The Honest Truth about AIP. The good, bad, and ugly.

Hi readers,

Today is a tough day to write. I’ve not fallen away from this diet, but with a heavier work load than normal and more extracurricular, it hasn’t been the most exciting meal planning for me. I am so thankful to other bloggers who have discussed their experiences with AIP Paleo, and express genuine emotion of what they’re going through. Let’s be honest: it’s really hard, you have to be committed 100%, and it takes more time (that most of us do not have) to plan, purchase, and prep all of this food.

By this last weekend, I was on another trip to another wedding. Longer drives, little sleep, it’s all taxing for anyone, not just people on this diet. You reach a point of pure exhaustion and you no longer think logical. So I began to think, is this just me? Why am I responding this way? Isn’t this supposed to be a hormone re-start? And to be completely honest, I was feeling lower than low and not dealing or reacting as a sane human being. In the week or two leading up to the weekend, I could feel in my gut (seriously, my gut hurt) that I was drained and my adrenals were less than pleased with me. I began having the opposite reaction that I’m supposed to and began to feel like this has all been for nothing.

I decided to take a personal day to get in order several things in my life, but also to read and spend a little more time learning from the blogs that my fellow AIP-ers have out there. What an amazing community. Others felt by week 3 completely drained, low energy, losing so much weight they do not know what to do, digestive issues flaring up again, and full ranges of depression. When you stop and think about why, it might seem like a no-brainer, but not when you’re the person in it. Think about it: you’ve completely shocked your system. You have removed entire food groups you once had, your hormones are so out of whack from being high, then low, then high again, you do not know if something as spilling your water will make you shed tears, and more than anything, you feel alone. Your coworkers have parties with cupcakes and dips and chips that you once would have divulged in, but now the reality is setting in that you might never indulge in those things anymore. It’s easy to spin this completely out of control and get yourself into a pit so deep you forgot what color the sky is. I would know. That was me for the last few days, even week.

You need to stop, breath, and reboot. Remember this is a positive thing you’re doing for yourself. You are certainly not alone, even if you do not actually know anyone that is doing this. Stress management is my biggest issue, and it is only worsened when I’m tired and having adrenal failures (just like anyone). Throw some hormone confusion into the mix and you’re got a fiesta of crazy. I had to take a day off yesterday. Sleeping was still hard as my mind was racing, but I found some helpful tools that I’d like to implement going forward. My advice to you is know that there is an end in sight for your struggles. If the sickness you FEEL is your struggle, then knowing that this is going to do nothing but make you feel better. It’s a daunting task to make the decision to change your life. Change is scary. Life is scary. But feeling like you have control of it can make things feel a little lighter.

I do not know about you, but my cravings hit hard this week. Week 3 is no joke. I came across a blogger that listed AIP-Paleo 30 days as a relationship by week. “Week 1: honeymoon… this is do-able and going to be easy. Week 2: reality sets in. The dishes aren’t put away correctly but it’s still ok. Week 3: The fighting begins and stress takes over. We do not play nice, and though we know better, it’s still hard to do so. Week 4: There’s a light at the end of the tunnel. You do not fight it anymore, you know there’s a reason and you reach a more optimistic view of the life ahead of you.” I haven’t experienced week 4, but I sure as heck am looking forward to that feeling. Telling yourself the thoughts of week 4 a week early probably isn’t a bad idea either.

So, to your criers, worriers, stressed-out, high-strung people that need to learn serenity, peace, and a touch of hopeful… believe me, I feel you. I am you. I’m struggling, but I’m grateful that this was proposed to me. It can only get better.