More Frequent Posting on Health and Fitness!

Within the last 2-3 weeks, something drastic happened.  I looked in the mirror and liked what I saw!!!
I tried on all my "too small" jeans, chinos and shirts and EVERYTHING fit.  I walked around the house at 7am telling my husband "LOOK!! LOOK!!  OMG I can wear these jeans, I never have been able to wear them before!!"  My brother who came to visit, was there the day it hit me like a ton of bricks too and I was zooming around the house twirling around in those jeans.  It's the feeling that everyone who is trying to lose weight dreams of.  I very well believe that it may be the "best feeling in the world" or at least it's certainly among them.  This great feeling was intensified MANY times over, because I have Hashimotos Thyroiditis and it's a fact that it's very easy for people with this autoimmune disease to gain weight, but quite a challenge to lose.   I also have Celiac (I know, you think I'd be skinny right?) but surprising fact:  65% of all new Celiac cases are overweight not under.  That means the majority of Celiacs are not a "textbook" case.   I want to chronicle what I've done & what I am doing to help inspire others suffering with thyroid problems.  I believe that if you want something bad enough you CAN attain it.  Now I can go on slides with my kids, fit inside of little kid trains, sit on a tiny kid chair and participate in fun times with my children.  I have the confidence to install a car seat, drive somewhere downtown and talk to new people, and not care so much about what other people think of me.  Life is short, it should be lived joyfully and with meaning and love.


I have decided that it is important for me to help other people get to where I am now-I feel led and inspired by G-d.  The exercise, the way of eating, it's not a "diet" or something that I will discontinue just because I've reached my goal.  It's a lifestyle and an ever-evolving journey and I'm thrilled to be thriving with it.

It feels great when people tell me/told me how far I have come - that what I did sure worked.  It feels even better when they seek advice or ask what I did to meet my goals.    I have found myself emailing and talking with so many people & there simply is not enough time in the day.  I want to help EVERYONE and ANYONE.  I have decided to update this blog more frequently.  It has always been my intention to post daily, but with two small children it often gets put on the backburner.  You can read through my archives for some tips that I have posted in the past, or just to see how far I have come since the birth of my first child.

I love comments, so please leave them if you have something to say, or if there is something that you like or want to know more about.    The more encouragement I have, the better I will be about making the blog a priority.

In January 2011, I began my intense health and fitness challenge- it will continue for the rest of my life.  I invite you to begin your own journey, and to share in mine.  Everyone needs encouragement and support and it is my hope that you can find that in my words, photos and experiences.



Elle 

Dairy (and Refined Sugar) are the new Gluten

All of my friends know that I am in the process of getting back into the "best shape of my life".   Major lifestyle changes have not only become a habit, but something that I LOVE and am really looking forward to.  But if you have spoken, texted or emailed me recently you probably also know my journey is not yet over.  I have still been suffering with gastrointestinal issues,  things that I won't say because I don't want you to become ill, along with abdominal pain and bloating.  Spending excessive amounts of my time in the restroom is just not cool when I have two kids screaming for attention, crawling on the counter and knocking over glass, coloring on each other and chewing on shoes, but I digress. 

I  spoke to my Dr and we came to the conclusion that it's most likely dairy that is the culprit. Now, even though I don't drink straight cows milk at this time (raw or pasteurized) I still consume things like whey protein shakes and butter every single day.  I have been taking digestive enzymes with my meals along with Betaine HCL and this really seems to help digest proteins like I should.  So this morning, I took a very high quality digestive enzyme along with my usual whey protein shake and BAM! it hit me like a ton of bricks - ouch!    Now,  I have had my thoughts about whey not agreeing with me before, but this drink is so respected and everyone loves it, I thought that it couldn't be the shake.  But I can now say for certain that it is.  I'm sure it's fine for the rest of the population who, unlike me can tolerate dairy.  It has worked well for me with regard to weight loss, but I just can't afford to consume it any longer.

So I am really going to make efforts to treat Dairy and Refined Sugars just like I do gluten - ERADICATE them!  It seems to be the ticket to less time spent in the restroom and a happier family life.  Even though I'm not Vegan, I do believe the Vegan products will suit me better as they are (for the most part) certified organic and animal product free. 

So, the journey continues.  I'm pretty sure that I'm well on my way to getting even better and that I uncovered a major problem that was frustrating me these past few weeks.  I loved bread and dairy and sugar but it's not worth all of the pain.