I intended to run my first half marathon this month. There is one in town and I'd kinda planned on it. Until my body revolted! Aside from having the flu and the norovirus back to back (seriously... I am NEVER sick so this should cover me for a couple of decades at least) and a surgery behind me last month. Okay, I have one more surgery ahead of me (don't want to get into the particulars about that) and the recovery time should be like - a weekish. So heres my plan: run again.
I quit running about a month ago and I feel like a total slug. It makes me sad that I know I won't be able to just jump up and run 8 miles like I could just one short month ago - MAN OH MAN but you lose fitness so dang fast! - but I'm not going to be able to stay away from it. I read Runners World. I wear running shoes not only for running but *sigh* just about every day with every thing. Half my wardrobe is spandex and "moisture wicking material". There is no avoiding it. I'm a runner at heart and my heart has been lost this last month.
Even emotionally I'm... Off. I'm losing confidence in my day-to-day activities. My grades are on a slipperly little slope down a couple of grade points (nothing significant but enough to disappoint me). I feel like I can't get organized quite the way I need to and I know the culprit is - lack of mileage!
I will. Run. My first half this year.
On a completely unrelated note, I'd like to mention that I'm so happy I did so much canning this last summer! I have so many yummy treats in my pantry to choose from! Just ate some toast with home made peach jam. YUM.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Running in place! (and some product reviews!)
A dear friend of mine gave me a treadmill yesterday. They were downsizing their home and were planning to trash the thing since the handles are held together with duct tape. BUT!! The computer works, the treadmilling part works so I was more than happy to take it off of her hands!
So, three full minutes into my first run yesterday I got bored. Again today, I got on the treadmill and this time took the advise of another dear friend and put on a TV show. Not just any show, either. I put The Biggest Loser on the TV and it really did make a big difference. The combo of Jillian Michaels screaming and watching people fatter than me sweating was a lovely motivator! Still, the treadmill is going to take some getting used to for many reasons:
1) I have to push buttons to change my pace. This was a quick lesson learned through almost shooting off the back of the thing.
2) I have to keep a straight course. This was a quick lesson learned through almost shooting off the back of the thing.
3) I do not think the pace is accurate, unless there is some voodoo magic related to feeling like you're running waaaay faster when you run in place. Which is possible... Who am I to question magic?
4) The scenery doesn't change. This may be an obvious observation, but when you're used to "adventure runs" this makes a big difference.
Okay so that list was all cons. And don't get me wrong - I am so grateful to this friend for passing her treadmill on to me. I was mere days away from quitting running altogether until better weather because my joints just can not take this cold!! So I don't want to just rant... This is a good transition; because however non-entertaining running in place is - gaining weight is even worse! BOY but I can't wait for better weather. I'm holding out for 40 degrees. Also, it's pretty nice to be able to wear some workout clothes that I otherwise would never wear outside my home. That's a big plus!
In other completely unrelated news, I'd like to pass on a couple of product reviews!!
#1: Skinny Coffee by Genesis Today (purchased at Walmart).
-Low calorie and high nasty. Don't do it. It's so gross. Both flavors are THAT BAD.
#2 New Balance GPS Runner (with heart rate monitor):
-This is a nice gadget, although you can't upload your info on to a computer, it is a self-contained kinda unit. Wears like a bulky watch. The heart rate monitor is to be strapped around your chest. I choose not to use the heart rate monitor. I really don't care about that and if I need it, I'll stop and take my pulse. I'm all nursey like that. Keeps track of calories burned, heart rate, km's ran, and other functions that I still can not work. It's nice... maybe too nice for me; I feel like maybe I'll never figure out how to work the thing completely, and if you wear the "watch" on the inside of your wrist when you run, you're likely to be pushing buttons when you swing your arm. I have, anyway.
#3: Vinegar:
-Yeah! Vinegar!! Sean was working in a potato-processing plant (mainenence on the processing equipment) and came home covered in grease and smelling like old fries. I washed his work clothes first with about a 1/2 cup (I eyeballed it) vinegar and then washed them again with detergent. It helped a ton. Also, the cats in this house pee on stuff in the winter (I know - sometimes I daydream about them playing in traffic...) and I've used the same method to wash that stuff and it works like a charm. Remember to wash your fabric a second time with detergent because vinegar stinks. :D
So, three full minutes into my first run yesterday I got bored. Again today, I got on the treadmill and this time took the advise of another dear friend and put on a TV show. Not just any show, either. I put The Biggest Loser on the TV and it really did make a big difference. The combo of Jillian Michaels screaming and watching people fatter than me sweating was a lovely motivator! Still, the treadmill is going to take some getting used to for many reasons:
1) I have to push buttons to change my pace. This was a quick lesson learned through almost shooting off the back of the thing.
