(Hold on…this is going to be a long one!)
It was a weekend in late June, almost a year ago, that I was talking with my brother, Gabriel.
The occasion was my dad’s 70th birthday party in Pittsburgh. Gabe, a crossfit instructor, and I were talking about health-related issues, when I confided in him that I was struggling to lose weight. Despite following the Atkins diet diligently, I couldn’t seem to lose more than 10 pounds. I also shared my struggle with chronic fatigue. He quietly suggested I read a book called It Starts With Food. I took note and promptly changed the subject.
The weekend was great fun, filled with lots of partying and family and friends. In fact, Denise and her kids were in town for the festivities, and a good time was had by all. Super fun birthday party on Saturday night and winding down with the family on Sunday. All punctuated by inside jokes and hysterical laughter shared between me, Denise, and my sister, Melanie.
It was also the same weekend that my dad had a heart attack.
Turns out that shortly after my kids and I left, my dad started having chest pain and symptoms of what ended up being a heart attack. I didn’t know during our drive home to Ohio because nobody was able to call during the flurry of activity of getting him to the hospital and waiting for test results, but I was strangely weepy the whole drive home. Perhaps I was feeling that strange psychic connection that he and I have, the one that I think of him before the phone rings or he feels it before I call him. Or maybe I was just exhausted from a long weekend.
Needless to say, when something like this happens to a parent, it’s unsettling, to say the least. My experience was that it inspired a lot of soul searching. Fortunately, today my dad is OK and living large, just as he always has, with some changes, of course.
My life was about to change big time, too.
But first some background…
At the point that I spoke quietly with Gabriel, there was more going on than just a weight issue. My A1C was climbing to a pre-diabetic range, despite my dietary efforts, and my endocrinologist suggested that perhaps I might need to consider going on metformin. I resisted, but knew that at my next appointment I was probably going to have to give in. I was seriously overweight and just looked puffy. My feet and ankles swelled uncomfortably each day.
Frankly, I wondered if I might not be on the fast track to a heart attack myself.
I had been struggling with chronic fatigue for at least a decade. Fatigue informed most of my decisions and told me how I could live my life. It was mostly the only way my kids had known me to be.
Midway through that decade, things got worse. Shortly after I moved to back to Ohio, my already declining health took a turn for the worse and I ended up very ill with an ailment that doctors weren’t inclined to diagnose, with the exception of suggesting that it might have been in my head.
I was bedridden or mostly bedridden for several months. It was bad. When I woke up in the morning I could barely stand, but yet I had to wake my kids and get them out the door for school, as my then husband (now ex) left for work at 5am. I remember one morning after I got my then 13-year-old daughter out the door at 7am, I stood up and felt all the blood drain out of my arms and torso and felt a cool gel-like feeling spreading through my body, like I was going into shock. My then first-grade son would come home and climb into bed with me and cry. I prayed my kids wouldn’t wake up and find me dead one morning.
While I was quite ill, I wasn’t dead yet, and since mainstream doctors weren’t giving me any answers, I did my own research. I’d lie in bed with my laptop chasing answers on the Internet. Finally I found an alternative practitioner who diagnosed me with and treated me for adrenal insufficiency, which was in line with what my own personal research showed. What I wasn’t prepared for was the reason…due to gluten intolerance.
Gluten intolerance? What the hell? Who knew gluten intolerance could wreak so much havoc? I never had any stomach issues. But I did have a heavenly host of hormonal problems – adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, and a couple of others – along with years of fatigue.
I thought about the diagnosis for two days, then realized that my only option was to go gluten free. Which I did. Religiously. Never turning back.
Over time my health improved. Gradually I got well. Little by little I was able to spend more time out of bed than in. And over a period of months and years my health improved to the point at which I could first get a part-time job, then eventually got a full-time job. Shortly thereafter also got a divorce.
So there I was, at my dad’s birthday party, six years after the onset of my major health crisis, having made so much progress with my health and wellness, yet still facing a life of fatigue. I was 45 and beginning to wonder if maybe I wasn’t going to have to live half a life for the rest of my days because of the fatigue.
