Mike and I are about 5 weeks or so into positively perfect paleo. We’ve had our cheat meals (not days) and have enjoyed recipes that strict paleo eaters would say is a no-no. Have I lost weight? Probably, although I don’t weigh myself. I think I went down a jean size but again my original size is slightly big and the dropped size is slightly snug. So why the hell have I cut out all those delicious fried chicken, fast food and junk? I feel great! My energy level has increased and my digestive system is so much better.
Eight years ago, I will never forget the stomach pain that sent me to the hospital. It was my senior year in college and I loved going to the dining hall, to the bars and eating fat sandwiches at 2 in the morning. Don’t judge – it was college, haha. After about a week stay at St. Peter’s Hospital in New Brunswick and numerous tests and procedures, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC). I had to significantly alter my diet, removing high fibrous foods and incorporating easily digested foods. Within a year, diet and a regime of medicines, my UC was under control and I lived a normal life.
About six months ago, my stomach pains returned, not nearly as severe but enough for me to seek out a gastroenterologist. He immediately set me up with medicines and scheduled a procedure within 2 days. He was able to conclude that I don’t have UC (yay!) but that I have diverticulous, a condition that requires a high fiber diet.
The combination of what I thought was UC and the ultimate diagnosis is diverticulous has me question the things I put into my body regularly. Paleo isn’t necessarily the end all be all; however, eating paleo – positively perfectly – has me looking at food differently. I seek out whole foods and foods that I would not necessarily have eaten. I like to eat and enjoy finding creative ways to eat the things I love in a more organic and natural way. My stomach doesn’t hurt and I feel good!
Positively Perfect 