It happens to the best of us…and it is important to do from time to time!
I have personally been working on a program in which I cycle in and out of ketosis (when our bodies burn fat instead of glucose as fuel, I’ll share more later) using various fasting methods, keeping my carbohydrates low and boosting healthy veggies, fats and proteins. While this program is challenging for many reasons, planning, shopping, not succumbing to cravings and temptations, there are MANY delicious things I have been enjoying and I have been feeling amazing…GREAT energy, motivation, strength, my clothes fitting well, and less pain.
My best friend is in town, and I intentionally gave my program a pause. We have events, dinners, concerts…so many fun things planned. Along with these fun times come eating and drinking. Over the weekend I have consumed every. single. one. of the foods that I have identified as being inflammatory when I have worked through The Power of Food Reset Program. For me they are eggs, dairy, peanut butter, gluten, sugar and alcohol. I am able to consume these foods once in awhile, knowing I will experience an increase in inflammation for a day or so, but as long as I get back to my personalized healthy eating I will bounce back quickly.
But this time, It was too much in a short period of time.
Everything was SO good! Pork nachos, a Pumpkin Martini with whipped foam, peanut butter energy balls, strawberry rhubarb wine, a couple bits of pretzels with beer cheese, an omelette at breakfast. I even had a 1/2 pint of pumpkin beer. (I used to LOVE beer, but learned that my body doesn’t love beer…at all.) Though this time, while I was able to balance this with healthy recipes and declining that next drink. I made a grain free peach crisp, but enjoyed it over amazing Tillamuck vanilla ice cream.
Too much. I am sluggish, tired, my feet hurt and I am unmotivated, and I’m not feeling good in my clothes. My body just can’t handle all of that inflammation. And really, most people’s body can’t handle inflammation…it catches up with most people in the end. But genetically, some of us are more susceptible to inflammation and have more food sensitivities. (My friend is not.)
I have always struggled with willpower. These days, I do think about what I’m about to consume, as I know how I will feel afterwards. Sometimes I right out choose to eat something, while other times I will decline initially and then cave at the end. Our brains LOVE sugar, salt and fat. Once it gets a taste, it wants more as we get the dopamine hit. But for me, it’s not so much cravings, but more that I struggle to say no as much when I am with others. When the opportunity is right there in front of me, like a box of donuts…I just want a taste. Or I convince myself that it’s just a little bite…which turns into eating the rest of the donut and another one.
I had a dream just last night in which I told my Dad to take the rest of the ice cream home with him. He wouldn’t and told me to work on my willpower. I was frustrated as I yelled, I don’t have willpower like you do! It’s certainly more challenging for some of us than others.
All of this to say, it is NOT easy to live a lifestyle that supports the health of your body! Temptations are everywhere. I strongly believe in 85/15 rule, and it is important to enjoy social times with friends and occasional indulgences. Once you’ve achieved a place of lowered inflammation, your body will quickly remind you why you don’t enjoy indulging on a regular basis which is great for getting you back on track!
But most of us don’t even know where to start.
It’s more than “what foods should I eat to reduce inflammation?” Or “should I give up gluten?” It’s learning and experiencing about how foods affect how you feel, and having the strategies and support to maintain these changes. But you have to get yourself to a place of overall lowered inflammation first, which takes at minimum, 3 weeks.
For many of us, overcoming habits, cravings and temptations takes teamwork, support, structure, and a strong love for yourself.
But once you have experienced what less inflammation feels like in your body and have identified the triggers, you will always have a baseline to come back to after vacations, time with friends, parties, etc.
I have empowered many through my Power of Food Reset Program. The details can be found through my website.
While my sugar monsters are running high today, I am sticking with black coffee this am.
Celebrating your Health!