I have always been quite healthy, very active, and maintained a healthy weight. In 2010 I had a total hysterectomy at age 40. (At age 27, I had an ovary and 37 polyp cysts removed.) I did not take any hormone replacement at all. 8 months after hysterectomy, I felt horrible and started bio identical HRT from a very good physician and homeopathic certified doctor in Southern California. But year to year, the weight was coming on slowly. I got the same advice, “eat less, move more. “ Also, I have always dealt with bad back pain due to car accidents and genetics. I have Osteoarthritis, stenosis, Degenerative Disc disease, etc., which resulted in a major spinal fusion surgery in 2014. It was a success, but recovery was a year, and that brought more pounds.
In 2016, I turned 50, and I became more active and worked out more. I was back at hiking and doing things I loved, but new different pains were happening, and more weight was coming on. I thought it was hormonal issues. I would get readjusted for the bio-identicals, and those issues settled down. I was fighting inflammation and joint and muscle pain, headaches, fog brain, exhaustion with no answers. Almost two years ago, we moved across the country, and a new doctor added to my list of woes that I was probably also suffering from readjustment disorder. I disagreed but could somewhat see the point. I had always lived within 50 miles of where I was born.
One year ago, I started a plant-based diet, including grains, and I felt even worse. I insisted on further exams because I knew something was off. I did not feel right, and I did not look right, and I becoming more inflamed and taking allergy meds almost daily. Earlier this year of 2020, I finally saw a GI doctor, rheumatologist, and an allergist. I am a weak positive for Celiac with a strong sensitivity to all gluten, grains, and legumes, some additives and starches, and bad esophagitis from reflux. I was instructed to consume a gluten-free diet. I did not have much guidance as this was about the time COVID-19 was creating havoc this past spring. I was consuming too many carbs and inflammation foods.
THEN…on Facebook, I kept seeing “The Galveston Diet.” Skeptic me did some vetting, and I signed up on May 12. I came down with Bronchitis for two weeks, which gave me a lot of downtime to immerse in all the videos and blogs and links within the course. I was hooked on the info alone at that point. My official start date was June 1, 2020, and 159.9 pounds. Today is August 20, 2020, and I am at 146.1 pounds and feeling stronger and less inflamed. I can follow your guidelines while customizing the areas for my needs and understanding what I am doing simultaneously.
I am so thankful and blessed by you, Dr. Haver. TGD is my new life habit, and this is the only thing that has truly made sense to me, and it works. Blessings for continued success to you, Mary.
