About 5 years ago, my fingers started to hurt. It was really odd, because who has fingers that hurt?
But almost every day, the sides of my thumbs would hurt a lot, and then various joints on various fingers would hurt at different times. I also had trouble putting on (and taking off) my wedding rings – so much trouble that I stopped wearing them and started to wonder what you’re supposed to do when you can’t get your rings on. I started thinking I might not be able to wear my rings for the rest of my life. And that was a thought I really didn’t like.
I had been working out with a trainer who knew about my hands, and he said, “Why don’t you try not eating gluten for a while and see how you feel.” I pushed back…because what is better than bread and pasta? Nothing. And when I mentioned going gluten free to people who weren’t gluten free, they always shared my shock and disbelief – really, who wants to live without cake, crackers, meatballs, soft pretzels…and did I mention bread & pasta?
But eventually, my fingers hurt so much and so often, I decided to give it a try. It was difficult at first. I didn’t venture into the gluten-free menu options at restaurants and the supermarket. I just didn’t eat any foods that had gluten, which kind of means I didn’t eat any foods I loved. But I stuck with it because I didn’t consider this a long-term change. It was a short-term experiment. That was all.
So here’s the weird thing: After about 3 weeks, the pain in my fingers wasn’t as bad. It improved enough that I decided to go a little longer not eating gluten. And on some nights, if we were at a restaurant and they put a bread basket on the table, I started to wonder if that was the reason why I couldn’t wear my wedding rings. And suddenly, that bread didn’t look so delicious.
So here’s the even weirder thing: After a few months had passed, my pain was gone. I would say prior to going gluten free, my pain would be anywhere from a 6 to an 8 (on a scale of 1-10). After a few months, it was a zero. A zero! Unheard of. I couldn’t get over how a change in my diet had affected my body so significantly.
Of course, I know the benefits of healthy eating, but this was life changing for me. And the change in my diet really wasn’t that difficult. It wasn’t as big a sacrifice as I expected, because when you realize what has been causing your pain, you can’t love it anymore. You just can’t.
I’ve been gluten free for about 3 years now. I don’t have an allergy or Celiac’s, so when I order a dish with gluten free pasta and the waiter says, “Allergy or sensitivity?” I always feel my answer is going to make them roll their eyes. But that’s ok, because I’m probably out to dinner with Joe. And he’s the one who gave me these rings I’m wearing – every day.
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