PART ONE - HOW IT WAS:
I first wrote about my story here on the blog in 2017.
I wanted to inspire others like me to 'never give up'.
You can read it here:
https://miabellapassion.blogspot.com/2017/06/living-with-pain-and-invisible-illness.html
And this is how it WAS for a very long time!
.
UNTIL I took control of my diet.
.
And then things began to change.
.
You are what you eat and drink.
Fact.
.
Can you improve your health through diet?
Yes - I do believe you can.
.
Because:
I no longer call myself a chronic pain sufferer.
Pain flare-ups due to osteoarthritis are infrequent.
And when they do happen are much more manageable.
I lost 14kg over 16 months to January 2020.
And this made a massive difference to my pain levels and joint pain.
I'm still on a weight maintenance journey...
I still try new things, foods and techniques to see what works for me.
I want to see if I can get my pain levels lower still.
And my energy levels up higher.
It's not about being skinny!
It's about regaining health and vitality.
It's not about being skinny!
It's about regaining health and vitality.
.
How did I do this?
Read THE SNIPPETS to find out...
PART TWO - THE AILMENTS:
I've called part two 'The Ailments' for you kinda have to have a little understanding of what stress my body WAS under.
Overweight 5 ft 2 and 86kg (size 16)- joints under huge pressure.
General joint pain - osteoarthritis.
Hip dysplasia - with two hip replacements under the belt!
Sugar addict.
Energy drink addict.
'Big' wine drinker!
Sinus and hayfever - to the point of a four day 'MAJOR' render one nonfunctional headache EVERY two or three weeks!
Bloating.
Irritable Bowel problems.
Stomach Problems - chronic reflux, pain.
Multi-Focal Atrial Tachycardia Heart Issue.
So all those ailments rolled into one equalled one VERY UNHEALTHY, UNHAPPY, PAIN INFLICTED ME!
Then it happened...
I thought I was having a heart attack.
Not once.
But three times.
The chest pain was indescribable.
I thought I was dying!
And it turned out it was not my heart.
It was my STOMACH!
That pain.
IT SCARED ME!
I vowed after the 3rd hospital admission to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
So I DID.
It was not an overnight fix.
It took time.
It took baby steps.
It took many, many lifestyle changes.
But I did it.
I'm still doing it.
I'm still learning.
I'm still working it out.
PART THREE - THE BEGINNING OF CHANGE:
And wine o'clock!
Sometimes habits creep into our lives.
And this is what happened to me.
Work hard, long days and weeks.
Have a wine to relax...
Stress.
Have a wine to cope.
Next-minute wine is a habit.
A coping mechanism.
And a great way to gain weight.
But when the health crash came it was a matter of;
I simply did not ever want to feel that chest or stomach pain ever again.
So I stopped drinking.
Cold turkey.
It was hard to do.
It took dedication.
It took massive willpower.
The weight fell off!
5kg in 6 months.
My stomach was healing.
I started to feel 'better' - better than I had in years!
PART FOUR - TO BREAD OR NOT TO BREAD?:
Another thing I love is BREAD!
But I worked out - BREAD did not love me.
I tried Gluten-free bread.
But my oh my - that is not for me.
I tried eating no bread at all.
But soup with no bread is a challenge.
And quite honestly I missed garlic bread so much.
So I just didn't eat it.
For months.
I then reintroduced some different types of bread.
Like sourdough, naan, flatbread, and ciabatta.
But they are a treat.
Once a week or fortnight.
Eating bread and bread products less often led to more kilos falling off!
PART FIVE - LET'S TALK SUGAR AND CHOCOLATE:
OK - so here's the truth.
I ALSO love chocolate.
And seriously if I'm going, to be honest...
My sugar habits were the worst!
I would crave sugar.
The more sugar I consumed.
The bigger the cravings got.
I was a BAKER.
A dessert maker.
Every meal ended with a sweet sugary treat!
To assist in stopping these unhealthy habits, I did three things.
I ate 'French' for cafe treat time.
I switched all chocolate to 60% or plus dark chocolate.
And I started making health balls for sweet snacks.
And guess what?
More weight disappeared!
And I was feeling healthier and healthier.
But don't get me wrong - I can still have a cake or sugar-sweet treat, on occasion if I choose to because this journey is not about going without.
It's about mindset and about control of unhealthy habits.
But you know what - once I changed my chocolate/sugar habits,
I rarely even want to eat those things anymore.
PART SIX - THE MILK AND DAIRY DILEMMA:
What did your mama say when your tummy was a bit upset?
'Have a glass of milk!'
But I drank 6 litres of milk a week!!!
NOT KIDDING!
My sinus issues were out of control.
Prescription antiacid medication plus over-the-counter antacid use extreme.
Until I:
Addressed what I was eating and drinking...
That is as you know from reading this story what I did!
So I also decided - No dairy at all!
Extreme I know.