I hid it well. Most people were unaware. My co-workers didn’t know, because I spent all of my energy getting through my workday.
But when I got home it wasn’t easy getting through the evenings, exhausted and needing to take care of everything that a single parent needs to do with two kids in the house.
I spent the weekends recuperating from my work week. I’d sleep late on Saturday, get up and fix breakfast for the kids, then go back to sleep for hours. Motherguilt was my constant companion, since I wasn’t able to spend waking hours with my kids or do things with them like I wanted to. It’s very painful hearing your kids say, “Mommy, please don’t go to sleep again,” but knowing there was no fighting it.
Yet when Gabe suggested reading “It Starts With Food” I was skeptical. Did you click on the link and see him? He’s a crossfit instructor, for cripe’s sake! What did he really know about my struggle? But I was in a bind, because I’d asked for his advice and what if he asked me if I read the book?
I looked at the book on Amazon and have to admit that it looked interesting. I decided to read it on a lark. Just to say I did, in case Gabe ever asked.
Little did I know how life changing it would be.
First, let me just say how well written the book is. It’s an easy, fun read, and I could tell that Dallas and Melissa are hilarious, and I want to be friends with them in my own special creepy way. You know, like when you know someone from the Internet? (Don’t even try to pretend like you don’t know what I’m talking about!)
And, the book was based on solid science – science about hormones and other things that go bump in the night. Things that I had learned about in my Internet wanderings and research while I was ill.
It resonated with me.
Plus the aptly named Whole30 was only a 30-day commitment. After everything I’d been through, I could commit to just about anything for 30 days!
So, on July 23, 2012, I began my Whole30. No sugar or artificial sweeteners. No grains. No dairy. No legumes. No white potatoes. No booze. Only three meals a day, so make them good ones. And no stepping on the scale for the full 30 days. The idea being that this was about reclaiming your health, not weight loss per se. But I have to admit that I hoped that weight loss would be a happy side effect.
Me. Day 1 of my Whole30
Dallas and Melissa promised that if you followed the program religiously, at some point, magic would happen. And that’s what I was needing in my life. A little bit o’ magic.
So I jumped in. Day 1, pretty uneventful. In fact the first four days were. The only real problem I encountered was not eating enough and feeling really hungry between meals, which was easy to fix by eating more.
And then came Day 5.
Two words. Carb flu.
At the time my daughter was carpooling with me to her summer babysitting job near my workplace. I was driving to drop her off that morning and it hit me like a ton of bricks.
When I woke up that morning my large muscle groups were a little sore and achy, despite doing no exercise the day before. But that morning in the car I suddenly had a pounding headache, overwhelming nausea to the point that I thought I was going to have to pull the car over to vomit, and increasing pain in my muscles.
What the hell? Carb flu.
I dropped off my daughter and debated about whether to go to work. I decided to try. I took a pain reliever and tried to breathe through it. The nausea passed, as did the headache, and the muscle aches subsided with the pain reliever and I went on with my day, appreciating the distraction of work.
Then Day 6 happened.
On Day 6 I woke up with a clear head, feeling great, energy levels higher than I’d experienced in years. I felt downright euphoric! It was the magic that Dallas and Melissa had promised. It was really happening! And only six days in. I couldn’t believe that the five previous days of healthy eating could make such a dramatic change in my energy levels.
I was fearful, too, that this feeling and energy wasn’t going to last. But I forged ahead with the Whole30, sticking to it religiously. Good things kept happening. My clothes got looser and my great energy levels continued.
Day 14 of my Whole30 and already less puffy
By the end of my Whole30, I’d lost 19 pounds and countless inches. But I didn’t want to stop. I wanted to continue to heal my body from the years of illness I had endured. So my Whole30 became a Whole60.
After 60 days, I was looking noticeably different and people were asking me what I was doing. I became what I lovingly refer to as an annoying convert. Telling anyone who asked what I was doing about It Starts With Food.
Me after the Whole60
I went on to complete a Whole100 and was feeling wonderful and lost over 30 pounds.
