Change is good

I took a leap of faith and made an appointment with a Functional Medicine doctor.  I am tired of belching all the time when I eat.  This is not normal......not for anyone.  I went on my insurance company website and did the search.

Why did I choose this moment in time?  I had a couple of friends have similar testing done and they seemed to be satisfied with the information and results.  I had a nice consult with the doctor and we decided to do some food sensitivity testing along with a regular blood panel.  It has always been my intention NOT to walk down the road my parents have with health issues and to this point, thanking God, I had been successful.

It is amazing what movement does for a body.  For the last 18 months I have not been exercising like I once did.  I wonder why my cholesterol, glucose and other markers were always in a good place.  Besides watching my food quality, I WAS MOVING.  I enjoyed exercise.  It felt good, I felt good.

Coming back into the present....my numbers were not what I had hoped they would be.  Although most of the numbers are still in the normal range, they are higher than they have been in a long time.  Thinking back, I did not see a doctor regularly before I started losing weight so I have no idea how bad the numbers used to be.  Ignorance is NOT bliss and I used to keep my head buried in the sand.  As long as I felt ok, everything must be ok, right?

My glucose number showed that I could be pre-diabetic.  That scares me A LOT.  I will do everything in my power to avoid that scenario.  So movement is high on my list of priorities....even if it is walking the dog or taking laps in the office.  I even got out a couple of days last week to walk the loop around the office....it is about 1 mile.  It was hard the first time ....but the first time back in the groove of anything is hard.

My cholesterol is still normal but again jumped 30 points.  My eating has not changed so what is the scoop there?  EXERCISE.  Damn how exercise will kick you in the ass.   I guess getting to the gym and riding the bike is in my future too!  I have such grand ideas and I have been letting that little voice in my head tell me that I need sleep.  My sleeping patter has been slightly off but not enough to not get to the gym.  I am recommitting to Jazzercise 2 days per week, 2 days at the gym ....and if I miss the gym I have to do the mile loop at the office.  I refuse to go on medication.

On to the food sensitivities......OMG, the list is long!  Right now, trying to avoid the highlighted foods on the list, my breakfast foods have been in complete turmoil.  No eggs, no oatmeal, no bread, no grain.  Suggestion of avoiding starches because of the glucose situation.....grrrr.

Today I see the dietician.  I will get better clarification as to what I am working towards.  Breakfast has been combinations of lunches and dinners.  No pasta, no potato, lots of steamed or sautéed veggies.  Different proteins, trying different seasoning combinations.  I am hoping for an option of making a protein shake for a breakfast option.  I never thought I would be the person saying that some sausage, yellow beans and a nice mango salsa was boring for breakfast.....I want EGGS!!

Because I am dealing with sensitivities, these foods can be reintroduced.  That is hopeful.  It is all timing.  But as my friends know, I am not a patient person.  Lessons I keep learning........

Funny things is, if I remember to take my digestive enzymes, I have not been belching except for the turmeric in the inflammation shake (yes, turmeric is on my 'hit' list!)  Progress is a good thing!!