What benefits have you seen?

MakePeasNotWar

I have only been doing this for about a week so far, but I have already noticed some fantastic changes.

I wake up without the alarm clock every morning (I used to have so much trouble getting out of bed)

I have lots of energy

My mood is noticeably better.

My joint pain seems to be getting better.

I'm wondering what kind of improvements others have seen, and over what time period.

coueswhitetail

I have found the same....more energy early on and continuing to improve. Less joint pain, which I also attribute to eating a lot of the spice turmeric lately.

But the biggest change for me has been better control of my blood sugar. It used to be that there were times when my blood sugar would drop so low that I had to eat something fast. I think that contributed to prior weight gain....desperate hunger/blood sugar drop led to eating more than I should so that I could fix or avoid those crashes....anyway, now I can just be hungry without blood sugar drop. It's a great change. I don't have to worry so much to always have a snack ready in case of a blood sugar crash. I noticed this change within the first couple weeks. I attribute this to eating more high fiber foods which slow digestion and level blood sugar. Very nice change for me. I also have noticed improvement in a rash I have on my leg...it's almost nonexistent lately.

and of course dropping 20 pounds has led to a much easier time hiking in the mountains around here...that's a great change!

Mihani

I have seen all of those improvements, and also a great reduction in my stress levels. The way I have been feeling lately that's a good reminder to get back to basics. I also noticed a big improvement in my skin, but that was when I went vegan, before I knew about ETL, and I have since read that many people who give up dairy notice better complexion.

Sabine_Stroehm

I'll take this a different direction: when I eat a whole food mostly plant based diet my menopausal symptoms improve dramatically. And when I don't, yowsa.

lisabinco

Lots of improvements for myself since starting ETL in July 2012. The very first thing that happened was my blood pressure, which was in the 140s with medication, dropped within a couple of days to 110-115; thus, I quickly quit my BP meds. It was truly motivating for me. Within 4 months I had dropped 20 more pounds! I noticed my mood was generally better and the dark circles under my eyes had disappeared. My joints ached less and the beginnings of arthritis in one finger had quit hurting and has not gotten worse since then. I became more active again. Even swimming! My knees were much happier. I got compliments on my complexion. My hair started looking healthier. My dental checkups were much better. My blood numbers became very good. I went from a fasting glucose of 120 to a fasting glucose of 72!! I became, for the first time since my 20s, not borderline anemic!! This last year, I've noticed my cravings for sugary, greasy or salty foods has diminished greatly. I actually crave salty more than sweet but it isn't overwhelming like it used to be. Much easier to resist now. I've also noticed I've lost quite a bit of body fat, more than I ever did on WW or starvation diets. It means my skin is loose and wrinkly now (belly, arms and thighs) because there's little fat to plump it up. But even the loose skin has been shrinking --oh so slowly-- and I consider this a good trade for not being fat anymore. I just feel so much better overall. I can't imagine going back to my old ways. It has truly become a lifestyle for me.

Sabine_Stroehm

lisabinco wrote: »

Lots of improvements for myself since starting ETL in July 2012. The very first thing that happened was my blood pressure, which was in the 140s with medication, dropped within a couple of days to 110-115; thus, I quickly quit my BP meds. It was truly motivating for me. Within 4 months I had dropped 20 more pounds! I noticed my mood was generally better and the dark circles under my eyes had disappeared. My joints ached less and the beginnings of arthritis in one finger had quit hurting and has not gotten worse since then. I became more active again. Even swimming! My knees were much happier. I got compliments on my complexion. My hair started looking healthier. My dental checkups were much better. My blood numbers became very good. I went from a fasting glucose of 120 to a fasting glucose of 72!! I became, for the first time since my 20s, not borderline anemic!! This last year, I've noticed my cravings for sugary, greasy or salty foods has diminished greatly. I actually crave salty more than sweet but it isn't overwhelming like it used to be. Much easier to resist now. I've also noticed I've lost quite a bit of body fat, more than I ever did on WW or starvation diets. It means my skin is loose and wrinkly now (belly, arms and thighs) because there's little fat to plump it up. But even the loose skin has been shrinking --oh so slowly-- and I consider this a good trade for not being fat anymore. I just feel so much better overall. I can't imagine going back to my old ways. It has truly become a lifestyle for me.

How were you eating before, if you don't mind me asking?