UPG Testimonials: Susan’s Story

It’s time for another installment of our testimonial series. A few months ago, we reached out to you guys to tell YOUR Paleo success story. We received more feedback that I ever expected, and it has been so fun reading each and every journey.

Over the course of the year, we’re going to share these with you. I hope you enjoying reading them as much as I do, and I hope you feel inspired and empowered to embark (or to continue) along your own path to ultimate health and well-being.

Read more testimonials here. 

Today’s story comes from Susan. Susan was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of fifteen. For the past 50 years, she struggled with chronic fatigue and developed digestive issues. One day, she decided that her kitchen was going to become her biggest ally in fighting away these symptoms.

Here’s Susan’s story in her own words

“You may certainly share my story. I hope that it might help someone else.

Following the fads

Most of my life I have just gone along and eaten what most people did. Low fat was good. Sugar was fattening. Sweet and Low was wonderful. I remember our pediatrician telling me that refining sugar was the worst thing man ever did. But I really didn’t understand what he meant.

I have had MS since I was 15. That was 50 years ago. Because of that I have always been very tired. Recently, in the last year, I have developed some intestinal problems. Not being able to really pinpoint the problem my GI put me on medication to help the symptoms.

Before trying Paleo…

My day would consist of having a cup of coffee and a fiber bar. Then maybe a yogurt or another fiber bar for lunch. For dinner my husband and I would generally have a lean cuisine. Not much fresh fruit or vegetables.

What I forgot to mention is that I have six children and now have 16 grandchildren. My first five children were boys so I cooked a lot. At one time four of our boys were teenagers and they ate a lot. After the kids were grown and out of the house I jokingly told my husband that I wasn’t cooking anymore. So we ate a lot of processed food.

Basically I was eating terribly and was feeling lousy.

“What have I got to lose?”

While on Facebook I kept seeing ads for Paleo. I turned to my husband and asked, “what have I got to lose?”

I jumped in with both feet.

I went online and ordered a lot of the staples we would need. What the professionals said to do I did. I redid the pantry. Threw out, gave away, replaced. Many of the spices I was now using I had never even heard of. I got back in the kitchen. I was spending hours cooking. I was finding so many wonderful recipes. One of my granddaughters showed me how to use Pinterest.

The turnaround  

And what I found is that I was starting to feel better. My dragging feeling was going away. I now wake up feeling better. I have my butter coffee and cinnamon raisin bread made with almond flour and applesauce. I am eating scrambled eggs made with coconut milk and lots of peppers and onions and mushrooms and bacon. My husband loves bacon so he is enjoying that part. Coconut flour pancakes with maple syrup are wonderful. And broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, pecans, honey, cranberries…There are so many wonderful foods.

Consistency is key

If I were to advise someone else starting with Paleo I would say to make the decision and stick with it. Do what I did and clean out the old and get rid of it. I am amazed by others who are doing a lot of the same things and eating healthier.

Our health is something we can’t take for granted and is worth more than I can put a price tag to.”

What we love most about this story is how Susan fell back in love with real food. She stopped following the fads and found what worked best for her body. She swallowed her fear of the unknown and jumped into a Paleo style with both feet…and now, she feels better than ever. Cheers to that!