Health & Wellness

This year I have taken an attempt at eating Paleo. After a long and some what difficult pregnancy with my youngest sugar baby, I decided that I really needed to change my lifestyle or I would heading down a road of disease and a medically dependent life. Initially when I had heard about the Paleo diet I didn't think to much about it and figured it was just another extreme fad diet. What changed my mind about Paleo was hearing testimonies from friends and listening to an interview by the author of the 21 Day Sugar detox, Diane Sanfilippo. She made a great case for the over consumption of sugar that Americans eat including the hidden sugar in foods that we are unaware of. For example, did you know that their is High Fructose Corn Syrup in Mayonnaise, crackers and even children's pain medicine? Crazy, I know. So, needless to say, I was intrigued and wanted to try this diet out. For those who are unaware of what the Paleo diet is, in short, it is a diet that is full of healthy fats, protein including organ meats, fermented foods, gluten free, grain free, and dairy free. One of the main principals of the diet is to eat whole foods and less processed foods.

This is me 10 months pregnant with my second pregnancy.

 I started my journey by doing the 21 Day Sugar detox diet, level 1, in February. To my very happy surprise I lost almost 15 pounds in three weeks. This was truly a big deal to me because I usually have a very difficult time with weight loss. If you were to ask my close  friends about my eating habits they would say that I am a healthy eater and cook most of my food. My diet wasn't perfect but I have made consistent efforts to eat right and be healthy, not just for me and my family but to be a good example in my community that is plagued with cheep, processed and sugar laden foods. Unfortunately, despite my efforts- including a stint in vegetarianism- my efforts just weren't working for me. Since my detox I haven't lost anymore weight but I have been able to maintain my weight loss by continuing to eat a Paleo style diet. This is also a big deal for me because maintaining weight loss can also feel like Mission in Possible.

This lifestyle of eating has really been a blessing to me. With my new way of eating I really enjoy how I feel: nourished and satisfied.