Two Year Migraine Miracle Anniversary

I celebrate my Migraine Miracle anniversary like I do my birthday and my wedding anniversary because the moment I chose to make the change is just as significant. Everything—and I mean everything—used to center around my stupid head. Not anymore. Now I can simply LIVE.

If you haven’t read my original post, go take a look. It will explain how this came to be and how I Slayed the Beast (a Dr. T phrase). On this two-year anniversary, I figured it was time to write an update on what life is like in Phase Four of the Migraine Miracle plan.

A nutshell summary of the start…

After thirty-six years suffering from chronic migraine—I’m talking more than twenty a month—I took what was initially a tough step and quit all sugar and wheat (in addition to some other steps). I wanted to once and for all kill this thing that had controlled my life. The decision came about because of a book by my hero, neurologist Dr. Josh Turknett… and his wife Jenny, who rocks the recipe world!.

Migraine Miracle

The plan worked. Not only for me but for my non-headache-suffering-hubby as well. Brian has had maybe two minor headaches in his entire life. For him, changing to this way of eating made him more comfortable in his body. He lost forty pounds and said the bloating sense and tightness he always felt is gone. He too will never go back to eating wheat and sugar.

Man. I always feel like I’m doing a sales pitch when I talk about my success. I’m not. I gain nothing from writing about my experience. My hope is more people–even those without migraine–will give this a try.

A REAL TRY.

Not some half-assed attempt. The most common thing I hear when I share details is this:

Oh… I tried that and it didn’t work for me.

Even though I know where they’re coming from, I seriously want to shake them. Yeah, you’ve “tried everything”—so did I. No matter what you try the pain persists, so you convince yourself nothing will work. Been there, done that.

Get over it and put that mental obstacle aside.

I’ll ask again. Have you really tried this particular plan? For how long? Did you give up ALL medications? Because following all the steps is the key. This isn’t a fast fix. There’s a lot more to it than just the food. You aren’t going to be “cured” after a week without sugar and wheat. You aren’t even going to be cured after a month. It took a long time to screw up your system, so be patient, dang it! Put in the work and fix yourself. It took me a solid six months to get to phase four, with incremental changes to keep me motivated along the way.

Anyone can do this, but it takes dedication and the true desire to leave the pain behind and change your life. Keep in mind…

This is a LIFE-LONG way of eating, not a diet.

So if you think you’ve tried and failed, be honest with yourself. Did you really try? Did you give it at least three months without a single cheat? Wow, I’m going all tough love here, aren’t I!

Some tips to succeed:

Don’t get discouraged, though. Once you’re over the hump, things get better and better and better.

I know it’s hard to believe, but this lifestyle becomes EASY.

Really. It does.

(One of my go-to meals: Brussels Sprouts and Cauliflower hash, with a butter hamburger patty, and an over medium egg.)

You get to a point where you can’t imagine—nor want—to eat any other way, take it from a former sugar and wheat addict. Up until two years ago, I lived for pies, cakes, homemade bread, pasta, waffles—all high quality and homemade of course. I was never one for store bought treats. The joke was sugar is my only vice since I was fit, thin, didn’t drink nor do drugs. My mom’s nickname for me was Cakes because of my love of cake. So yeah, if I can kick the sugar/wheat habit, so can you, and you will never feel better in your life.

Migraine Miracle Phases

Like I said, this doesn’t happen fast. There are steps to healing yourself. You can read in detail about them on Dr. Turknett’s site by clicking on the linked phases below, but in general:

So do I ever get headaches in Phase Four?

Yes. But they’re different. Gone are the unrelenting five-day marathon bouts of pain where you just want someone to cut your head off. When I get a headache now, it’s mild and fixed with fasting, water, and walking, plus I can easily trace the source instead of chasing random triggers. Not to say I haven’t had any nasty ones this year. I have. And it’s always directly linked to me doing something stupid, like eating a few bites of a long-abandoned rum cake in the freezer when I was particularly stressed. But getting the occasional migraine is a great reminder of how fragile the migraine brain is, and how well the Migraine Miracle works.

The usual suspects that “get” me?

Tools and How I Eat

My favorite ways to keep the beast from coming back:

My first actual meal of the day I eat after 11 am (usually a “Big Ass” salad as Mark Sisson calls them), and the second meal, preferably before 8 pm (usually veggies and a protein).

It’s not all about food though…

Never ever ever go back to eating wheat and sugar or taking medications.

And please trust me. You get to a point where you don’t miss any of it.

But what about treats or cheats???

This is probably the most common question I get asked. Do I treat or cheat? Not really. I mean I have what I consider treats now, ones that are in line with my way of eating. They truly satisfy me. Not to say I have been a 100% angel. I have had a few cheats, and regretted them.

As for alternate sweeteners? Nope. Don’t use them. It’s much better to adjust the palette. It’s amazing what begins to taste sweet when you get rid of sugar and sugar substitutes. Okay. So here they are. Things I eat now that I didn’t eat in the earlier phases.

My PHASE FOUR cheats and treats:

Okay, okay…

I could go on and on and on.

But I’m sure you’re bored by now, so I’ll stop and give you some links to explore on your own.

RESOURCES:

And lastly…

The biggest thank you I can possibly offer to Dr. T and Jenny for everything they do. I swear, every time I write something like this, I tear up, knowing how significantly the Migraine Miracle plan changed my life. Love you to the moon, Turknetts!

SLAY THE BEAST!

Until next time…

Later gators!!


LATER GATORS!

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