I’ll get to my ZOOMA Bermuda race weekend soon but for now, let’s catch up on other stuff, not the least being the blood test results I received after being on the very restrictive AutoImmune Protocol diet for 6 weeks. First, here are my workouts:
Monday: Rest (travel from Bermuda)
Tuesday: Run 3 miles
Wednesday: Run 3 miles
Thursday: Heavy Strength
Friday: Trail Run 4 miles
Saturday: Strength, Balance, Mobility (flute concierge duties)
Sunday: Heavy Strength + Stepmill
Snowy trails aren’t the best to run on but they sure are pretty.
So I’ll cut to the chase. My test results came back with thyroid antibodies just as high as they were before I went on the super strict diet that allowed zero gluten, soy, refined sugar, eggs, corn, alcohol, dairy, nuts, seeds, beans and legumes. It was disappointing to put it mildly and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t consider getting myself a stash of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and diving headfirst into them.
Of course I’m frustrated. My rational brain expects a “payoff” after being 110% committed to the diet. I’m frustrated with my doc as well, because my own research (after the fact) shows that it’s fairly typical for Hashimoto’s patients to not get the results from AIP that those suffering with other autoimmune diseases do. Kind of wish I’d known that upfront. Sheesh. To be fair, I haven’t been the best about lowering my stress lately, you’ll see why if you read on. Stress is a contributing factor to a haywire autoimmune system and I’m guilty as charged with failing on that front.
Upsides
Huge buzzkill aside, there are plenty of upsides. I lost 12 lbs of stubborn belly fat and I feel great. I learned that this seat-of-the pants kind of girl can meal plan like a boss and stick to a very restrictive diet, even while traveling. I discovered many new dishes and foods that I will keep in the meal rotation. With the exception of gluten, soy (known thyroid antagonists) and refined sugar, I’ve successfully reintroduced all of the foods that had been restricted without adverse side effects. Hello nut butter, cheese, eggs and plant-based protein!
Possible Next Steps
Prescription Meds. My doc mentioned meds but suggested I try the diet first. I’m not a medication kind of girl, unless it’s absolutely necessary. I rarely if ever take Ibuprofin. If meds can be avoided, I’m all for it.
Vitamin D Megadose + Selenium. This option appeals to me, as I know for a fact that I struggle with low Vitamin D levels, especially in winter. We’ll see what the doc thinks.
Not Loving
I told you in my last update that my dad fell at home and was admitted to the hospital. He was released after a few days only to fall again at home almost immediately and was readmitted to the hospital. His wife has done a wonderful job of caring for him, but it’s clear it is too much for her. He cannot return home without additional home care in place. The past couple of weeks have been filled with meetings with his doctors, hospital social workers, hospice, home care and extended care facilities. For now, he’s been moved to an extended care facility. Stressful for everyone involved, but it’s where we are.
(Google images)
Gluten-Free Pizza. This is a first-world problem for sure but let’s just say my first experience with gluten-free pizza crust was not great. I’d much rather have skipped the crust entirely and eaten only the cheese, sauce and veggies. I wish cauliflower crusts were more common in restaurants. Like I said, first world probs. I’ll figure it out.
Judy. We saw the movie about Judy Garland. While I’d really only known her as Dorothy on the Wizard of Oz, the movie brought her sad, tragic life to light. I won’t say I hated the movie (Renee Zellweger was amazing) but the second half was waaaay drawn out and hard to watch.
Loving
It’s the last week of February! While we all know there’s likely plenty of winter left, I’m proceeding as if spring were just around the corner. The lawn and garden stuff and patio furniture is out at Costco so I’m going with it!
Spring Break! Thing 1 will be home for spring break in just a few weeks. We aren’t traveling but I’m looking forward to having her home just the same.
Warm sun! Despite some single-digit temps last week, we’ve been blessed with sunshine lately in these parts and every afternoon my office fills with glorious warm sunlight. Spring flowers + copious sunshine are mood lifters for sure.
How was your week? Are you seeing signs of spring? Did you race? Seen any good movies?
Runfession Friday Linkup
Be sure to join me this Friday for the February edition of Runfessions. Trust me it’s always a good time.
