Wait..Gluten-free?!

So since my last blog post I hadn't been doing very well with watching what I was eating or exercising or even being active at all. I was feeling sorry for myself, yet would still give in to nearly every craving that I had for junk food and would still sit on the couch and read or go on the computer when I was home. I was fatigued much of the time and work was draining. Then yesterday I read an article on why a woman decided to change to a gluten-free diet. Her blood sugar level would drop if she didn't eat every 2 hours and she would get an intense headache, become irritable, and feel nauseous. This had happened since she was a child, so she thought that it was just how she was. After she switched over to a gluten free diet, those symptoms went away. That specific story caught my eye because that is often how I feel if I haven't eaten for 3 hours. I also am starting to believe that I have inflammation not only in my joints, but also in my neck and shoulders partially from MSG's, which often seems to contribute to my migraines.

Yesterday I started looking up gluten free recipes and I read up on how just substituting "gluten-free" versions of food is not the best decision. I went to the grocery store to pick up some almond milk (the only milk that I will drink) and I was able to look at Cub's "organic" aisles more in-depth to see what they have. We are going grocery shopping tomorrow after work and I think that I might add some of those items to my list. Mainly quinoa (just a little bit to try it out), a gluten-free yogurt I found, and perhaps some organic tea just cause I think drinking something flavorful would help to curb my appetite. Turning my diet completely or mostly gluten-free would probably have to wait until our kitchen is done so that I can bake things so that I have more things to eat and so that we have room to store the extra ingredients that I would need to buy. I'm not sure about buying some of the gluten free bread at the store, it looks so fake and is so expensive, I don't know that it would be worth it. Anyway, those are my gluten free ideas so far!

Today I took the dog for a walk around the block, but felt super productive and active doing it ;) I also ran errands and did some cleaning/chores around the house. All of that equals me being more active (except for work) than I have been in a very long time. It feels soo good!

Why I'm Doing This

Although this started out as a journey to eat healthier and exercise more, I have decided to expand my blog into simply being more active (not just going to work, school, and home) and becoming healthier in mind, spirit, emotions, and body.  There are a lot of reasons why I am starting this blog and deciding to officially embark on this journey.  Here are some:
-I am tired of not feeling comfortable in my own skin
-My husband and I want to start having a family within the next year or so and I would like to become healthier before that happens
-I want to glorify God through my body; "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." 1 Cor. 6:19-20
-I want to be more alert and energetic
-I want to be more disciplined
-I want my life to be a testimony to others of God's faithfulness and goodness
-I want more accountability and I figure that if people read this blog and notice that I haven't posted in awhile they can ask me how I'm doing
-I would like a space to process and share my thoughts about God and where He is in all of this
-I know that it will be more difficult years down the road to change my lifestyle and habits and so I ought to start now

I hope and pray that this blog becomes a tool that God uses to change me and perhaps inspire others.  I know that with any hard thing or change, it is easier when you know that others are going through a similar experience and you're able to encourage each other.  Please tell me if you are embarking on a similar journey and we can encourage each other!