@GrainFreeMe Paleo Diet: Day 70

Ten weeks down, and I’m still thrilled with Paleo. I’ll further tweak my diet to more of a ketogenic diet, which basically means moderate to low protein intake, along with very low carb and higher fat consumption. I’ll be excluding foods high in histamine, tyramine and arganine, while introducing some supplements: cod liver oil, magnesium glycinate and DAOsin. (I’ve already added mega doses of Vitamin D3.) Let’s hope these are the changes necessary to eliminate the joint pain left in my left elbow, the monthly migraines and the daily headaches, as well as preventing exertion headaches from popping up when I exercise.

I don’t believe I’ve mentioned Robb Wolf or Chris Kresser in previous posts, so let me do so now. They are trusted sources for adjusting Paleo for ailments like migraine, and I look forward to testing out their suggestions. Just run a search for “migraine” or “fibromylagia” or other illnesses on their websites to find podcasts, transcripts, interviews and articles on the subject. I highly recommend Robb Wolf’s book, “The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet.”

My body measurements did not change for this two week update, but I am menstruating so thanks to some bloating I may have to wait a day or two for truer measurements. I did drop a couple pounds and now weigh 158.5.

Foods I love but will temporarily remove from my diet are pastured eggs, uncured bacon, sausage, chicken skin, all seafood (unless I catch it myself), avocado, most berries, lemon, lime, all ripened fruits and vegetables, and cinnamon. I’ve already removed nightshades.

As you’ll see I’m still dealing with acne, but my skin is not as inflamed.

upper lip, day 70

chin, day 70

left cheek, day 70

right cheek, day 70

belly and backfat, day 70

I will start to incorporate more exercise like biking and using the incliner. Starting slow will insure I don’t overdue it while on this second round of parasitic detox, and it will gear me up for more strenuous exercise later.

Some links I found interesting:
The Histamine and Tyramine Restricted Diet
Histamine Intolerance
Histamine Intolerance, GAPS and Low Carb
Headaches, Hives, and Heartburn: Could Histamine Be the Cause?
Episode 117 of the Paleo Solution Podcast; here’s the transcript (page 4)
Remove these 3 foods to naturally treat chronic migraine

@GrainFreeMe Paleo Diet: Day 56

PaleoMonth2

This update will also have to be short and sweet because it’s the hubby’s birthday. Since adopting a Paleo lifestyle – like he had a choice – the Birthday Boy has lost 25 pounds in two month. And his present was new clothes, since his shorts were sliding off.

Paleo Diet: Day 56 Measurements

  • Waist:  31″
  • Abs:  36″
  • Hips:  41.5″
  • Thighs:  Left 25″   Right 24.5″
  • Weight:  160.5 lbs (starting weight 173)

I’m tired of seeing my mug in HD, so I’m excluding face pics for now. And it’s not just because of the huge zit claiming dominion over my left cheek. Other than that hormonal pimple, my face is looking clearer overall, my pores are not as volcanic since removing nightshades. On another note: I may remove pastured eggs in the coming weeks to rule out sensitivity, to see if they’re adding to my chronic headaches.

I may have had difficulty believing my photographed results before, but it’s becoming clear to me what “whole grains,” legumes, dairy and sugar were doing to my body. I don’t look as swollen as my first month of photos.

My two month Neem Detox is almost done, and my rash has been clearing up. I look forward to getting some exercise in before I repeat the detox in the coming weeks. I also hope my symptoms aren’t as bad during the second round.

@GrainFreeMe Paleo Diet: Day 42

I completely forgot today was update time, so this post is short and sweet.

Paleo Diet: Day 42 Measurements

  • Waist:  31.5″
  • Abdominal:  36″
  • Hips:  42.25″
  • Thighs:  Left 25″   Right 24.5″
  • Weight:  164.5 lbs

I’m continuing to slowly drop pounds and inches, and my face is clearing up a bit. This week I will have my second castor oil cleanse under the neem detox protocol. Then it’s two weeks of probiotics to fill the gut with healthy bugs. Here are my Day 42 photos.

upper lip, day 42

chin, day 42

left cheek, day 42

right cheek, day 42

belly and backfat, day 42

 

Paleo Diet Before and After Pics – 1st Month

When I decided to go Paleo, I promised myself I would give this lifestyle change at least six months. Because I’ve had chronic health issues for some time now, I knew symptoms wouldn’t simply reverse overnight. I have seen some interesting improvements during this first month, and I look forward to sharing more.

