Summing it up

[JFR]

I have been thinking about how people achieve success in bringing their MC into remission. This is what I have come up with:

1. You need to have a strong belief that the dietary approach recommended on this forum will really work. This can be attained through reading Tex's book but that is just the theoretical knowledge part. The testimonials of people on this forum, including many long term members, is a very powerful endorsement of the effectiveness of removing dietary triggers.

2. A commitment to a scrupulous elimination of all food to which you are sensitive is necessary. Food sensitivities can be discovered through an elimination diet, through Enterolab testing or a combination of the 2. Some people also use MRT testing to help figure things out. Once you know what your sensitivities are you need to scrupulously avoid them.

3. Patience is also necessary. This is not a quick fix approach, so even though some people get immediate results by eliminating foods, not everyone does, so it is important to stick with the eating plan even if the results are not immediate.

4. Practice gratitude as an antidote to grief. I lot of people speak about having to grieve the loss of foods. What I found most helpful was not to grieve the loss but to replace it with the feeling of gratitude for having found a solution to what were very severe and extremely life limiting symptoms. What's the occasional pizza in relation to the ability to leave the house without fear of an accident and its attendant humiliation? While I sometimes do crave what I once loved to eat, like fresh baked bread slathered with butter, I know that these foods are poison to me and that knowledge helps the craving pass.

5. Do not let the skepticism or outright hostility of friends and families or even doctors dissuade you. It may be hard to go against the grain of what most people believe, especially when that person is supposed to be the one who knows best, but it is your body and ultimately it is your decision what to do. Doctors are not all knowing and family members and friends, even when they think they have your best interest at heart, can be dead wrong.

6. When the going gets rough visit the forum. There are always people around willing to support you, even when, or perhaps especially when, you mess up.

love,
Jean

[patc73]

Well said, Jean! Thank you!

[Jazi]

Very nice Jean.... as I sit here thinking about the omelet maker I just bought and the fact that I won't be using it Who needs eggs anyway, right?

I have to remember to eat to live not live to eat.

[tex]

Jean,

Right on target!

Thanks.

Love,
Tex

[Sheila]

I agree! Very well said, Jean. It does take some time to wrap the mind around such a drastic change in lifestyle. Our lives seem to revolve around food, food centered holidays and celebrations. We do it at least three times a day. There is anger, denial, mourning and eventually reconciliation. A good attitude makes all the difference.

It has taken me 3 years to get to where I am today and I'm still figuring it out. Today isn't perfect but a lot better than it was.

Sheila W

[Martha]

Thank you, Jean. You expressed it very well.

Love,
Martha

[JFR]

as I sit here thinking about the omelet maker I just bought and the fact that I won't be using it Who needs eggs anyway, right?

Joanne,

I feel your pain. I used to have eggs every morning for breakfast. I was even considering getting an omelet pan but never did. I haven't had an egg or anything that contains eggs in over a year. It is an adjustment, but perfectly doable and well worth it.

Jean

[MaggieRedwings]

Wonderfully said Jean and especially like the not mourning but being grateful for the solution.

Love, Maggie

[CathyMe.]

Very well said Jean..and I agree 100%, especially with #4. I too view the foods I can't eat as poison and often describe my food intolerances to others using these terms.

[Gabes-Apg]

Here here jean!!!
I especially liked number 5, still now, people question my dedication to my mc eating plan....

[wmonique2]

Jean,

Good post, Jean. For some of us, it's taking an awful long time to get to our destination. Still not there. But plugging away believing that the Holy Land is in sight. :-)

Monique