Barefoot Bellringing

Last week I was to have lunch with a friend and had an awful bout of nausea. Yesterday I had a full day and was about half way through my to do list when nausea overtook again. A migraine was brewing and I wanted to get home and lie down. So I pushed through the hospital visit, stopped to buy a bottle of water, drink it and then headed home.

I realised that my body is in shock as I detox from “unnatural foods”. I am learning that I can’t ingest as much caffeine as I once could. So I’ll stick to drinking coffee at home, and drink water when I’m out. I’ve been off artificial sweeteners for a month now and there are still times when my body craves them. I’m getting better at resisting those artificial sweeteners, and will eventually kick sugar from my diet as well. One step at a time.

I rescheduled lunch with my friend and she shared with me that she’s having bariatric surgery. It’s been a two year process for her to get to this point and I’m so proud of her. I shared with her my food addiction and she shared with me that she’s food addicted as well. So we have promised to be supportive of one another. We will be mindful of what we eat, especially when we’re together. Instead of going to a restaurant, we will pack our lunch, walk to the park and eat it, then walk some more.

One step at a time I’m reminding myself that this is a continual journey. I’ve purged the cupboards of anything that is past its expiry date, or is processed. The reality is there will be days when the processed foods are the “best” option. And I hope my body says “no” so I will remember that I can’t do that anymore.

I’ve always been a person who does better with a routine. So now my routine includes scheduling time for rest, for vitamins and minerals, for exercise, for self-care. And for self-love. God gave me many gifts and it’s not vanity that I share them. It’s with love.

So, wherever you are on your own journey, be it in recovery, or in detox, or in the very early days know that there will be times that are really difficult. And there will be times that are really awesome. Your body will let you know that it doesn’t like you (kind of like a tantruming child) and eventually you will make your healthier choices without agonising over every choice.

I’m off to make a cup of coffee, drink some water, take my vitamins and wash some floors.

It is raining, but I trust that today will be a productive day. Oh, and I’m going to wear pink today in support of anti-homophobia and transphobia. I have many friends in the “gay community” who have been terrorised because of ignorance. It’s not right, and it’s time to stand in solidarity and speak out.

So please, if you read this post on the 10th of April, wear something pink today. Speak out against bullying. Don’t give in to shaming. Life is precious. Life is good.