Finding Myself Again through PB :) page

[CiKi90]

Hey everyone, I've been skimming through this website for a few days now after reading The Primal Blueprint. I've been trying to go completely Paleo, but I am not being too hard on myself just yet. However, The PB lifestyle has greatly helped me in my recovery from my anorexia nervosa, which I have been actively recovering from for about 1 1/2 to 2 months. My weight is restored (I think, I honestly can't muster the courage to weigh myself) and have successfully gone from a dangerously unhealthy BMI and body fat percentage to feeling EXCELLENT with all this nutrition I am providing for my body.
In my journey to go completely Primal/Paleo, I have so far gone a whopping 7 days in a row (lol) without grains or bread of any kind. This is a big deal for me because when I was restricting so heavily, the only thing I would eat was "lite" bread, vegetables, fruit, artificial sweeteners, and loads of fat free foods. I am struggling with going without my Fage 0% (although I may try 2% soon) and really miss legumes. I eat tons of almonds, cashews, pistachios, and sunflower seed butter (I finished a jar off by myself in a week! :O ) and hope that my affinity for these will subside when I learn to balance my meals out a bit better.
In correlation with the PB, I have also changed my workout habits from Chronic Cardio to the much more enjoyable primal way of moving. I am getting stronger every day and building tons of muscle! I will definitely testify that living the Primal lifestyle (even though not 100% every day, and only for a month) is leaps and bounds better than feeling sick, emaciated, and void of life energy.

Anyway, besides the obvious benefit of overcoming anorexia nervosa, I also suffer from IBS and wish to reduce these symptoms in my body with the Primal lifestyle. Any advice for reducing sugar cravings, IBS symptoms, and eating late at night would be much appreciated. I am so excited to begin living my life as a healthy, energetic 22 year old and hope that everyone finds what they are looking for in living their life a la the PB.

[NZ primal Gwamma]

Cierra, welcome and well done on your successes so far. You might just find that eating this way will balance out other health issues that you have - but do continue to take it slowly.
All the very best wishes
G x

[Hedonist2]

Welcome Cierra! I'm glad primal is going well for you.

Don't ever be too hard on yourself! Ever! Having some sensible indulgences is a key part of primal.

I eat organic, traditionally soaked beans. I have since I started primal nearly 3 years ago. But maybe you can't right now because of IBS issues. But once you heal you may be able to have some. Don't overdo them but maybe they can be part of your 20% eventually.

[CiKi90]

Thanks for your support and warm welcome! I look forward to learning a lot with this site to help create the best version of my life that I can!

[Lilith]

Hi Cierra, I too also had anorexia and I started my recovery from it about 8 years ago now. As soon as I started eating 'normally' again I developed cramps/bloating etc. Only a few years ago was I diagnosed with IBS - I have heard there are links with eating disorders and IBS but that's another thread lol...

I would just take your time like you are now, I have actually found that some foods that previously gave me REALLY bad bloating (red onions) are now not affecting me at all! I did go gluten and dairy free when I was diagnosed with IBS as gluten and dairy seemed to be the things which set me off. But just cutting out the gluten-filled stuff has helped since going Primal. I do still have soya milk and I have cheese now and then (if I have small amounts I am ok).

Hopefully you will find the same too that over time your body will repair and perhaps you can start eating some things without so much discomfort

[CiKi90]

Thanks for your reply, Lilith. I am comforted in knowing that others have gone through the journey I am on now, although I am sorry that you had to go through having an eating disorder at all. I am still I'm the very beginning stages of recovery and still have mental symptoms of anorexia... It seems that I cannot follow my hunger cues to eat an appropriate amount, and I either end up just barely getting to 1000-1100, or I go crazy on the sugar and nut butters and end up over 2500. I hope that I can listen to my body and this will eventually even out, but I understand that there will be a while before my body trusts that it won't go through "famine" again, and have to be patient and nurturing toward myself when things like binges occur. Since you are in the same boat as me, but have gotten even further along, I would appreciate and thoroughly listen to any bit if advice you want to throw at me!

[Lilith]

Well, I guess your journey will be different to mine, I certainly won't throw anything at you

If you are going to be following the primal fitness programme, I would just try and make sure you get the appropriate level of calories each day, as too little calories will mean your results are limited.

There is a support thread on here somewhere for people, either with or recovering from, eating disorders so you may find some useful support there too x

EDIT: Here is one http://www.marksdailyapple.com/forum/thread59619.html

[CiKi90]

Thank you so much! This is exactly what I was looking for when I signed up here, you're awesome.