And oh my gosh I MISSED MILK SO MUCH.
It took months of 'adapting' to soy milk.
(I didn't like coconut, rice or almond)
But adapt I did.
Removing cow's milk and reducing dairy consumption have helped my sinus issues.
Not fixed it.
But definitely helped it.
My tum is AT LAST HAPPY!
PART SEVEN - THE DECISION TO REDUCE RED AND PROCESSED MEAT:
I have never really enjoyed eating a lot of meat.
And pre stomach scare that prompted this major diet overhaul,
I was a person that ate red meat about 5 days a week.
So it was not difficult to change my diet to a 'lesser meat' situation.
A BIG FAT JUICY STEAK AND CHIPS MEAL
That's my treat food!
PART EIGHT - PORTION SIZE:
Downsize the servings.
Use a smaller dinner plate.
Don't have second helpings.
Leftovers are 'for lunch' the next day.
PART NINE - EXERCISE:
I'm not a gym, weight lifting, runner, biker, skater or sporty type.
But I dance.
I walk.
I garden.
I don't sit around for long periods of time.
And I sing.
Did you know that singing actually burns calories?
So find the things that give you joy.
And just do that.
PART TEN - THAT 'FASTING' WORD!
There are many thoughts about intermittent fasting.
Some for.
Some against.
Not fixed it.
But definitely helped it.
My tum is AT LAST HAPPY!
PART SEVEN - THE DECISION TO REDUCE RED AND PROCESSED MEAT:
I have never really enjoyed eating a lot of meat.
And pre stomach scare that prompted this major diet overhaul,
I was a person that ate red meat about 5 days a week.
So it was not difficult to change my diet to a 'lesser meat' situation.
A BIG FAT JUICY STEAK AND CHIPS MEAL
That's my treat food!
PART EIGHT - PORTION SIZE:
Downsize the servings.
Use a smaller dinner plate.
Don't have second helpings.
Leftovers are 'for lunch' the next day.
PART NINE - EXERCISE:
I'm not a gym, weight lifting, runner, biker, skater or sporty type.
But I dance.
I walk.
I garden.
I don't sit around for long periods of time.
And I sing.
Did you know that singing actually burns calories?
So find the things that give you joy.
And just do that.
PART TEN - THAT 'FASTING' WORD!
There are many thoughts about intermittent fasting.
Some for.
Some against.
But for me 'Intermittent Fasting' has been the catalyst for my weight control.
.
Here is a link to an interesting read about eating too much and fasting - thoughts about the 16-8 technique where you eat for 8 hours in a 24-hour period.
Which helps improve insulin levels and weight loss according to Dr Andrew Jenkinson.
https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/234284-bariatric-surgeon-tells-us-why-we-eat-too-much.html?fbclid=IwAR303rBT-eN4CXBufKuKF6UjwFtDHY_lNcI2Oqpte1Uo2W16TcOChMkIgPE
PART ELEVEN - A HEALTH BUDDY AND PLATEAUS:
This journey I have shared has always been a solo one.
I've done it alone.
But recently I met a health mentor. Chris.
It was great.
I had plateaued in my weight loss.
I truly harboured a fear of scales.
And sometimes getting healthy was a lonely challenge.
So I would recommend joining a group.
Find one that appeals to you.
Either online or a physical support group in your town or city.
Groups are a neat place to share, get support, see what others are doing and get ideas.
Or just find a buddy.
Someone else who wants to gain health and support each other.
PART TWELVE - THAT FOE CALLED STRESS:
Stress and his best friend 'Worry' have always been part of my life.
I'm probably a classic Type A personality.
So what to do about that?
I only really started to address this two years ago.
Tackling this part of my journey is ongoing.
I am 70% better, and calmer, now than ever before.
But I am 'constantly' working on it.
What works for your stress and worry?
For me it is:
Prayer
Meditation
Breathing techniques
Self -talking
Positivity
Gratitude
Mindfulness
Kindness
Focusing on personal growth.
The journey and power to wellness and health begin with yourself.
PART THIRTEEN - ENERGY DRINKS:
Energy drinks are my personal demon!
My addiction.
They got control around 1998
- when that delish alphabet letter fizz in a bright green can came on the consumer market.
At my worse, I was consuming 3 or 4 cans every day.
(along with all those other bad diet habits)
Over the years I have cut back on how many I drink in a day...
Had 2 or 3 a week not a day...
Said goodbye to them completely too many times to count...
and then resumed the affair again.
I've read about the ingredients.
I know how awfully bad they are for you.
It is my struggle.
I'm still working on pushing the permanent 'delete button'.
I'll achieve that one day.
.
Here is a link to an interesting read about eating too much and fasting - thoughts about the 16-8 technique where you eat for 8 hours in a 24-hour period.
