One More

Here's my last Paleo post for awhile. I have a few minutes and several of my girlfriends have specifically asked about this issue, so here it goes.
Why I like Paleo for ME.

Before we switched our diet I was just like every other mom. Chugging the coffee, snacking on whatever the kids didn't eat, eating a 'guilty pleasure' snack during nap time because dadgummit, I deserve it, and crashing at about 3pm every day. It was all I could do to make it to bedtime every evening. Even during nap time most days I would pop in a movie or turn on netflix for the boys and try to catch at least half an hour of shut eye while Vivi was asleep. I was just dragging. I even went to the doctor back in the fall and had all my hormones checked. It all was more or less totally fine. No reason to think there's anything wrong. Both of my doctors said, "You're a mom of three small children. You're going to be tired."
But here's the thing. I wasn't just tired. I was anxious. I've dealt with anxiety since about the time Carter was born. I wasn't ever an anxious person as a teenager, and I never had an OCD tendencies then either. As I've gotten older, they've gotten worse though. And I had noticed both of these issues were ramping up with a vengeance. My anxiety/OCD was getting to the point were I had considered going back to the doctor and have her prescribe me something for it. I was avoiding phone calls (talking on the phone to strangers - for example making doctor's appointments, getting dog medication refills, customer service - is the worst for me) and going to functions. And I was like, this is getting ridiculous.
So, one of the first Paleo blogs I began reading was written by a mother of three small children who turned paleo and saw all of these results with her mood and fatigue (and sex life - I know, too much info!) and I was intrigued.
You always hear, "Eat right and exercise and you'll feel great!" Well, I've done the whole 'eat right and exercise' thing. And while, yes, I am generally in better shape, I have NEVER noticed a change in my fatigue or anxiety.
Also, this lady talked about how she slept so.much.better. at night.
And the best perk of all - she said her belly fat disappeared almost immediately. I am not a big person. But the one thing I struggle with is my mid section. I do not gain weight anywhere else (unless I'm pregnant!). I don't gain it in my arms, or thighs or hips, but all I have to do is eat one tortilla chip and my middle gains 5 pounds! I have the 'muffin top' and I don't feel comfortable wearing fitted shirts that cling to my belly.
Listening to this girl's perks had me sold - for at least a 30 day trial.

When we started Paleo, I had a terrible first 4 days. I was literally going through sugar withdrawals. My blood sugar was so out of control (because it was used to getting a huge spike every 2 to 3 hours!) and I felt terrible. On day 4, I actually called Cory at work (something I never do) and told him to get home, bring something with bread in it, and that I was going to bed. Luckily he was busy for another few hours and I had finished my tantrum before he could make it home. And, he didn't bring the bread.

After day 4, I started feeling good. I noticed that I wasn't dragging at nap time. I had the energy to actually stay awake and cook during nap time. Or clean. Or play with the boys.

My anxiety just about completely disappeared.

I sleep completely uninterrupted. Before hand, I had been restless and waking up for no reason throughout the night.

I LOVE MY BELLY. IT IS FLAT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL. And, I immediately dropped 10 lbs without stepping foot into a gym.

I'm just not tired during the day like I used to be. This is probably the best perk of all. Feeling like I don't have to go on like this for the rest of my life. I don't feel doomed to years of fatigue just because "I'm a mom."

Now, let me caveat all this with saying, If you have small babies who do not sleep through the night, or are still nursing regularly, I don't think Paleo is going to be your cure-all. You're obviously going to be tired because you're physically losing sleep. But I wouldn't be surprised if it helped some!
The thing is, I was getting 'enough sleep', but I was just so tired still. I thought I was tired because I was just so busy with kids. But I wasn't. I was coming on and off sugar constantly throughout the day. When I stop to think about what I used to eat everyday, and none of it's "BAD" in the eyes of most, no WONDER I felt like I did.

Basically - I've never felt better. And for the first time in a long time, I am looking forward to swim suit season.