I know I have not been very consistent with my blog lately, and there are a few reasons for this that I will get to. I had really been wanting to stick with the Eat to Live diet that I had spoken about, but I felt after a few days of eating that way that I was developing some unpleasant tummy issues. That is why I would start and stop several times. I thought perhaps I needed to increase my fiber intake more gradually, but it seemed no matter what I tried that whenever I would eat foods containing higher amounts of fiber that I would instantly feel very bloated, and it would stay that way. Sorry to be discussing this not so pleasant, taboo topic, but this is part of the reason why I didn't blog after stopping the ETL diet again. These GI concerns were really beginning to have a negative impact on my day to day life. I think the bloating I was experiencing contributed to some of the weight I gained, not only in the extra water weight, but also by the way it made me feel sluggish and "fat". I thought that I was experiencing stress-induced IBS, and that things would clear up once some of the stress subsided, but the very issues I was dealing with were causing me great stress. I became very frustrated and confused as I tried to research ways to help. I read about different diets that were supposed to reduce symptoms by avoiding carbs that are known to be more fermentable. These diets such as low FODMAP and Specific Carbohydrate Diet, were extremely limiting and, not to mention, conflicting and inconsistent from site to site. Some days I literally did not know what to eat, or what I COULD eat, by the end of the day I would end of caving in and eating junk food.
Recently, I think I have found the cause of my bloating and tummy issues, and hopefully the solution. After being on antibiotics for a few days (for something unrelated) my bloating and tummy issues went away almost completely. More research has led me to believe I was experiencing symptoms from a bacterial overgrowth, this is confirmed by the significant reduction in symptoms from the antibiotics. I have a doctor appointment coming up this week and I'm hoping I can begin a proper course of antibiotics to cure these problems.
I felt all of this was relevant to my weight and fitness goals, as it has had a direct effect on the foods I could and couldn't eat, diets I could and couldn't do, and has made me feel sluggish and less energized. I felt like foods that are healthier, such as beans, legumes, soy (for protein), and a long list of fruits and vegetables, were off limits for me. According to some of the FODMAP diets on the internet, I felt the only "safe" foods to eat were (some) steamed vegetables and some fruits. I felt very confused as I was being told to avoid foods that I knew were healthy.
I'm hoping the antibiotics will put an end to it all, but it might be possible that I'd have to limit certain foods for a longer amount of time. I also want to ask about getting tested for gluten and fructose sensitivity. Hopefully once this all clears I can have an easier time knowing what to eat and what will work best for my body and health goals.
Aside from all of that, I am very excited that I will be moving back to the East Side in a few weeks. I am also looking for a part-time job for while I am in school, something that will provide me with 15-20 hours each week. This year has been a crazy mess of different homes and jobs, so I am really looking forward to the day when I can settle in a bit more. Overall, I have been keeping up with getting to the gym and staying active. I wear a pedometer (I love my FitBit!) and have been reaching my goal of walking at least 5 miles nearly everyday.
As things are slowly coming together, I still am trying to lose weight before school starts. I admit, my body image hasn't been too good lately after this weight gain and the bloating I had, but I think being at this kind of low point has been necessary for me to really re-evaluate things and look at the big picture. It's not always fun working through it, but I think I will come out of all of this a stronger, more resilient person.
Recently, I think I have found the cause of my bloating and tummy issues, and hopefully the solution. After being on antibiotics for a few days (for something unrelated) my bloating and tummy issues went away almost completely. More research has led me to believe I was experiencing symptoms from a bacterial overgrowth, this is confirmed by the significant reduction in symptoms from the antibiotics. I have a doctor appointment coming up this week and I'm hoping I can begin a proper course of antibiotics to cure these problems.
I felt all of this was relevant to my weight and fitness goals, as it has had a direct effect on the foods I could and couldn't eat, diets I could and couldn't do, and has made me feel sluggish and less energized. I felt like foods that are healthier, such as beans, legumes, soy (for protein), and a long list of fruits and vegetables, were off limits for me. According to some of the FODMAP diets on the internet, I felt the only "safe" foods to eat were (some) steamed vegetables and some fruits. I felt very confused as I was being told to avoid foods that I knew were healthy.
I'm hoping the antibiotics will put an end to it all, but it might be possible that I'd have to limit certain foods for a longer amount of time. I also want to ask about getting tested for gluten and fructose sensitivity. Hopefully once this all clears I can have an easier time knowing what to eat and what will work best for my body and health goals.
Aside from all of that, I am very excited that I will be moving back to the East Side in a few weeks. I am also looking for a part-time job for while I am in school, something that will provide me with 15-20 hours each week. This year has been a crazy mess of different homes and jobs, so I am really looking forward to the day when I can settle in a bit more. Overall, I have been keeping up with getting to the gym and staying active. I wear a pedometer (I love my FitBit!) and have been reaching my goal of walking at least 5 miles nearly everyday.
As things are slowly coming together, I still am trying to lose weight before school starts. I admit, my body image hasn't been too good lately after this weight gain and the bloating I had, but I think being at this kind of low point has been necessary for me to really re-evaluate things and look at the big picture. It's not always fun working through it, but I think I will come out of all of this a stronger, more resilient person.