Well it has been a week since I finished the detox. I must admit that my pain level is not exactly where I had hoped that it would be. But by writing the Fibromyalgia blog, I continually go back and re-read what I have already written so that I continue to bring good content. In doing this, I realized that I have came along way in managing my pain level. When I started I was at an 8. I have reduced my pain down 30% to a consistent 5. I think that is huge after only a little under 4 weeks. Plus I feel better. I feel more like a normal person than I have in so many, many years. I don’t feel like I have been drugged in the morning when I get up. For me this is gigantic and I know that for many people like me out there, it would be also. So today I want to tell you about the “bad boy” yeast free diet.
As I said, there are many versions available on the internet. I spent two solid days reading everything I could pull up on “yeast free diet”. Each has its own variations. I printed off so many but then after just a few days, I decided to pick one and stick with it. I sent it to my family, my co-workers, and made two copies for me. One to take home for my husband to read and one to keep with me at all times. Not sure if that has worked. Not a day goes by that either one of my daughters or my husband asks me, “can you eat this?” And usually the answer is always the same. NO!!!!!!!. There is no doubt about it, the diet is very restrictive. The key to this is the same as the key to so many things in our lives, instead of concentrating on what I can’t have. I concentrate on what I CAN HAVE. And that is what we will do today.
I can have as much as I want of low carb vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, cucumbers, carrots, cauliflower, string beans, tomatoes, and celery. There are so many more but asparagus, beet greens, collard greens, dandelion, mustard greens, rutabaga, and turnips are not going in this mouth. I can have almost any meat, poultry, or seafood I want. I can also have the “incredible edible” egg which to me isn’t much different than rutabaga. Then I can have 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil, safflower oil, and canola oil along with most all seasonings and fresh herbs. One big thing is that I now need to use only sea salt. That really is a good thing. It seems to have a better flavor and the grinders are fun. I have quickly discovered that the right cooking method and a combination of olive oil and seasoning makes such a difference in the flavor and texture of the food I can eat.
In very limited quantities, I can have high carb vegetables (only 3-4 times a week) such as white potatoes, sweet potatoes, or beets. Beans and peas also go into this group. All types of seeds are allowed as are almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, and walnuts. The nuts make great snacks and these are all of my favorites.
That is about it. Restrictive but doable. I look at the meter and think do I want to be at an 8 or do I want to be at a 5? Do I want to have more energy and not feel like a walking dead person? For me it is a no-brainer.
A tip I have for today, start a fibromyalgia journal. Writing down how you feel and what you are doing at least a few times a week is a great reference when it comes time to look back and access your progress. Just like with me, a 5 wasn’t really where I wanted to be but when I looked back and recalled where I was, I realized that I was making really great progress.
Next blog I will go over what I cannot have and then I want to share another story with you. My co-worker Lisa has a doctor’s appointment coming up. That will be a great measurement as to how the detox went from a medical perspective. My follow up with the doctor is at the end of this month so we have a lot more coming your way. Please sign up at www.lindygolden.com to get email updates of my blog or to catch up if you are just joining me. And please continue to leave comments. I promise to share every bit of information I can with you. We never know what one thing might make a big difference for one of us.