gluten free

Warning: This is a lengthy one folks, so grab your reading glasses!

I have never really talked about my body image, self-esteem, or what I truly eat on here.  However, I'm sure that if you read this, you can tell that I have been mentioning more things that are gluten-free.  So, I wanted to share with you the path that has led me to this post and my reasons for eating a mainly gluten-free diet.  Disclosure:  I do not have celiacs disease or any other health reason for eating gluten-free.  

My wedding day was the happiest day of my life, and I look back at the pictures and can tell how good I felt about myself.  You see, growing up I did not have this body what so ever.  That's not to say that I was a super chubby girl.  I just carried my baby weight around a little longer than most, and seemed to be always very self conscious about my body.  But really, what teenage girl isn't????  

When I went away to college I did the exact opposite of the "freshman 15".  I actually lost weight!  My roommates were raised with a very organic diet.  Their mother had a garden that most of their produce came from, and they had a very clean way of eating.  I learned how to cook and from that moment on, eating out became a thing of the past.  I also began running (slowly but surely).  I finally grew into my body and liked the way that I liked, for the most part.  

When I got engaged I was not on this track to loose a ton of weight, but I did begin exercising more.  My personal trainer was my neighbor and she helped me with strength training while I ran on the off-days.  I was extremely busy during my engagement, but still ate rather clean and healthy.  I loved the way I looked on my wedding day, but it is hard because that image is what I have clung to maintain.  

The happiest day!

A couple of months ago I was doing a Fit2Wed bootcamp.  After getting married and relaxing a bit on my diet I just did not like the way that I looked.  We took a trip to DC last year and when I saw the pictures I just didn't like any of them.  I wasn't huge, but I just did not feel as fit as I knew I could be.  I know that I have always struggled with poor self image, but I also knew that I needed to do something to make things better.  Throughout the bootcamp, I lost some weight, but more importantly, I felt fit.  I still wanted to feel better, though.  My body felt sluggish still, and I felt as though I couldn't get rid of a couple problem areas.  Jessica constantly referenced the Paleo diet, and I was intrigued.  Although, the limitations are outrageous and I just didn't think I could do it.  Slowly, I started taking things out of my diet (like bread) and replaced it with vegetables.  

My sister-in-law mentioned that she was going to try to eat gluten-free for some health reasons.  I decided that I would look up some recipes for her, especially because I love cooking with new recipes.  Meanwhile, she kept raving about how focused she was and how good she felt after just two weeks.  At the time, I was having some horrible digestion problems.  It seemed as though everything I ate upset my stomach later, and I couldn't pinpoint the culprit.  After several embarrassing bouts and feeling frustrated, I decided to try eating gluten-free to see if it made me feel better.  Less than two weeks later, my digestion was so much better!

My diet didn't change drastically since I already ate pretty healthy and cut out a lot of carbs.  I made it a goal to not just by the gluten-free substitute (like pretzels and such).  I found some great website, blogs, and recipes that provided me with wonderful recipes.  I made this gluten-free toasted coconut french toast with maple cream and the husband even liked it!

Now, I have been apprehensive about posting this because I know so many people have to eat this way to do a gluten intolerance.  I do my best to eat gluten-free, but I am not always 100% eating this way.  When we go out to eat, most of the time I stick with it, but I cave in and have that piece of bread or soy sauce.  My mom is super sweet and checks out menus to see if they have gluten-free selections.  Frozen yogurt is my ultimate weakness, and not all of the flavors are gluten-free, but I still choose those flavors.  My body may not be thanking me later, but it was my choice.  

I don't weigh myself, so I don't know if I have lost any weight.  I do feel clean, healthy, fit, and happy with my body.  Happy enough to pose in a bathing suit and post it here:

 I know that my body is not perfect, and having an unrealistic expectation is only destructive.  It is finding the balance of loving your body as well as taking pride in it where I have found the most success.  Of course there are still days when my thoughts take over and I feel huge all over again, but I remind myself that I am a work in progress and pick one aspect of my body that I really love.

So, now you know it all!  From time to time I will post gluten-free recipes, and if I post them then they are taste tested and certified delicious!