Day 7

Officially one week on the Candida Diet. While I have tripped up once or twice taking a taste of a pancake here....eating 1 chocolate covered Almond yesterday....pretty much haven't cheated and I'm feeling better.

The Pros:

Learning to be disciplined in my health

Reading a lot about good foods for your body

Considering pursuing a degree of some kind in nutrition along with Doula certification

Loving the Gym again. Running 2 miles a day.

Lost 10lbs

Eating lots of Veggies

Learning to listen to my body and know what it needs

Taking Supplements diligently everyday (love pro-biotics)

Vomiting/other symptoms have lessened (but still linger)

The Cons:

Still struggling with vomit/sleeplessness (without sleep enhancing drugs)/headaches/fatigue/mucus in throat *though they have become less severe as mentioned above*

Becoming Lazy about my menu and starting to just "not eat" rather than find something I can have

Dropping weight too fast (probably for reason above...I Love that I'm dropping weight, but I

want it to be sustainable and healthy)

Still very constipated which surprises me considering how many veggies I'm eating

Settling for being super hungry rather than taking time to make food

low low energy level

become very frustrated sometimes at the lack of options

My goals as I start week 2:

1. Get some good Candida recipes (thanks Jackie :)

2. Get Creative about my works outs/options for food to avoid starvation tactics or going crazy and eating a cake.

3. PUSH THE WATER

4. Raw vegetables once a day (baby steps)

5. Spend time renewing my relationship with God.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

This is working. My symptoms are going down. I'm in the midst of the hardest part because I'm still experiencing the discomforts (though milder than before) but have no way to "medicate" myself by grabbing a candy bar to make myself feel better. This is a very good thing. I'm learning to live in this place: embracing my flaws, addictions, struggles and voids yet not turning to worldly things (food, stuff, entertainment...and in some cases other people) to ease the pain. I have to deal with it head on. I have to "snuggle up to it and accept this struggle" as my friend....a part of my life, and then destroy it (e tu Brute?).

To be honest, it's NOT so much about the Candida. I don't want natural health, my own life, blogging, how I feel or Candida itself to become my "god". The best way I can describe it is this:

I want to be free. That's all.

So as I pack up my junk from this house sitting gig I've had...and gather my blessed zucchini's, greek yogurt, stevia packets and supplements from their fridge...I venture forth into Day 7. Hopefully filled with some good eats, good exercize, good thoughts, time with God and service by loving on the two toddlers that nearly ended my life on Wednesday (over the top I know, but in the moment, I felt like I truly would die from their high pitched screaming and endless timeout balling).

Away We Go. Again :)

Peace Out.

Jenni