Selfie in the elevator at work after completing my Whole100
And here’s more amazing news…my A1C is back down to perfectly normal levels and I haven’t had a blood sugar crash since I started the Whole30.
While I’m not still “officially” on the Whole30, I still eat pretty close to it, definitely keeping it paleo, with only occasional minor offroading. I’ve grown to love vegetables and look forward to piling them high on my plate!
The new me today.
While I continue to lose weight – over 50 pounds at this writing – the more important reason I’m sticking with it is that my restored energy levels remained and have been life changing.
I have energy again! I laugh and have fun and joke around in ways that I haven’t done in years. I used to be so achy in the mornings, to the point that I’d have to stretch my legs and feet before getting out of my car at work or risk my feet and legs giving out, and now I bound out of my car and through my day.
More importantly, I’m doing things with my kids again, able to go places and do things with them.
Now that spring has sprung, I’m outside exercising, riding my bike, walking, and I’ve even taken up running several times a week. And it feels so good!
I’ve even started dating, which I wouldn’t have had the mental or emotional energy for before, or frankly the time when I was sleeping my weekends away!
Even this blog probably wouldn’t have been possible without this amazing change in my life.
For all of this, I am so thankful. I went from living half an existence to launching an amazing, fully-lived life! My life is so different now than it was just 10 short months ago. It’s hard to believe, but at 46, I feel like my awesome life is just beginning!
I will be eternally grateful to my brother, Gabriel, for so kindly and delicately sharing It Starts With Food with me. It means so much to me that he had a hand in leading me to this new life.
And I can’t even begin to express my deep gratitude to Dallas and Melissa, my new friends (in that creepy Internet way), for writing this book and sharing this life-changing information. I feel that I will be forever indebted to you for giving me the tools to go from living half a life to regaining my health and my strength and my energy, allowing me to live a full and amazing life! Two parallel paths were mine to chose from, and I’m so thrilled to have been shown an option that allowed me to live a whole and exciting life! To Dallas and Melissa, I say a tearful “thank you!”
I’m so thrilled to feel alive again!
O M G!!!! You look totally different than you did at Easter!!!! What an amazing transformation. Keep it up girl – you look great!!!
I have lost a total of 31# – even a few since Easter. I wore a sleeveless dress last night for the first time in years. Maybe a little premature, but everyone says I look great. And the best part – I feel good. Even stopped taking my arthritis meds.
We will have to celebrate soon!!! You are an inspiration!!!!!!!!
Love you puno,
Teta Von
Thanks, Teta Von! So glad you’re feeling great, too! And amazing that you were able to stop taking your arthritis meds!!! Keep up the great work! Love you too!!!
Andj! O.M.G.! You look so absolsutely HEALTHY! I am so proud of you and your testimony to the food we eat and what it does to us. I am no where near your loss, but was feeling all the tiredness, prediabetic-fears,and also, decided to read…. I have been gluten-free, sugar-free for almost 3 months…..I have been more diligent on WHAT goes in my mouth. I am at just under losing 16; I already went down a pants and top size and most of all, no more tendonitis pain in the leg, sleeping better and feeling so much better! I hope many people read your inspiring blog and take your advice. Love you puno…keep it up….you rock! Ljubi ox
Thanks, Ljubi! So glad to hear that you’re feeling better! It is amazing how powerful the foods we eat can be! Love you too!
What an inspiration! My first words were going to be Hello Mirror. I am your carbon copy. I am going to break down and get the book and read. I eat healthy but something is not working. I am sure I am missing something or not being strict enough. Well, I will soon find out. Congratulations to you and you have amazing will power. If only some of that coudl rub off on me.
Thank you, Roberta! Strangely enough, I don’t feel like it takes a lot of willpower. It’s more that I was able to cut out the wild food cravings, making it easy. Hope you enjoy the book!
Loved the testimony to Gabe and It Starts With Food. I too have been on the paleo diet since being here in China and I too have lost 30 lbs. When I messged Gabe that I had read the book, he even sent messages of encouragement, a very specail man indeed. Although not lacking energy and in good health previously, I just feel more agile and better in everyway. You are an inspiration. I plan to continue on the diet as well.
