The party’s over!
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I’ve just had a great 12 months of enjoying myself – seen old friends, spent time away with my boys and explored some amazing places. It’s been so refreshing and I’ve absolutely loved every minute of it. But it has taken its toll: the migraines and hot flushes have returned; my energy levels have fallen, and I can’t sleep.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve run, cycled, walked – kept doing all the active things which keep me sane, and I’m in a much better mental space than I was last year. The truth of the matter is that I have lost focus on my health in terms of what I’m feeding my body, and physically I can really feel it.
Something has to change, so the gin has to go, the coffee drinking has to stop, and sugar is no longer an option. I’m cutting out the CRAP and starting Synergy’s Pure 21 programme. Actually, I started it yesterday and last night I slept like a log for the first time in weeks! Bingo!
Back in October 2016, I took part in the trial of Synergy’s Pure 21 programme. At the time, I was going through a horrid divorce and life was stressful. I was frayed, battling with a short fuse, suffering 5 or 6 migraines a month, struggling with hot flushes every day, and sleep seemed impossible. Consequently, I just wanted to hide under the duvet daily when the alarm went off at 6am. I was living with a diagnosis of depression while trying to hold it together for my sons, increase my work as a personal trainer and wellbeing practitioner to support us and was ultimately desperate to avoid prescription medication.
The improvements from the Pure 21 programme were incredible. I found it quite shocking, as I worked in the health and wellbeing industry and ate well. Yes, I had the odd gin and tonic (or maybe two or three on the weekend!), I drank one strong coffee and one cup of tea a day, I didn’t eat a lot of bread or cakes, but I did enjoy home-made crumble and custard. I didn’t eat packaged food, I usually ate porridge for breakfast, a sandwich with lots of salad and some protein for lunch, fruit for snacks and a ‘normal’ meal for dinner: meat and two veg, pasta or homemade curry, salads with homemade dressings… And yet I was struggling with brain fog, lethargy, menopause symptoms, sleep deprivation, mood swings and I felt tired and angry all the time.
The Pure 21 programme reduced the frequency of my migraines – the following year, I only had about four or five in twelve months! Hot flushes disappeared. Brain fog was no longer a problem. Energy levels soared and I jumped out of bed with enthusiasm for the day ahead, having slept like a log right through the night. My training improved – breathing was easier on my runs, recovery was quicker from gym work and I was able to work harder in each session. I quickly realised that this was how it was supposed to be! I had been living under par for years!
Well, obviously I have slipped back into bad habits. I’ve been partying – Friday nights on the gin, Saturday nights with a glass of wine, coffee and cake with friends, enjoying home comforts like a hot piece of buttered toast and (when out in the mountains) boil in the bag food and calorie rich flapjack, which although great for lightweight camping and calories, are not great for your gut. And so, back to square one.
So, I’ve decided to blog about my journey on Pure 21 over the next three weeks and will be posting on social media with how I’m feeling and what I’m eating, along with some of the science behind why it works.
I began yesterday with a cleansing warm lemon water and ProArgi9+ as soon as I got up before walking the dog. Breakfast was two scrambled eggs, half an avocado and some wilted spinach before heading to a Synergy business meeting for the day. Week 1 is straightforward – just two supplements to take as soon as you get up and in the evening, and cutting out the CRAP – caffeine, refined carbohydrates, alcohol and processed food. Add in plenty of protein, particularly for breakfast, and lots of leafy greens and colourful veg to each meal and Bob’s your uncle!
I was lucky to have a healthy lunch provided at the course with lots of healthy salads, lemon chicken, gluten free options and loads of colour – tomatoes, peppers, red onions. It really was delicious! I avoided any coffee by taking my own mint tea bags and drank plenty of water through the day, finishing with lemon and garlic quinoa with Tenderstem broccoli and halloumi for tea. You really don’t feel hungry on this regime, as the extra protein, good fats and fibre keep you full throughout the day and the supplements help you absorb all the goodness from your food, so all I needed for a snack mid afternoon was a handful of mixed nuts. I finished the day with another ProArgi9+ and two Body Prime – more of which in my next blog!