2) I have to keep a straight course. This was a quick lesson learned through almost shooting off the back of the thing.
3) I do not think the pace is accurate, unless there is some voodoo magic related to feeling like you're running waaaay faster when you run in place. Which is possible... Who am I to question magic?
4) The scenery doesn't change. This may be an obvious observation, but when you're used to "adventure runs" this makes a big difference.
Okay so that list was all cons. And don't get me wrong - I am so grateful to this friend for passing her treadmill on to me. I was mere days away from quitting running altogether until better weather because my joints just can not take this cold!! So I don't want to just rant... This is a good transition; because however non-entertaining running in place is - gaining weight is even worse! BOY but I can't wait for better weather. I'm holding out for 40 degrees. Also, it's pretty nice to be able to wear some workout clothes that I otherwise would never wear outside my home. That's a big plus!
In other completely unrelated news, I'd like to pass on a couple of product reviews!!
#1: Skinny Coffee by Genesis Today (purchased at Walmart).
-Low calorie and high nasty. Don't do it. It's so gross. Both flavors are THAT BAD.
#2 New Balance GPS Runner (with heart rate monitor):
-This is a nice gadget, although you can't upload your info on to a computer, it is a self-contained kinda unit. Wears like a bulky watch. The heart rate monitor is to be strapped around your chest. I choose not to use the heart rate monitor. I really don't care about that and if I need it, I'll stop and take my pulse. I'm all nursey like that. Keeps track of calories burned, heart rate, km's ran, and other functions that I still can not work. It's nice... maybe too nice for me; I feel like maybe I'll never figure out how to work the thing completely, and if you wear the "watch" on the inside of your wrist when you run, you're likely to be pushing buttons when you swing your arm. I have, anyway.
#3: Vinegar:
-Yeah! Vinegar!! Sean was working in a potato-processing plant (mainenence on the processing equipment) and came home covered in grease and smelling like old fries. I washed his work clothes first with about a 1/2 cup (I eyeballed it) vinegar and then washed them again with detergent. It helped a ton. Also, the cats in this house pee on stuff in the winter (I know - sometimes I daydream about them playing in traffic...) and I've used the same method to wash that stuff and it works like a charm. Remember to wash your fabric a second time with detergent because vinegar stinks. :D
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
New year - fresh start!
Lately I've been itching to update so here goes! This year will hopefully bring about a whole bunch of new beginnings for my family. To list a few: I'm going to graduate this year, I'm going to run my first half marathon this year, my oldest will be old enough for *gasp* drivers-ed this year... We've got a lot ahead of us, and some serious transitions in the near future, but everything is really starting to feel within reach. We're all excited and very hopeful for this year.
On the weight loss front - I'd lost 18 lbs, and then the holidays hit and 8 of those have crept back in on me. So I'm back on track with caloriecount.about.com - which is a great (effective) resource for keeping me accountable. But what I think is maybe the best part of 2012 - I stuck with my workout plan! I'm running farther and faster than ever before, I stayed with crossfit for 4 months, and am scheduled to pick back up with family for that in February. I'm back in (some of my) my pre-pregnancy pants (so what if I can't breathe?!?! They're ON and ZIPPED).
Nursing school is very intense, and each passing quarter is a little more so. I appreciate all the friends and family who understand that my 2-year hybernation is almost at an end.
So, bring it on 2013. I'm a little irked that I don't have a flying car or a hover-board yet, but I'm sure the future will bring me one of them eventually.
On the weight loss front - I'd lost 18 lbs, and then the holidays hit and 8 of those have crept back in on me. So I'm back on track with caloriecount.about.com - which is a great (effective) resource for keeping me accountable. But what I think is maybe the best part of 2012 - I stuck with my workout plan! I'm running farther and faster than ever before, I stayed with crossfit for 4 months, and am scheduled to pick back up with family for that in February. I'm back in (some of my) my pre-pregnancy pants (so what if I can't breathe?!?! They're ON and ZIPPED).
Nursing school is very intense, and each passing quarter is a little more so. I appreciate all the friends and family who understand that my 2-year hybernation is almost at an end.
