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Still having some set backs and I'm not 100%. I'm trying to enjoy this process as much as possible because I am learning more and more about myself along the way. I'm researching things on a regular basis to help process everything I have been going through. I have theories and am probably thinking too much for my own good, but the main thing has been just simplifying everything. Less is more. Here are six things that I have tried to go into depth about that I think play a key role in my over-all well-being.
1. Critically think to the last time when I felt good and did not have much going on with my digestive system. I thought about what I was eating during that time, what I was doing physically as far as exercise, and what my mentality was like. Then I also thought about times that were extremely tough for me and I struggled with my digestive system and my stress. Two times stood out in my mind. - The year before I graduated nursing school, I was stressed. I did not have a good diet due to the fact I was lacking money and time to cook. I was stressed because I was on the last stretch of nursing school with tons of homework, long clinical hours, and no sleep. Plus, I was traveling out of town a lot with the little free time I had. During this time, my stress level and my digestive system was at it's worst and I was struggling and even considering finishing out nursing school. - My first year out of college and I had my own apartment right by work and lived near my, then boyfriend, for the first time in our relationship. We had been together for almost three years at that time. I was happy, I enjoyed the people I worked with, I bought my first car, my finances were in order, I was able to afford a decent diet, and tried a vegetarian diet for the first time in my life although I have always wanted to do this. In the beginning, I still kept some chicken and fish, but cut out red meat completely. I also decided to cut out most wheat based products except for Ezekiel bread. I exercised minimally, but did what made me feel good. 2. I began to think what I was including in my diet and exercise program as well as what was going on in my life during this time before I had this huge set-back. I have a lot of carbs in my diet and I was eating red meat frequently as far as diet goes. Although it was clean, my body did not process it well and I had stomach upset and indigestion often. Workouts were enjoyable, but hard and more frequent and they began to make me feel good about myself, but not make me feel good overall health-wise. In my life, I had recently started a new job, trying to keep our finances in order, I was traveling every weekend I was off, and I found it very stressful. 3. So, I started to change, first, my lifestyle. I quit traveling as much and have been spending more time at my home enjoying things around here. I haven't really had a chance since we moved here even though we live in such a huge city. I also made my budget which was explained in the last post. I also try my best to not let procrastination become an issue and I find my stress level going down since I get things done on time rather than last-minute(should be an obvious change, but we all know it is easier said than done). 4. Right now I am working on my diet. I'm taking it to the next level and simplifying it. No red meat, all fish and chicken for protein to try and keep what muscle tone I haven't already lost. Also, instead of buying frozen vegetables, we are now buying them fresh, cutting them up and mixing them up for use throughout the week. Saves us money and is better for us in the long run. As for carbs, I have streamed back to the blood type diet and FODMAP diet. The blood type diet is something that my mother follows and helps her. Reading through some of Dr. D'Adamo's descriptions for the different blood type personalities and where they originated and how each should eat, I found it very true for not just me, but my husband as while. I'm blood type A and my husband is blood type O. I strive on vegetarian diets and he strives on a carnivorous diet otherwise paleo-like diet. The low FODMAP diet is something my GI specialist recommended when I had an EGD last year due to digestive issues. I had bile re-flux that he suggested I lack some enzymes to digest certain foods. Basically it calls to avoid simple sugars that are in most fruits and gluten. For websites for further reading, click the buttons below. 5. Next step is to find workouts that work for me. I want to build muscle, but I find that when working too strenuously that my cortisol levels increase, causing me anxiety. Elevated cortisol levels do not help with muscle growth either. I'm an extremely hard gainer, so finding the right workouts are hard. 6. Last, but definitely not least, is my happiness. Just enjoying the little things every day. I want to start taking a day every week to do something enjoyable and memorable with my husband. I want to document my thoughts in this blog in order to share with others, but as a reference guide to what I was thinking and what I've changed. This allows me to see that I have made progress and helps me to not make the same mistake twice. This has happened one too many times for it to get out of control again. It is time... time for change... Until next time...
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