Before and After

I've posted some of my progress as my body has gotten healthier, but sometimes it doesn't really sink in until you can really visualize it. The mental game seems to be the hardest part to change. I've spent the last eight years blaming my thyroid and not appreciating the wonderful gift my body truly is. What I never did was take accountability for my own choices, for the things I was allowing to enter my body. And I don't know, maybe eight years ago when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's the information might not have been readily available, especially as far as gluten is concerned. But even though my body has changed and I have every reason to feel great about it, I still get caught up in seeing the flaws. But not today. Today, I will no long nit-pick at every little thing that isn't Hollywood-perfect. Because it's me-perfect. I have everything I started out with the goal to achieve, and have completely surpassed it. I'm still not regularly exercising. It's a tough habit for me to form. But I know I'll get there because changing my eating has been even harder and now it comes easier.

Have I fallen off the wagon? Only once. There have been times I've been dragged behind the wagon and pulled myself back up instead of letting go. But I admit to falling off and enjoying flying through the air. But when I hit the ground, it hurt. The stomachaches and tiredness were not worth it. So then I felt like the kid who missed the bus and ran after it knowing he might not make it, but everyone on the bus was cheering for him to run faster so the bus driver HAD to stop at the next stop sign to let him on. I have a great support team of family and friends. My husband is my biggest cheerleader and supporter as well as my children. I have great friends who are even making changes with me. I fell off the radar when my husband was away working for the summer, but I didn't fall off until right at the end of the summer. It's taken me a month to recover and feel good again. Anyways, here are my "Before" pictures. The top was taken at the end of March, and the second about mid-May.

And now, my after. 

This pic was taken just a few days ago, August 26th. 

We had an incredible downpour, so after the raining stopped I went out to celebrate in the river going down our street. It's still a little bit of a shock to walk past a full length mirror, but definitely a pleasant shock. This is the best I've felt in decades. I honestly can't remember a time where I wasn't tired. Maybe middle school? And it's the best I've looked since I started dating my husband 8 1/2 years ago. Bread and candy are worth the sacrifice. Getting rid of processed food is worth it. The extra time spent preparing natural food is worth it. I feel amazing!

Do You Eat to Live Or Live to Eat?

Since I started this experiment in changing my family's eating habits, I have had the expected ups and downs. The ups are fantastic. To date, I have maintained my clarity and energy. I have lost 14 pounds and 5 inches around my belly. I've lost 2 inches around my waist and hips and 1.5" around my thighs. And it doesn't show signs of stopping. I might finally have a fit and healthy body -soon! The implications of the weight loss and other benefits are what really astound me. My body is healing enough to function properly! I have shed tears of joy at the thought. 

My downs have luckily not been as drastic, but are still difficult. I admit that I am not 100% on the sugar yet. I'm doing my best, but I have figured small treats once a week could be ok. It's the binges that are dangerous. I've only had two since I started, but I felt so drained and sluggish afterwards that they served as good reminders of why I am doing this. I had a hot dog at Target the other day. The pain the next day was excruciating. And it's funny, because it was the same feeling I'd just lived with before, but having been free of it for two months, I was a lot less tolerant of it. 

I've also had a rough time with snacks. I was a snacking fiend before I had my epiphany. Like eat a whole pack of double stuft oreos in a few days snacking fiend. Snacking now without hardly any junk has got me thinking in a new way. Because I don't buy junk food anymore, I'm forced to consider veggies, nuts and fruits (basically everything it's not my natural impulse to reach for), a snack. I did find these awesome gluten free veggie dipping chips at Sam's Club. With my favorite french onion dip, they are incredible. By themselves, not so much. But as I look for an evening snack I'm always reminded of why I am eating. 

 

Our bodies are such precious gifts that God has given us. And they are hardy and delicate at the very same time. They require equilibrium. They require constant care. They house our spirits, who we really are with limitless potential. Is how I am eating helping me reach my potential or holding me back from achieving it?  Am I using and appreciating food as fuel for my body, or am I abusing it and giving in to selfish impulses? My relationship with food and my body is changing, and I have to count my blessings that it is happening now. My self-esteem used to be a lot more dependent on how my body looked. Eating right for my body, eating what it needs and removing what it can't tolerate, has shifted my focus. I feel good about myself because I know I am making good choices. I feel good about myself because I feel so good physically. The weight loss is now a byproduct of the main goal- health! And with three daughters, that is the image of self-esteem I want them to have. I want them to love their bodies and make good choices for their health. I want them to focus on being healthy, not thin. It's a happier way to live. And when you are attractive to yourself, you are attractive to others. 

Food can be a blessing or a curse. We have the power to choose which one it will be for us. Good food, and food that your body can tolerate is the key. Regular, not obsessive, exercise is important, too. If you're like me and snacking is the difficult part, I'm working on it. I'm working on finding good summer snacks and yummy popsicle recipes. So, keep your eyes peeled!

Fresh Has a Whole New Meaning

I've become a believer in local farmer's markets. It only took one trip and I was convinced I would be adding a weekly visit to Main Street to my lifestyle. Ours is up and running from 8:30-12:30 every Wednesday and Saturday morning. I spoke with one of the farmers and she enlightened me to one of the greatest benefits, I think, of shopping locally.

A week before my first trip to the market, I went to the store with the best prices in the weekly ads and spent $80 on fresh produce, thinking I landed the jackpot. In four days, I repeat four days, most of what I purchased had gone rancid. I'd hardly had a chance to figure out what to do with all the squash, zucchini, artichokes, spinach and so much more before I had to toss it out. 

I was devastated. And broke. 

I rounded up all the change I had and headed down to the market after dropping my oldest off at school. I was at my first stand and the lady was so friendly I couldn't help but ask her all my questions. 

