Last summer I heard about the 21 Day Sugar Detox by Diane Sanfilippo. I read many blog posts about it and decided to order the book. I tried it in August and failed because I didn't prepare and plan enough. After this past holiday season, I decided to give it another chance and kick sugar to the curb and...
Here's the real reason I was determined to stick with this program the second time around: PCOS.
This may be a little bit of TMI, but I want other women out there to know there's more than taking another drug to "cure" your illnesses. I was diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) in early of March 2014 after years of having irregular or no periods at all. This was a huge relief to finally know the cause of my cycle irregularity, but also disheartening when I was told the only "cure" was birth control and, in the future, when I wanted to get pregnant I'd have to rely on "fertility drugs."
After 10 years of dealing with an irregular period, I had tried one birth control pill after another. None of them ever made my body feel good. I always suffered from depression and emotional roller coasters...so I was not about to get on the birth control bandwagon again. Instead, I started doing my own research.
I learned most women with PCOS are overweight. If they follow a diet of high healthy fat, no grains and low sugar, then usually their cycles will regulate. I'm not overweight, but I decided to experiment and follow this eating plan. At this point, I was willing to give up my chocolate chip cookies and froyo. In August, I buckled down by increasing by healthy fat and cutting out sugar. Guys plug your ears. I ended up having a period in August. In September. In October. In November - while training for a half marathon!. In December. And in January. I have never in my life been that regular! And guess what, y'all? I didn't take one stinkin' prescription drug to make it happen. I did it 100% naturally. Praise God for making our bodies so perfectly!!!
Now, you may be wondering why I found it necessary to complete the 21 DSD if what I was eating was already helping me cycle regularly.
Here's why.
I didn't really follow any specific plan or recipes in the fall. I didn't have any accountability and I "cheated" a lot. I wanted to experiment with cutting out sugar for 21 days (and grains and dairy) following an exact meal plan so that I had legitimate proof eating like this works and could give other women with PCOS something to go by!
This is what I learned through completing Diane's 21 Day Sugar Detox.
1. Fat does not make you fat.
2. Cutting out sugar takes away the cravings (seriously!).
3. You have way more energy.
4. And sleep like a baby.
5. Your hormones are in check AND working properly! (PS Menstrual cramps are way less intense!)
Ladies, if you can commit to fueling your body with the real food we were created to consume, then health problems have the potential to be healed. (No I'm not a doctor, but I have experienced this first hand) Filling a car that runs on gasoline with diesel isn't going to turn out well. Neither will fueling your body with Cheetos and Oreos. Make wise food choices. Just do it! Cutting out sugar for 21 days was so good for me I'm doing another round! My girl, Hannah, is joining me again too :)
Here are some recipes I experimented with and loved:
- Primal Jambalaya
- Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa
- Chocolate Almond Butter Banana Smoothie
- Banana Bread (omitted coconut sugar & used green tipped banana for 21 dsd)
- Carrot Pumpkin Spice Muffins
- Mexican Tortilla Less Soup
- Meatloaf
- Chicken Soup
- Apple Streusel Egg Muffins
- Pad Thai with Chicken
Disclaimer: I'm not saying birth control is all evil and no one should ever use it. I'm saying it didn't work for me and there are other options out there.
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