38 . Have eevn started thinking about future career plans! I guess I don't have a totally messed up metabolism after all LOL, all I needed was the right diet for me. Just never occurred to me that low fat would be a good idea! Leptin resistance? LOL

After 12 years of intensively working on my diet and health, it feels like so much freedom to know I pretty much have it cracked. I am sure I will make tweaks in the future as I go along, but now I have this, and my diagnosis, I basically know what I am working with and canjust get on with it. Some brain space for getting on with life, no more hours and hours of research into food intolerances, metabolic problems, inflammatory issues etc etc etc!

[Horsewoman]

Just popped back to check up on some old friends .

Things continue to go well. I've been doing a bit of RRARFing (as in 180degreehealth) since New Year in hope of increasing metabolism and energy levels, so far so good. Continuing to work on meditation and acceptance, feeling my feelings and not pushing them away and so on- have been reading lots of Buddhist books and Charles Eisenstein's "Transformational Weightloss". I think I needed other factors in place before working on the emotional stuff could really work for me in terms of my eating. In this order: 1. Food intolerances esp gluten, 2. Physical food issues eg blood sugar, right proportions of macros etc, 3. Emotional work.

HMS continues to be a battle, no useful help from medics at all so am still on my own.

I have to admit, I very much regret that I ever did low carb. I have still not been able to get my energy level back to what it was before I started paleo. I look around and see so many people doing low carb paleo and struggling with the same issues, getting more and more obsessed and restrictive about food, getting endocrine workups, going on thyroid meds and so on. Sure, some do okay on it, but for the majority of ordinary people, I really think not.