The Girl with IBS

Before the 2016 presidential election, I read Hilary Clinton's book, Hard Choices. A memoir stating the reasons and events behind some of the most important decisions she made while serving President Obama, the book showed readers that you cannot judge a choice by the outcome. Right now, I feel like writing the same book so everyone around me can understand my upcoming choice. My hard choice is should I keep selling LuLaRoe or should I leave? I joined LuLaRoe because I feel in love with the way their clothing kept my body comfortable during IBS flare-ups. However, the pressure of selling is causing my IBS to flare-up. Now I am left wondering if I should leave or stay and fight? Do I even have something worth fighting for? The stress of this decision is making me physically sick. But maybe it is not the decision, just that I have not left LuLaRoe yet. I am not sure. All I know is that since starting LuLaRoe my husband and I have less adventures, I have less true friends, and my ...

My final incentive of July was to see Legally Blonde the Musical at our local community theater and oh my gosh you guys, it was like totally great ;) Looking back at the month of July, I am so proud of saying no to so many sweets. However, I am not proud of replacing my sweet-tooth with a strong desire for unhealthy meals and alcohol. So now I must prepare for part two of the challenge! Here is what I ate today: Breakfast - Jimmy Dean sausage biscuit Lunch - everything bagel with salmon cream cheese and Veggie Straws Dinner - applesauce and chips I did sell two LuLaRoe items today and snuggled with my kitties most of the evening. I also finished a load of laundry, mostly full of gym clothes. I am not feeling myself but I don't feel like I am getting sick. I have been off since Thursday so hopefully things will start getting better soon. Tomorrow is the last day of July and I am excited to start working on August. It's also my birthday month! Over and Out, The Girl wit...

A few months ago I started selling LuLaRoe. It was a brand that I loved and fully believed in. Now, it is a chore and I pretty much hate it. I struggle every day to make it work and it just doesn't. Today was a day full of fighting and pushing. My morning started with an in-home shopping appointment and the day ended with a small party for a few other retailers and clothing swap. I did not sell anything today however, it was nice to say goodbye to a few items and fill my boutique with new inventory I didn't have to buy. It was also wonderful to hear that the other retailers are experiencing similar struggles.   The middle of my day was the worst. I needed to run errands but I was tried and grumpy. I just wanted the day to end for my life to stop revolting around clothing.  Here is what I ate today:  Breakfast - french toast and local honey  Lunch - a few bites of chili  Afternoon Snack - Sam's Club samples and half a Culvers burger and fries Din...

One of my husband's coworkers plays in a local jazz band so we spend our Friday evening enjoying his outside concert. I hate jazz music but I knew it was important to my husband and his career. The music was okay, I got to pet some dogs, and I had a nice cold cider so I guess it wasn't too bad of night.  My day was grueling though. I enjoy being mentally challenged and lately, my work has been anything but. Without the challenge, I am not sure what to do with myself and negitive thoughts can easily take over. At least I am no longer tempted to reach for sweets. But I do go straight for the spirits..  Here is what I ate today:  Breakfast : pancakes Lunch : leftover salmon pasta and dumplings Dinner : bagel with lox, cider, & wine Not a very healthy food day at all... Tuesday starts the next phase of my incentive and it is going to be tough! Today would have been almost out of the question.  Over and Out,  The Girl with IBS

My incentive for finishing last week was a Dress Up Date Night at the restaurant of my choosing. I have been careful not to reward myself with food during this challenge so the reward is a night on the town all dressed up. The date gave me something to look forward to all day. Lately my anxiety has started taking over and I feel like I am spiraling into another nervous breakdown. Plans are what help me stay sane and Google Calendar is my best friend. Whatever helps, right? Here is what I ate today: Breakfast : pancakes and honey Lunch : turkey sandwich and pita chips Afternoon Snack : cherries Dinner : garlic knots and dill salmon with spinach linguine Dressing up and going out with my husband was a blast. Today marks four full weeks of no added sugar and I cannot believe I am halfway there! Over and Out, The Girl with IBS