How long will your spinach and garlic chives last in the fridge?

Her answer? Two weeks. Maybe three. Two, maybe three weeks?? I was lucky to get my produce from the store to last a week.

How does it stay fresh so long?

She said her greens were cut the day before. And not to knock on the grocery store, because people gotta get their food, but after the produce is picked/cut, it then has to be packaged. And then it has to travel. By the time it gets to the commercial chain store, it's been several days. Add in rotation practices, and sometimes you have food that can barely be called "fresh" out on the floor. 

Curious, I went back to the store I spent that small fortune on and found that a lot of the stuff I bought came from Chile. South America. Not even our same continent! 

I'm guessing it came by boat. And then sat in the back of the store for another week until what was on the sales floor finally sold.

But these greens, cut the day before, were crisp and dark. And they were cheaper. Yay! The asparagus was $3 for a lb. Not necessarily cheaper. But definitely fresher. Free range chicken eggs were 2 dozen for $5. I haven't tried them yet. We are still using up the last purchase of a 5 dozen egg package from Alberston's. 

I don't know what the furthest distance is that farmers drive to get here to sell their goods, but I'm sure it's a heck of a lot closer than coming from South America! I have not been disappointed since I started shopping the local market. $20 a week seems to be enough to keep fresh produce in my meals. And to me, that's completely worth it.

Soy- Yay Or Nay?

The soy debate is ongoing. It's been linked to slowing metabolism in livestock and rats. It's been known to attack an already low thyroid. Unlike gluten and sugar, it's effects don't seem to be well-documented or substantiated. What does exist, however, are compelling arguments. Is it a coincidence that soy, while relatively new to the American diet, has been touted as this "power food", yet hasn't seemed to slow the rising rates of obesity? Is it a coincidence that there are studies beginning to link the presence of soy in a nursing mother's diet to a child's development of endocrine related disease? Is it also a coincidence that the soy industry went from making $1 billion a year to $4 billion once it was endorsed as a "healthy" food in America? Who do you suppose paid for that endorsement? And their profits stand to increase by 11% every year. Natural Health News So, who stands to profit by me thinking soy is a "healthy" food?

Sugar and Hypothyroidism = Recipe for Diabetes

There is one disease I live in fear of - diabetes. I know that times have changed since 1989 and that a person today stands a much greater chance of living a full life with diabetes, but I can't ignore my family history of diabetes, or that my first mom died from diabetes. But what does diabetes have to do with hypothyroidism?

Everything.

The Gluten-Thyroid Disconnection

So what's the deal with gluten? Apparently a lot. At this food allergy test  the symptoms of gluten intolerance include constipation, gas, brain fog, fatigue, depression and weight gain. Sound familiar? If you're like me and you continued to have all these symptoms even though your blood tests come back normal for the dose you are on, a gluten sensitivity makes a compelling case.

Blood tests, however, will not confirm a gluten sensitivity. So, how do you know if you are sensitive to gluten? The easiest way is to go off of it. Conduct a personal experiment. Here's the thing, because of the binding properties, gluten is in just about everything pre-prepared. Normally you think of breads and pastas, because gluten is the protein in wheat. But this isn't the case. You can find them in things as commonplace and bread-less as salad dressings and lunch meat. Its presence is as pervasive as being in sauces, condiments, chicken nuggets and french fries. Not to mention cereals and common grains, even candy! The key to trying it out is to try eating completely fresh foods. Foods in their natural state that will naturally not have gluten. If, after some time you find your symptoms disappear like I did, then add it back in your diet. If your symptoms reappear, it's very likely you have a gluten sensitivity.

Some other thoughts and links on gluten to consider.

1. "Of perhaps greatest importance to thyroid patients, the researchers found that the various antibodies that indicate celiac disease- organ-specific autoantibodies, (i.e. thyroid antibodies)--will disappear after 3-6 months of a gluten-free diet."  The Celiac/Autoimmune Thyroid Connection

2."This means if you have AITD and you eat foods containing gluten, your immune system will attack your thyroid." The Gluten-Thyroid Connection
3. "The present results confirm that the frequency of subclinical coeliac disease is increased among patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders." European Journal of Endocrinology Study

As I understand it, not only does gluten inhibit absorption of nutrients but it can actually cause damage to the intestines, which would later lead to digestive disease. I'm still doing my research, and as I continue to find relevant information, I will add to this post. But there is enough for me to believe there could be a connection. And as many of my symptoms have disappeared from doing my best to avoid it, I'm prone to think going gluten-free is the way for me. It'll be difficult, to be sure. But I know it will be worth it.

The Experiment

A couple years ago, I think, (it's for sure been a while) I remember reading an article about Jenny McCarthy and how she had been able to improve her son's autism using a strict diet and being diligent with it. When I first decided to research how to eat with hypothyroidism, I thought if she could improve autism with diet, why shouldn't I be able to help myself with my disease?

My Motivation

I have three beautiful girls I have the honor and great responsibility to care for and mother. Endocrine related diseases run in my family. We have Type I and II diabetes, hypo and hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia, and a host of other diet related diseases as well. If I can plan and prepare meals that will protect their health, while improving mine, then whatever effort is required of me is worth it.

My Story

In October of 2003, my husband of three months was in boot camp, I was depressed, exhausted for no apparent reason, and I was living a good 600 miles away from my family and friends. It was a great blessing that I was living with my in-laws at the time. My mother-in-law is an RN, and I was sinking further into depression. She suggested I see a doctor about perhaps getting an anti-depressant to take the edge off until Ryan completed his training and we could be together again, as I was sure that was the reason for my depression. I went to the appointment and as the PA took all my vitals, she stopped at my throat and said a little, "hm." She told me to go straight to the lab with a slip for 3 tests to be done, my T3, T4, and TSH.