So, bring it on 2013. I'm a little irked that I don't have a flying car or a hover-board yet, but I'm sure the future will bring me one of them eventually.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Hummina hummina...
So my last year of nursing school is about to start, and as I trudge toward middle age I've come to realize a few things.
-I tend to think of exercise in terms of "if i have time for it", and "if I feel like it" (mistake.)
-I run out of steam near the end of each quarter at school.
-I absolutely loathe cleaning up after dinner.
I've been thinking a whole lot about where I want to be when I reach retirement in terms of health. For that reason, I've kicked things up a notch. I really want to be able to enjoy my life to the fullest as long as I'm in charge of my body. I've been maintaining an exercise routine this summer, I'm losing some weight, and am learning new things about my body all the time -- what I'm capable of, where my endurance is at, and the importance of watching my blood-sugar and electrolytes when I'm pushing myself. Most importantly, I've abstained from smoking for over 3 years now, and although it's still a struggle at times (really), I'm doing it. *self high-five*
I'd like to maintain some more momentum throughout this next school year. I don't want to reach a point where I'm "just too busy to exercise" or fail to pay attention during long lectures because -- sometimes it's really hard to pay attention during long lectures. This is it -- the home stretch!
The plans and hopes and dreams that my husband and I have for our family will open up if we continue to push forward through the next nine months. Nursing school is hard - on everyone. They expect a lot out of me as a student and professional, and I'm still accountable as a wife and mother - it's not always easy. On the flip side of that same coin, through hard work and persistence, I've been given an opportunity to enter into a career path that excites me. I understand that not everyone gets that chance, and a lot of people would give anything to be in my shoes. I'm grateful.
I still have no idea which avenues within the nursing field I'd like to explore! Also, having an additional income will be -- wow I don't even know -- thats pretty exciting, too. :)
Just needed to dump some thoughts into writing! I have bathrooms to clean today. Ugh.
-I tend to think of exercise in terms of "if i have time for it", and "if I feel like it" (mistake.)
-I run out of steam near the end of each quarter at school.
-I absolutely loathe cleaning up after dinner.
I've been thinking a whole lot about where I want to be when I reach retirement in terms of health. For that reason, I've kicked things up a notch. I really want to be able to enjoy my life to the fullest as long as I'm in charge of my body. I've been maintaining an exercise routine this summer, I'm losing some weight, and am learning new things about my body all the time -- what I'm capable of, where my endurance is at, and the importance of watching my blood-sugar and electrolytes when I'm pushing myself. Most importantly, I've abstained from smoking for over 3 years now, and although it's still a struggle at times (really), I'm doing it. *self high-five*
I'd like to maintain some more momentum throughout this next school year. I don't want to reach a point where I'm "just too busy to exercise" or fail to pay attention during long lectures because -- sometimes it's really hard to pay attention during long lectures. This is it -- the home stretch!
The plans and hopes and dreams that my husband and I have for our family will open up if we continue to push forward through the next nine months. Nursing school is hard - on everyone. They expect a lot out of me as a student and professional, and I'm still accountable as a wife and mother - it's not always easy. On the flip side of that same coin, through hard work and persistence, I've been given an opportunity to enter into a career path that excites me. I understand that not everyone gets that chance, and a lot of people would give anything to be in my shoes. I'm grateful.
I still have no idea which avenues within the nursing field I'd like to explore! Also, having an additional income will be -- wow I don't even know -- thats pretty exciting, too. :)
Just needed to dump some thoughts into writing! I have bathrooms to clean today. Ugh.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Honest truth:
I'm overweight. Yikes. If you've seen me over the last couple of years this won't come as a suprise to you. You've seen me afterall. And if that's the case, you probably didn't need to read that, but I think I needed to write it. I've been running now for a couple of years and it's only been up until recently that I've started using the word "fat" to describe myself. Please don't take that as a negative self depracating sort of thing, it's the honest truth. What good is knowing this truth about myself and choosing to do nothing? What kind of life am I leading if I can become complacent with the way I treat myself?
For a very long time I tried to get comfortable in my skin at this new weight. I just can't. I know a lot of ladies out there are comfortable being plus sized and I just don't know how. It's easy to shrug off a plate of pasta alfredo (oh how I miss you, alfredo!!) or a value meal, but it's added up to me to be horribly uncomfortable and I want to be happy and healthy. In order to accomplish that, I've decided to fight.
