Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Health Update from Tristi

Back when I first started this diet and announced that I was going to be eating meats, eggs, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, and that I was giving up sugar, fruit, and grains, a lot of my friends were concerned about my overall health. They worried that eating eggs and meats would throw my cholesterol out of whack. There were issues about the lack of grains - we've been taught for years that grains are healthy, and in my religion, we follow the counsel of the Word of Wisdom, which tells us to eat grains. I thought I would take a few minutes to give you all an update on how I'm doing. You can rest easy - I'm doing so, so well.

Let me give you a little bit of back story. About two years ago or so, my husband's work had us do some fitness evaluations for our health insurance. At that time, my triglycerides (fats in the blood) were 400. My cholesterol was so high, they couldn't even accurately measure it. My blood sugar was fine. They counseled me to go on medication for the cholesterol, which I did not want to do. I believe in changing health by changing lifestyle, so I paid better attention to what I was eating, and seriously cut down the fast food. I got my triglycerides down to 177, less than half of what they had been, and my blood sugar was still fine. My cholesterol was still too high to measure, though.

This last June, I started seeing Dr. Blamires at the Injury and Wellness Center. You'll remember my telling you in this blog post how enlarged my pancreas was - my blood sugar was testing just fine, but the organ itself was screaming for help. I began my journey, all 300 pounds of me, eating the diet I described above. Today, seven and a half months later, I'd like to share with you just how I'm doing.

1. I have lost 78.5 pounds without sacrificing muscle.

2. I have gone from a size 26/28 to a size 16/18.

3. I had some blood work yesterday, and guess what - my cholesterol that was so high they could not even measure it? My total cholesterol is 183, which is well within normal range, and my LDLs, which are the bad cholesterol, are mere points away from normal. That's how far it's come down. That is amazing.

4. My triglycerides have continued to drop and are now at 130, which is 20 points below the average range.

How am I doing? Fantastic. How is my overall health? Fantastic. Is consuming meat and eggs hurting me? Absolutely not. I'm pulling the numbers I'm supposed to be pulling. I could not have done this without radically changing my diet.

To address the concern about grains and the Word of Wisdom - the Word of Wisdom counsels us to eat healthy, natural foods, and tells us that it can be adapted to the weakest among us. I don't assimilate grains. Grains were packing the pounds on me, and causing other health problems that are too varied for me to even list here. Those health problems are now either gone or are almost gone. If I were to go back on grains, I would see a decline in my health. God doesn't want us to eat things that are unhealthy for us, and for me, grains are unhealthy. So no, I do not feel like I am breaking the Word of Wisdom by giving up grains. I feel that God led me to this diet, and I feel that I'm keeping the Word of Wisdom in that I have adapted it to fit my own body's needs. We wouldn't expect someone with celiac disease to eat wheat, would we? Of course not. Well, I may not have celiac disease, but I, too, need to stay away from the grains, and I feel very spiritually comfortable with that decision.

I wanted to share something else that's fun. Take a look at this picture. It was taken January 24th, 2011:
This is me at my heaviest weight ever, 300 pounds, as the Cubmaster congratulating my son for his performance in the Pinewood Derby. I met Dr. Blamires and began the diet about five months later.

Now take a look at this picture. It was taken last week, January 25th, 2012, at the Pinewood Derby.
Again, I'm the Cubmaster congratulating my son ... but look at the difference in me. Compare my face in the first picture to my face in the second picture. It's amazing. I honestly can't believe it. I have held these pictures side by side and stared at them over and over, just blown away. You know what, I look really good.

Best of all, I'm happy. I'm finally seeing results, I'm finally starting to feel like the person on the outside matches the person on the inside, and I'm not fettered by my weight any more.

I do appreciate the concern for my welfare, because I know that what I'm doing doesn't align with traditional methods of weight loss. I watch The Biggest Loser and I see them eating their whole-grain breads and wraps, and that's not what I'm doing. But I'm doing better than ever before. I am healthier at this moment than I've ever been in my entire life. Unusual choice though it may be, it's what's working for me. I mean, come on ... look at those pictures. :)

30 comments:

Karen E. Hoover said...

I'm so proud of you, Tristi!!! (((HUGS))))

Why Not? Because I Said So! said...

Well sweet Tristi, with your health choices you saved more than one life. Because of you, I was motivated to change my ways and eat differently and my health has greatly improved. We all need to do what is important to our own health. I am basically doing what you are doing. I can't see the 2nd picture. Get it fixed so we can celebrate with you!! :)
~~Sheila

Why Not? Because I Said So! said...

Oh there is the 2nd picture! You look fantastic! Your son is taller too!

Rebecca Blevins said...

I am so proud of you, Tristi! You are an inspiration to me, and I thank you for sharing your story.

I personally have been on the no wheat train (and gluten) for the past couple of weeks. I've been feeling like I needed to try it for a while, because my mother has a wheat sensitivity she recently discovered. She used to have a lot of joint pain, and as soon as she stopped eating wheat, it went away.

I'm using some gluten-free grains, but mostly vegetables, fruit, eggs, and Greek yogurt. I may try adding in barley, rye, and other grains besides wheat in a couple of months, but something is working because I had so much more energy my last two workouts, and my mood overall has been much improved. I had no idea that grain sensitivity could affect the brain that much, but from my research, but depression and anxiety are some of the hallmark symptoms.