How do I describe today? Well, I had some ups and downs but I had a pretty big win today. I didn't give up and I may have planned my best birthday yet. My birthday is a huge deal for me. It's my favorite day of the year. Maybe it is because I am an only child. Or maybe because my late August birthday was always the first party of  the school year. Nonetheless, I love planning my birthday and I am hoping that this year is the best of them all.  Weigh-In Wednesday : 151 lbs So I have been loosing weight slowly through this challenge until this week. I am hoping that the extra weight is just muscle, but I am a little discouraged by this number. After a month of no sugar and two workout classes a week, I was hoping to be at least under 150. I guess its not in the cards for this July.  Here is what I ate today:  Breakfast : pancakes and local honey Morning Snack : cherries Lunch : Healthy Choice Meatball Marinara   Afternoon Snack : peanut butt...

Today, the last Orca whale born in captivity at SeaWorld passed away after a long battle with pneumonia. Kyara was only 3-months-old and I had been following her story since her birth in April. I can not explain why but her death has rocked me to my core. My heart is broken for her mother and the SeaWorld doctors and trainers that worked with Kyara. Since her birth, the calf has suffered and I am thankful that she can be a peace now. I know that many people are mad at SeaWorld and blame captivity for her death however, I feel that they did everything in her power to save Kyara and infant death occurs around the world to all species. My day has been dampened by this tragic news. Nonetheless, I can find solace in the fact that I was not tempted to purchase or consume sugar. I even said no to a handmade a cupcake. Wow! 25 days without sweets has really changed the way my body craves. In the past, sugar is my go-to when I feel down. I am very proud of myself for saying no and not eve...

Are Mondays the worst because we expect them to be or are they worst because they are the worst? You know, I spend all week working for the weekend and then the weekend passes by in a blur. And alas, I am back to the adult life of working all day, pretending to like those around me, going to the gym, and cooking dinner before falling asleep and repeating. I have always loved the quote, "she designed a life she loved." I guess I am still designing that life. If you have any design tips, please share. I need them more than you know. Here is what I ate today: Breakfast - pancakes Morning Snack - cherries Lunch - leftover pizza Afternoon Snack - Live Love Pop Salt and Vinegar Popcorn Dinner -  One-Pan Shrimp Lo Mein from HelloFresh As July comes to a close, I have decided to advance my challenge with a few more rules. Those will be coming soon! Over and Out, The Girl With IBS

You know what I love most about Sundays? If I plan it right, I can stay in my PJs all day and never leave the house. That is exactly what I did today and it was perfect. My husband and I stayed in bed longer than normal listening to a rainstorm and chatting. He left to run some errands and I cleaned the house and knitted with my cat while watching my favorite TV show. After, I took a long nap and we watched more Netflix. See, I told you it was a perfect day. Here is what I ate today: Breakfast - protein pancakes Lunch - hummus and pita chips Afternoon Snack - frozen bananas Dinner - leftover pizza Before watching Netflix all evening, we did throw a belated birthday party for my cat who turned 5 a few weeks ago. Yes, I am that type of crazy cat lady.  We gave all three cats wet food, which is a huge treat for them, and I put an unlit candle in the birthday girl's "cake." The pictures are fantastic and I had way too much fun watching them eat. Speaking of eatin...

We started our Saturday with a trip to our local zoo with my goddaughter. The zoo was hosting "Jr. Zookeeper Day" for the community's children. My goddaughter learned about caring for animal habitats, pet a turtle, and dug for eggs in the sandbox. We would have accomplished more however, Mother Nature decided we needed a bath. After the zoo, my husband and I headed home to rest before his celebration dinner. Last week he became certified to teach Les Mills classes at the gym so we took him to his favorite restaurant, Korean BBQ.  Each table is expected to cook their own meat which is all-you-can-eat. You can also enjoy dumplings, soup, ginger salad, pickled radishes, and other Korean treats. I barely ate all day in preparation for this gigantic meal. Here is what I ate today: Lunch : hamburger Dinner : All-You-Can-Eat-Meat-and-Korean-Sides Yup, I practically did not eat all day. So now I am uncomfortably full. I am just surprised that my blood sugar did not crash...

Today was a long day. I had a very important meeting this afternoon and had to wait all day for it to arrive. The agony was excruciating. However, I am happy to say that I did not once crave chocolate, candy, or another sweet. Here is what I ate today: Breakfast - protein pancakes Lunch - Latin Chicken and Rice with Beans and Plantains Afternoon Snack - peanut butter crackers Dinner - Pizza Hut pizza and wine I know you are curious and yes, I did rock that important meeting. I may be almost too tired to function right now, but at least I am headed into the week with my head up. To celebrate, my husband cancelled his evening plans and ordered pizza. We watched Netflix until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. Over and Out, The Girl with IBS

Every summer my company hosts a Luau Party for the employees. I signed up to help with the set up and game coordination because I love planning parties. After weeks of preparation, Luau Day finally arrived! We covered the cafeteria in leis, hung a photo booth, and created a (weak) pineapple rum punch. Because of the incentive, I steered cleared of the punch, cookies, and other treats. However, I was able to join in with the rest of the fun! After an hour of partying indoors, we headed outside to the "Dunk Your Manager" event. I was able to dunk my friend and cheer on the rest of my coworkers as they plunged their managers and friends into the tank. Here is what I ate today: Breakfast - protein pancakes Lunch - turkey sandwich, fries, and tomato basil soup Afternoon Snack - pineapple, strawberry, and chips Dinner - MorningStar Farms® Original Chik Patties® sandwich, pita chips, hummus, grapes, cherries, and wine Tomorrow is my third incentive day! For finishing t...

Have you ever just felt like sloth? The world moving quickly around you while you slowly accomplish a select amount of tasks? Yes, that describes my Wednesday. Weigh-In Wednesday : 150 lbs Most of the day went by in a slow blur with nothing to really show for it expect that I have lost another two ounces. I guess losing ounces is better than gaining? I feel like after two weeks of exercise, my body should be nice and show me something... Breakfast : protein pancakes and local honey Lunch : Healthy Choice Pineapple Chicken Afternoon Snack : Apple and peanut butter crackers Post Workout : Gatorade Dinner : Cherry Balsamic Pork Chops by HelloFresh My second cycling class was much easier to survive than my first. However, I pushed myself harder than last week and barely walked out of the gym. Literally. I am glad that my workouts of the week are finished. Now I can enjoy the rest of my days. Over and Out, The Girl with IBS

The phrase "Two Steps Forward, One Step Back" currently describes how I feel about my life. I feel like every time I make a little bit of progress, something (usually my brain) takes me back, just a little. This epiphany struck me yesterday during my workout. As I punched and kicked my calories away, I glanced into the mirror and was horrified by how "thick" I looked. Naturally, that leads down a rabbit hole of comparison and self-loathing. I have never felt comfortable in my own skin. In middle and high school I used to wish I was "thicker" and would pretend to diet. I took my first steps on my university campus just under 110 pounds (5'4"). I remember this because there was a woman in front of the blood mobile asking passersby to donate. When I walked past, she simply looked me up and down and smiled. Nearly ten years and 40 pounds later, I stood in the middle of the class wishing my stomach was flatter, my D cups would shrink, and my legs did...

So after some scheduling changes, I decided to update my incentives to include some different items: July Week One = SUGARFIX by BaubleBar™ earrings from Target Week Two = Pearl Studs Week Three = Dress-Up Date Night Week Four = Legally Blonde The Musical August Week Five = Leslie Knope Funko Pop Figure Week Six = Snorkeling Week Seven = Paint Your Pet Night at Painting with a Twist Week Eight = Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party I have already purchased the pearl studs to make up for the failed pottery painting date night last week. I am looking forward to this week's date night as I love to dress up. I feel better about this list because I won't be trying to squeeze a beach day or trip to a theme park into our very tight schedule. Hopefully with less stress, my IBS will stay controlled and I can keep away from sweets. Here is what I ate today: Breakfast: oatmeal Lunch: turkey burger and mashed potatoes Afternoon Snack: apple After Workout Snack: Gator...