I've picked a fight with carbs. I've had a couple of minor self-induced slip-ups in the last couple of weeks since I started fighting with carbs but I'm still ahead. I'm also fighting with beer. I'm winning that fight, too. No matter how satisfying a nice ale is right after a long run *sigh*.
I consulted with a doctor, started some new medication to get my insulin in motion (see Paula Deen -- down to a size 10. REALLY?!?? I can't let Paula Deen be thinner than me. Can't.) I've started putting some more variation into my exercise routine since running long distances several times a week in conjunction with the extra weight has ended in injury.
I'm staying below 1,200 calories/day. I'm staying below 100g carbs/day (ideally around 50 g). I'm using http://caloriecount.about.com/ to track my foods. Theres been some days when I even have a hard time getting over 900 calories. Interestingly enough, I can bake potatoes for the rest of my family and enjoy the meat & veggies on my plate without feeling like I need a potatoe (serving of rice, bread, pasta whatevs) too.
I'm two weeks into this journey as of yesterday. I'm not perfect at this, but I'm eating so much better than I ever have. Now the challenge will be hitting the "post" button. I'm going to feel downright naked when this is posted. But I won't LOOK naked. That's what's important. I want more than anything to just sustain the forward progress I've made so far. Two weeks = 10 lbs down so far.
For a very long time I tried to get comfortable in my skin at this new weight. I just can't. I know a lot of ladies out there are comfortable being plus sized and I just don't know how. It's easy to shrug off a plate of pasta alfredo (oh how I miss you, alfredo!!) or a value meal, but it's added up to me to be horribly uncomfortable and I want to be happy and healthy. In order to accomplish that, I've decided to fight.
I've picked a fight with carbs. I've had a couple of minor self-induced slip-ups in the last couple of weeks since I started fighting with carbs but I'm still ahead. I'm also fighting with beer. I'm winning that fight, too. No matter how satisfying a nice ale is right after a long run *sigh*.
I consulted with a doctor, started some new medication to get my insulin in motion (see Paula Deen -- down to a size 10. REALLY?!?? I can't let Paula Deen be thinner than me. Can't.) I've started putting some more variation into my exercise routine since running long distances several times a week in conjunction with the extra weight has ended in injury.
I'm staying below 1,200 calories/day. I'm staying below 100g carbs/day (ideally around 50 g). I'm using http://caloriecount.about.com/ to track my foods. Theres been some days when I even have a hard time getting over 900 calories. Interestingly enough, I can bake potatoes for the rest of my family and enjoy the meat & veggies on my plate without feeling like I need a potatoe (serving of rice, bread, pasta whatevs) too.
I'm two weeks into this journey as of yesterday. I'm not perfect at this, but I'm eating so much better than I ever have. Now the challenge will be hitting the "post" button. I'm going to feel downright naked when this is posted. But I won't LOOK naked. That's what's important. I want more than anything to just sustain the forward progress I've made so far. Two weeks = 10 lbs down so far.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Hum drum!
Wow, I haven't even had a chance to look at this thing since last year! I figured I'd better at least nod in the direction of my blog and keep it up-to-date at least once in a while!!
So, lets see: The baby is almost two years old, now! I can't believe time has just flown by so fast but she's a slow grower (like me!) so she's still little enough to be "my baby". The older kid is a full-blown teenager now and there is no question about that. Lord, but she's outgrown me!
I'm still running... And running, and running. Can't seem to lose any weight, but whatever. I'm a self proclaimed Forrest Gump (in regard to running), so I've just decided to be comfortable with my health outweighing my outweighing!
We're creeeeping up on the end of the final quarter of the first year of nursing school. I'd agonized quite a bit about not being able to go during summer quarter but I'm getting more comfortable with that now, and I can't wait to get all domestic again and fill up all the jars in the cupboard with deliciousness!! Let me tell ya, nursing school is incredibly challenging and it'll be nice to take a break.
Looking at my old blog posts takes me back to when I started writing (all 4 posts ago). This was during a time when I was frustrated and feeling generally short-changed in a lot of ways. I don't want to get specific... Those of you who know me and my family will know the juicy details; but I want to throw this out there: Freeing myself from the bondage of feeling like I'm a captive... Somehow trapped by my past and a prisoner of circumstances that I'm not even closely tied to anymore; this is so liberating. I feel like in the course of the last year I've somehow been washed of the responsibility (or assumed responsibilities) that I was never really accountable to. I felt as though I somehow was indebted to people that quite frankly don't really want me in their lives.
