Day 29: Re-Settling In

Entry 5

Day 29: Re-Settling In

This week I learned, or at least acknowledged, that there are so many factors that effect our lives. I went into the AIP mindset feeling like if I could gain control over what I eat and I feel better, my whole life would then be better.

Then you have weeks that you wish you didn’t have. There are so many different things that can impact your life and can effect your daily routines. The last few weeks have done that to me.

I’ve been sticking, mostly, to the AIP diet, but my co-worker brought in bagels, TWICE! I snacked on chocolate a bit too much. I desperately needed to blow off steam and went out for MARGARITAS, spicy chirizo and karaoke! I started to realize the stress from my day job was definitely impacting my AIP diet progress and I was beginning to not care anymore.

I started to wonder if I wanted to go back to a life of sugary treats, carbs, gluten, milk, ice cream…

Then I woke up the Saturday after karaoke…my hands felt stiff, bloated (how is that even possible!?!?!?) and like generally they felt like mittens. I could barely make a fist. For the record, my Rheumatoid arthritis is mostly in my hands and wrists. My knuckles swell, my fingers can be clumsy and sometimes I have minimal feeling in the very tips of my fingers. I loose strength in my hands too…even simple things, like turning a door knob, can be painful.

It was then I realized, that even my minimal effort, AIP was helping me. I’ve talked about my energy levels going up, which they still are, but helping with the pain is not something I can turn my back on.

I’m slowly reintroducing things back into my diet, like the occasional cocktail or chocolate cupcake. Balance is key for me, I have learned I can’t completely deny myself of all the deliciousness that is out there, but I can also have a treat and stay on track.

Chocolate Cupcakes I want so bad, but weening myself off chocolate again! (Not easy to do!!!)