A New Journey...

I've been procrastinating writing this post. Mostly because I am so busy, but I always find other things to do instead. Its a beautiful day (even those its freezing cold), and I am in a great mood. Not just because of the sun, but I lost 5 pounds in one week... and I didn't diet! So here is my story.

I know most of you are thinking "Courtney, you don't need to lose weight!" Here is a picture of my taken in October probably at my heaviest. I was 139. How embarrassing, right?! TOTALLY! But at the same time, I feel its important to share my story because... wait, I'm jumping the gun. But this picture makes me sick. I am 5'5 and shouldn't look like this. I used to eat fast food (even though it was small portions) at least 3 times a week... if not more. I bought "healthy" foods (I put them in parenthesis because what we're told is healthy is not really healthy... but I will get there) and ate good portions.

In December, I joined Weight Watchers and started hitting the gym 5-6 days a week. I would walk for 10 minutes and then would run for 10, and so on and so on. In January I felt good enough to start doing cycling. I would ride the bike at different levels for 30-40 minutes, then head on the treadmill and would run for another 30-40 minutes. I felt good. I even stopped eating out so much. I would only go out once a week with my husband, and it was usually to the same place: Mi Mexico (they have the best refried beans and chips and salsa).

By the end of January I was only 134. But I looked the same (see above)! I know my body pretty well and felt like I should be losing more than that for how hard I was working out and everything else. I was frustrated that nothing was happening! I had a feeling something wasn't right, so I went to see a nutritionist here in town. I was expecting to hear a few things that I was maybe allergic to, but what I found out I was not prepared for at all.

I was allergic to wheat! WHEAT! That's in everything I eat, not to mention that I buy "whole wheat" products. I thought whole wheat was healthier for me, but I was very wrong. Our bodies are not meant to process wheat, along with margarine and soy.

I found out that my body was storing water and wasn't flushing out toxins the way they should. My body wasn't digesting proteins properly either. I also found out that I have Candida. You can look it up, but there are different types and the words ca be very confusing if you aren't a nurse or doctor, so I'll break it down for you using very easy words. Both men and women have yeast in their bodies. The yeast multiplies by eating a lot of sugars and wheat/carbohydrates. It can cause weight gain, depression, ADD, gas, sleeping problems, sluggishness/tired, acne, and several other things. Those were just a few of my symptoms that I didn't KNOW were symptoms. I just thought I was born with depression and ADD and that it was worse because I am so busy and have kids and am stressed and going going going all the time. I was shocked, surprised and a bit relieved that it was much associated with the way I was eating and the fact that I had Candida.

Candida can be treated, but it isn't easy. At least not for me. I had to give up wheat, sugar, any processed foods, cheese (specifically cheddar), eggs and dairy. Basically I am on the "raw foods" diet. I was told I could have goat cheese (which I had never had but ended up really liking it) and rice. So how was I supposed to get protein?! I have been eating almonds and will occasionally have a chicken breast in my spinach salad. But after a recent episode on Oprah about how they kill cows, I will not be eating cow or pig products from this point on. Chickens are another story. LOL

Anyway, this was on the 2nd of February (last Wednesday). The next day was probably the worst day for me. I woke up in a very somber state, cried all morning, grieving the loss of my delicious foods that I eat everyday. I seriously love food... and love bread... and Mexican food... and anything and everything that's sweet. I didn't know how I was going to survive. I had eaten some unsweetened steel cut oats with blueberries for breakfast, half of an avocado for lunch (oh, and with some fruit), spinach salad with some chicken and lemon juice for dinner, and almonds that I snacked on throughout the day. I was surprised that I wasn't hungry one single bid that entire day! I was drinking plenty of water which was filling me up, and before all this, I hated water so I would only really drink it at the gym.

By Friday I was hopeful. I was embracing my new journey ahead and planned accordingly. Luckily I live in an area that is filled with hippies that love organic, healthy foods. I was a virgin when it came to shopping at the local Food Co-op though. I didn't know what was good and what was bad. I had to really, and I mean REALLY read the labels. Thankfully I have friends that live gluten free and have amazing foods that they passed onto me. Sadly, most of them had sugar in them.

It amazes me how many everyday products have sugar in them. Ketchup, crackers, "healthy" cereal, drinks (even "sugar free" drinks have some type of sugar in them), seasonings for food (taco mixes, are you serious?!), teas, beans, soups, "maple" syrup, eve frozen fruit! I seriously, and I mean SERIOUSLY challenge every single one of you to look at the contents of your food before you eat it. You may think you know whats in it, but you will be shocked to find out that's its probably loaded with sugar and other processed foods. Its expensive to live healthy, but this is your BODY that you will be living in for the REST. OF. YOUR. LIFE.

This last week was a serious roller coaster. I cried one day, was happy the next, had a melt down the next day, etc, etc. Not to mention how I craved choclate and sweet things, was tired a lot and craving caffeine (I took lots of naps with Luke and Kylee). But its been a week. I survived a week. And I lost 6 pounds in just one week! I am now 128 (and that's without going to the gym for a week)!!! 128 OMG!!!! I haven't been 128 since 2006 when I was on a mission to lose weight a year after Kylee was born. I haven't taken any photos, but I will, and I will be sure to post them, too! I don't feel like I look much different (probably because I have a bad body image in my head) but I have gotten complements telling me I look thinner. And I was able to wear a shirt today that I haven't worn in two years because of my muffin-top. And I wore it today muffin-top free (well, there is still a little bit there, but not as much as before).

So I think I got it all out. I for sure miss sugar, and chocolate, and ice cream, but I found some great alternatives. I now look forward to my delicious smoothie that I make with fruit and almond milk and a bit of unsweetened yogurt with a little bit of stevia in it and flavored flax seed oil. Its my treat to myself everyday. And if I feel I need a bit of sweetness, I grab some almonds and maybe some cantaloupe and that satisfies me.

I encourage all of you to really start looking at what you are eating... and to see a nutritionist. Its amazing what you find out about your body that you may not know!

(this post took me over an hour to write. I hope you enjoy it! Ha!)