Fallin' Over the Edge

Without going into too many gory details, let me give you a little background: Balancing was never a talent of mine. I have always been a pretty compulsive person:  working too hard, eating too much. My thinking was, "If a little is good, then more is better. Right?"   Being a Type A personality, whatever I did - I did to the Nth degree. Excessive? Yeah, maybe a little.

It Started at an Early Age

 I suffered from depression and anxiety  from a very early age and among other self-destructive acts, I was an active bulimic- not in your traditional sense as I didn't vomit to rid myself of the over-abundance of calories I took in.  I, instead, compulsively exercised and/or fasted to "make-up" for my binges.

Although, I have always been active - through dancing and performing - and never had a real weight issue, I was extremely unhealthy.
Well, what do you expect?  "Garbage In - Garbage Out."

All Grown up

After my third child,   my eating habits finally took its toll. I suffered from a debilitating bout of depression and anxiety, was hospitalized 6 times  and was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. There came a point where I couldn't even brush my daughter's hair without pain and once where I could dance for two hours straight, I had difficulty walking.   My limbs felt like lead. I was so scared. As one who loves to move her body through dance, the thought of becoming debilitated was more painful than the thought of death.

Going  Natural
 

I tried various medications without help and  after too many doctors shrugging their shoulders at me,  basically telling me to deal with it - that there wasn't anything more they could do for me, I made the  personal choice to look for natural means to cure my problems and disease. Gifted with great tenacity,  a husband with great researching skills,  and lots and lots of prayer,  I found the help I needed through diet and nutrition.

I learned to exchange high sugary foods and starchy carbohydrates for quality proteins, vegetables and fats (yes, I said fats.) I removed all artificial ingredients, food colorings and processed foods out of my diet and I  included a vitamin regimen.
 

I also overhauled my exercise routine - Because I was used to over- exercising and beating my body up, I learned to bring balance to my work-outs.  I learned to not do too much or too little and made sure I added in adequate amounts of rest for my body to recover.
 

Healthy Again
 

After 2 years and a complete overhaul, I was amazed at how good I felt.   Not only did these changes relieve my physical symptoms but my mental ones, as well. It's amazing how much nutrition and food can affect our mental state-of-being.   My depression and anxiety were gone and for the  first time, since I could remember, I felt good! I no longer had any arthritic symptoms and all my blood tests  came back  normal! My IBS was gone and so was the pain and bloating it caused.

I felt alive! I feel alive!!  Where once I thought I would never feel normal again, never know what happiness and joy felt like or hope for the future, I do now.

Still Learning and Growing

Not everyday is perfect of course, and I am still learning and growing (Ouch, those are those growing pains!)  I  know that as a bulimic (like any other addict)  I may never be cured and must remain always on my guard;  I know that I must listen to my body and pay attention when it needs some extra care; and  I also know that I have to forgive for complete healing to occur (Boy, that's a toughie)

And  I am learning that each day  I seek for balance, rejoice in the little things, remain faithful in my walk with God and take it day by day (or maybe just moment by moment,) I will continue to grow into the full, complete and whole person that God has called us all to be.