Whole30/ New me?

Anyone who has met me knows that my weight has been a battle most of my adult life.  At 43 I was diagnosed with diabetes,high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  I had arthritis in my feet, degenerated discs in my neck and spondylosis in my lower back.  I was fat, tired and under tremendous stress..... I couldn't see life on 8 prescriptions and chronic pain.  One doctor told me to lose 20 pounds and it would help my back.  It took me forever, but I lost 30.  Still very overweight, but it helped with my lower back.  And my blood sugar and high blood pressure.... just those small changes made a big difference.

But, it isn't enough.  I need to lose more if I want to live.  I figure if I got genes from my mom's side, I have got another 40 years ahead of me!  I also needed to get to the bottom of my chronic stomach issues- I will not go all TMI with you all, but I have symptoms consistent with celiac, IBS, Crohn's- you get the picture. My doctor told me I didn't have anything wrong with me, I didn't need testing, here, have a pill...... I do not go to her any more.

I tried gluten free, figuring it wouldn't hurt. I felt better, but still had swelling, joint pain, low energy, etc.  I didn't really take it seriously,  still eating things like fried chicken. I gave up artificial sweeteners, but started drinking MUCH sweet tea.  I also went part time at work last year, and my schedule was not conducive to eating a real lunch, so I would grab and go.  I wasn't much better.

I have several friends that did a paleo challenge a few months ago, and it really didn't seem like something I would want to do. But in June 0f 2014, something got my attention.  I had been talking about the Dukan diet with another parent at a softball game.  It got my attention and I read the book..... but it restricted vegetables, allowed lots of low fat dairy, no other fats. artificial sweeteners,etc.....It just seemed wrong.  As I was researching, I came across Whole30. I read and read and read. I bought It Starts with Food.  I read it in 2 days.  And I found Melissa.....who I am obsessed with at the moment.  

Wow- talk about a game changer.  All the things I already KNEW in my gut, staring at me from the interwebs!  That was 2 weeks ago.  I am on day 11 of a Whole30 challenge.  I have more energy, no pain, no stomachaches..... and have lost 9 pounds.  I will be posting pictures, recipes, and general notes about this in the future.....I am kind of excited about it all!