Why SCD and Initial Benefits

I’ve had so much preliminary success that I made my decision to blog about my experience at about 16 days in. Bear with me as I try to recant from memory, the chronological order of the events leading up to the beginning.

Backtrack to before Christmas: For me, this diet required about two weeks of preparation. 1) I had to rid all the junk food from my pantry – so let’s just say I pretty much ate myself out of house and home. Anything and everything that had the possibility of tempting me during the week was either consumed, or given to my housemates. 2) I knew I wanted to start the diet shortly after the New Year started. This also gave me a chance to splurge one last time on amazing-tasting food at family functions (I know, I’m horrible.) I may have gained a few extra pounds during those few days.

Some of you may be wondering why I need to go on a diet, as I am not at all overweight – it is just more my desire to ultimately live a healthier lifestyle. I do not look overweight, but all of my excess body fat is stored as visceral tissue around my abdomen. This type of fat is extremely difficult to get rid of and can pose a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other various health hazards later in life. 

I took a Biology class where I had the opportunity to see a human cadaver lab. The attending professor showed the class exactly what visceral fat looked like around an organ, and what kind of stress it can have on the body as an entire system. It was one of the more disturbing events I’ve experienced thus far in life. Lastly, I had a blood pressure scare in the fall of 2012. My highest recorded blood pressure was 160/106. That is stage two hypertention. I was warned to change my diet or get on medication... It was a rude awakening. I don’t like to take pills as it is – so here I am, writing this blog.

There are some (almost) immediate benefits I've noticed from starting the SCD.

1)    I have a more even amount of energy throughout the day.

2)    Though I had a very difficult time adjusting at first (I had cravings. I know... I'm such a girl...) After about a week to week and a half, for the most part, the cravings subsided.

3)    A week in, my subsequent blood pressure was a comfortable and desired 126/80.

4)    My skin has become unbelievably clear since the diet drastically eliminates or reduces the consumption of sugar and dairy products – both of which I've realized are my triggers for acne flare-ups and breakouts.

Lastly, I wanted to share this gem. I guess you could call it a “before” picture – it was taken on January 2, 2013. 183.4 pounds.