Then and now on the Etienne de Bore (tree of life) in New Orleans. Facebook showed me the left image as a memory today. 2010. Before I had decided I needed to stop listening to the "eat low-fat & restrict calories" conventional wisdom for weight loss. I did that for 8 months and felt miserable and actually gained weight. And then I decided to take a leap of faith with this thing called #paleo and to do it with very little carbs, #ketopaleo. I was desperate to lose weight since dermatologists told me that was the only way I might see a reduction in severity of the autoinflammatory skin disease #hidradenitissuppurativa that was ruining my life. Eventually I put HS completely in remission, which I was told was "impossible". The journey between these photos hasn't been linear but there are some consistent themes: a desire to take the best care of this vessel and love every inch of it. To be an active participant in my life. To approach life and relationships with an open heart, to stop putting up shields. To be willing to admit I don't have all the answers. To experiment on myself. To be grateful for all the things that do work and feel good. And of course to use my experience to help others on a similar journey. This work I do now is so incredibly fulfilling. Helping just one person was enough motivation for me to be vulnerable and share my journey publicly. But to know that many millions of people have read my story and that it is the reason why some of them decided to embark on their own healing journey - I can't find the words to express how grateful I am for that! There is always something you can change to improve your life situation, never forget that. It may not be food, either - don't be like me in the beginning of my journey and become obsessed with the idea that food can cure everything. Life is about so much more than eating! P.S. I have some wicked cellulite on my upper thighs, plus stretch marks and loose skin. I don't let it stop me from wearing shorts and you shouldn't either! #ketodiet #paleodiet #weightlossjourney #justeatrealfood #autoimmunedisease #foodasmedicine (at The Tree of Life- Audubon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmrFqk7AvVw/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xxdhhwqc4iom