After a long day at the theme park yesterday, I knew my Sunday had to be relaxing. As an introvert, being around people for an extended period of time drastically drains my batteries leaving me cranky and on-edge. I met a friend in the morning for brunch and then spend the remainder of the day recharging by snuggling with my kitties, napping, and watch my favorite show on Netflix. My husband was very sweet about it and made sure that I barely lifted a finger all day. I am so glad I married him. Here is what I ate today: Brunch : Florida Waffle (without powdered sugar, whip cream, or syrup) from Keke's Breakfast Cafe Afternoon Snack : frozen bananas Dinner : turkey burgers, grilled carrots, and mashed potatoes Now I wish I didn't have to go back to the real world tomorrow. I will miss my R&R day! Over and Out, The Girl with IBS

Harry Potter Day is a holiday only for us. A few years ago, after only a few months of dating, my now husband took me to Universal Studios to see the premier showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2. When the movie concluded, Universal announced that everyone would be let into the theme park to spend three hours in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. At the time, I was not a big fan of Harry Potter however, this experience turned me into a super fan! My obsession with Harry Potter continues and I celebrate our special day every year.  This year we returned to place where it all began for a fun date-day. I love spending time in theme parks because I get to move around, be outside, and can spend the entire day without fear of running into someone I know. Along with IBS, I also deal with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Social Anxiety. My anxiety is one of the main triggers of my IBS. I have been visiting theme parks for the majority of my life and they help me con...

Some days feel never ending. They feel like multiple days squished into one. Today was one of those days for me. I barely slept last night due to excitement/fear of an important meeting today. Everything went well and my excitement grew in anticipation of my week 2 incentive, a pottery painting date. However, when we entered the pottery studio, I quickly realized that there was nothing I wanted to paint. I was very disappointed and my husband took me to the mall instead, against my wishes. After a drooling hour walking past shops and people, we finally went home to watch Netflix and drink wine. I have no idea how I am going to make up this incentive and I am very upset by it.  Here is what I ate today: Breakfast - oatmeal and cantaloupe Lunch - bratwurst from a local vendor Dinner - Pan-Seared Garlic Chicken from HelloFresh, chips and wine Tomorrow we are celebrating a holiday I created, Harry Potter Day. Hopefully tomorrow will be better than today.  O...

Cycling literally killed my rump. I'm pretty sure the bike bruised the bottom of my pelvis. Sitting all day at work was terrible but getting in and out of my chair was the worst. Besides my behind, the rest of my day was alright. Got done what I needed to and stayed away from the box of donuts. Here is what I ate today: Breakfast : oatmeal Lunch : Lemony Shrimp Risotto by HelloFresh Afternoon Snack : cherries Dinner : Country Gravy Pork Chops by HelloFresh Tomorrow is Incentive Day! I'm so excited to paint some pottery. What do you think I should paint? A mug, a figure, a plate, or something else? Share your ideas in the comments! Over and Out, The Girl With IBS

Today was a struggle. It wasn't terrible like yesterday, but a struggle none the less. Pros of the day: didn't eat any sweets, took a cycling class, and I had lunch with a new friend. Cons: today was long, I'm exhausted, I didn't get an interview for a job that was just filled, and I hated cooking tonight. Weight-In Wednesday: 105.4 lb  What I ate today: Breakfast : cauliflower hash browns, sausage links, and strawberries Lunch : half a McAlister's Club and cup of chicken and dumpling soup Afternoon Snack : some peanut butter crackers Dinner :  Shrimp & Lemon Risotto I am going to go to sleep early tonight and dream about walking without pain. Cycling is no joke, y'all. This was also my first class ever so my rump hurts more than I can describe. Tomorrow should be interesting...  Over and Out,  The Girl with IBS

Once a month, my company has a branch meeting where they serve bagels, sweets, fruit, and juice. I knew it would be rough to forgo my monthly chocolate croissant however, I didn't realize I might accidentally break part of my challenge. During the meeting, I consumed a bagel with blueberry cream cheese and a glass of juice. I released after that those items had added sugar. I am not counting this as breaking my streak because I feel so proud of my progress thus far. Please comment below if you think this mistake breaks my challenge. I would love to hear your feedback on this. Here is what I ate today: Breakfast : oatmeal, half a bagel with blueberry cream cheese, and juice Morning Snack : half a bagel with plain cream cheese Lunch :  Seared Chicken & Pasta Salad from Blue Apron Afternoon Snack : apple Dinner : Teriyaki Tokyo Rice Cakes by Home Chef I feel very discouraged right now however, I know this challenge is more than just a glass of juice or a dollop of bl...

