If you have been reading my posts, you know about some of the health challenges I have had. I am grateful that I am only dealing with Epstein Barr, Hypothyroidism and Rosacea bc I know there are many, many people out there and right here that have a lot more to deal with than I do. So thank you, GOD
I promised myself when I started LDL that I would wait until I hit the 3 month mark before posting my success story. I posted a little now and then, to let people know how I was doing and to get encouragement from our family here. Ahem.... you will notice I said "I would wait until I hit the 3 month mark..." This is important to note. I had no doubt that I would still be doing LDL after 3 months and for the rest of my life.
I don't know why or how, but I knew when I read about it that LDL was the answer to my prayers. When I started LDL, I was at an all time low in health and outlook and an all time high in weight (even higher than when I was pregnant with my second child.) I had no energy at all. I basically white knuckled the work week to get to Friday. I would collapse on the couch and sometimes just move to go to bed and do the same thing the next day. I would watch TV and say - one more show and I will get up. 11 am became 2 pm and before I knew it, it was 9 pm. I had no idea how to pull myself out of it. The only variation to my routine would be if I was crying or not. I seemed to be out of control. I did still manage to exercise each day even if it was only 20 minutes on the glider - bc I knew if I didn't do at least that, my weight would continue to soar.
The symptoms of EB and HT are very similar and so I had a double wammy of fatigue, depression, brain fog, confusion, forgetfullness and a bunch of other lovely stuff. I researched for protocol and kept coming back to Alkaline and Acidic states of the body. Finally, I had a wicked Rosacea attack - my eye area was red and swollen, my face was hivey and my chest and neck as well. I looked like a distorted Frankenstein version of myself.
My doctors had no words of wisdom- back to reading - again looking at alkaline foods as a saving grace (there is evidence that an acidic state in the body is the basis for disease- check out a post by Coding Queen). I had been on almost every diet plan imaginable - Atkins had worked best for me but I knew it was not a long term solution. When I read about LDL and saw the list of foods in the First article, I was convinced this WOE would work for me. Adding fruit to my diet was just what I needed - portable food - easy and mostly alkaline. I jumped on and never looked back.
LDL gave me my life back. I have energy to burn. I am focused at work and at home. I am losing weight at a steady and brisk pace (even with the metabolism challenges the HT brings). I have difficulty sitting still for too long. I want to go out and meet with friends and family. Within a week all my cravings for sugar and carbs were obliterated. After a couple more weeks, I wasn't really hungry anymore. For the first time in my life I was in control of my food instead of the other way around. This must be how normal people feel! YEAH!!!! I had despaired of ever feeling that way.
I began LDL on May 25th and in the first month I lost 15.5 lbs. In the second mo I started using sauces and tapanades that had LDL ingredients but slowed be down bc of the sodium content and also processing & I was eating too many bananas & I lost 7.5 lbs - still respectable! In the third mo, I cleaned up my act after hearing how well (and what) Lydia was doing - my BAMA girl - and also after hearing from Roger that the best way to do LDL is as it is written - fruit for BF and Dinner and the main meal at lunch with protein, veggies and soups. Following RT's advice, I lost 12.5 lbs. I almost doubled the results of the second month.
I am still reacting to certain food combinations but my eyes are not swollen anymore and my skin is almost clear now. But I think the most significant change is internal. I have hope where there was despair. I am actually thinking of dating again! I had stopped when I was first diagnosed with EB - 5 years ago. It just seemed like too much trouble.
I owe a great deal of thanks to all my angels in this community. I won;t mention each of you by name but you know who you are! You have encouraged me and advised me and cared about me.
You cannot put a price tag on that. It is an integral part of LDL. If you are still with me and considering LDL, PLEASE - just begin and don;t look back. You will be astounded at what you can accomplish and how robust you will feel. Believe me - the resolve is built in. Just eat the foods and it will happen.
My sincerest thanks and Love to all,
Julie
