The 30 Day Detox Finale

I am on Day 29. I saw the doctor this morning, so I will share with you my thoughts about this whole process.

Week One

Tough. Didn't feel one bit of good. In fact, at times I felt as though I had the flu. Headachy, all over achy. I remembered the doctor saying I would feel worse before I felt better. He was correct.

Week Two

Began to feel better and had more energy. I know there are some that are choosing to only do a 10 day or 2 week detox. However, considering how far I had gone down in the last couple of years, I decided to go the full time recommended. I am so glad I did.

In 10 days, you probably have burned out a lot of the bad and are on the upswing, but I think it took the full amount of time to reprogram my brain around the feeling good and what it would take to feel healthy again.

Week Three

I began to realize I had no pain in any joint. I was literally amazed! As the week went on, I began to also have energy. I really can't tell you the last time I felt good and had energy.

I am a positive person with a strong faith and realize how much of that is due to my upbringing and my family. My family keeps me stable and reminds me that to dwell on the bad makes things would only make it far worse. It is so important to really live out what has really been my mama's mantra all her life. You can ALWAYS find someone who has it worse than you. 

I say all that to say that I think if I didn't keep my chin up that the last couple of years could have gotten me down mentally far more than physically. That was my point in reaching out for a solution.

Week Four

Y'all, I haven't felt this good in ages. Pretty much no pain and if any it is minimal. I am walking and looking forward to it. I will add some yoga type stuff in the future for toning and strengthening. 

I think it took 29 days to bring that kind of change about, so no I have no regrets about the 30 days. Just because I think I need to complete the goal, I will finish out tomorrow. After all, I signed up for 30 days.

Now, for what I ate this 30 days...

Basically, throw everything away that comes in a box or has been processed. Eat only natural foods, vegetables (no potatoes or tomatoes), organic turkey and chicken, some fish (beans can be substituted for the meat, but leave off the stuff that you season them with), lots of greens, most fruits (that is what kept me alive), no grains or dairy. You may substitute coconut and almond milk. Nuts other than peanuts are suitable for the first week, then a no go. Eggs were eaten the first week as well. Oh, and nothing sweet except fruit. 

I drank a chocolate drink that was basically a souped up vitamin drink, and that awful green drink the first two weeks. The second two weeks I just ate raw spinach and kale to sub for it. The chocolate was increased to two times a day for the last two weeks, so basically I ate one meal a day with a fruit in the morning for a snack and my salad greens in the afternoon. I didn't eat any dressing because I don't like ANY kind of dressing. Yes, I am picky, but you could have some dressings. I think they were all vinegary.

Vinegar goes along with liver and mayonnaise as items that can NOT ever go in my mouth for any reason.

After the first two weeks, I went back to walking. I walked as far as I felt like which at the beginning was only a mile. I actually can do more now.

I will eat normally after tomorrow, but will pay very close attention to what happens when I eat something. I am pretty sure sugar will be an occasional thing. If that is the case, believe me when I tell you I will be very picky about those selections. A coke will not be worth it. It will be the occasional homemade dessert that gets the sugar rationing.

I am thinking that gluten will be a culprit. We will test for that at some point. I truly hope that I can eat the occasional biscuit or pasta. I would give up white bread forever for my pasta.

If you are wondering how often does he recommend a detox. Twice a year. Now, I think I could be ok with a two week one. I think every January will be a detox month. After Thanksgiving and Christmas, yes detox for sure in January. Maybe July too.

Time will tell.

For now, I am grateful for feeling better. I don't think I will be coming off Xeljanz anytime soon, but hopefully over time, modern medicine will keep up with the challenges of RA.

I filled out a thing today with my food preferences, so of course no liver, vinegar, or mayonnaise. I will get a meal plan next week and recipes.

I also have really tried to eliminate some toxins that the doctor is convinced are issues. I may share about that at some point. I am not quite convinced that people wouldn't think I am nuts if I share too much of that with them, ...but hey...I am thinking some of it may be right.

If you have stuck with me through this, I will be back to sharing about something a lot more exciting like Christmas in the days ahead.

Oh, and my weigh in...

138 (with my clothes on) and my clothes are loose. 

23 more pounds to go.

Staying the course,

Sandy