Getting out of bed this morning was hard. It did not help that I was surrounded by my purring furbabies. I just wanted to roll over and go back to sleep for the rest of the day. But I am an adult and that was not an option. The majority of my day was alright, work went smoothly and my favorite co-worker returned from vacation. My period is at it's end and the sugar cravings are subsiding. I also surprised my husband at his favorite workout class. I do believe that forgoing sugar is having a positive effect on my body and mind. Here is what I ate today: Breakfast : oatmeal Morning Snack : banana Lunch :  Seared Chicken & Pasta Salad from Blue Apron Afternoon Snack : applesauce and peanut butter crackers After Gym Snack : mini Gatorade Dinner : Bulgogi Beef & Soba Noodle Stir-Fry by Blue Apron and an apple My body is exhausted right now. I just wish I could find a way to tire out my mind. Over and Out, The Girl With IBS

Today, the littlest love of my life celebrated her 5th birthday. At this point in our lives, our furbabies are like our children and I love them with all my heart. To celebrate my princess's special day, she received hours of snuggles and kisses. As you can guess, I was not very active today. I left the house once for half an hour to pick up prescriptions and non-sugar snacks. It was nice to just rest and chill all day! I cleaned my home office, organized my sewing section, and watched a good amount of Netflix. Here is what I ate today: Breakfast : Protein Pancakes Lunch:  Leftover pizza and Bojangles Afternoon Snack : Apple Dinner :  Ceviche-Style Shrimp Tostadas by Home Chef I feel like I need another seven days of Netflix and resting. But alas, we are onward and upward to another week! Over and Out, The Girl with IBS

Today I have been experiencing strong sugar cravings. I feel they are more mental than physical as I normally eat tons of sweets during my menstrual cycle. But that was not an option this time. The first sugar-less period since I was 13. To get my mind off of sugar, we went to the pool for an hour or so and then headed to Target. I picked the  SUGARFIX by BaubleBar™ Crystal Stud Earring Set  as my reward for finishing the first seven days of my incentive. Goal one complete!  While we were out shopping, we started to get hungry and ended up having what my husband dubed Tour de Fast Food! We grabbed items from five restaurants: Taco Bell, Wendy's, Hungry Howie's, Arby's, and Bojangles. Wow does my stomach hurt. But, I must admit that the experience was worth it. Here is what I ate today: Breakfast : cherries Lunch : Salmon & Cilantro-Lime Rice from Blue Apron Dinner : Tour de Fast Food Thankfully I was able to fight my cravings today and stay tru...

This was the longest short week ever. These three works days have felt endless. But now it is Friday evening and the work week is done. This is also my first full week without sugar which means... INCENTIVE DAY! Wahoo! For completing the first seven days of my sugar-less challenge, I earned the ability to pick out a pair of earrings from Target's SUGARFIX by BaubleBar collection! I am so proud of myself for finishing the first leg of the journey.  Here is what I ate today: Breakfast : honey and peanut butter sandwich Morning Snack : cherries and Cheetos Lunch : Buffalo Wild Wings snack salt & vinegar wings and fries Afternoon Snack : Frito Lays Dinner : Chipotle-Glazed Pork Chops from HelloFresh and wine My period also arrived today which means my IBS and sugar cravings are flaring. My monthly migraine also made an appearance leaving me with a strong desire for Coke. Of course, to stay true to my incentive, I had to forego the Coke and comfort foods that ...

Every once in a while, you have the opportunity to say something that positively influences someone else. Today, I was blessed with one of these amazing moments. While eating lunch with a friend, I shared my Sugar Incentive journey and she loved it. We decided to become accountability partners and she is starting her own incentive program! Today my only downfall was that I ate too much fried food. With my period coming tomorrow, my stomach is extra sensitive and now I'm extra bloated... Here is what I ate today: Breakfast : peanut butter and honey sandwich Morning Snack : strawberries Lunch : beef empanadas and plantains Afternoon Snack : strawberries Dinner : Bulgogi beef with sushi and frozen bananas Tomorrow marks my first 7 days without sugar! That means I've almost reached my first incentive!  To keep me motivated, I'm starting to plan our Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party trip. Comment below with some costume ideas because I need inspirati...

