About Joe

Some wise man once said, “Change happens when the pain of holding on becomes greater than the fear of letting go.”

For years I fought change in myself. Something I once enjoyed haunted me. Eating. Most everyone loves food. Until food becomes the source of that greater pain. Thousands of dollars later and a seemingly endless line of experts poking and prodding, examining and x-raying, testing all led to the inevitable bewildered expression I had come not only to expect but to deeply loathe. There’s the uncertainty and fear of knowing you have something ‘wrong’ and another entire level when that something is a complete mystery.

Through a dear friend and a rather off the cuff comment from a relative I finally found that piece of the puzzle that completed the picture. (Now a fully and anatomically correct three dimensional one since I had been tested so much I could identify my own liver in a police lineup)

Gluten. So. On a whim and a prayer I cut all the gluten from my diet. The relief was almost instantaneous. Or so blessedly wonderful it seemed so. If you’ve never suffered from something like this you’d likely not understand. If you have then you’re already shaking your head in agreement.

However. I’m one of those all or nothing types. Another whim led me to the primal lifestyle. And just like that, I’m in. Sometimes something will click on a level beyond normal thought. I’ve learned to listen to that little voice. And so here I am. Tossing out foods I loved to eat but who didn’t hold me with the same affection that I regarded them. And starting over at square one. All or nothing.

To some it might seem intimidating. To me it’s simply a challenge. And after ten years of almost constant discomfort I’ve found a direction back towards a healthy and productive life. So the challenge, as it is, is dwarfed by the ones I’ve faced.

As many will tell you going primal isn’t a diet. It is a lifestyle. However, the other lifestyle brought me enough of that pain that I’m more than ready for that change.

It’s a huge leap, yes. But for me it’s a leap into freedom.

21 responses on “About Joe”

  3. Hi,

    You know it’s interesting that more and more people are discovering an allergy to gluten. For my mom it’s actually rice and corn products.

    Thanks for stopping by my site and deciding to follow :-)

  4. Hi Joe! Just wanted to let you know I appreciate your blog and am passing the Versatile Blog Award on to you. Check out my post today for the details. :)

    • Oh, wow. Thanks so much! I’m honored that you’d consider my blog worthy of such a thing. Thanks so much for the recognition. I am delighted to be worthy of such a compliment. I’ll check it out as soon as I can get free for a bit. Thank you

  6. Sometimes something will click on a level beyond normal thought.

    I really like that and experienced the same thing myself 3 months ago. I still can’t explain why something that should be insanely difficult isn’t that hard to carry out. I’ve stopped trying to explain that to myself and now just explain how wonderful I feel to other people.

    • Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m always grateful to hear of other’s thoughts and experiences with change and how it affected them. I’m very happy to hear of yours and thank you very much for the comment!

    • I accept this award gratefully and with carefully practiced nonchalance. :)

      Thank you GEG! I appreciate you thinking of me. Cheers

    • Thank you so much. I’ve been swamped lately and haven’t had a chance to reply or do the post in reply but I will get to it. Thank you, I am always honored when I am nominated by a fellow blogger

  11. Pingback: Reviving a blog and my first award! « A State of Reflection·

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