I may decide to stay Paleo for life. I know just wanting to be rid of daily headaches is a major motivator, but there are too many other positives I’m gaining through this process to see the end result as a failure if I’m not completely pain free.

I fiddled with Microsoft Paint to place my profile pics side by side. It’s obviously too soon to see a dramatic difference, but stay tuned. (Remember, at this stage I’m not exercising until I at least finish the first round of my Neem detox. I’m going to purchase a pair of barefoot sports shoes – since my feet will need time to acclimate in them, I can start slow on the incliner in the coming weeks.)

PaleoMonth1

@GrainFreeMe Paleo Diet: Day 28

I realized a few days after writing my Day 14 update that I was eating too much dark chocolate. What started off as a few pieces after lunch wound up being almost half a bar. (Chocolate contains caffeine, which I’m sensitive to, so it’s no wonder I’ve been having trouble falling asleep, relying on melatonin to knock me out.)  I justified eating a well-known migraine trigger by convincing myself that I deserved to indulge since I’ve had to cut out so many of my favorite foods.

I’m about 3.5 weeks into the Neem detox prescribed by my doctor, and the rash has returned. I’m also having terrible headaches with varying intensity throughout the day, some constipation, more acne, moodiness, etc. due to parasitic die-off. Living Food 101 is a website I recently found that discusses the Die-Off Symptoms of Parasites, as well as the health benefits of using Neem in removing them.

I’ve decided to remove all nightshades from my diet (like tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and most peppers) because of a possible inflammatory response to solanine. Maybe I can reintroduce them at a later time, but for now I’m determined to reduce inflammation and joint pain.

Paleo Diet: Day 28 Measurements

  • Waist:  32.5″
  • Abdominal:  36.75″
  • Hips:  42.75″
  • Thighs:  Left 26″     Right 25.5″
  • Weight:  168-lbs

I think a five pound drop in weight since Day 1 is decent and healthy. I also lost a fraction of an inch, here and there. (Once I get my body moving, the added muscle will slim me down even more.)  But pain loss is the ultimate motivator, especially to someone who would prefer not to rely on prescribed medication.

I’m continuing to break out, more than likely due to detox.

upper lip, Day 28

chin, Day 28

left cheek, Day 28

right cheek, Day 28

When I figure out how, I’ll have to put my profile pics side by side for easier comparison.

belly and backfat, Day 28

After taking a few photos of my Day 28 belly profile, I appeared a lot thinner in one particular picture (not the one above, and I wasn’t sucking in). It turns out I don’t stand very tall. Whether it be a lack of confidence, a weak core, or laziness, I will focus on correcting that.

I edited Day 14′s update to include the fact that I have less hair loss. My hair has always been pretty thick, but I tended to lose a lot – especially after shampooing. I just thought it was normal, but now I see it was a sign of illness and/or a poor diet.

I also noticed (4/14/13) that my eyebrows are a little fuller. I’m not having to use as much makeup to fill in areas where hair is sparse.

@GrainFreeMe Paleo Diet: Day 14

My @GrainFreeMe journey is still going strong. I would say I’m about 95% Paleo now that I’ve ended my quick love affair with raw milk. I’m still cooking with organic ghee or pastured, raw butter.

My detox rash is fading. I’m scheduled to double the dose this week, so it may return. Now onto Day 14 measurements and photographs.

Paleo Diet: Day 14 Measurements

  • Waist:  33.5″
  • Abdominal:  37″
  • Hips:  42.75″
  • Thighs:  Left 26.25″  Right 25.75″
  • Weight:  171-lbs

Changes from starting measurements: I dropped two pounds, and my hips increased by 1/4 inch (a possible inaccuracy in tape measurement skills).

I haven’t started an exercise routine yet; I’m choosing to wait until I end the first phase of my Neem detox. I am doing deep squats and modified planks for a few minutes a day (I’m noticing less crunching in my left knee). Also, I purchased my first tennis racquet in years, so I can hit the ball against the wall and slowly build my swing back up. Tennis was my passion for many years – the best thing for my abs, and it never felt like a workout.

