Following our recent discussion regarding my improved blood test results, as promised here are some ramblings about my current regime as it relates to general health:

• No processed food – As a rule, if it didn’t have a heartbeat or isn’t a plant, then it’s off limits, for example, no sugar, no honey, no bread, no pasta, no fast foods, and so on. Given this rule, some of the below points will be redundant, and there are a couple of minor exceptions.
• No alcohol and no soft drinks – self-explanatory.
• Minimum two litres of water per day.
• Minimum fasting of 14-hours per day, always overnight. Only water is allowed during fasting.
• Fruit – No fruit for the first month, thereafter any fruit is fine, but use it as a treat e.g. two or three pieces a day, and ensure you have far more vegetables than fruit.
• Vegetables – these are all in, irrespective of variety.
• Protein – most protein is in: poultry, fish, red meat (sparingly for me), no processed meats.
• Diary – is in, sparingly for me.
• Tea and coffee – while some may suggest they are processed, used moderately, they’re in for me. I understand many would disagree, but I find one café-latte a day, usually mid-morning, very helpful and rewarding. I don’t do tea, instead simply hot water. Re milk, only fresh full cream, no processed i.e. no processed nut milk/juices e.g. no soy, almond, oat, etc, and no skim or lactose-free dairy (highly processed).
• Vitamin supplements – for many these will be necessary, and my view is that there appears to be no negatives to being at the upper recommended levels for most vitamins and minerals, especially B, D, and zinc.
• Exercise – is a more personal preference, but the “use-it” or “lose-it” mantra is real. Given I want to be able to walk long distances, cycle, and be physically active, I make sure I walk 3~4 times a week, do two rides a week, and lift modest upper body weights daily.

The above diet may sound difficult to execute, but if you shop for only fresh/whole food items, then success will follow.

Further, the above doesn’t exclude most restaurants and cafes, even though much of their menus may be off-limits, there will be two or three suitable dishes, and if not, then don’t be afraid to politely order off the menu (you are the customer after all).

Observations – to date (nearly 4 months) aside from the obvious benefits of losing a few kilograms, the best thing that has occurred is that when I wake in the morning, I’m alert and not in what I can only describe as a perpetual fogginess with seemingly one day blurring into the next. I feel no need to get a few minutes of extra sleep. In short, I feel great. As far as my arthritis is concerned, it’s too early to tell, but the above in conjunction with my medication very much has things back on track for me.

I trust some of the above may be of benefit.

Sincerely

 

Tom