Approximately 4 weeks ago I started the adventure in attempting to eat clean and reduce my carbohydrate intake. What does this mean? It means that while trying to lose weight that middle age and complacency has bestowed, I also wanted to become healthier. I wanted this endeavor to be a lifestyle change not a “diet”. So, I reflected on what it means to me to “be healthier”. I see this many times in my practice, patients will say they want to be healthy, but really do not have an expectation or goal beyond simple weight loss or to fit in a certain size again. But to be healthy one should be looking for it in all aspects of their daily living, health in their sleep, health in what they eat, health in their physical activity, health in their relationships, health in mind and spirit. All these components contribute to what it is to be healthy.
It is also important for people to establish a purpose for this health journey. As a woman in her mid-forties, I want to make sure as I continue to age that I give my body the best opportunity available to stay strong and active. I want to improve my overall mood and reduce fatigue. It’s also about the future. Will I have grandchildren that I need to run after in 5 to 10 years? Will I have an unexpected disease or illness that I want to go in with a strong body, mind, and spirit to help fight against it? Will I be able to prevent chronic medical conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol that can pave the way for so many other debilitating health problems? More importantly I want to be a role model for my patients. And yes I would like to continue to wear a two-piece swimsuit into my later years and take more than 3 flights of stairs before I become winded.
So, after much reading and research, I started this lifestyle change by cleaning out the pantry and refrigerator. Anything processed I threw out or gave away. By processed I mean any food that had an ingredient that I did not recognize. There are many preservatives and additives making up half the ingredient list on many packaged products. While many of these types of ingredients have been deemed safe by the FDA, many have been banned by our European counterparts as dangerous or even carcinogenic. This says a lot. After this purge I tried to buy food items that were organic. Why organic? Many vegetables and fruits are genetically modified or are treated with pesticides that simply can’t be washed off. As for animal products I again look for organic, grass fed, free range products, as animals can be treated with unnecessary antibiotics, growth hormones, or simply fed the same vegetables that are genetically modified or contain all the pesticides your looking to avoid. For more useful information on what to buy organic and what is deemed safe to buy non-organic, refer to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) website for their 2018 Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen Lists. Lastly, I have been avoiding high gylcemic or carbohydrate laden food. This means no rice, potatoes, pasta, breads that aren’t made from sprouted whole grains, foods made with white or wheat flour or added sugar. My “lifestyle change” isn’t purely a Keto, Paleo, Gluten-free, Whole 30, or Vegan diet but more a variation of them all in an effort to find a natural nutritionally packed clean diet for better health.
I am happy to report that 4 weeks in I have lost weight, feel better about what I am feeding my body, am sleeping better, and feel as if I have more energy. My systolic blood pressure has also come down 20 points and is now within the normal range. More health filled tips, recipes, and useful information to come.
What is your purpose for better health? 