The acne surrounding my lips is fading, but pores are still huge.

lips and chin, Day 14

The acne under my chin and on both sides of my face seems better, less inflamed.

chin, Day 14

left cheek, Day 14

right cheek, Day 14

It’s probably too soon to notice any significant thinness in my belly and back fat, but here’s my profile at Day 14.

belly and backfat, Day 14

Some things I have noticed since removing grains, legumes, sugar, processed and artificial foods:

  • My energy levels are even throughout the day; there’s no high where I’m giggling for no reason and no crashes from sugar withdrawals or hormonal changes
  • There were some noticeable mood swings during the first week of the detox, but no PMS-related irritability or sadness. I don’t feel easily overwhelmed. I did experience the typical fidgety-ness before my cycle started.
  • I’m more satiated after meals, and feel less bloated or hungry soon after eating
  • I’m not craving sweets, but I do like a few pieces of organic dark chocolate after lunch
  • My hormonal migraine is very mild, so no abortive was necessary during this cycle. Also, I experienced no low back pain during this period – something that has always occurred in the past. This month’s cycle began two days earlier than the typical 26 and 27-day cycle, it lasted four days and there was no typical clotting
  • As you can see in the Day 14 photos, my acne is fading. Time will tell if the acne was due to PMS or due to the hormonal changes from the new diet
  • The joint pain and inflammation must be decreasing because the discomfort in my left elbow and knuckles is less noticeable
  • I’m losing a lot less hair, especially after shampooing
  • I’m urinating less, there’s no odor and the appearance is always light and clear – even in the morning, before I drink water
  • No GI issues. BMs are firm and regular (no parasites!)
  • I’m noticing more lubrication before/during intercourse
  • As I posted, the typical dark line that stained my upper front teeth has faded away
  • I’m still experiencing daily headaches, so I will take the diet a step further and eliminate nightshades

Menstrual Cycles and Babies and Stuff

LittleJasmine

My period started two days earlier than my usual 26-day cycle. Could be age related or my body’s a little out of whack since going Paleo and starting a Neem Detox. maybe things will return to normal next month.

My pseudo-fantasy is that by age 42 my husband and I are able to conceive our first child. But, we have major obstacles besides age and the fact I’ve never been pregnant before. For example, he had a vasectomy in his 20s (it’s a long story). And he had a reversal about 15 years after that. His sperm were back in action, sort of. The doctor suggested prednisone to help with motility but one look at the side effects and I said no fucking way. If it was meant to be, it’ll happen. If not, we could always adopt.

A cousin had her first child at 42, which is why I’m fixated on the number. And she and her daughter are healthy, beautiful, extremely close. I think there’s something smart about waiting to become a parent. Not only are you wiser about who you are and what you want to be, but you have a better idea of what’s important in life. How can you pop out another human before you know who you are?

Financially my husband and I are probably not ready. But isn’t that one everyone says? Still I wouldn’t want the stress of living paycheck to paycheck when the priority should be raising a healthy, happy baby.

Is my husband ready to be a father? He says he is, but who is ever truly ready? I know he couldn’t do any worse than my dad or stepdad. Physically he’s not ready because he lives with chronic back pain. And it would probably affect him emotionally if he couldn’t tumble around with his child.

Besides my fantasy of traveling the world, I’m ready to breastfeed, and change diapers, and wash baby clothes, bibs and falling pacifiers. And later make homemade baby food, cleanup spills, and swoon over smiles, giggles and crossed farts. I long to smell baby’s forehead and nibble on toes and fingers. I can’t wait to have my hair pulled and get spit up on my shirts. I can already envision my naked baby curled up on my husband’s bare chest. I can’t say I’m looking forward to interrupted sex or sleep, though.

Yeah, I guess I’ve thought about it more than I thought I’ve thought about it. Maybe this fantasy is closer to a desired reality than I previously wanted to believe. Maybe I set it up that way so the let down wouldn’t be as hard.

The world is still shit, and not good enough for anyone I birth. But for some strange reason we were all given a chance. Maybe a mom is what I was meant to be. Not just because it’s natural, but because I’ve been known to mother my friends, my husband, pets, and my own mother at times. I give advice like it’s a necessary exchange for an in-breath. I make sure people have their jackets in case the restaurant is cold.

Perhaps if hubby gets approval for surgery, and is finally able to ween off prescribed pain meds, he can follow Paleo with me, and get his body and all the necessary chemical reactions back in check. I think three years gives us more than enough time to get him ready for making healthy babies. And if it’s not meant to be, we’re going to enjoy trying.