Which helps improve insulin levels and weight loss according to Dr Andrew Jenkinson.
https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/234284-bariatric-surgeon-tells-us-why-we-eat-too-much.html?fbclid=IwAR303rBT-eN4CXBufKuKF6UjwFtDHY_lNcI2Oqpte1Uo2W16TcOChMkIgPE
PART ELEVEN - A HEALTH BUDDY AND PLATEAUS:
This journey I have shared has always been a solo one.
I've done it alone.
But recently I met a health mentor. Chris.
It was great.
I had plateaued in my weight loss.
I truly harboured a fear of scales.
And sometimes getting healthy was a lonely challenge.
So I would recommend joining a group.
Find one that appeals to you.
Either online or a physical support group in your town or city.
Groups are a neat place to share, get support, see what others are doing and get ideas.
Or just find a buddy.
Someone else who wants to gain health and support each other.
PART TWELVE - THAT FOE CALLED STRESS:
Stress and his best friend 'Worry' have always been part of my life.
I'm probably a classic Type A personality.
So what to do about that?
I only really started to address this two years ago.
Tackling this part of my journey is ongoing.
I am 70% better, and calmer, now than ever before.
But I am 'constantly' working on it.
What works for your stress and worry?
For me it is:
Prayer
Meditation
Breathing techniques
Self -talking
Positivity
Gratitude
Mindfulness
Kindness
Focusing on personal growth.
The journey and power to wellness and health begin with yourself.
PART THIRTEEN - ENERGY DRINKS:
Energy drinks are my personal demon!
My addiction.
They got control around 1998
- when that delish alphabet letter fizz in a bright green can came on the consumer market.
At my worse, I was consuming 3 or 4 cans every day.
(along with all those other bad diet habits)
Over the years I have cut back on how many I drink in a day...
Had 2 or 3 a week not a day...
Said goodbye to them completely too many times to count...
and then resumed the affair again.
I've read about the ingredients.
I know how awfully bad they are for you.
It is my struggle.
I'm still working on pushing the permanent 'delete button'.
I'll achieve that one day.
.
PART FOURTEEN -The next steps:
Further experimentation with intermittent fasting.
Here is a link about this subject that you may find interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsosxBjCUcE&t=829s
As well as continued consumption of healthier food options.
Choosing more fresh produce, organic and raw foods.
Further reduction of processed food.
Switching my wine choice from white to red.
Switching my wine choice from white to red.
EPILOGUE - And so the journey continues:
May 2020 Update:
I weighed 86kg.
And was as unhealthy as one could be.
At this place, I'm a much healthier me, have loads of energy and more!
I look at this belt photograph and remember how proud I was when that first inch was gone.
Now the waistline is 4 inches smaller than before.
I may or may not achieve my goal weight.
Regardless, I am very happy where I am on my health and vitality journey thus far.
Happy that I no longer require a cocktail of prescription medications 24-7 to live day-to-day life.
Happy I have found an eating regime that suits me and my lifestyle.
Happy I can still have cake!
Happy I can now enjoy a glass of wine!
Happy I can get through the day without a 'nap'.
.
I feel like a completely new person.
And other than the fact I need another new hip sometime in the near future because Dysplasia is unfortunately not fixable by diet.
My health issues listed in the beginning are finally under control in a natural way.
Sinus is still there in a minor way, but there are no longer debilitating epic headaches.
I feel like a completely new person.
And other than the fact I need another new hip sometime in the near future because Dysplasia is unfortunately not fixable by diet.
My health issues listed in the beginning are finally under control in a natural way.
Sinus is still there in a minor way, but there are no longer debilitating epic headaches.
I can walk, and garden without suffering horrific joint pain for days afterwards.
.
August 2022 Update:
I have the energy drink down to 2 a week.
My go-to drink selection is cherry juice, citrus-flavoured spring water or fruit or vegetable smoothies.
In 2021 I decided to opt in for sinus surgery to unblock my constantly blocked nose. It worked!
LIFE IS GOOD!
.
August 2024 Update:
I truly missed cows' milk so much, so over the past year reintroduced it in a minor way, not in the excess as previously.
My weight over the years since the start of this journey has maintained its desired number on the scales.
Intermittent fasting is still key.
I can still have a few drinks, and I can still have a treat.
And these days that leans more towards the delicious vegan icecreams and trumpets now available.
Also available are much more user-friendly gluten-free breads, muffins and buns.
LIFE IS EVEN BETTER!
.
I'm grateful for a lot of things.
It's been 'quite the journey!
And that journey continues...
I'm thankful for the changes that have happened,
they have been a life game-changer.
I hope my story inspires you.
I'm grateful for a lot of things.
It's been 'quite the journey!
And that journey continues...
I'm thankful for the changes that have happened,
they have been a life game-changer.
I hope my story inspires you.
Willpower is an extraordinary thing.
It's never too late to make changes.
It's never too late to make changes.
Just look at me.
TLee
TLee
