My 1-year plan

I'm doing something radical. It's time to change my life. I've suffered from chronic low back pain, depression, being overweight, and it's time I took back my life. I'm tired of feeling broken, unable, victimized, left out, unhappy, dissatisfied and sad.

I work with an amazing doctor, Dr. John Wendt, who has been teaching me, either by teaching me when we have a few minutes in the office, or through sharing his patients' successes with me, or by being a role model, about health. Most specifically about how we can take care of our health ourselves, take responsibility for how we are or where we are physically.

Over the past 3 1/2 years that I've worked with Dr. John, I have done several detoxification diets. This in and of itself is an amazing thing to me when I look back at who I was 5 years ago. I would never have thought that I would be able to or even want to control what I eat for a certain amount of time in order to see a positive change in my health. I just didn't know it was possible. I felt a victim to my genetics, to my own body, to the media, to being too busy, whatever, and I didn't look at ME as the reason.

If you've never done a detoxification diet, depending on the specific diet, you cut out certain foods and eat only good, healthy food, mainly meat, vegetables and fruits and you do this for 21 days. There are several different diets that I've done each involving their own supplements or shakes. But it didn't matter which one, the challenge has always been the same. I have terrible food cravings. TERRIBLE. Honestly, it's a voice in my head convincing me that just one coffee, chocolate, fast food hamburger and fries, Dr. Pepper, etc. will be ok. I understand the health benefits of these diets but the over arching benefit has been being able to control the cravings, control the voice. And honestly, I haven't always been "perfect" on these diets. The voice convinces me that just one bite is ok. (Well before you know it, you've eaten an entire slice of pizza, or had several potato chips instead of that "just one" you originally intended.

I've been reading Darren Hardy's "The Compound Effect" which is an awesome book. He says that in order to change, to get the Compound Effect you should test yourself and see if you own your habits or if they own you. He challenges his readers to quit a habit (coffee, Dr. Pepper, TV, etc) for 30 days, just to make sure you can do it. I think if you can't it's as strong as any drug addiction. I was really affected by the idea of my habits owning me... and I think this is where I have been living for the past 5, 10, 15 years?

So, last night, Dr. John and I were sitting in a seminar put on by Apex Energetics. Dr. Steadman was speaking about how the integrity of the gut affects the brain. This company has a new product and diet out called Repairvite which basically helps your body heal the gut lining and in turn many brain-based problems clear up. I had decided several weeks ago to go on this diet for two reasons, it would be "good" for me and I like undergoing the diets and other therapies that Dr. John gives his patients so I know what they are going through and I can answer their questions effectively when they call the office. Dr. Steadman is describing how really badly some people's health is and how awesome this diet is and how it can really help them. I said to Dr. John "so why would you not just keep eating this way if it is so beneficial? ... I'm going to eat this way for a long time." Now, I don't know which one of us suggested a year, but I said yes and we shook on it!

A year without eating gluten, coffee, alcohol, chocolate?!? What was I thinking? Actually I feel quite sound in my decision and I'm posting it here to have some accountability. I plan on writing about it from time to time to keep you updated or to keep myself motivated... either way.

So my biggest challenge right now is not giving in to that voice that's trying to convince me that one sip of coffee won't hurt! BUT... I have managed to go to the coffee shop twice and order herbal tea! And this was while no one was around, no one would have known if I'd have had one small cup of coffee! Hooray for me!