Let's start at the very beginning, A very good place to start!

I decided to start another blog to chronicle my new journey to a healthier me. A little background...

Oct 1995 - Met Jesse. Weighed about 135, size 12/14.

Oct 1996 - Married Jesse. Weight unknown, size 20ish. No known cause for weight gain.

Nov 2006 - After over 2 years of trying, finally pregnant! Had horrible heartburn last half of pregnancy. Went to ER at least twice with unexplained stomach pain. No diagnosis. Weight at beginning of pregnancy - 227, size 24/26.

July 2007 - C-section to deliver Ethan due to likely placental failure in progress :-(

Nov 2007 - Went to ER after night of extreme pain. Diagnosed with gallstones. Advised to have gallbladder removed. Went straight from ER to my natural health place for advice. Did my first liver/gallbladder cleanse. Periodic cleanses after that. Realized that the stomach pain that had sent me to the ER while pregnant was from my gallbladder.

Jan 2009 - Felt gallstone stuck in duct. Successfully dissolved and passed it with cleanse! Started reduced fat diet.

April 2009 - Found out pregnant again! Increased fat intake some. Throughout pregnancy, heartburn again but no gallbladder problems. Weighed 212, size 22/24.

Dec 11, 2009 - After 2 days of vomiting, woke up with one of Gabriel's limbs pressing into my gallbladder. Went to hospital dehydrated and vomiting bile. Gallbladder extremely inflamed. Found out baby had turned sideways. C-section #2 :-(

Dec 2009 to Jan 2010 - Very low appetite. Nausea. Dec 21 - Weight 217
Jan 13 - Weight 199
Jan 21 - Weight 190

Jan 7 - Back at ER after 2 days of pain. Didn't know if gallbladder messed up still or something else wrong. Found out gallstone was stuck in bile duct. ERCP scope procedure to remove it. Gallbladder still extremely inflamed. Again advised to have it removed.

The next week I had a consultation with the owner of my natural health place about my gallbladder and health in general. He suggested I start a modified version of the Fit for Life eating plan.

So I'm about a week into this new way of eating now. It's taking some getting used to but I'm adjusting! Here's the gist of it:

Breakfast - Fruit or fresh fruit juice ONLY. Nothing else till noon.
Lunch - Proteins and veggies
Supper - Carbs and veggies
Snacks - Fruit
No fried or fatty foods. Olive oil only - no other oils or butter.

I'm also supposed to be eating half a lemon a day as a mild, gradual cleanse. But a few days ago I reacted to it and since I've suspected a citrus allergy for quite a while, I'm taking a break for a few days.

I bought Fit for Life and have read most of it. I'm putting together some questions for another consultation to get clarification on a few things, the lemon issue being one of them.

Fit for Life is primarily a detox plan. Most people do lose weight on it. I know that I am very sensitive to chemicals, and I suspect the intolerance to chemicals in food is a main contributor to my health right now. I would love to eat nearly 100% organic but can't afford it :-(

I wonder if my big unexplained weight gain was due to the increase in eating processed foods at that time. Processed food = more chemicals = bad reaction in my body resulting in weight gain?

So far I am eating a lot more fruits and veggies than usual and less meat. I'm trying to make it a month before I have a cheat day. I think the first cheat I will have though is a piece of Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate!