HEALTH IS A JOURNEY

As someone who used to be a picky eater, my diet for the longest time was embarrassingly basic. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it consisted mostly of meat, rice, instant noodles and chocolate digestives. Despite my nutrient-deficient diet, I somehow managed to maintain a relatively healthy appearance, so nobody really questioned it. Ironically, I was the one judging others' meals. In my mind, salads and vegetables were just "green shit." My ignorance about nutrition was nothing short of astonishing.

The Vegan Phase

It wasn't until veganism started trending that I began to have minor doubts about my meat, rice & pot noodle diet. This movement was fuelled by documentaries such as "Cowspiracy" & "What the health" & it wasn't long before I finally took the bait & watched one. As someone who thought that meat was the pinnacle of cuisine & nutrition, it wasn't comfortable viewing. It challenged my whole perspective on food & led me to question everything I believed. I went from idolising meat to declaring I was never going to eat it again. I had that same energy for eggs, milk & all things animal-related. At the moment of that declaration, I didn't know it meant having to learn an entirely new way of eating overnight, which is a huge ask.

This is the problem with diets. Whether it's low-carb, low-fat, low calories or low whatever else, they come with a bunch of new rules & regulations. Do's & don'ts. They're high maintenance & anything high maintenance is often not sustainable long term. Unless you're stubborn like me. The issue with the vegan diet is that you can't get all the nutrients you need just eating plants. You definitely need to supplement with vitamin B12 and Omega 3's and also potentially iron, zinc and iodine. As far as I was concerned, if I couldn't get everything I needed from the food alone, then veganism wasn't the best option.   

The Keto Phase

I went on to try Keto after a couple of years of the vegan life, mainly because it facilitated my obsession with fasting at the time. This was short-lived though, it was only 6 months before my unsustainable 20-hour intermittent fasting keto diet experiment was over. Not only did I have to spend 20 hours each day not eating, but eating out with friends was also a pain. Keto diets are so restrictive that I'd often have to be that guy that asked for special amendments to menu items that I ordered (I hated being that guy). 

The Slow Carb Phase

So the next logical step was to try a less restrictive diet that was still quite restrictive. Have you ever tried a diet where you eat from a specific list of healthy foods all week, just so you can indulge in a feast of glorious junk food on a cheat day? This was the slow-carb diet for me, and whilst I cut down to the lightest i've ever weighed, it came at the cost of feeling bloated, sluggish, and gross every week on my cheat day. I also ate so much on my cheat days that i'd fast for 24 hours after because i found the sight of food repulsive. This is what the start of disordered eating looks like my friends.  

What I Learned

The Logical Phase

My journey consisted of multiple extremes, nothing was ever balanced or logical. And as a result nothing was sustainable. As I alluded to earlier eventually, I came to a realisation: humans have been around for thousands of centuries, what have they been eating this whole time? That's when I made the switch to a more natural, whole foods-based diet. Now, I eat foods that come from animals, plants, or the ground, and I've never felt better. 

I have more energy, better mental clarity, and I hardly ever get sick. And the best part? It doesn't even feel like a diet. I'm not depriving myself of anything, I'm just choosing foods that make me feel good. It's amazing how much our bodies can thrive when we fuel them with the right nutrients.

The journey to finding a healthy and sustainable way of eating is not an easy one, and it's certainly not a linear path. There will be relapses, trial and error, and a lot of patience and self-forgiveness along the way. But with the right information and mindset, anyone can make the necessary changes to improve their health and well-being. 

I want to wrap up this blog by reminding you of one crucial truth: your health journey is unique to you. Yeah, you heard that right. It's all about taking the information, the knowledge, the wisdom, and making it work for you.

Look, I'll share insights, strategies, and tips throughout this blog series, but at the end of the day, it's up to you to take what resonates and establish your own path. We're all different, with unique bodies, circumstances, and goals. So, embrace the power of individuality. The fundamentals of good health remain true, if you eat garbage you will get sick. But how you go about not eating garbage is entirely down to you. 

Don't get caught up in comparison, my friends. Your journey might look different from mine, and that's okay. It's not about conforming to my mould but rather forging your own. Take inspiration from others, learn from the experts, but always remember to trust your instincts and listen to your body.

It's time to take ownership of your health. Experiment, adjust, and find what truly works for you. The pursuit of health is not a one-size-fits-all game. So, as you move forward, remember that the power always lies within you. Embrace your individuality, honour your body's wisdom, and make informed choices that align with your goals and values.

Now go out there and conquer the world, one piece of broccoli at a time.

PS: My aim is to give you all the information I have learned that has allowed me to make better decisions in my life. Some of the information in this series will scare you but rest assured, I'm not trying to scare you into eating better. The truth is just scary sometimes. I honestly don't care about your health. And not because I don't want to, I just know from experience you can't care about someone's health more than they do. So use this series to inform yourself. If it inspires change, great. If not, that's cool too. As long as you know what I know it's job done.

Always remember, you were born to be the hero of your story.

Free you outlaw.