So glad to hear you’re doing and feeling well, Dodo!
Hi Andrea,
I became emotional while reading the journey through your debilitating condition. What touched me was your description of Gabe. His quiet strength and encouragement is a testament to why he will be so successful in his chosen field. Your quiet suffering made me so sad and am thrilled your life has made such a wonderful transformation. It took so much strength and determination but the results are undeniable. Thank God you decided to persevere and invest in yourself.
Your kids have a new mom and your lives are enhanced beyond belief. Congratulations to you! Thanks for sharing your touching experience.
Wow, Georgia, thank you for such beautiful thoughts!
Loved your story but most of all your courage to open up to everyone. I too have been working at a healthier lifestyle, not necessarily for weight loss all though I need that also, but I plan on reaching 60 next year, healthy, focused, and ready to live life to the fullest. I have lost 10 pounds. Not the end. as there are at least 20 more to lose. I fell off a bit this weekend after a emotional setback but back on today. Trips to the gym are anticipated events and this summer I hope to work on my mental state as work and life are a bit stressful right now. Thank you for the inspiration. So proud of you and your efforts. You serve as an inspiration to all of us who fight each day to stay healthy and happy. Looks like I might have to make that road trip down to Columbus!!!!! Love you!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful words, Martha. And would love to see you in Columbus! Love you too!
Saw this on the Whole30 Facebook page. Amazing!!
Also, I grew up in Pittsburgh so just wanted to give you a shout out 🙂
Thanks so much!
Fantastic story! You look great, but more importantly, you feel great. Makes me want to get back on the horse, thank you!
The feeling great is the best part! Thanks, AJ!
WOW!! You look amazing!!! Congratulations and keep it up!! Good for you!!
Thanks so much, Jessica!
Andrea, thanks for being so open! I started a Whole30 in February, then it got derailed by a trip with family. I never got back on it. I have been feeling awful for weeks, having horrible night sweats, and lamenting the fact that no matter what I do, I can’t lose weight and I feel blah. I need to restart the Whole30 and commit to it 100%. I live with my mother, who eats junk, so I hope I can get her on board to do it with me. It will be much easier without the unhealthy food in the house.
thanks.
Best of luck, Heather!
Wow! What a great journey! I came to this way of eating on a slightly different path and what a wonderful thing it is, liberation! Congratulations and thanks for sharing.
It is SO liberating, Andrea!
It’s almost like I’m reading my own story! My experience has been much the same… it’s amazing and so wonderful to be in control. Congratulations!!
Thanks, Vicki!
I’ve never met you…but now I feel like I know you (in that creepy Internet way). LOL!!
I came to your site from the Whole9’s Facebook page and I just wanted to say you look amazing!
From the pictures it’s obvious that you’ve lost weight…but the very same photo’s show that you’ve GAINED alot too! You’re glowing! Here’s to happiness! 🙂
You’re a true inspiration!!!
Thanks, Jess! I am SO happy now!
Thank you for sharing your truly inspiring and amazing story! We featured it on the Whole9 Facebook page today. From the comments, I believe you have already inspired many others with your words.
Thanks so much, Erin! I’m blown away by all of the positive responses! ~Andrea
Congratulations!! Such a life changing book! Happy for you!!
Thanks, Laura!
Andrea,
It has taken great courage for you to achieve what you have, and what you continue to achieve, not least of all in going public with your struggles and triumphs. Your story is doubly inspiring for me, since it reveals the compassion, courage and character of two of my four wonderful children.
Love, Tata
Love you!!!
Fabulous blog! I loved your story and your success. I am on day one of my own Wholo30!!
Thanks, Tony! Best of luck on your Whole30! Hope you’re experiencing the magic soon too!
First I want to say congratulations on your success!
I wanted to ask you if you felt that some of your adrenal, thyroid, hormone issues had been on the mend by the time you had started the whole30. All the symptoms you mentioned with your gluten intolerance was like reading about myself. I have been on the ISWF for a whole60 while simultaneously trying to get a very out of wack endocrine system in balance. I do see areas where I do feel better, unfortunately, weight loss has not yet been one of my areas of success. So if you were already on the road to recovery with regard to your endocrine system, perhaps my success will just start to click when balance is created. I can only hope
Thanks for the congrats, Lindsey!
