Inflammation is REAL!

I had always hear about inflammation but I didn't really know what it was. I thought it was something that happens over time to people that didn't eat well and it caused long term health conditions. Well... it does. But here's the crazy thing... It happened to me! I felt it! Yes, you read that right! I FELT it.

Here's how it went down.

I've been eating gluten and dairy free for years due to allergies so for the past years my basic meals are meat, vegetables, eggs, seeds, nuts and the occasional alcoholic drinks and a guilty chips and guacamole every couple months for fun. The past 8 months I've been super strict and adopted even more of a grain free diet and low sugar as well. No sweets, no treats. The sugar I was consuming was just vegetables (peppers, carrots, spaghetti squash, occasional blueberries, and a cider beer every once in a while). Also, I gave up grains too. No quinoa, rice, oatmeal, etc.

I had been feeling great, super energy and was dropping fat as well. I was doing so well I decided to give up all alcoholic treats, all sweets and enter a bodybuilding bikini competition. Why not I asked myself, I have been working hard so should show it off. Also, it would give me that extra push to eat NOTHING but real, whole foods. The picture here is 17.5% body fat. The lowest I had been and proud of it!

Here's where it went down...

Just like everything that got canceled in life with the Coronavirus...my show was canceled. Whatever was I to do? Well, I had a photo shoot to show the progress and decided that since they were going to reschedule for at least 6 months away I could have a couple treats again. I missed a beer. I missed a cookie. I missed chips and guacamole.

During lockdown I enjoyed some much needed time off, tv cooking shows, wayyyy too much news, every food documentary available, and also my snacks.

Well.. here's what happened. I blew up. Like, literally blew up. I was in pain EVERY time I consumed something I hadn't had in a while. They say when you eliminate something from your diet and you add it back in your body says NOPE! Sure enough it did. I did this for a couple weeks and enjoyed ALL my treats. The pain was excruciating. I could actually feel my skin temperature hot and my butt had gotten bigger in the areas I just lost the fat. Almost as if to say WELCOME BACK FAT! My abs hurt and my hamstrings hurt. The old injuries in my legs I could feel again. It was like a giant bruise and if you touched me it hurt. It hurt to workout and therefore I got lazy and took a nap instead. I lost motivation, became depressed, went through mood swings and also experienced cravings again. This picture below is my bloated belly which hurt as well. Remember it was fully flat with perfect six pack and now I looked like I just got pregnant. I was wondering what was going on in there. Even had gurgling noises and felt like I was bludging. I don't know how people could eat like this ALL the time!

THIS WAS FROM SUGAR!

I'm not kidding you.. out of all the documentaries I've watched and what I've read they've always talked about chronic pain and sugar affecting the nervous system and I think that's exactly what it is. How can you explain pain SEVERAL times in a few weeks that all happen the day after I consumed sugar, alcohol or chips and guacamole? (It's the chips that are high carb and turn to sugar in the bloodstream) Yes, it's not a coincidence. I did it to myself :(

I am 100% convinced anyone with chronic pain or experieces pain NEEDS to give up sugar.

I am 100% convinced anyone with chronic conditions and disease NEED to give up sugar.

What's the worst that could happen? You feel better? You don't need to spend money and take medications anymore? Sounds good to me! Remember for hundreds of years humans ate meat and real foods they had to find and hunt for, not factory made products. You've heard that sugar feeds cancer cells too right?

My dad always complained about pain and he said it was from his job, but I'm now 100% convinced it was purely his diet which consisted of sugar for breakfast, fast food, the occasional salad and his love for snacking on pretzels and popcorn. Also pop/soda. Why are people still drinking that stuff?

Newsflash... it's inflammatory! It's the dreaded word INFLAMMATION. We are doing it to ourselves EVERY DAMN DAY! It's the typical American diet. Breads, cereals, processed food, and sugar sugar sugar!

So why Riannan did you keep eating the sugar after you knew it gave you pain? (oh yeah, did I mention I put on 15 pounds in less than 6 weeks? Thanks sugar and Coronavirus.) Here's the truth... sugar is addictive. Processed carbs are addictive. I also tried to convince myself that I COULD have those because I wasn't in heavy training anymore. I could have some wine. I could have a cookie. Why not? I could have a gluten free one right? Nope, same thing. Wasn't the gluten, it's the sugar. I still had my workouts but put ON weight. It's the sugar!

So why can't people just give up sugar too to end their pain? Well, the doctors don't make any money if they tell you to give up sugar, you won't do it, and you'll just be pissed off. How can they tell me I shouldn't have my precious sandwich, wine, pasta and cookie for desert! I'm an American. It's my right! It IS your right, and you can eat whatever the F you want. Here's the thing though. If you listen to your body and you adapt a real, whole foods and non-processed foods diet, your body will LOVE you and give you the look and feelings you've always dreamed of.

Sugar gives empty promises, anxiety, depression, extra fat, cravings, and that accounts for alcohol too. I know you're stressed and had a hard day but sugar and alcohol are NOT the answers.

So for me I'm ready to say Bye Bye Bye for good this time! Sugar is done!

Remember when they said fat was bad and made everything fat free? Well they replaced the fat with sugar so most people don't even understand how they are getting so much extra. Oh, and they even label crackers and candy Fat Free. Hello dummy, sugar makes you fat, so it's not fat free!! (insert laughing emoji)

If I was to second title this article I would call it "How to Gain Weight." It would be easy. Just add sugar!

Why am I telling you this? Because it is a real thing and you have to FEEL it to believe it. Inflammation IS real. It's painful and it does damage the body. If it doesn't hurt you right away like it does me, it will hurt you later.

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Otherwise, just eat real food. It's that easy.

Cheers to your health!

--Riannan

Nerd out on these documentaries: That Sugar Film, Fed Up, Fat Fiction

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