When I was little, I used to pile my plate high with food whenever I could serve myself. When I didn't eat it all, my Dad would tell me that my eyes are bigger than my stomach. Instead of outgrowing this habit, I now eat everything on my plate. Today for lunch, I packed the rest of my burrito from Sunday. Unfortunately, I also accepted a small plate of fettuccine alfredo with ham and peas from a co-worker. That means that I ate about 1 and a half lunches. What else does that mean? I have been in pain since 12:30 this afternoon. My IBS does not like large portions, especially greasy foods like fettuccine alfredo and spicy foods like the medium salsa on my burrito. As a result, my food choices for lunch left me with the stomach cramps and bloating I thought the sugar-less diet had rid me of. It just goes to show that I need to stick to avoiding my No-No Foods.   Here is everything I ate today: Breakfast : peanut butter and honey sandwich Morning Snack : banana Lunch...

Happy Independence Day! Today, 241 years ago, a few white men in a room made a decision that would change the course of history. We celebrated the 4th of July with burgers, sunshine, and pool water. I feel very full from all of the food I ate today but I still feel like my bloating is down. Which should be celebrated! My neighbors are currently celebrating the holiday with fireworks. What festivities did you enjoy today? Here is what I ate:  Breakfast : fresh peach and strawberries Lunch : BurgerFi burger and hotdog Afternoon Snack : fresh cherries Dinner : Creamy Dill Chicken from HelloFresh Four days down, fifty-eight to go. Along with your celebration description, please leave me one phrase of encouragement to get me through the rest of this week! My sugar cravings are starting to arise and it doesn't help that my period will be showing up in the next few days. During my cycle, I always crave No-No Foods like McDonald's and brownies. But this time I mu...

The day before Independence Day, our local University hosts a fireworks display for the community. An evening of food trucks, live music, and socializing. This year my favorite popsicle truck made an appearance but I said no! So proud of myself! Instead, I focused on spending time with my husband and friends and enjoying the atmosphere.  I only worked a half day because of the holiday which was wonderful because I was able to eat lunch at home with my kitties and take a nap. I wish I could leave early every day! If only, right? Thankfully no one brought tempting holiday treats to work either so I was able to stay sugar-less all day. Here is what I ate today: Breakfast : oatmeal Morning Snack : cheese stick and banana Lunch : leftover Blaze pizza Dinner : Luau Pork Burger from HelloFresh I am officially 3 days sugar-less! I feel like my bloating has already decreased and my energy level is more stable. But that could be because I've napped every July day so far....

So today, July 2nd, marks the fourth anniversary of my mother's passing. She died due to complications from an eight-year-long battle with ovarian cancer. My mom was an incredible fighter and was passionate about healthy living. Today, I honored her in several ways including a few that helped my IBS. I have been told that exercise aids in digestion. I know that it helps with so much more like weight control, stamina, overall health, and energy. While I know these as fact, I still struggle with motivation. I have two exercise classes reoccurring on my calendar each week, but I never go. I just can't get myself to... So today, in honor of my Mom, I went to the gym. My husband wants to be a Body Combat instructor so he had to film a video teaching a class. I tagged along and hated every minute of it. However, my body knew that it was good for me. Maybe during this incentive, I can push myself to workout again. As for my eating today: Breakfast :  Kodiak Cakes Pr...

The first day of any challenge is the easiest. You are full of determination, hope, and memories of yesterday's slice of cake. Well, two slices. Today I said no to a fountain Coke at the gas station and candy at the movies. We saw Pirates of the Caribbean and I loved it! The weekends are also easier for me to stay sugar-free than the weekdays. At work, there is always a sweet available in the form of candy at a coworkers desk or cookies for a special event. When I am at home, I can easily say no to the tempting treats by distracting myself with Netflix, reading, or knitting. Most of the time, I find myself reaching for No-No Foods when I am bored or stressed. Two common emotions I experience throughout the workday.  Here is what I ate today: Breakfast : Kodiak Cakes Protein Packed Flapjacks with local honey Lunch : Gyro wrap and hummus from a local deli Afternoon Snack : fresh banana Dinner : Blaze build your own pizza with no tomato sauce A pretty healthy day...