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Post by Karen on Sept 1, 2012 8:14:07 GMT -5
As most of you are aware, diet changes can significantly improve symptoms of endo for a lot of women. Diet changes can reduce inflammation, heal the gut and in turn heal our immune system (70-80% of our immune system is in our gut), and give our bodies the nutrients it needs to heal.
But for many, it's hard. We may be really good one day, but then let a little something slip in the next day. And if we're getting the intermittent bad stuff, it can often be just as bad as having it every day so we don't see results and don't think the diet is working.
That's why I'm challenging everyone to a 30 day challenge. The rules are simple: no gluten, no dairy, no sugar. Of any kind. For 30 days. There's no calorie counting, no fat grams to worry about, no exercise requirements, and weight loss isn't even in the picture (though I'm sure it'll happen for some) - just eliminating the main offenders for inflammation and auto-immune issues. If you know other foods affect you just as much, eliminate them as well.
And don't think you can be selective about what you eliminate! It's an all or nothing kind of thing for this challenge! If you purchase processed foods or eat out, you'll have to scrutinize everything. No hidden sugar, hidden gluten, nada. It's not easy, but it's well worth it. I'm hoping those of you that were on the fence about diet changes will use this as an opportunity to try it and track what changes you feel over the month.
Who's in?
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Post by JC on Sept 1, 2012 8:18:42 GMT -5
This is awesome ;D
I am glad you said that it's "all or nothing." You can't just cut down on things. It has to be out completely or else the diet doesn't work.
I wanna do it!
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Post by MustangGtGirl on Sept 1, 2012 10:13:12 GMT -5
I'm In
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Post by semicolon on Sept 1, 2012 13:39:44 GMT -5
You lost me at dairy, I can't give up the kefir. I am at a cross roads with the gluten-free and need some advice, I'll scoot a post over there...
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Post by JC on Sept 1, 2012 15:56:03 GMT -5
You lost me at dairy, I can't give up the kefir. I am at a cross roads with the gluten-free and need some advice, I'll scoot a post over there... I totally agree that it's really hard to do but the way I see it, it's only 30 days. Plus if you start to really feel amazing and notice that you feel awful when you start to eat it again, you just might come to the decision to give it up if the benefit is worth it! Personally, nothing tastes better than having an abundance of energy and no chronic pain. I've done things similar to this 30 day diet and I really figured out what made me feel awful and what didn't. Dairy doesn't seem to bother me at all but sugar, gluten, and anything processed or full of chemicals/preservatives give me instant brain fog and stomach pain. Surprisingly, I also figured out that eggs made me feel awful. That was a sad day for me because I love eggs! If you just absolutely can't stick to it forever then this Whole30 can be used sort of like a detox every so often too. That's another option although I think the end goal should always be to build long lasting good eating habits for the overall health benefit.
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Post by Karen on Sept 1, 2012 16:32:29 GMT -5
^ This 30 day challenge is actually a lot less complex than the Whole30! However, I start my next Whole30 tomorrow, which means I'll be adhering to this 30 day challenge, too!
For those of you on board, respond with the day you'll be starting, k?
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Post by JC on Sept 1, 2012 17:34:10 GMT -5
Ohhhhh I got it confused with the Whole30.
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Post by MustangGtGirl on Sept 1, 2012 17:58:27 GMT -5
Sunday
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Post by MustangGtGirl on Sept 2, 2012 12:35:40 GMT -5
I love this. I need stuff like this to give me a push and to prove I can do it. So far so good. I have cut out alot but not everything because not everything bothered me but now I have a reason to cut the remainder. Great idea
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Post by Karen on Sept 2, 2012 13:36:31 GMT -5
I'm starting today, too! I need a push like this, too, or I let little stuff slip in when it shouldn't.
I'm going to do some meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking today & tomorrow so I'm ready for the week. I find my weakest moments are when I don't plan ahead and find myself starving and desperate for anything, particularly when I'm on the road for work.
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Post by MustangGtGirl on Sept 2, 2012 14:23:19 GMT -5
That's a great idea. I am a picker so planning will be the best way. I told my husband he isn't allowed to eat anything good in front of me. LOL ;D
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jaye
Full Member
Posts: 165
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Post by jaye on Sept 3, 2012 8:31:11 GMT -5
This is such a great idea Karen. I'll join in. Though I'm pretty strict already, this will help keep me more vigilant on the rare occasions I eat out. Meal planning is awesome! I used to feel like planning was too much trouble but, now I realize it takes maybe a half an hour each week before I grocery shop and it really reduces my stress around meal prep the rest of the week. semicolon - I know how you feel with the fermented Dairy. I used to make my own yogurt and I LOVE good cheeses (WI here). I gotta tell you, though, that after not having dairy for about 9 months, I tried goat's milk kefir and I was bloated for 3 days. It might be causing problems that you can't notice right now. You also might be one of the lucky ones that can do dairy no problem. In that case, I am extremely jealous! I'm in today.
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Post by Karen on Sept 3, 2012 8:53:22 GMT -5
Yay! Eating out for me is the hardest, but luckily, I can usually steer my dinner companions to a place that buys local. I find those are the most easy to modify as needed with less of a chance of added ingredients! Kimmie - any chance you can get your husband on board, at least when he's at home? I'd be willing to bet he'd notice some changes, too! I'm on day 2. I find I rely on fruit a bit too much for a sweet treat, and will try to limit myself to 2 servings a day going forward. So, Jaye, what's on your meal plan for the week? Mine consists of: - sweet potato hash (sweet potatoes, coconut oil, grass-fed ground beef, and onion) - skirt steak tacos (skirt stake, seasonings, avocado, and lettuce shells) - grilled chicken thighs with seasonings - red cabbage and apple dish (http://balancedbites.com/2010/12/easy-recipe-sauteed-red-cabbage-with-apples.html) - salmon with pineapple salsa - pork carnitas (I'm SO addicted to this: www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/2011/04/29/stovetop-pork-carnitas/ I use apple juice in lieu of the citrus)
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Post by JC on Sept 3, 2012 9:52:56 GMT -5
WOW that looks amazing! I have been so screwed up with my diet lately. It takes so much planning to eat right and lately my life has had a lot of changes and my former routine is well... not my routine anymore. It's a lot easier when daily life is the same but now I have a new job with 12 hour shifts, people have been in town visiting us, we've gone out to eat with friends here, traveling for interviews, my diet has totally sucked lately. I had this huge pregnant looking belly for a few weeks but the last few days I have been really good and the pregnant belly is finally gone! I guess technically I've been on the 30 day challenge since Friday so I can just keep going! ;D
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Post by Karen on Sept 3, 2012 9:56:31 GMT -5
So what are you going to do so you can stay on track? Are you able to plan a bit when you're not working a 12 hour shift and bring food with you?
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