How I reversed my health concerns by eating cheese

In the last four months, I have lost at least 20 lbs and have made several measurable strength and conditioning gains. My anxiety has decreased, my ADD is reversed and I no longer have dizziness and faintness. This is based on a single change: my eating.

I have a long history of addressing health issues through diet. It began when I was chronically ill with respiratory infections. I was prescribed a minimum of 8 rounds of antibiotics per year. I was a new parent and mostly unable to care for my kids. After skin testing showed I was allergic to everything and blood testing came back negative across the board, my primary care physician said, "You should try going off gluten. And you might as well quit dairy, too."

Here I am at the My Favorite Murder podcast recording in Indianapolis. I'm third from the left. I was already two months into keto when this photo was taken. Sadly, in the next few pics, you'll probably mostly see weight loss by haircut.

Bread or Happiness

I was willing to try anything to feel better. Cutting out dairy was my first stop. It was the easiest for me because I've always been lactose intolerant. Then came gluten. Removing that from my diet meant I had to eat differently than everyone else in my family, but within two weeks, the benefit was clear. If not coeliac, I was definitely gluten sensitive. The less I had in my system, the more I was able to do. My asthma improved, respiratory infections decreased to the point I no longer have them, and there were other differences. It felt like I was rising out of the clouds into the sunshine for about two months. I discovered a sense of direction, an ability to think through Math problems I'd been previously unable to grasp, articulate my thought clearly out loud with regular success, and I experienced an incredible lessening of anxiety, depression and body pain.

Suffice it to say, quitting gluten dramatically changed my life.

My daughter took this picture of me while we were playing outside together. Playing was overwhelming and confusing pre-GF. I was constantly overstimulated because it was LOUD in my brain and I had a visual lag when processing the world. I described this to someone and they said "it sounds like being buzzed going on drunk, but not fun."

I went on in good health for two years before my body required several surgical interventions. The final procedure was a partial hysterectomy, after which my hormones went crazy, my ADD worsened (along with anxiety and depression) and my weight began to creep up. I felt tired all the time, in a fog, had night sweats and generally went through all they symptoms of menopause without menopause. Because I'd have 5 other surgical procedures the same year, it was thought I had adrenal fatigue.

Moving Again

It took me two years of struggle post-hysterectomy to get back into the gym. I'd lost most of my physical strength, although I could still jump off the floor and my body remembered how to do the weightlifting components of CrossFit. I managed to get my body moving, but the fog in my brain wouldn't budge.

It was time to reconsider diet. It was clean of gluten and dairy, so I knew those weren't the problem. I took out soy and felt better. I took out corn and felt better. But not better enough. My blood sugar crashes were worse and worse. Even my asthma was worsening.

A friend of mine keeps an Instagram feed of her meals. I'd been watching it for a few months when she started talking more about the ketogenic diet in her captions. I knew a lot about keto because multiple doctors have suggested it to me for my son in relation to autism and his extremely muscular build combined with never-ending hunger. It is a high fat, moderate protein, low carb diet in which your body achieves and maintains ketosis, a fat-burning state as opposed to carb-burning state.

This pic is from my @surviveyourstory Instagram feed. I took it during the Spring WriteAway Retreat in Michigan. That retreat was amazing, and I had incredible energy start to finish due to the diet shift I'm going to tell you about. I think I was down 10lbs at this point.

I began as I do with every nutritional adjustment; I consulted resource after resource (I'll publish a resource post tomorrow) and talked to my husband about what this type of diet shift might mean in our family dynamic. He encouraged me to pursue it even though it seemed harder than any other dietary change I'd made so far.

Getting Started

It took me awhile to commit even after my partner gave me his support. One evening, I was standing in my kitchen lagging from a blood sugar drop and feeling generally awful. I could feel my eyes sinking into my face. My body was heavy and it was hard to breathe. That was my rock bottom.

The next day, I began my keto journey by logging foods in an app on my phone. This was terrifying. I have a history of anorexia, and there was a calorie count at the top of each day. My impulse was to force myself to stay below it, but the goal of this dietary shift was never weight loss; it was improved health. Still, I dropped about 20 pounds. I didn't weigh myself or take a picture when I started (again, anorexia), so I can't be sure. But I do know I went from size 14 to an 8, where I am now, and I'm still shrinking.

I ignore the calorie count at the top of my daily food diary. What I pay attention to is my macronutrient breakdown. I eat to satiety. For me, that means eating 6 mini meals throughout the day. That's how my body does best. On workout days, I fast until after my class, skipping first and second breakfast.

In this, you can see that I've begin to trim down. My muscles are more apparent, which is completely amazing to me. It's awesome to see my results.

The Results

Within the first two days, my ADD abated. I suspect this has more to do with going off of sugar and grains than anything else, but I do notice that the deeper into ketosis I am, the sharper my thinking is.

I lost 4 dress sizes or around 20 pounds and weight is still coming off.

I set lifetime personal records for deadlift and back squat and several workouts and isolated movements despite being in recovery from hysterectomy and a severe abdominal hernia with surgical repair.

My BMI has improved, and I'll be able to give the numbers on that soon. I have bloodwork and body composition testing coming up.

My blood pressure has decreased.

My resting heart rate has decreased.

Me in a dress that last fit pre-surgeries. Now it's a bit big, but the most comfortable. In fact, if you scroll back up a couple of pics, you'll see me filling out this same dress much more snugly.

I no longer experience blood sugar crashes or the accompanying dizziness and faintness.

My asthma recovery is shockingly quick.

I have more and consistent energy throughout the day.

I sleep better.

My palate has changed. In fact, I now love brussels sprouts--a result I never considered.

I experience lessened anxiety. Not less. Just not as intense while I feel it.

I have fewer stomach aches and digestive issues.

I have no desire to starve myself. Eating to satiety and feeling physically well means the shame that drives anorexia is largely resolved.

And the best of all is that my body can handle dairy again. While I still can't digest lactose, I can now eat many cheeses. Had I known giving up grains meant getting back cheese, I might well have done this sooner.

Going Forward

Me on Saturday, wearing another dress that hasn't fit for years. If you read Saturday's post, you know this mirror selfie was a challenge. The smile is genuine though. I avoid mirrors and picture beyond my face, so seeing my full shape looking so healthy was a happy surprise.

I do not see myself ever going back to a standard American high carb diet. I know there are no grains or sugar in my future. Even a little of those makes my head feel awful. The results of my bloodwork will determine whether I will stay in ketosis long-term, begin to cycle in and out, or simply maintain a low carb, high fat diet. What I'm sure of is that I will do what is best for my brain and body.

I am also sure I would never push this way of eating on anyone else. While I do plan to share resources, I believe all bodies are different and we must discover and feed our own needs.

IAE here keto or pursuing a non-standard WOE?