Recently, I had a request to write about how I implemented, and currently maintain my dietary restrictions. And how I implemented certain lifestyle changes and maintained them as well. Now, this all started when I had my labs done. After reviewing everything with Dr. Hogan, we knew that getting better and reversing the damage I had caused myself was going to take a lot of work. My entire lifestyle would have to change - not just my diet. And let me tell you, it was not easy. If I’m being honest, some days are still hard. So, I’m going to post about a few things that have worked for me. What we did, and how we did it. What we’ve given up, what we’ve changed, and what we’ve been able to bring back. And finally, what the plan is going forward. First up will be lifestyle changes and buckle up because this will get long.
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| Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash |
Remove Toxic Products: For the first 3 months, I was very strict about this. We already used “Branch Basics” so cleaning supplies were covered. I switched out our regular detergent with Tide Free & Gentle. I already used Tula Skincare and BareMinerals makeup so I didn’t have to change these out. I kept using Curlsmith hair products as they are clean/natural. I bought fragrance-free Aveeno body wash & shaving cream. I switched to organic cotton feminine products. I removed room scents, candles, and anything with perfumes. Full disclosure though, some of these I’ve incorporated back into our lives. And some of these things are incredibly terrible for us, but I’m also a budget person. So, there are some risks I’m willing to take due to cost.
Remove Toxic Cookware: This one was hard because we had just purchased a new non-stick cookware set, and most of our big utensils were plastic. We had one cast iron skillet, a stainless steel pan, a stainless pot, and a small stainless saucepan. Thanks to some relatives hosting a garage sale, we were able to snag a few others we needed. We got rid of plastic utensils and kept our silicone ones. So far, we haven't had to buy anything else in that department. Then we got rid of all plastic Tupperware, cups, and dinnerware. To make this switch affordable, we asked relatives for mason jars of all sizes. These were to store food or use them as cups. We already used glass bakeware, mixing bowls, measuring cups, and stone dinnerware. So the biggest investment came in Pyrex lunch and storage containers. We opted for a set of these and then two lunchbox containers. We now exclusively use glass, stone, cast, and stainless steel.
Movement & Working Out: I am a runner so I was already getting a decent amount of runs in each week. I also took advantage of the “Wellness Release” time my work offers. This allows me an extra 30 minutes that I can use to work out 2-3x a week. For the first 5 months, I was adamant about sticking with a routine. I took out my planner and started figuring out what days I could workout at the gym, and what days I would fit in runs. And I very rarely let anything get in the way of that time. I announced to my husband and daughter that on these certain dates/times, I would not be available. I utilized the “Do Not Disturb” feature on my phone/watch during my workouts too. The goal was to have some sort of movement for a minimum of 30 minutes each day. This could include weight lifting, running, walking, or using the elliptical, bicycle, row machine, or stairmaster. Sometimes I would pick one thing, and others I would mix it up. And on days I wasn’t feeling it, I still walked for 30 minutes.
Now, as we’ve entered into 2024, I have slacked A LOT on this. I was sick for weeks in both January and February which didn’t help. But I also allowed a lot of things to interfere with my schedule. I stopped taking my wellness time, and I let home life take over. Now, I’m having to make budget cuts and it’s looking like my gym membership is one of the things that has to go. So, I plan on utilizing the Nike Training App, which has some great FREE workouts - some you can even find on Netflix. If you have a Garmin watch, the app has some free workouts as well - just FYI. Anyway, I’m thinking of giving them a test run at home for the next few weeks before I cancel my membership. But, I will say that this is a difficult change for me. I do not thrive with “at-home” settings when it comes to working out. Something about the comfort of my own home just doesn’t light the fire to get me going - so we shall see how this works out.
In our situation, we made the majority of these changes all at once. I don't recommend this for everyone. I know that the cost of living has significantly increased and it’s not always feasible to make a switch right away. I would suggest using up the things you have currently, and then switching them out when you can. Also, since food options become rather basic, it’s easier to get away with not having a lot of cookware so you don’t have to go out and buy a whole new set. Check garage sales and Goodwill if possible - you can get some pretty decent stuff at really low prices. When it comes to staying active, I recommend scheduling that time and doing your best to stick with it. Put it down in a shared calendar. Verbally remind your family that you’ll be taking that time. I understand that things come up, or you can get burnt out - however, do your best for at least the first three months. Adjust as you go. My advice is to start small. Incorporate 1-2 days a week of movement time and then add another as your schedule allows. When it comes to non-toxic products, check out cleaning supplies that are a bit better and more affordable (Method, Seventh Generation, and Field & Future). Look into hygiene products that don’t have bleach, fragrance, or aluminum. And when it comes to feminine care products check out brands like Honey Pot, Lola, or Diva Cup. Many of these you can find at Walmart, H-E-B, CVS, and on Amazon. They don’t have to be 100% natural, but just removing some of the harsher chemicals will help.
And finally, do what is best for you and your family. We are a three-person household so these changes were easier for me to implement. If you have littles, work odd hours, have a strict budget, or have a lot on your plate right now I understand it can be a challenge. Do what you can, and know that this is a process that takes time. But even just a few small changes here and there will make a world of difference in the long run.
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