I'll wrap this book up now, but congratulations, and you look amazing!

Rebecca Blevins said...

I am so proud of you, Tristi! You are an inspiration to me, and I thank you for sharing your story.

I personally have been on the no wheat train (and gluten) for the past couple of weeks. I've been feeling like I needed to try it for a while, because my mother has a wheat sensitivity she recently discovered. She used to have a lot of joint pain, and as soon as she stopped eating wheat, it went away.

I'm using some gluten-free grains, but mostly vegetables, fruit, eggs, and Greek yogurt. I may try adding in barley, rye, and other grains besides wheat in a couple of months, but something is working because I had so much more energy my last two workouts, and my mood overall has been much improved. I had no idea that grain sensitivity could affect the brain that much, but from my research, but depression and anxiety are some of the hallmark symptoms.

I'll wrap this book up now, but congratulations, and you look amazing!

Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen said...

Congratulations, and thank you so much for sharing! You do look good. :)

Tapper said...

Inspired by your dedication and determination. That is a lot of work. And work well done!

Karlene said...

That is amazing! You look wonderful. So glad this is working for you. :)

Terri Ferran said...

Awesome journey, Tristi! You are amazing and inspiring even though you're not quite the woman you used to be!!!

Misty Moncur said...

When this diet became popular about ten years ago, I never did see how eating vegetables and healthy protein was worse than eating fast food all the time (which is what a lot of people who think they're not violating the word of wisdom eat). I say good for you! This is a really, really big accomplishment!

RaShelle Workman said...

Congrats, Tristi! You look great. =D

CJ Hill said...

My dad was on the same sort of diet for his diabetes. Years ago, to avoid hyperemesis while pregnant, I was on a diet with no meat but lots of grains, fruits, and vegetables (no sugar or preservatives)and although I never went hungry I lost weight as well. I guess you're right about different bodies needing different things. But I hope you're still taking your vitamins!

Donna K. Weaver said...

I have challenges with the grains, too, Tristi. They go right to my belly.

Congrats on persevering. I know it hasn't been easy for you, and you're my inspiration.

Donna K. Weaver said...

I have challenges with the grains, too, Tristi. They go right to my belly.

Congrats on persevering. I know it hasn't been easy for you, and you're my inspiration.

Diane Stringam Tolley said...

Absolutely inspirational! I'd love to see the details of this wonderful new eating lifestyle . . .

Jenn Adams said...

Yay, Tristi!!! You look awesome, and I'm soooo glad you're doing well and feeling healthy! I agree with you - what's healthy for one person isn't always healthy for another, and you have to do what works for you and your body. :D

Janice said...

Everything about this is so wonderful.

Lee Ann Setzer said...

You are just plain fantastic!

Careful, though—you don't want that scout shirt falling right off in the middle of pack meeting...

Tristi Pinkston said...

CJ - no worries on the vitamins - I'm taking a lot of different organic supplements through my doctor. I grew up malnourished because I ate mostly grains and little else, so we're currently undoing years of lopsided eating.

Lee Ann - yes, I do need to pick up a smaller Scout shirt - I could fit me *and* a Scout in there. :)

Tristi Pinkston said...

Misty - I'm wondering if you're thinking this is Atkins - it follows a lot of the same principles, but it's a whole, whole lot less greasy. I tried Atkins for a day and a half and had to give it up because the grease was going to do me in. :)

Michelle said...

You are an inspiration for authors everywhere! Sitting on the kahookas all day needs to be balanced - healthy eating and exercise a must! Thank you for sharing:)

Abel said...

Awesome!

Jane Isfeld Still said...

Tristy. I am so happy for you. Who needs grains if you eat nuts. :) However I gain weight if I eat either. That's because I love them so much I PIG OUT!! Congratulations you look great. I know what it feels like to lose extra weight. It feels GREAT!!

Jane Isfeld Still said...

Tristy. I am so happy for you. Who needs grains if you eat nuts. :) However I gain weight if I eat either. That's because I love them so much I PIG OUT!! Congratulations you look great. I know what it feels like to lose extra weight. It feels GREAT!!

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

You're an inspiration, Tristi. Congratulations on learning how to be kinder to yourself - I love that you're doing this healthily too!

Melissa Cunningham said...

SO wonderful! I almost NEVER eat grains either. They make me tired, gassy and ornery. Dairy doesn't do me any good either. I eat just like you (although I cheat once in a while) but I feel great. I never feel like I'm breaking the word of wisdom. I'm doing what it best for my body. At our age, we've hopefully learned what that is. Good on ya, girl! Love you!

Tamara Hart Heiner said...

you are doing wonderfully! I'm such a believer in the meat and eggs diet. worked for me.

Rachelle Christensen said...

You look great! So proud of you!

MelissaDaams said...

Wow. good job. I've struggled with the Word of Wisdom part of grains, too - when I started looking at the Primal Blueprint (see marksdailyapple.com) more intensely. First I was vegetarian - thinking that was better for my health but now i'm eating more eggs and meat and I feel so much more satisfied that I snack less - which wasn't the case when I ate bread,etc.

kbrebes said...

Fantastic job, and fantastic numbers!!! I LOVE the pix!! Congrats BIG TIME!!

k