Living Healthy: Surviving Leaky Gut Syndrome

Spoke to an Atkins rep on the phone on the 24th, since the pain was so bad... all the burping and backed up feeling. She suggested adding back in only 1 essential oil, since they probably aren't the source of the problem. I also bought simethicone for gas...began to feel better quick!

Went to Doctor C-S on the 26th re: tummy pain. Says all the veggies are giving me gas, and may have gallstones (family history). They'll check it out.

Pepsid prescribed reduced gas a bit, as did reduction in veggies and vitamins. Bathroom time is going a bit better now, hydration better, and energy is back up again. Pain is just an irritant.

Lost 1lb this week (129). Had a little temptation - when I ran into Pizza Hut pizza at M-'s house, and after getting bad news about Mom-in-law on Thursday. Both times I had a low carb meal/snack instead to kill the urge. Yay for me!

I feel good when I look in the mirror now, and everyone seems to notice my energy, and compliments me. Without meaning to, I've been spreading the word about Atkins. But I have to remember to eat more good veggies! I can't seem to get enough in to reach my carb intake goal. Must find more ways to add carbs.

Well, I look really good, and am fitting into more of my clothes better. I'm excercing regualrly, so I feel good about myself. I weigh 130 pounds now!

I'm trying to be creative in the kitchen to have a variety of foods since it's hard to find good food outside. I had a craving for a sweet this week so I make myself sugar-free peanut butter cookies with Atkins bake mix - yuk! The crustless quiche & crustless pizza we made was good though!

Lots of good low carb recipes here!

Overall doing great. Still having tummy problems, on right and left sides. Getting the crampy bloats in tummy especially at night. Took alka selzter, no good. Bathroom run reveals rocks coming out of my system, so I bought psyllium husks. I'm drinking so much water to keep hydrated, I'm going to the bathroom in the middle of the night! Maybe it's the essential oils I'm taking that's hurting me so bad? Going to go down to Basic #3 supplement only for now.

We visited a store in the area called Sugar Free Xpress (Yonkers, NY). It is a little oasis in the desert for me right now, since low carb products aren't big in the stores right now. We were welcomed by other customers who've "been there and done that", and encouraged us with thier sucess stories. The store has a lot of good stuff for snacking, low carb bake mixes, and basic supplies. Now I can have "pasta & bread" again... we'll see how it goes.

Well, hubby & I are in this together, and the two week induction is done for me. I can't believe how much energy I have! After the first three days adjusting, I'm got so much spunk I am almost bouncing off the walls. It's not as hard to become alert in the mornings. No puffy eyes anymore. I lost 9 lbs too.

I know most people think you just eat burgers all day. I certainly am not doing that - that would be way too boring (at least for a lady!). I miss my bread and potatoes a bit, but I'm making up for it by enjoying a fine variety of cheeses (I LOVE cheese! I could put it on everything). And since the hubby is a cook, he's making some excellent beef, poultry & seafood dishes - I have had stuff like filet mignon, tuna steaks, shrimp, sauteed veggies and salads.

Wait, did I say SALAD? I've always been the "Meataraian"! My friend M- is going to have a coronary if she hears I am eating a vegetable - especially salad (her fav). I've always HATED veggies, except for corn, peas and potato. Mom always had to sneak others in. How did I get away with that all these years?

...Well, I'm still covering them up with butters and sauces, but at least I am acknowledging thier exisistence now. :)

I'm looking a little pruny in the hands though. Must drink more water, and keep up on the vitamins.

I'm logging here.

Eating at home - no problem. Eating outside... that's a bit of a challenge at times. We went to McDonald's and asked for double cheeseburgers without the buns or ketchup (yes the burger is so stereotype Atkins - but darnit, I was hungry!). The woman looked at us like we had a third eye on our foreheads. They actually had to bring out the manager to explain the situation. We held up the entire assembly line back there I think.. eventually we got meat on those foam trays they use for pancake breakfasts...it was embarrasing and hilarious at the same time.

Maybe Burger King would be better... after all they're the guys who say "special orders don't upset us"...

I've always been kind of clumsy, especially when it comes to sports. But I discovered I am enjoying mountain biking immensely (can you believe I just learned how in my 20's?!). Not the kind where you're jumping off cliffs at breakneck (literally?) speeds - casual paces on the nature trails. Fall and spring are the best times for it.

What I didn't learn by falling on my can or a push by the hubby, I learned from the book "Mountain Biking for Women" by Robin Stuart & Cathy Jensen. Techniques that seem hard to describe, they actually manage to do and then some.

I spend way too much time in front of my PC, so this is a great way to get fresh air in my lungs!