Lifestyle changes.

I am 10 days... let me repeat 1.0 D.A.Y.S out from my first figure competition, and let me tell y'all, I am nervous, excited, not prepared, exhausted, hungry, hangry, and pumped all at the same time. I am so excited to step on stage but I'm also terrified because I'll be in heels, I can't walk in heels let alone strut in heels. I'm clumsy and uncoordinated barefoot and no amount of practice over the last 6 months isn't going to take that lovely little trait out of this girl.
Oh did I forget to mention that my suit is less than a half yard of fabric and covers everything but my wittle boobs, and my buttcrack? OH! and I made it...myself. Quite impressed with myself if I do say so myself. I have to jewel it too and that it almost done and boy, I can't wait.

I am impressed with my progress over the last 6 months! and I couldn't be more proud of myself that I've pushed myself to the extent that I have and it hasn't been easy. I've been sick for the majority of the prep. With a few E.R visits and a few doctors visits and an endoscopy later I was diagnosed with Ciliac Disease. I was really looking forward to eating my favorite kind of brownie, a summer shandy some startburst jelly beans (or a whole bag), a jimmy johns unwich or 5, and some wine. 

So last friday I went in for a endoscopy and came out of the procedure to the doctor telling me he is pretty sure I have Ciliac Disease, but he sent a biopsy in for further analysis. So I went throughout the weekend trying to accept the fact that it might be true but it might just be something else. Monday they called me with the test results and it was confirmed I have Ciliac. 

So a lot of people don't know what this disease is and honestly I didn't know a whole lot about it so I started doing my research. It is a disease where your body is allergic to any kind of gluten product or bi-product. It attacks the vili that live in the intestines that absorb the nutrients, the doctor told me that 6 inches of my intestine where it attaches to my stomach is dead and that it's not absorbing any nutrients and that I need to go on a gluten free diet. Well friends, let me tell you EVERYTHING...E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G has gluten in it or a gluten derivative in it. It's an inexpensive filler and it's used in just about everything, even things that say "gluten-free" REALLLLYYYY aren't. After doing some research and searching Pinterest I've found some recipes and tips for transitioning into a gluten-free lifestyle. Gluten is defined as anything wheat, rye or barley related. Also this isn't something that I will grow out of, it will never go away!:(

Luckily right now I'm not eating a whole lot of things that involve gluten other than my morning oats and I broke down and bought a 2lb bag of gluten free oats for 6$ at Walmart. But what I started finding out was my sugar free popsicles had an ingredient called MALTODEXTRIN I.E gluten... FML. I started label reading everything I was eating or putting on my food or eating for snacks and had to eliminate most all of it! I started thinking about the future and how I was going to adjust after the competition. I went to all of the big grocery stores in Pocatello looking at the gluten-free sections of the stores. Some had bigger sections than others, Fred Meyer having the most selection and holy crap soooooo expensive. A loaf of gluten free bread is 6.07$ and good thing I don't eat a whole lot of bread outside of prep, but I do occasionally enjoy a grilled cheese or french toast. So looks like I'll be making my own bread. And judge me if you please but I'm getting on food stamps... This is an expensive disease and even working 3 jobs isn't going to cut it.

Here I was thinking that when Dallen and I get our own place that we will save so much money, yeah I was wrong. Luckily he has been super supportive and loving through all of this because I'm not going to lie it's been a rough time thinking about it and everything that I have to change. I was so looking forward to going to Revive at 5 here in Pocatello with Dallen, his mom and aunt on Wednesday nights and enjoying a few beers, and going to Mama's with them for dinner... Yeah well subtract the beers but other than that it should be a good time cause I can still have nachos! with corn tortilla chips. I was also looking forward to being able to not have to prep all my meals and take meals everywhere I go especially when I go to New York City in May for my cousin's wedding. It's just such an inconvenience and I'm having a hard time thinking about how I have to transition into this new life style. BUT I've made it through things much more difficult than this. I have a loving boyfriend supporting me and I couldn't be happier with him by my side.:)

On a brighter note 10 days!