Mindful Eating

One of my goals for this I Ho Chuan is mindful eating with a sub goal to go one month gluten free and lactose free.    I have been gluten and lactose sensitive for years which comes from having Crohn's.   You may ask how did I complete this with only 1 week into Chinese New Year, I was so excited that I started this challenge shortly after finalizing my requirements.  I was hoping to feel great after the month but was shocked to find the outcome was not what I hoped for.  

I was eliminating gluten and lactose but I did not feel great and I couldn't understand why.  Towards the end of the month I started to really look at what I was eating and how I was feeling, finally the 'mindful' part of the goal.  Unfortunately foods do not always give an immediate response so this has made it harder to find my triggers.  It really is a trial of removing something for a few days and then adding it back.  Being mindful of what we put into our bodies at all times.

When I first started this goal, it was an item to check off my list.  I know that is not how we are to approach our journey but that was what I was thinking without even knowing it.  The best thing that happened to me was not having the outcome that I was wanting.   If has made me more mindful but it has not made it any easier. It is a constant struggle with every meal and snack. There are good days and bad days. 

Although I technically completed my first goal, it really was a stage gate for a longer path.  This one month challenge will take me the whole year (and likely my lifetime) to get the results that I want.  To feel better with the food that I eat, not learning to live with feeling bad.  I am glad that I did this goal early so I could embrace these results.  If I left it to the end of the year, I would have just checked off the goal and not have the insight that I do today.  Another lesson that there is not a quick fix or a quick path to anything that is worthwhile in our lives. 

See you on the virtual mats!