Don't get me wrong, it was and still is difficult. The first couple of weeks were the most difficult and now I have mostly good days with a few major and minor craving or down days mixed in.
I think when you feel bad enough health-wise for so long and really feel a lot of it has to do with what you are feeding your body, there will come a time when you have had enough and are willing to try anything, no matter how drastic. I reached my point about 9 weeks ago.
I was exhausted all the time and often had to rest during the day.
I often felt like I was coming down with something but didn't actually get ill.
My knees and feet were aching or paining most days and stairs were becoming more difficult.
I was starting to develop gout in my big toe.
My inflammation factors from blood work were very high and only getting higher.
I often experienced brain fog and feelings of forgetfulness (I'm only 42).
My IBS symptoms were pretty extreme and a daily occurrence. Also, ongoing for 20+ years.
I didn't sleep well and always woke up very tired and groggy.
I suffered from muscle cramps (especially in my calves) and muscle twitching.
I was at my heaviest weight ever, regardless of eating well, and had extreme trouble dropping weight and keeping it off.
I was moody (ask Hubby, I didn't realize this one :) lol)
I would get hungry often and had really bad cravings. When I got really hungry I would shake, feel bad/ill, and get really irritable.
I felt sick and sad most of the time, overall just horrible, and I needed to do something. I tried switching my diet a couple of years ago to real food. This helped but not enough. I finally gave in and started this plan with the elimination phase.
The Good:
Exhaustion is gone, no more mid-day resting.
Not feeling ill.
My knees and feet have almost stopped aching completely.
Gout is pretty much gone.
Haven't rechecked blood work yet but expecting my inflammation factors to be reduced.
Brain fog has reduced (I think, can't remember, baaahaahaaa lol).
IBS symptoms have greatly improved (not completely gone but may be underlying cause; awaiting appointment).
Sleep has improved, sleeping better and waking feeling more rested.
Muscle cramps and twitching have lessened.
Have lost over 20 lbs in 8 weeks, lowest I have been in years.
Feeling happier and so is Hubby lol :)
Eating less often throughout the day, not feeling ravenous anymore, and cravings have lessened. No shaking or bad feelings even when I get hungry.
Overall, feeling so much better :)
The Bad:
It is a very restrictive plan and therefore very hard to follow correctly. In the beginning you eliminate most foods: no grains, no dairy, no sugar, no fruit, very limited vegetables, limited spices/seasonings, no processed foods, no nuts, no eggs, no caffeine, no alcohol, and no bad fats. Think that covers it. You can eat meats and fish, healthy fats (olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil & ghee), and four vegetables (green beans, spinach, carrots, & zucchini). This phase lasts a minimum of 3 weeks but can be as long as 8. I was closer to the eight :(
In the beginning it can be very difficult and many people feel worse getting started because your body is coming off all the junky foods.
I am not happy with the amount of meat I am eating now and don't allow myself to think too much about it. I was vegetarian for a couple of years but bacon pulled me back to the dark side :)
The Ugly:
This plan hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be and I will admit it does get easier over time.
It is very difficult to follow correctly over longer times.
You do eat a lot of meats.
It can make you be a little anti-social as I won't go out as often because my diet is so restricted it is often too difficult to go to restaurants or friend's houses and not have anything. Also, it's difficult listening to friends and family tell you to go ahead and have a drink or some food because you only live once, or a little bit won't hurt :( Until I find out which foods are actually causing me problems then a little bit can hurt me :(