Knowing that, saying that, and really honestly accepting and owning it are separate issues all together. The bottom line is this: My life comes down to my accountability to the four people that live between the same 4 walls I do. Everything else is secondary because anyone else can make you expendable in a heartbeat. Does that sound cynical? It's not meant to. I have family and friends that are very important to me, but it's my immediate family that I'm accountable to. Every day I feel like I understand a little better exactly the type of parent, friend, sibling, and wife I want to be.
So, lets see: The baby is almost two years old, now! I can't believe time has just flown by so fast but she's a slow grower (like me!) so she's still little enough to be "my baby". The older kid is a full-blown teenager now and there is no question about that. Lord, but she's outgrown me!
I'm still running... And running, and running. Can't seem to lose any weight, but whatever. I'm a self proclaimed Forrest Gump (in regard to running), so I've just decided to be comfortable with my health outweighing my outweighing!
We're creeeeping up on the end of the final quarter of the first year of nursing school. I'd agonized quite a bit about not being able to go during summer quarter but I'm getting more comfortable with that now, and I can't wait to get all domestic again and fill up all the jars in the cupboard with deliciousness!! Let me tell ya, nursing school is incredibly challenging and it'll be nice to take a break.
Looking at my old blog posts takes me back to when I started writing (all 4 posts ago). This was during a time when I was frustrated and feeling generally short-changed in a lot of ways. I don't want to get specific... Those of you who know me and my family will know the juicy details; but I want to throw this out there: Freeing myself from the bondage of feeling like I'm a captive... Somehow trapped by my past and a prisoner of circumstances that I'm not even closely tied to anymore; this is so liberating. I feel like in the course of the last year I've somehow been washed of the responsibility (or assumed responsibilities) that I was never really accountable to. I felt as though I somehow was indebted to people that quite frankly don't really want me in their lives.
Knowing that, saying that, and really honestly accepting and owning it are separate issues all together. The bottom line is this: My life comes down to my accountability to the four people that live between the same 4 walls I do. Everything else is secondary because anyone else can make you expendable in a heartbeat. Does that sound cynical? It's not meant to. I have family and friends that are very important to me, but it's my immediate family that I'm accountable to. Every day I feel like I understand a little better exactly the type of parent, friend, sibling, and wife I want to be.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Microscopic Colitis
So I've got a diagnosis for this chronic nastiness that I've become accustomed to. Apparently, the nature of my gut is not "normal" and is treatable, mostly by dietary changes and medical intervention so now I begin a journey of discovery with my new diet.
As far as medication goes: I've recently tried one called dicyclomine and that is a no-go as it makes me super drowsy. I just won't take anything that makes me a walking zombie and gets in the way of being a functioning parent, or anything that hinders my ability to run. So I shelved that one. Maybe that'll be a good one to take some night that I've got a flare-up and I can't get to sleep! Bonus. :D I have another called Diphenoxylate/Atropine -- it works well from what I can tell, but I take it sparingly as I think it makes me a bit drowsy as well & to be honest I'm just not into drugs. There are more on the list to try, I'll update as I run through them -- when and if I do.
Dietary changes are going to be the toughie. I feel like I've been thrown for a loop here as I've been taught that high-fiber diets are beneficial for everyone. Fiber adds bulk for people with diarrhea, and absorbs water for people with constipation. Win/win. Right? Well, fiber (insoluble fiber to be specific) is out-right poison for people with microscopic colitis. A Fiber One brownie will send me into a "tail spin" (pun pun pun) for days.
This explains why, when a few months ago I read the book The Spectrum by Dr. Dean Ornish (which was the text in a Diet/Exercise/Weightloss class I took a couple years back), and applied its principals I got sick. I went on a high fiber/high (lean) protein diet - namely soy products. Of course, I snuck in some poultry here & there. Boy, did I lose weight! But damn it, I was so sick and downright confused. This book reinforced over and over that he had proven scientifically that if you went on this diet you would feel better, period. And come on -- no one can deny that a vegetarian diet is healthy, right?
I tried to trust in the process. After 2 weeks I ended up feeling like a quitter -- like I just couldn't hang in there long enough to start reaping the benefits of eating on the healthiest end of his spectrum. I kept waiting for... for... That blessed day when I could just "go" once. But alas, it was usually an on & off all damn day (as opposed to the usual on & off all damned morning).
