**I will be receiving this product as part of a product review through the Chronic Illness Bloggers network. Although the product will be a gift, all opinions in these reviews remain my own and I am in no way being influenced by the company.**
That’s right REAL.
Real honesty, real work, real dedication, real supplements and real food.
I have a confession. I’m a sugar-aholic. I don’t mean this as a joke and I’m not making light of other addictions. I truly believe sugar addiction is real and we need to begin addressing it as a real problem. It’s not as easy as saying “step away from the Twinkie” and it can cause life changing disease and illnesses that can rival that of cigarette smoke.
When I started getting sick the first illness to arrive came by way of a hormonal imbalance – polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Then, over time, chronic and adrenal fatigue set in. I ran to a quick fix. (Ain’t nobody got time for a long term fix between kids, husband and a full time job – or so I thought.) I ran to cola to provide sugar and caffeine to get me through the day. As the sugar crash would come, I’d just fill my glass again.
Then more chronic illnesses joined and choked the life out of me. They left me unable to do the things I previously enjoyed. I went to colas and sweets even more as a way of enjoying part of life when I felt like so many other forms of enjoyment had been taken from me.
The downhill spiral had been set in motion and the sugar consumption only made my illnesses worse and, possibly, even caused a few more.
Now, years later and roughly 50 pounds heavier with four chronic illnesses under my belt I’ve been presented with an opportunity. I’ve been asked to participate in a 3 month whole foods and supplement program for chronic illness from Vital Plan and I’m anxious to receive my supplements. I’ve already received my introductory emails for the six month online course, resource material, diet plan and recipe book and I made a trip to the grocery store to stock up for tomorrow’s kick-off!
It’s an opportunity to reset and restore my body to health.
Here’s the real honesty part. I’m not looking forward to it. I’ve never been completely dedicated to a long term whole foods and herbal supplement program for chronic illness. Oh I’ve tried quite a few things for a short time and have supplements I take daily, but as soon as the exhaustion gets to a certain point I run to my trusty friends – sugar and caffeine.
The reason I haven’t adapted to anything long term is because I know it’s going to get worse before it gets better and I don’t want to face “worse”. When your body is addicted to sugar and processed foods you’re going to go through some withdrawls.
I want gentle, enjoyable, and sugary. I want one pill that fixes everything and allows me to eat whatever I want. But life doesn’t work that way does it? Anything that can possibly bring healing to my body is worth the work.
Here’s a few reasons why I’m taking this very seriously and going to be dedicated…
- I owe it to you. It’s pricey and money can be hard to come by when you’re ill. The burden of financial pressures from not being able to work, doctor bills, meds and necessary supplements make this kind of program a serious investment and I want to be able to give my honest opinion as to whether or not you should try it yourself.
- I owe it to myself and my family to try this diet and nutrition route. They are a great support system for me, but let’s face it, our family feels the weight of our illnesses too.
- I owe it to my future. I feel my symptoms getting worse as I age and maybe this will slow down the progression. It’s a little scary to think of what kind of shape I’ll be in ten years from now if I don’t make these changes.
- I owe it to Vital Plan. They deserve an honest review of their products by someone battling chronic illnesses and they trust me to provide one.
I’ll update you at least once a month by way of a more detailed blog post, but for the daily nitty-gritty, I’ll be posting updates to Facebook and Instagram. If you aren’t following me there you’ll want to click over and follow. I’ll be trying to find ways to make it easy to stick with the program and I’ll share them with you – along with any tasty recipes I come up with! And yes, if I cheat on the plan or fall off the wagon I’ll share that as well. I don’t expect this to be easy by any means – it’s going to be a lifestyle change.
The good people at Vital Plan only asked for a review once I’ve completed the program but I think it might be more insightful for you if I take you on this journey with me. Plus, I may just need your support and encouragement to get me through!
You can check out Vital Plan and the Restore Program I’ll be participating in for fibromyalgia by clicking here.
