Day 1: Operation HOPE

I've been on a 4+ year journey of lots of pain, lots of procedures, lots of appointments, lots of tears, lots of waiting, lots of medications, lots of frustration.  On Tuesday, 12/6/16, I found hope. Hope that all these "lots" will one day be behind me.

 I met with a nutritionist who understood all I have been through and what is going on in my body.  He feels that he can help me reverse this terrible pain that I've been in.  He cautioned me, though, that it wouldn't be easy.  That there would be a lot of changes that I would need to make.  He did, very optimistically, say that if I did everything he instructed me to do, I could start to see a decrease in my pain in as little as 2-3 months.

OK. YES. SIGN ME UP!!

It all sounded great as we were talking, but once I got home and realized what his plan for this pain free life was...well...I sort of freaked out!  And the more I looked through the plan, the more freaked out I became.

How will I shop for all this stuff?  How will I prepare all this stuff?  Tofu...is he kidding?  Ugh...fish...I can't eat fish...I hate fish.  Brown rice that has to cook for 45 minutes?  Seriously?  Oh my gosh...I have to cook EVERYTHING...like three times a day cooking!  Who does that?!?

Can we say "panic attack"?!?  I had a major panic attack sitting there weeding through pages of the plan for my pain free life.

I had quite a few meltdowns from that meeting until yesterday, lots of stink-thinking and many tears before today. Just ask my husband and children.  It was not pretty.

Once I came to my senses, I realized that this is what I would have to do if I want to finally feel better.  Mind you, I said "have to do" not "want to do". Seriously, who wants to start a nutrition plan two weeks before Christmas?  NOT. ME.  But, I did say on Tuesday that I would do ANYTHING to rid my body of this awful, constant pain, and I needed to stay true to my word.

So, with that, I pulled on my big girl panties and began thinking about all that transpired from Tuesday until yesterday.  And as I was thinking, this phrase popped into my head:

 "Nothing will taste as good as healthy will feel".

Hmmm...nothing will taste as good as healthy will feel.  I let that sink in and marinate for a bit.  I came to the realization that it really doesn't matter if I like anything on this plan because being pain free and healthy is going to feel so much better.  It is the end result that I need to stay focused on...a healthy, pain-free life!  That is the goal...the prize!

I totally believe that the Lord placed that phrase and thoughts in my mind to wake me up.  It was the motivation that I needed, and He knew that.  Isn't that just like the Lord?  Once I heard and understood that phrase, I was ready to get to work.

Armed with my go to phrase, I started "Operation HOPE" (Hold On Pain Ends) today. I woke with my alarm at 6:00 a.m.  Placed my feet on the ground, and prayed, "Okay, Lord. Let's do this." And, do this we did!

I need to start everyday with 8 oz. of lemon water.  Not a bad start.

Breakfast for today was a veggie omelet, green tea and another 8 oz. of lemon water.  Okay...I can do that.

Lunch was a big salad with 4 oz. of tuna. Not crazy about the tuna with oil & vinegar...but got through it just fine.

Snacks of an apple and KIND bar rounded out my busy day.  Yum...and YUM-O!!

Dinner was baked tilapia, steamed broccoli and a small salad.  Again, not crazy about the tilapia (I'm not a fish girl) but got through it just fine.

And, now I'm enjoying a "Winter Spice" herbal tea as I write this blog.

I'm not hungry, and feel very satisfied.  Praise God!

This first day was not terrible...but it was hard.

Hard because I still hurt literally all over my body. Hard because there was a lot to do and prepare. Hard because I wasn't sure I was going to like everything I needed to eat today. Hard because my emotions are all over the place.

But, in the hard, I had a peace.

Peace that I was doing the right thing. Peace that God has me. Peace that this whole food plan will be a balm to my weary, broken body. Peace that I have HOPE...hope that there will be an end to this pain.

By God's grace, my prize, "Hold On Pain Ends" is just around the corner!