Do You Have A Helping of Chronic Pain and Inflammation Along with Your Bipolar Disorder?

I do! I’m currently eating a Paleo diet with the autoimmune protocol (no nightshades, dairy, etc) to deal with an intense back and hip injury from a  biking accident.   When I say I’m eating a Paleo diet, I means I’m working it, but I haven’t reached a point of following it completely.

The Paleo concept isn’t complicated. Many of the foods we eat today are so new our bodies are not always able to digest the foods in a natural way.  This way of eating isn’t about losing  weight, it’s about ending physical problems. The basics:  You eat nutrient dense foods with an emphasis on meat, vegetables and fruit.  Grains and legumes are not consumed due to their propensity to cause digestion problems. This is why beans, beans the edible fruit, the more you eat the more you toot happens! Some people eat dairy, but for myself the resulting digestive problems have made it obvious I’m not able to digest the lactose at this time, etc etc. It’s a very personal diet that represents a life style and not a quick fix.

I have so many emotional issues around eating and my bipolar disorder that changing my diet completely wasn’t a realistic beginning goal. I’m taking it slowly! 

 I’ve lost 35 pounds so far- I have miles to go before I sleep and many promises to keep and… I’ll stop the poetry here, but you get the idea! I was overweight when the accident happened, but quite healthy.  I have 60 pounds to go and will keep you posted!

My advice?

If you have bipolar disorder and any inflammation problems from joint pain and fibromyalgia to tiredness, bad skin and bloating to being overweight,  the Paleo approach offers an alternative to living a life in pain. My goal is to one day follow it fully over a long period of time. It’s what I have to do in order to stay out and about. I got my life back- I feared my injury ( crumbling back, dislocated hip, slipped pubic bone and the resulting ligament and muscle damage from the biking accident) was permanent and that the chronic pain would continue. Paleo gave me a free ticket to a happy life in a strong body. Following it is a BIG, TOUGH and DIFFICULT challenge, but I will not stop until I have a strong and trim body that can hold up my crumbling spine!!!

I taught myself to manage my severe bipolar disorder two. I can do the same to create a strong and healthy body!

I recommend the book The Paleo Coach as a primer. I’ve met the author Jason Seib and he is the real deal.

Julie

Related posts:
Can Pets Help with Bipolar Disorder Mood Swings? Can Pets Help with Physical Pain?
My Mother and Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder and a Low Carb Diet