You’ll recall from my update blog post that I embarked on this to remove the bad bacteria in my gut and restore my gut to a healthy environment. After a year’s worth of tests ordered by various medical doctors, we still had no answers for the muscle weakness and balance issues. The conclusion was that I may have a different manifestation of fibromyalgia – just weak muscles in the legs and buttocks without pain.
On May 3, 2024, I started on the Native Formulas Restore 3 program (read by Latest Fibro Update post for background on this). Earlier this week I increased the enzyme supplements to 3 as per the 45-page guide Native Formula provides, taking 2 in the morning and 1 at night.
When I started the diet, I saw foods on the list that I haven’t had while on the weight loss program I began in January of 2023 (see Latest Fibro Update for details). Unfortunately, I went a little hog wild so I probably wasn’t getting as much benefit from the Restore 3 starve-off phase I might have. In the past week, I’ve been following the diet more strictly, breaking over now and then to have wine or bourbon in the evening. I mean, at the end of a busy, productive day, or when your significant other is grilling yummy lamb chops for dinner, and the weather is perfect to sit outside …. Who doesn’t want a glass or two of wine?
Plus, I’ve been on a restricted diet of no grains, dairy, sugar, starch, or alcohol for a year and a half! Over time, I’ve learned what my body does and doesn’t like, and what I can and can’t eat to lose or gain weight. I now have a long-term program that works for me and a healthy diet of largely lean organic meats (chicken, grass-fed beef and lamb, wild-caught fish, leafy green vegetables, cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower, and fruits like blueberries, strawberries, bananas, oranges, lemons, and limes. I’m also growing my own herbs and kale to use in my cooking.
The no sugar, dairy, and starch hasn’t been that difficult for me. But I do miss brown rice or quinoa with kale or spinach! Or braised celery with brown rice when my internal system isn’t happy. And artichokes!
During this starve-off phase of the Restore 3 diet, foods that are normally part of my everyday diet, like onions, garlic, and celery are off the preferred food list. I guess those slimy bad bugs like to feed on those foods along with sugar and starches. I just keep telling myself, it’s only temporary, just another two-three months.
So what am I noticing? The muscle weakness has dissipated substantially. I still have some periods of weakness like standing in the shower, or after 30 minutes on the stationary bike, but for the most part, my body feels strong. I keep saying those affirmations to convince my subconscious that it’s true.
I am having headaches every day and my low back aches in the sacrum area by the time I’m ready to get up from sleeping. Those issues could be related to some arthritis I have developed in both my neck area and my sacrum and lumbar area. Chiropractic adjustments help along with stretching, walking and just moving around. I am sleeping well for the most part, however, thanks to 500 mg of magnesium and one Myocalm tablet that I take before bed.
So that’s the update so far. I’ll do another one in another week or so.
