Sometimes.....The Teacher Continues to Need the Lesson

Well the results are in!  If you do not know what I am talking about, please read my first blog in this series. 

I knew my hormones were a mess and interestingly enough I was given divine direction to a book that I have had for a very long time.  It is a book written by Dr Sara Gottfried called the Hormone Reset Diet. She takes 7 different crucial hormones and has you eliminate a food item or group related to each hormone for 3 days. In other words, you eliminate a food group every 3 days for 21 days to cover all 7 hormone resets.  I had some resistance in wanting to tackle this task...but where there is resistance......it's a sign.  So I knew I had to do this.

I actually had to study this book for a couple of days.  Trying to figure out how much food I would need, of what type, and oh....how am I going to prepare this!?!?  I had to dig deep to find an inner chef because I really do not enjoy cooking.  I also told my husband that I wanted to do this BUT  I needed his support.  I would still make his pbj sandwiches for his packed lunch, but supper time I needed him to eat like me.  He was on board....I knew he would be!!

So it began. I purchased my huge amount of vegetables and clean proteins, came home and started processing all these vegetables.......they were flying everywhere!! Eating one pound of vegetables per day, seriously did not think I could do that!! But actually was easier than you think.  First reset was eliminating red meat to reset estrogen. That elimination was not difficult at all, we had fish or chicken and I made vegetable soup. My husband was sort of starting to like this!!  So during this first reset she recommends you start weaning off caffeine, which I was beginning to do because day 10....no caffeine....I was scared.  Finished these first 3 days and at the beginning of each reset it is recommended you weigh yourself. She also recommends different types of exercise based on your particular reset you are in. You gather all your "numbers" prior to starting, of course.  So reluctantly I jumped on the scale....WHAT!?!?!  Down 3 pounds in 3 days....I will TAKE that!!! I could not believe that at all!!  Now I am really getting into this....bring it on!!

Next reset was for insulin, so guess what you have to eliminate there.....SUGAR!  It was a struggle I was doing fine, plus she allows 85% Cacao for a sweet tooth, only if you don't get carried away with it.  I admit, it was nasty tasting first bite, but after several days on this reset diet my taste buds were changing. By day 9 or so, that cacao was rather tasty...and satisfying. So then about day 5 something happened.  I hit a wall.  I felt like crap.  I don't know what's going on.  I was so discouraged.  I cried, ugly cry, was sad, got angry, cried more, laid around, sloth, and then it dawned on me.  This process was somewhat a shock to my system.  Weaning off caffeine, eliminating sugar....my "drugs" are getting out of my system. I wasn't numbing my emotional pain anymore with these substances so I had to FEEl It. I am eating regularly, good food and consistently.  It was like a bandaid was ripped off and I felt that pain, but now the healing can begin.

But wait!! Now we have another factor.  When we purchased this house, we knew it would need some work and had a contractor give us an estimate for all these projects.  We accepted it, and he said it would be late spring or so before they could start. Well guess what, they came early!  Day 7 of my reset they showed up and started tearing everything up! I would have 1 to 6 men in, on, or around my house working starting at 7:30 am to about 4pm every day.  Although I was excited and all, it really shook up my routine. Dirt, sawdust, noise, and smells going on everyday....I allowed it to steal my drive.  I allowed it to put a kink in my exercise routine. I allowed it to get the best of me!! I was so mad at myself.  I had a weak mindset.  I beat myself up!  Then my loving divine intervention occurred.  My life verse came to...Romans 12:2  Do not be conformed of this world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Because here it is....I am 51 years YOUNG!!  I am no longer going to listen to the lies in my head.  I am no longer going to believe those things of the past.  I am no longer going to listen to the what if's, not good enoughs, or any other comparisons. You know the ones:
Do you think you should be working while raising young children?
Do you think you can really afford that?
Do you think you should be eating that?
Are you qualified enough to do that?
Oh wow, look at her, she's so thin and shapely. Wish I looked like that.
Oh wow, she got a promotion with more money, I would have liked that raise.
Oh geez, how does she work, have a clean house, and cook with all those kids??
How does she work out so much?
You get the idea, there are many more.

I got entangled in that with this reset.  All these stories and testimonials of the ladies who did the diet and lost 14 pounds, 4 inches, or they lost 21 pounds and 9 inches etc, etc.  I wasn't as successful. I had my moments....but then I decided, I am drawing the line!!  I am renewing my MIND!!  I will focus on what I DID Accomplish.
I did Lose 9 pounds!
I did lose 2 1/2 inches from my hips.
I did discipline myself to complete the 21 days.
I do sleep so much better.
I am proud of myself and my inner chef came out!
The stronghold of caffeine and sugar is GONE!! Praise the LORD!!
I am naturally energized!
My husband came totally on board with this and no more pbj sandwiches....salads now!!
My husband lost 10 pounds......stinker....men always lose easier!
We have taken on a much better lifestyle of eating habits and really loving it!
I am a Masterpiece, no matter what!!  And you are too!! Other people or situations do not define who we are. Our occupations do not define who we are either.  We are made perfect and we all have a gift to serve others!!  We are as individual as a fingerprint....stop comparing!! It steals your joy immediately!!

We will have ups and downs, but keep your focus on the right things and continue to push forward and you will have success. Own it, admit it, because it all boils down to YOU! I plan on continuing this lifestyle and see what happens with my weight. I am really excited about the future.  The renovations are almost complete and my house is becoming a home.  I still have moments of sadness leaving our old house, or that my son is in another state, or my parents are in assisted living....but I just might cry a bit, let it out, and I get my joy back again, without coffee or dessert!

I also used some energy techniques and essential oils along this journey and will be sharing in a facebook "live" very soon....oh and with before and after pictures too!! So stay tuned to my page and make sure you "like" it so you find out more!!  Hartman Holistic Health