I'm changing my diet folks. Two years ago I became VERY addicted to sugar after Christmas and have not been able to quit it since. Over that time I have noticed erratic moods, insomnia, headaches, lethargy, foggy mind, and more. All things I made other excuses for: anxiety, depression, side effects of my pills, post concussion syndrome...there was a logical explanation for it all. After a recent flare (when my bladder feels like a UTI without having an infection), I decided enough is enough. I know my bladder is improving, but it isn't healing. I can't be on these pills the rest of my life and I am just plain sick of the pain!
There's still not much known about Interstitial Cystitis, but I try to keep up on the latest research. Diet is the biggest part of treating this disease. It's the first thing doctors have you do. No coffee, alcohol, tomatoes, citrus, soda, caffeine and more depending on your body. But I started wondering about sugar and processed foods. The Interstitial Cystitis Network recommends a diet as close to whole foods as you can get.
I came to the realization last month that sugar was having a significant effect on my moods. I NEEDED it to function. I was angry without it and I was erratic with it. I honestly felt like an alcoholic who couldn't function without the drug but wasn't the best person to be around with it. So I'm quitting!
So a week ago I started adding fresh veggie and fruit juice to my diet. Replacing one meal with juice, that's all. Just to ease into it a little. Then Sunday I went off processed anything. For six days my diet has consisted of fresh juice (like from a juicer), raw or steamed veggies and raw fruits, almond milk, nuts, and eggs from my chickens.
It. Is. So. Hard.
BUT it is also already making a difference. I am falling asleep before midnight (for the last 5 months it's been 2am for me) and able to wake up at 6am (unheard of!) I am yelling less and just seem overall more pleasant (though I still have my moments).
I wanted to blog about it but kept forgetting about Munchkin's birthday so I put it off. But here's the catch up.
Sunday: not too bad.
Monday: really missing all the candy leftover from birthday and valentines. I started noticing all the places I stash candy. I really have a problem, folks.
Tuesday: woke up at 4:30 with diarrhea and spend a good chunk of the day in the bathroom. Massive sugar withdrawal headache. Both symptoms improve with increased water consumption.
Wednesday: feeling a little better, but still sicky.
Thursday: Fell really good, but having a harder time resisting processed foods.
Friday (TODAY!): a bit stressed out and angry today, but considering the stressors and how I handled it, it really was a pretty decent day. Went to Sams club and had 3 people comment on how healthy my grocery cart was. Then I had to buy a pizza a coke for my husband AND walk past an incredible smelling bbq to raise funds for MS and nearly started crying. Seriously. It's getting harder and harder to be around the food my family is still eating (burritos and taquitos!) and be stuck with a salad.
I didn't weigh myself beforehand, but I can say I've lost 5 lbs since New Years (yay!) so that's a plus. I'm so bloated from asparagus and broccoli though that you can't tell. :) I plan on doing this for 2 weeks and then adding grains and cheese back in and maybe fish. Maybe not. I'm strongly considering becoming a (lacto-ovo) vegetarian again. I haven't been one since I became pregnant with my first child (9 years!) Not sure how hard/easy that will be with kids.
Are any of my readers vegetarian moms? Any advice?