MEET THE OLD TANA
I have read many stories about people switching to a paleo diet and how it has affected their lives and mine is no different. Growing up I was constantly fighting acne, allergies, sinus problems, and stomach problems, although I was never overweight. I was in several sports and was active my whole life, until I messed up my knee playing basketball. After having surgery when I was 17, I gained 40 lbs, which is a lot when you are only 5'4" tall.
After getting the surgery, I fought constantly with my weight. I had a relative describe me as the "yoyo sister" because my weight fluctuated so much. I still played sports, but was not as active due to the pain it caused. When I was 27, I blew out my other knee playing softball. That virtually was the end of my sports. I still rode horses, but ended up playing computer games and living on the SAD diet. During this time, my weight was still fluctuating, but I was steadily gaining. I still had issues with allergies, I always carried several types of cold and allergy medications with me, pills, nasal sprays, inhalers, and then my other pocket had TUMS and other medications for my stomach problems. I was known as "the pharmacy", if you needed anything, go ask Tana. At 36 years old, I had ballooned to 241 lbs. I was miserable, and my picture shows it.
Relief: I was playing one of my online video games when I started talking to one of my friends who has been on a paleo diet. She told me about how her health had been very poor and I thought, "what the heck, it can't hurt". On that day, which happened to be right before Christmas, I decided to try this way of life.
The first thing I began noticing was that the swelling in my feet started going down, then my stomach problems stopped, and now my allergies have been decreasing also. I still have to use an allergy pill sometimes, but usually when there is a lot of pollen and smoke outside. I also began noticing that my body completely rebelled if I ate any wheat products, sores in my mouth, sinuses swelling immediately, and stomach aches for hours. I believe now that I am a celiac, but had no idea before. I still have some skin problems, most of which I believe will have to be fixed surgically, including scarring from acne.
So far I have lost 55 lbs and have gone from a size 22 to a size 14. I now have so much more energy than I had before it is amazing. I love this lifestyle and I tell everyone I can about it. I am not done, and still have more to lose, but I am feeling great. My after picture is actually 15 lbs ago, but I dont have any more recent pictures at this time.
After getting the surgery, I fought constantly with my weight. I had a relative describe me as the "yoyo sister" because my weight fluctuated so much. I still played sports, but was not as active due to the pain it caused. When I was 27, I blew out my other knee playing softball. That virtually was the end of my sports. I still rode horses, but ended up playing computer games and living on the SAD diet. During this time, my weight was still fluctuating, but I was steadily gaining. I still had issues with allergies, I always carried several types of cold and allergy medications with me, pills, nasal sprays, inhalers, and then my other pocket had TUMS and other medications for my stomach problems. I was known as "the pharmacy", if you needed anything, go ask Tana. At 36 years old, I had ballooned to 241 lbs. I was miserable, and my picture shows it.
Relief: I was playing one of my online video games when I started talking to one of my friends who has been on a paleo diet. She told me about how her health had been very poor and I thought, "what the heck, it can't hurt". On that day, which happened to be right before Christmas, I decided to try this way of life.
The first thing I began noticing was that the swelling in my feet started going down, then my stomach problems stopped, and now my allergies have been decreasing also. I still have to use an allergy pill sometimes, but usually when there is a lot of pollen and smoke outside. I also began noticing that my body completely rebelled if I ate any wheat products, sores in my mouth, sinuses swelling immediately, and stomach aches for hours. I believe now that I am a celiac, but had no idea before. I still have some skin problems, most of which I believe will have to be fixed surgically, including scarring from acne.
So far I have lost 55 lbs and have gone from a size 22 to a size 14. I now have so much more energy than I had before it is amazing. I love this lifestyle and I tell everyone I can about it. I am not done, and still have more to lose, but I am feeling great. My after picture is actually 15 lbs ago, but I dont have any more recent pictures at this time.
MEET TANA TODAY
What was the biggest challenge to adopting a carbohydrate-restricted or paleo diet?
The biggest challenge for me was finding stuff to eat and not getting burnt out on one thing.
What advice (if any) would you give to someone interested in trying a carbohydrate-restricted or paleo diet? Were there any obstacles that you overcame that could help future dieters?
Go for it would be my greatest advice. Also, make sure you get some different recipes so that you dont get burnt out on any one thing and can stick to it. Also, don't completely restrict yourself, if you do, it will be harder to stick to it, have a bite of ice cream or something, that is all you will really want anyway.
The biggest challenge for me was finding stuff to eat and not getting burnt out on one thing.
What advice (if any) would you give to someone interested in trying a carbohydrate-restricted or paleo diet? Were there any obstacles that you overcame that could help future dieters?
Go for it would be my greatest advice. Also, make sure you get some different recipes so that you dont get burnt out on any one thing and can stick to it. Also, don't completely restrict yourself, if you do, it will be harder to stick to it, have a bite of ice cream or something, that is all you will really want anyway.
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Tried a paleo or low carb diet? Join Today and contribute to a better understanding of this way of eating!
Tried a paleo or low carb diet? Join Today and contribute to a better understanding of this way of eating!
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