New Direction part 2

   I don't like to go to the doctor, but it was time to face the music and find out what was up. Lab work found high fasting glucose levels- which I expected from my eating habits, and a really low vitamin D level. I knew in my head that the way I was eating was causing all my issues, but I'd eaten this way my whole life! I work in a physical health environment and I have a wonderful boss ( I dont like to call her my "boss" because she is really my mentor and dear friend) She actually PAYS us to read books that improve us in any way possible. She has a wonderful library she shares with us and encourages us to read from. There have been so many things from those books stored away in my head so I decided now was the time to put all the things that seemed to fit for me to work!
     Sooooo, the first of the year I decided I would stop sugar, diet soda and white flour. I wasnt going to follow any "diet" because they all tell you what you can and cant eat with their particular theory. I'm not much of a diet rule follower (Obviously!), I'm a fly by the seat of my pants girl, and this was going to be my own plan, my own way. If I ate this or that, it was ok because I chose it, and I could also choose my next bite .Long story short- I have lost 14 lbs since the first week of Jan,( even tho' this wasnt my goal, I hoped it would be added bonus) eating 3 meals a day with a snack of nuts and fruit/vegetable between.  I can stay wake all day, my hand and feet numbness is almost gone, I can walk down the stairs like I used to, I am no longer hungry all the time, I no longer think about eating all the time and no longer have that ravenously starving feeling-ever! Do I miss sugar? Heck ya- I was addicted to it for over 50 years! Have I had sugar in these past weeks? Ask my daughters who left the last slice of chocolate silk pie on my counter because no one could finish it :) Yes, I have had  piece of something here and there, but I eat a whole day of nutritious food ,and sugar very rarely. When sugary treats are around, I make a mental picture of a block of white sugar in the shape of the treat, and I imagine my pancreas trying to deal with it.

In my recent trip to the grocery store I was mentally able to take this view and see wrappers full of white sugar, and bags/boxes filled with white flour. Something has clicked in my head and I dont think I can ever go back. I'm taking it steps at a time, I"m not "organic", "Paleo"  calorie counting, whatever, I'm just learning to find new flavors- nuts, seeds, fruits/veg of all kinds, fish, chicken, eggs, whole grains, and amaze myself at feeling satisfied, I'm never "starving" anymore! Does anyone want to join me? Have any success stories to share? I'd love to hear from you and I'll keep you updated now and then on how its going!