Regarding your question regarding adrenal & other hormonal issues…yes, I was years on the mend when I started my Whole30. I had been gluten free for about 5 1/2 years when I discovered the Whole30. So it took quite a while to get back to normal functioning.
Wishing you all the best!
Thank you for sharing your story – Melissa posted a link on FB this morning and I bawled my eyes out reading it. I’m in a similar place – although not as debilitated yet thankfully – and your story is motivating, encouraging and a bringer of hope! (especially since my struggles are similar)
Also, is your brother single? Cuz I have a gorgeous single daughter…. hahaha 😉 Seriously tho, he’s beautiful and I’m sure you’re proud to show him off.
Looking fwd to more of your blog – glad to have found it! 🙂
Jenn, I hope you find the good health you’re looking for!
Had to laugh about my brother and your daughter! He is single, but I stay out of that!
And welcome to Bringing Back Awesome! We’re so happy to have you as a reader!
I think this is amazing and a true testament that food is the best medicine, chronic fatigue is nasty and really a symptom of your body not functioning properly. How awesome that you made such a dramatic change, sounds like you might be up for crossfit now 😉
Food really is the best medicine.
Hahaha! Celia, not sure that I’m quite ready for crossfit yet! But never say never!
What an incredible story! I am so grateful you shared your journey.
Thanks, Dara!
Andrea, thanks for sharing your story. I am so pleased for you! I have some idea of your struggles, and I an delighted you have found such an effective way to get better. You look amazing, and as someone else said, it’s more than the weight loss. It’s also the pure joy on your face and the sparkle in your eyes. I’m definitely going to be finding that book.
Thank you, Colleen! I really am feeling great and enjoying life!
I love this story! You look FANTASTIC! Congrats on all the success and especially on the good health here and ahead.
Thanks so much, Nina!
Andrea, my question is this…with chronic fatigue, how did you find the energy to move to a more whole foods diet? Perhaps you cover this elsewhere in your blog, I came here through the link on Whole30’s fb page. The wall that I keep running up against is this. I have adrenal fatigue, and undiagnosed/untreated thyroid issues. (Dr.’s appts soon for both). I’ve been trying for nearly the last two years to both do a whole 30, and just stay on track with a less restrictive version of clean eating. I’m just so tired all the time. Going grocery shopping is a big win for me, and so difficult to do I put it off until there’s nothing left in the house. (I don’t have a family to care for…maybe that would give me more motivation) The idea of spending hours in the kitchen cooking/cleaning up – well the thought of it makes me tired. Did you have to make adjustments/special allowances for your physical/energy restrictions in the beginning? I’m going to take this subject to Dallas and Melissa, but I’d be very interested in input from someone who struggled in a way similar to mine. Thanks for sharing your story, btw.
Hi Liz. I think that the difference between us is that I had been working on getting my adrenal & thyroid issues in line for several years. If those are still out of whack, I totally get how you’re struggling. So maybe see how your appointments go and see if you get any resolution or help there. Perhaps it will become easier then.
Wish you all the best, Liz!
Andrea
You are an inspiration! Such an amazing story. I just finished the book and am starting my Whole30 tomorrow!
Thanks, Jennifer, and best of luck on your Whole30!
Your story could have been me, hypothyroidism, gluten intolerance, adrenal fatigue, headed towards diabetes. Your story is a great motivator. I am on day 24 of my first W30 and will likely stay on for life with some ‘off roading’. Getting rid of the sugar highs and crashes, only eating 3 times a day, having more energy, better sleep, just feeling better has already come through for me. I need to lose more weight, but that will come. But I know I am getting healthier, and that is the main thing.
Congrats and thanks for sharing your story.
Thanks, Bet! Glad to hear that you’re feeling great and that your health is improving! ~Andrea
Way to go! I am on day 8 and you’re an inspiration!
Thanks so much, Tara! Keep it up…you’ll love how you feel!