For much of my life, I've had an eating disorder.  When I was 10 years old, I began dieting.  I was in dance classes, and wanted to look thin in my leotard.  This undoubtedly affected my metabolism, however, I continued to diet all the way through college. 

Then, I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder at 18.  I found myself binging and purging through exercise, and my then anorexia turned into something known as exercise bulimia. 

Well, in my mind, things were going fine because I was still thin.  But, the thinness didn't stick around.  In my young adulthood my metabolism slowed down.  This, coupled by the fact that I was injured in a car accident, and couldn't exercise made it nearly impossible to control my weight while binging.  I had to find a new way.

For me, the new way is OA, also known as Overeaters Anonymous.  Their philosophy, which I wholeheartedly agree with is that food can be a powerful addiction, too.  And I, certainly, am an addict.  I really have always been obsessed with food.  I have now started to abstain from flour and sugar, and weigh and measure all of my foods.  It feels great!  Yes, it was rough in the first day or so, but getting through that was well worth it.  My moods are better, I feel more in control of my food, and the best part is, I'm not binging like I was. 

I hope to lose the weight, and I know I will, but this is a side benefit.  The real change is the feeling of control over something that I had long ago lost control over, and also the change in my mood.  The highs and lows are not nearly as pronounced. 

There has been some research that shows that not eating sugar and flour does improve moods.  I seriously cannot believe the difference in myself.  I visited with my very skilled Nurse Practitioner who prescribes my meds, and she said that not eating flour and sugar is a sure way to have mental peace and sanity.  And that's something worth working for!

Be Well,
~Emily