I began this wellness journey exactly one year ago today. December 12, 2016. I had been living in chronic pain for over four years, stemming from two back surgeries and numerous other medical issues. I had no idea where this process would lead me. All I knew was that I had to do something "different" to try and get relief.
I knew it wouldn't be easy, but never imagined just how hard it really would be. On December 12, 2016, 12 days before Christmas, I jumped into this lifestyle change with both feet. My eating habits immediately and drastically changed. Drastically!! No gluten, no dairy, no sugar, no caffeine, no corn products, no soy. I could basically only eat foods from the ground up. No canned products. No processed food. No salad dressings...only olive oil and raw apple cider vinegar. No cooking with olive oil...only coconut oil. That was a whole lot of "NO", but I hoped this would be my saving grace.
Over the last year, I learned so much about nutrition and supplements; what's good (and not good) for my body. I learned that healthy food is more than just carrot and celery sticks. I learned that I do not like tofu, but don't mind fish! I learned that certain foods, like sugar, dairy and gluten, really do negatively effect my body. I have learned that, without a doubt, what I put in my body matters not only weight wise, but most of all health wise.
Now, today, one year later, I'm reaping the benefits of my hard work. I'm the healthiest I've ever been in my entire life. I am 56 pounds lighter. I'm off of all synthetic medication. My blood sugar issue is progressively getting better.
This is a process. I didn't get to be the girl on the left without years and years of neglect and self-destruction. And, I certainly didn't get to be the girl on the right without a year of hard work and dedication. In many ways, I'm better than I was a year ago, but I still have a way to go. This process has opened my eyes to the person I was, the person I am and the person I am becoming. As I reflect on this last year, I absolutely see and feel the difference in myself. Not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually.
With any journey, there are peaks and valleys. On this journey, I have experienced more valleys than peaks. It has been in the valleys where I have been the most impacted; where I have learned so much about myself and grown. A couple of months ago, in anger and frustration, I begged the Lord to just "fix all this" and "make me better". I knew deep in my heart that He was able and could in a moment heal me. I couldn't understand why He wasn't hearing and answering me. As those those thoughts were actively rolling through my mind, I felt as though the Lord said to me, "I AM here. I do hear you. I'm choosing not to change your circumstance because I want to change you!" That was the day I completely surrendered my will to this process and said, "Thy will be done, Lord."
This journey has been hard and messy. I've experienced many bumps and bruises. I've shed more tears than I could ever count. I've experienced discouragement and anger. There were so many days I didn't want to continue and just wanted to give up. Even so, I've had the privilege of seeing God's hand and timing throughout this journey. I've witnessed first hand His gentleness, patience, faithfulness, love, and mercy toward me. And, now, I'm watching Him make beauty out of ashes even though there are many coals that are still burning.
It is only by His grace and through His strength, that I didn't give up and was able to stay the course. And, with His continued help, on this course I'll remain!!
"But as for me, I will always have HOPE;
I will praise You more and more."
Psalm 71:14
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