I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down. Join us!
Wow you do have a lot going on! I am sorry that you did not get the results you hoped for from your test. As you said, upside was losing 12 pounds. GF products are not great (IMO) and often have a lot of fillers but making your own pizza is great albeit time consuming. Sorry to hear about your dad’s health. I hope you all find a good solution for him. Question on your “heavy strength” what does that mean? I need to switch up my ST a bit I am getting bored! Thanks for linking up
Oh Marcia, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. I hope you find a solution soon.
And wow on the test results. But at least you’re feeling good and lost some weight! I’m not going to lie, I have been considering going on a fairly restrictive diet to get my issues under control. But I have two small children and I know it would be really tough so I haven’t yet.
Sorry that the diet changes didn’t solve things, but yay for loss of belly fat! I haven’t gone full AI, but have cut out dairy, eggs, and wheat for the moment. Sadly I’m seeing improvements, so I may have to keep them out.
Sorry to hear about your dad. Hope he improves and you find a good solution.
Oh Marcia, so much going on this week. I’m sorry about your test results but a 12 pound weight loss is cause for celebration – that’s a big number especially when your thyroid isn’t giving you any help to get there. It was worth the effort to see if the diet could keep you off medication. Your situation with your father sounds very much like what my father-in-law went through a few years ago after he took several bad falls. Having him in assisted living has been much better for all parties, but it was not an easy decision, so I’m sending you hugs as you and your family work through this. On a happier note, I can’t wait to hear about Bermuda!
Sorry to hear about the difficulties with the diet – so frustrating, although obviously you did see some benefits, which was great. Being on a fairly restrictive diet myself for my high cholesterol, I understand how hard it is to do a bit (mine isn’t as restricted, even).
I’ve been dragging myself out of a horrible phase of high anxiety – our new cats have proved very difficult to deal with and keep safe, and we’ve had vet visits and being on observation and I got quite unwell. I seem a bit better now and have at last started blogging again.
Can’t wait to read about Bermuda although obviously I’ve seen some pics already!
I’m so sorry to hear that the AIP didn’t work the magic you hoped for. But hey, losing the belly fat is a huge win, right? Also sorry to hear about your dad. When it rains, it pours.
Hopefully this sunshine will stick around–it seems to make everything better, doesn’t it? Hang in there, my friend. XOXO
Sending your dad loving and healing thoughts. I know how hard it is to take care of our loved ones.
The diet makes you feel better and you lost weight- even if the blood test didn’t show up with the perfect results – I would still say that’s a win!
I always had trouble getting enough selenium- until I discovered Brazil nuts. One a day works magic! 😊
We rented both Parasite (we both did not at all like it) and Judy a week or so ago. Renee was amazing, but I really didn’t think that the movie shed anything new on her life so why bother?
I’m sorry that the diet didn’t make a difference, but I do have to wonder if you’d need to be on it a lot longer to see changes. Or maybe not.
My doc wasn’t at all concerned about my low vit d (it was just below the low end of the range), until my bone density test came back low. Thankfully not low enough to requite meds. I’m quite sure the low vit d (and yes, I’m now supplementing but not with megadoses) is also at the bottom of my low energy. Time will tell.
I am so sorry about your Dad. It’s all beyond stressful — I was also adding in a 2+ hour commute to get to my mom & take her to see my Dad. Big, big hugs, Marcia. Those 6 months were really hell on earth. He also ended up living in a recliner because he wouldn’t stop trying to walk. I hope that your Dad acclimates well to where he is.
So sorry to hear about your dad…That is so stressful.
Totally understand the disappointment in the results from the diet; you were so diligent! But 12 pounds is significant! I would love to have just a bit of your self-control!
Sorry to hear about your father. I can imagine the stress from that. Bummer about the AIP also, but you gave it 120% effort so you at least know you did all you could. IT’s frustrating when so much of what we need/want to change is out of our hands, though. And a huge YES to all things Spring, the plentiful sunshine this week was amazing 🙂
oof, that sucks about the diet results. I’d be eating those PB cups for sure! Kudos for sticking with it though. That’s a huge change which would be tough for me. And then your Dad falling down 🙁 So sorry it’s been so stressful.
Ugh! on the test results but great job losing the 12 lbs of stubborn fat! Awesome side effect of the diet. I’m all for avoiding medications too. I’ve cut out added sugar for almost a year. Blood tests on tap in 2 weeks. We will see if my cholesterol numbers reflect my diet change.
Bummer on the thyroid antibodies, but I think losing those 12 lbs was a great success! I am not great at taking meds (I rarely take pain releiver) but my thyroid meds made such a difference so quickly (a few weeks) I am grateful for the wonders of modern medicine (but also grateful to be gradually tapering off them). Just sayting, sometime an Rx is the right choice.
I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad. We are all worried something like that will happen to one of my ILs — they are both stubborn about getting help too. Hopefully the rehab place will get him well and steady enough to return home.
Yay on Thing 1’s spring break — I know you’ve missed her!
Darn. I’m really sorry that the AIP diet didn’t do anything to lower your thyroid antibodies, BUT it’s a huge deal that you can say that you feel better overall, and losing 12 pounds is great too!
So sorry to hear that your dad fell again 🙁 I am glad that he is resting and recuperating. I hope that he’s able to return home soon. I can’t imagine how stressful this is for you and your family.
Sorry to hear about your dad.
But you look great. At least the diet was good for that.
I saw little women and Jojo rabbit. Liked both.
Judy Garlands life was so sad. Hard to watch. But Renee deserves the Oscar.
Ugh that is really too bad that the diet didn’t lower your numbers, but at least you had other good results. Sorry about your dad. Stressful stuff like that can really mess with our bodies!
I am sorry to hear about your dad. It is tough. It is a learning process having to deal with paperwork, doctors, home care, etc. Once you have that worked out, things fall into place. 12 lbs in great and I know that was not your ultimate goal! Hugs to you!
Ugh, Marcia…first I am so sorry about your Dad. It’s all so stressful – I hope you are able to find the right solution soon. Sending lots of hugs!!
The diet news is a bummer for sure – especially after the way you went all in. 12 lbs lighter and loss of belly fat is a huge win though! I’m with you on the no meds thing so hopefully, the Vitamin D route will help.
On the movie front, we watched Rocketman this weekend and loved it! Now I can’t stop humming Elton John tunes 🙂
Ugh! I would be frustrated, too! You worked so hard with your commitment to that diet, and nothing budged? I’d be pissed.
Thinking of your dad and your family. It’s really hard when our parents get older, and we have to deal with their increasing needs. I know how hard it can be and I am sending thoughts of strength and peace to help get you through.
Interesting about “Judy.” She had a very tragic life so I haven’t ventured to watch that one yet. I did mention the new Mr. Rogers movie in my post and how that was enough of a gut punch. But, if we’re being honest, those are the kinds of movies I like the best.
Those tulips. <3
I laugh at some of the city plantings. I went for a run this morning and no crocuses. I walked that route to a meeting an hour later and crocuses! I'm ready for flowers and spring even though my allergies can go bonkers. Yay sneeze powered running.
I hope you get results through Vitamin D. I had no idea I was deficient until a year or so ago and the side effects in a good sense to the vitamins has been shocking. Hope you're able to find some answers. I had a gluten & dairy free flatbread the other night. It was akin to eating the back of a legal pad. PASS!
*HUGS* re: your dad. XOX
shoot. I’m really sorry the diet didn’t really help. that kind of sucks! I mean, good that you lost a bit of weight. I used to think I’d try any diet to lose that amount (that’s almost what I would like to lose) but nowadays I don’t feel that way. Lately it seems that everyone is all “keto” or “intermittent fasting”. Just no. Isn’t IF just pretty much skipping breakfast? LOL (sorry to anyone doing IF here).
so sorry to hear about your dad too. UGH.
Sorry that the diet didn’t fix the issues or provide more answers. Yay for being able to see the upsides and for being able to reintroduce most of the foods with no side effects! Hopefully you can find a long term solution soon!
Hoping life gets a little less hectic for you in the coming weeks and you find a solution for your dad.