OK so now I know it wasn't me. I'm one of the rare few who is basically "allergic" to freakin' fiber. That having been said; how does one get the nutrition they need sans salad? I love me some raw fruits and veggies. I do take supplements. How in the hell am I supposed to keep from getting fat if all the vegetables I can stomach are starchy and all the bread I can eat is white? No beer. No coffee. No milk. Maybe no gluten? Maybe?
Alright, OK, pity party is over. I'm considering consulting with a dietitian. I really do feel like I'm lost in the forest. In the meantime, I'm taking advise from my friend Sarah who's been on her own dietary journey for some time and has quite a bit of helpful hints for me (IE: pad your gut with some starchy veggies before you indulge with your fibrous veggies). And I'm drinking a lot of green tea; which tastes NOTHING like summer ale but is much easier to digest. Oh, summer ale. How I miss thee.
Oh, and one more thing about gut problems. Of course there is no way to prove that stress or anxiety can CAUSE any physical ailment but it can. It does. This digestive business started when I was a little kid. It started during a very stressful period of time for me. I'll admit that I'm an anxious person. It's totally 50/50 nature/nurture in my opinion but that's a topic for another day. I remember missing huge chunks of my day at school because of this. It did eventually just become my own normal; but pain is just never normal and in this day & age of "modern medicine" there is no reason to go through life hurting -- at least without knowing why.
As far as medication goes: I've recently tried one called dicyclomine and that is a no-go as it makes me super drowsy. I just won't take anything that makes me a walking zombie and gets in the way of being a functioning parent, or anything that hinders my ability to run. So I shelved that one. Maybe that'll be a good one to take some night that I've got a flare-up and I can't get to sleep! Bonus. :D I have another called Diphenoxylate/Atropine -- it works well from what I can tell, but I take it sparingly as I think it makes me a bit drowsy as well & to be honest I'm just not into drugs. There are more on the list to try, I'll update as I run through them -- when and if I do.
Dietary changes are going to be the toughie. I feel like I've been thrown for a loop here as I've been taught that high-fiber diets are beneficial for everyone. Fiber adds bulk for people with diarrhea, and absorbs water for people with constipation. Win/win. Right? Well, fiber (insoluble fiber to be specific) is out-right poison for people with microscopic colitis. A Fiber One brownie will send me into a "tail spin" (pun pun pun) for days.
This explains why, when a few months ago I read the book The Spectrum by Dr. Dean Ornish (which was the text in a Diet/Exercise/Weightloss class I took a couple years back), and applied its principals I got sick. I went on a high fiber/high (lean) protein diet - namely soy products. Of course, I snuck in some poultry here & there. Boy, did I lose weight! But damn it, I was so sick and downright confused. This book reinforced over and over that he had proven scientifically that if you went on this diet you would feel better, period. And come on -- no one can deny that a vegetarian diet is healthy, right?
I tried to trust in the process. After 2 weeks I ended up feeling like a quitter -- like I just couldn't hang in there long enough to start reaping the benefits of eating on the healthiest end of his spectrum. I kept waiting for... for... That blessed day when I could just "go" once. But alas, it was usually an on & off all damn day (as opposed to the usual on & off all damned morning).
OK so now I know it wasn't me. I'm one of the rare few who is basically "allergic" to freakin' fiber. That having been said; how does one get the nutrition they need sans salad? I love me some raw fruits and veggies. I do take supplements. How in the hell am I supposed to keep from getting fat if all the vegetables I can stomach are starchy and all the bread I can eat is white? No beer. No coffee. No milk. Maybe no gluten? Maybe?
Alright, OK, pity party is over. I'm considering consulting with a dietitian. I really do feel like I'm lost in the forest. In the meantime, I'm taking advise from my friend Sarah who's been on her own dietary journey for some time and has quite a bit of helpful hints for me (IE: pad your gut with some starchy veggies before you indulge with your fibrous veggies). And I'm drinking a lot of green tea; which tastes NOTHING like summer ale but is much easier to digest. Oh, summer ale. How I miss thee.
Oh, and one more thing about gut problems. Of course there is no way to prove that stress or anxiety can CAUSE any physical ailment but it can. It does. This digestive business started when I was a little kid. It started during a very stressful period of time for me. I'll admit that I'm an anxious person. It's totally 50/50 nature/nurture in my opinion but that's a topic for another day. I remember missing huge chunks of my day at school because of this. It did eventually just become my own normal; but pain is just never normal and in this day & age of "modern medicine" there is no reason to go through life hurting -- at least without knowing why.
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