Hi, I'm a 44 year old female, ex heroin addict, 5.5 years clean but recently became completely out of control binging on sugar and carbs. Finally brought to knees over last several months by:
-Chronic brain fog
-Depression
-Weight gain
-Allergies of unknown origin
-and, the kicker, a chronic yeast infection I guess, asymptomatic but for neverending vag itchiness.
I eliminated sugar first,then grains, then dairy.
I made it two weeks the first time, and had a carb/sugar binge.
I then made it two weeks again. By this time I've discovered GAPS, read the book, and started drinking broth daily. I was VLC, no fruit, but using sweet potatos for my carb cravings. The allergies had gotten better, and the itch had gone away. Then I got hit with severe cravings, and ate lots of sugar/carbs last night. Today the itch is back...ok, fine. Do what ya do, get what ya get with that. But people, I have GAINED a pound after a month on broth, chicken, liver, fish, broccoli and eggs! And I'm constipated.
-Why have I gained weight, despite running 2-5 miles 4-5 times a week, my legs are still flabby and look bigger! My fat areas have taken on a firmness that does not herald coming weight loss.
I want to see more results for the sacrifices I'm making.
-Also, I was so low energy after a month. Where is the energy? I was sleeping in the daytime.
I am a little bit discouraged, and wonder: am I expecting too much too soon?
Just a few short years ago I could juice fast and yoga away 5 pounds in a week, and firm up nice in a few weeks. I'm working as hard as I can and look and feel not too good after a month. At 5'5 and 140, I am aware I have dysmorphia issues, but this extra 15 pounds is killin' me. This is the heaviest and most out of shape I've ever been. My mostly overweight friends have NO empathy! After so many years in an addiction I'm still trying to rebuild my life and I have yet to develop that inner security that can help women age gracefully. The health issues make it hard to do that. I'm eyeballing the rawfood lifestyle, longing for fruit, wondering if it could get me back to my old self...but that's not realistic, right? least of all because of this itch.
Reality check please?
|
2
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
8
|
I would love for you to check out this Balanced Bites podcast episode when you have time. Bottom line: Starting as soon as possible, and continuing for a while, you probably just need to CALM DOWN. (Physically and psychologically.) I can practically hear how tightly wound you are right now just by reading your question, my poor dear, and I just want to give you a hug and tell you to just stop and take a BREATH! You are working against your body at every turn! It's begging you for a little breather but it sounds like you are trying to keep whipping it as hard as you can. Go a little easier on yourself!! You can download them free from iTunes, but here are some links: Balanced Bites - Adrenal Fatigue - you need to STOP! Balanced Bites Adrenal Fatigue Pt.1 Edited to add: I think the book The Mood Cure would bring you great relief. Your post is practically screaming out for it. |
|||||||||||
|
|
3
|
How do you know that 1 pound of weight gain is not muscle mass? You should take body measurements with a clothing tape after #2 in the bathroom (especially waist and hips). Some people still gain 1-4 pounds during their period EVEN on Paleo from water retention (even on a strict low carb Paleo) so consider that idea. There was a time on Paleo I LOST just 3 pounds but 2 inches in 3 weeks - now the first is not so impressive but the second is! If you are fretting over 1 pound given the prior drug history it might be good to get some good counseling and a functional medical doc through Paleo Physicians network- you've been through a lot and it's possible your body will take longer to heal from the drug damage. How many years were you on drugs in the past? Under supervision of a Paleo doc you may want to do some liver detox or something along those lines. BTW in the book Going Against the Grain, the author mentions those going through drug rehab found that easier then giving up gluten! The addiction to sugar, grains, carbs, etc. is stronger in those using drugs - that is why so many people who give up smoking, alcohol, drugs, etc. gain weight because they just changed their addiction to carbs, sugar, and wheat! Pat yourself on the back for all the progress you have made and keep it up - you have accomplished already so much and be proud! |
||||||||
|
|
3
|
nanoo, my heart breaks for you! you have been through so much but yet you also are so very strong. don't give up now! one thing that screamssssssss to me from your post is emotional unrest. in my humble opinion, drug use, body abuse, and food abuse (mostly) all stem from the same place - your heart. it's often your emotional wellbeing that makes you need to cope with substances, whatever they be. i was able to get off drugs much easier than i have been successful at battling binge eating/body image struggles, but to me they are from the same root - i am uneasy when things are out of my control and i take whatever means necessary to control things. only prayer and PATIENCE with myself has helped this process. when we are so hyper focused on our shortcomings, we miss the big picture - what is the value of your life? deal with your heart and your food/drug struggles will be greatly impacted. if you need a virtual hug, i would LOVE to fb message you. hang in there, sweet one. you are stronger than you think. |
||
|
|
|
2
|
Take a look at the first answer to this thread: http://paleohacks.com/questions/46722/how-do-i-lose-weight#axzz1xaWjEA6V |
||
|
1
|
Eggs Eggs, including the yolks, are a beneficial weight loss food. A Louisiana State University study found that women on a low-calorie diet who ate an egg coupled with toast and jelly every morning lost double the amount of weight versus women who ate a bagel for breakfast with the same amount of calories but no eggs. David Grotto, R.D., author of 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life, says, "Egg protein is filling, so you eat less later in the day." Green Tea While green tea is technically not a food, its benefits are important for weight loss. Consuming large quantities of coffee and other caffeine-related beverages can lead to an increase in food cravings and enhance the cravings released from stress-related causes. Green tea provides a healthy alternative beverage that contains low levels of caffeine but also is filled with some very powerful ingredients. One such ingredient is called catechins. The main catechin is called epigallocatechin gallate, a powerful antioxidant that helps lower cholesterol and generate fat-burning. |
||
|
1
|
I also have struggled with weight-loss, but I started at a more detrimental 290 lbs on a 6' frame. I'm a stone's throw away from 50 lbs down and I can sympathize completely when you mention constipation. All the paleo guru's don't give enough time and attention to the importance of fiber in the diet. You'd think with the elbow deep knowledge of how to prevent a leaky gut, they'd spent a little time on how to move things on out of the gut. Cabbage is the single best remedy I've found to have a nice, healthy, large bowel movement. I don't have bone broth without a whole head of cabbage in it. Throw in some onions and a small amount of carrot, and you'll be dropping bricks in no time. |
||||||||||||||||
|
