Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Realizations

Hi GAPS friends,
We are now nearly 7 months into the GAPS diet, and I continue to be amazed. There are still hard days sometimes. We slacked off on the cod liver oil and probiotics, and Audrey's skin issues returned somewhat, though nothing like they were. But I've realized something: I have been in pain most of my life! Now, when I carry laundry up and down the stairs, or carry around my 25 pound toddler, or even (gasp!) exercise, IT DOESN'T HURT.

All my adult life, people have told me that I needed to exercise. That it would make me have more energy. That I would feel better. That having sore muscles wasn't that bad, it kinda felt good. Well, for me none of that was true. But it is now! Before GAPS, I would exercise 10 minutes and be sore for three days. Just the feeling of burning in my muscles as I worked out was excruciating to me. I now realize, when you're already at a 7 out of 10 on a pain scale, adding 2 more points to that is, well, intense. But I was so used to the pain, that I didn't realize I was living at a 7 out of 10. I knew I didn't feel good. I might have classified it as a 4 or 5, but I wasn't aware of how many things I did differently because of pain. Now, I have the urge to exercise. When I do it, it feels invigorating. My muscles only stay sore for maybe a day, even if I work out as hard as I can. I get a burst of energy when I'm working hard instead of feeling like it just might kill me.

I was never diagnosed with anything because I never sought that out, but I'm positive that must have been what people call fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue or maybe even lupus? I'm not sure. All I know is I was sick. And I'm getting well now. And life sure looks different. :)

Monday, August 15, 2011

Food Blog




Hi friends,
I started a food blog today. I haven't felt the need to say much about GAPS specifically in awhile, but if you'd like to see our continuing adventures, join me here. (Hint: GAPS is working. It's working really well. :))