Part 5: when it’s all gone a bit skewwhiff

Wins, challenges, (seemingly) going backwards and making a comeback.

Part 5: adopting an anti-inflammatory way of eating. So far we have covered

• how to approach it

• the unexpected benefits

• breaking/ending cycles (in respect of habits, patterns and behaviours) and

• what the hell do you eat?

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I’m 6 years on from cutting out sugar. At first I went cold turkey. In a year or so in and once I’d broken the sugar rush cycle, I allowed myself the occasional ice-cream. In fact, the occasional tub. There have been times in recovery from attack where my body wanted it. I’ve never once regret it or felt “bad” over doing it. In fact, it became a practice in letting myself indulge, enjoying it and not beating myself up about it.

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I’ve had experiences where this wasn’t the case in respect of the rare and occasional sugar binge. Anyone in the UK remember when Christmas was cancelled?  I had a massive emotional reaction to this; ate a few heroes chocolates every day and Christmas pud every night. Emotional reactions have always been a massive part of my yo-yo weight, all my adult life. Over 2 years in to this new way of life and this was one of them. Even though this was nothing to eat compared to the Amber of old, I whacked on a stone and a half in those 10 days (standard) and was delivered an extra migraine attack.

A couple of years in and I began to realise an emotional link between me and food. Photo by Naomi August on Unsplash

I haven’t seen any aspect of this journey as a “diet” – you will rarely hear me say diet. Notice I say anti-inflammatory way of eating?  This is intentional. Because of diet culture and body image issues of the past, I refrained from telling myself I was on any kind of diet and don’t see it that I am.

This being the case, the extra stone and a half I was carrying stayed on for the long term. I have no idea why (I know it’s the go-to but I never put anything down to my age. I feel younger now at 44 than I’ve felt in the last decade plus). I maybe lost some of it the following year and then only the remainder last year. I stayed true to “I eat what I want when I want” and my goal of reducing inflammation in my body. As much as I wanted the weight to come off, I didn’t make it about the weight. Instead upped my self-love practice.

Although it’s only been a handful of times in recent years, every time I had a sudden burst of binge, say a packet of biscuits and a good few chocolates or I ate some form of sugar several days in a row, an additional migraine attack would always ensue.

Though I hadn’t lived in this lane at any point in the past, I’d prioritised my health to such an extent on occasions where this happened, that I was motivated to return to the anti-inflammatory way of eating I had become accustomed to. I didn’t see it as a failing as I would have done in the past. I didn’t think I’d ruined it all and I’ve noticed it be very common for us to think that one weekend gone skewwhiff or a holiday of overindulgence ruins everything. A change in perspective can make a massive difference.

Change feels uncomfortable before it becomes transformative. (Photo by Suzanne D. Williams on Unsplash)

There were also a few occasions where I over-indulged in gluten in the earlier days and boy did my tummy know about it. My stomach would blow up and it would be uncomfortable, though what’s interesting is this hasn’t happened to the same extent, since early 2020.

I noticed that when I had a hunger attack and all I would want to do is eat food, where I allowed myself the dark chocolate, the dates, the nut butter, the strawberries and double cream etc, I would nowhere near eat as much as what I ate back in the day. Even if I really felt like I surely must have overeaten.

Debunking myth

One of the greatest myths I’ve come across is when others say “yes, but its expensive to eat healthy”. I’ve found this to be a good way to put what you want just that little bit out of reach. It’s a good way to disempower yourself and continue resisting creating change.

Because of the pre-existing eating habits I had where I grazed all day and binged, eating the way I do now satisfies me and keeps me feeling fuller for longer. In my case, I eat less and I don’t spend any more.

I find main supermarkets overwhelming and can only shop in Aldi or Lidl where I’m not being heavily marketed to. The benefit of this is that they are also much cheaper. Outside of this, I do my best to source locally produced food, supporting local businesses feels good and I’m doing my part for the environment. You’d be surprised at how reasonably priced you can get some of it.

Final thoughts

I used to think about what food I should get in for friends when they visit and clients when they come to Retreat With Me but I soon learnt to let go of the mental load and continue on as I do. In doing so, I’ve found that everyone loves what I offer them and the ginger (or curry tea) is always welcomed. Ok I have one friend that brings her own coffee and milk. We eat out at the local café when she comes! But by and large, its been a big win!

 I still have more to say but I’m all fooded out atm! There may be another one to follow but we’ll see. What are your thoughts so far? Have you found this series helpful?

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Over to you

What do you believe to be true about healthy eating? Journal on it and see what comes up for you. Any surprises? How do your beliefs align with what it is you want?

In what ways do you put what you want just that little bit out of reach? How do you disempower yourself?

What do you do when you fall off track? How do you approach it mentally?

Every day is a new beginning. (Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash)