Day 9 – Bye, Bye, Bananas: My Elimination Experience

The theme of the diet has been making it my own, and listening to MY body.  Unfortunately, even on Day 9 the headaches are still persisting. What I originally thought was solely due to cutting out caffeine cold turkey, I’ve now considered may be (also in part) to too much chocolate/sugar or not enough water. Perhaps it’s both. As I’ve mentioned, many “typical” elimination experiences eliminate much more than what I decided to do, but Brenen and I have been making adjustments throughout our own journey, some of which are unique to us individually, too. As an example, I am going to go ahead and kick the cocoa. 🙁 It’s a sad, sad realization, but I think I have to do it – at least so that I can be sure it’s something I want to continue eating in the long-run. Similarly, we both decided we should cut back on the bananas. Like chocolate, they weren’t technically meant to be included anyway because they are such an oddity in the realm of fruits and vegetables because they have a higher level of natural fructose. They’re also high in fiber, specifically resistant starch, which our bodies cannot absorb. Since fiber is actually one of the more interesting points of observation for both of us, it makes sense we eliminate bananas moving forward.

To be honest, I do wish I could have a coffee. Or a drink. Yep, it’s that kind of day today. I’ve been thinking a lot though about my humanity throughout all of this, and to be honest, I don’t know why or when humans (specifically this human) became so mentally dependent (almost handicapped, it sometimes feels) by particular food groups. It’s a weird, and unpleasant feeling now that I am sitting outside the space of it. I don’t want to feel like I need to eat something that I know will in turn, not make me feel great. Shouldn’t we only ever be eating things that make us feel our best selves? It’s interesting…yet simple, right?

So Day 9 hasn’t been my favorite, but it’s still day by day, and I know it’s for the best. Yes, somewhat completely terrible at times (ok, I am over-dramatic), but for the best. Plus (!!!) on a higher note, my mom and sister are visiting this week/weekend! They get here today. They’re already way in the loop on the diet situation, and so supportive, but I am sure we will still be hitting up some fun spots that will be more than tempting – thus, now is as good as time as any to really toughen up! I am excited to spend time with family, and look forward to challenging myself…and continuing to win! 😉

Day 9: 03/09
Pre-Workout:
Lemon ginger tea
1 dried prune

Workout:
Cardio + arm strength

Morning:
Apple, plum, raspberry, and blueberry smoothie
Overnight Oats + raspberries and blueberries

Afternoon:
Pineapple w/cinnamon
Sea salt dark chocolate
Hu kitchen rotisserie chicken w/roasted sweet potatoes + puffed quinoa
Hu chocolate w/mint
Herbal tea
Dried cranberries

Evening:
Korean BBQ
-beef brisket, pork belly, cow tongue
-lettuce, onion, cabbage
-pear root, salt/pepper + garlic oil
-white rice
Green grapes