Limiting the Love

Be forewarned: this is the most boring post you'll ever read. In fact, I highly suggest you skip it altogether. You're welcome to continue reading if you want to, but I really wouldn't. I mean it... Alright, you asked for it:

I've recently decided to follow doctor's orders and more closely monitor (and limit) the intake of sugar and carbs.

See? Boring.

I had a follow-up with my endocrinologist a couple of weeks ago (1) for my regular ol' quarterly blood work, and (2) for an explanation of how my body attracted a spare 30 pounds over the course of about five months. It seems that my thyroid, which recently developed a couple of presumably non-malignant nodules, decided to take a break from proper functioning, hence the rapid weight gain. The fact that I'm having a passionate love affair with Ralph Lemonheads probably doesn't help, but whatever.

Thyroid issues run in my family, plaguing my sister, niece, and two female cousins. I've tested positive for thyroid antibodies since childhood, so this is not a total surprise. I started taking a synthetic hormone in the hopes of kick-starting that little booger and reducing the nodules, and now I'll have to take this little pill every day for the rest of my life. Yay.

While waiting to see the doctor, I was tormented by the posters and pamphlets reminding me that I shouldn't love candy as I do. I decided then and there it was time to embrace right living once again (though it's taken me a week-and-a-half to put my conviction into practice). The problem is, candy (and Lemonheads in particular) are my food for thought. When I study, when I write, when I read my Bible, or when I engage in other manners of deep thinking, I pause periodically for a candy break. The upsurge of carbs encourages creativity, at least in my own mind. If I'm being honest, though, the candy-eating is nothing more than a bad habit, as opposed to a true instrument of imagination.

For about four days now, I've been really obeying the medical instructions regarding carb limits, going from freestyle eating to strict limitations. I even picked up a recommended book that should help me make more informed decisions. After reading through the book and more closely reviewing product labels, I've come to the dismal conclusion that there's very little in the world that I can actually eat. Many lower carb foods (like meat) don't appeal to me, and foods that do (like bagels and chocolate) are strictly limited or off limits completely.

Perhaps because of the thyroid medication, I've noticed some rapid changes in the scale over these last few days. In spite of that positive change that should encourage me to embrace this change for the long-term, I'm having what I think must be sugar withdrawls. All day long, I've been fighting off a headache and nothing seems to bring any relief. I'm hoping the pain passes soon (within the next few days), or I may have to medicate with a big bag of Skittles.