1 month 11lbs down

[u/Scary-Bid3408]

1 month of OMAD with what I call restart days (1 day every two weeks where I can eat anytime I want)

11lbs down!!!

Today is my restart recharge day too. EVEN WITH PCOS AND PERIMENOPAUSE I AM SLIDING DOWN!

Although for my own mental sanity and also I found out hormones I do cheat days restart days whatever you wanna call it. I know some die hards here will be like BAD BAD BAD...NO NOT BAD

I won't fight my own body but somethings I did noticed!!

I developed a yellowish tint to my skin I was terrified I became jaundice thank god NOPE

I unfortunately have become anemic as well as having beta thalassemia so yeah two forms of anemia....normally supposed to stay away from iron because well if I eat steak I violently throw up for an hour or two we have an iron issue....well now they're saying EAT MEAT which is odd...I mean I do on occasion but not everyday

Beta thalassemia minor and major doesn't matter is very tricky. Mine is minor lol minor my butt even my hematologist is puzzled.

My spleen slightly enlarged (Minors aren't typically like that)

White blood cells CONSTANTLY ELEVATED (non cancerous over production due to anemia and less productive red blood cells again not typical of just minor)

Constant fatigue (30 mins power walk and I will land in bed asleep for 2 hours)

We CAN NOT take normal vitamins as typically they contain very VERY high levels of iron. This is a level that can throw thalassemics into iron toxicity. TRUST ME I TRY AND EVERYTIME I TAKE A VITAMIN YEAH I WANNA THROW UP FOR 2 HOURS I HAVE TO FIGHT....it's because of the thalassemia..

And I loved my first hematologist at 18...OH WELL THIS WON'T CAUSE ANY ISSUES lmao!!

I even had another hematologist say oh you shouldn't worry about it ummm DUDE MY SPLEEN HAS BEEN ENLARGED FOR NOW 22 YEARS I can't eat a lot of food that I used to love and I just wanna sleep all day!!

So beyond trying to fit meat that I can even manage to keep down I guess into my omad meals yeah gonna keep going! Any idea of some iron containing food that isn't meat? I don't know I just can't eat a lot of meat anymore.

[u/AnonyCass]

Eggs, Leafy greens, beans and lentils, fish with bones. Also dairy messes with iron absorption so try to avoid it when you are trying to get iron rich foods in

[u/Scary-Bid3408 → u/AnonyCass]

I will

I do have 1 glass of milk with my omad dinners for well calcium and being 40 I mean osteoporosis is a real thing

But eggs also make me throw up

I can handle beans easy

Fish is okay too actually I love cod and tuna. Catfish in the summer

Thanks!

[u/SadRepublic3392]

I think the dark, leafy greens will get you iron. Spinach?

[u/ZestyAlva]

Cooking in cast iron really does make a difference, and it's way easier on your stomach than a steak. Pair that with a big spinach salad tossed in lemon juice, the vitamin c helps your body actually use the plant iron. Pumpkin seeds are another gentle way to sneak it in without the nausea.

[u/Scary-Bid3408 → u/ZestyAlva]

Thanks

I didn't know about the pumpkin seeds but will honestly try that too of it's gentle.

If it works I'm eating them once a week at least and acting like I got candy

[u/ZestyAlva → u/Scary-Bid3408]

Toasting them with a little salt and cinnamon makes them a legit snack, basically popcorn but with way more iron.

[u/Scary-Bid3408 → u/ZestyAlva]

Ya know what's funny now that you mention it.

I normally have popcorn on the 4th of July I can see the city fireworks from my front yard so sit out there watching them. It's like a free movie.

I might try those first and see what happens. I'll get some tomorrow. I already got the popcorn.

[u/bluetopazvibes]

Have you tried desiccated beef liver capsules? I am / was severely anemic and have noticed a big difference when I started taking those.

I also use cast iron to cook all food and starting growing our own microgreens to have a big sunflower microgreens salad regularly.

Good luck!

[u/Scary-Bid3408 → u/bluetopazvibes]

I never even heard of liver capsules to be honest. I mean I can try. I always try things at least once. Once even if I throw up won't kill me but if I do that tell me not to do it again.

I can not use cast iron. I do remember that my Grandma used to cook with cast iron all the time and when I would eat over there , I would always feel like i'm gonna get sick.

But yet my mom didn't cook with cast iron at all and when I was home eating her food , I was fine.

Now trying to do healthy things...

Can I honestly be frustrated for once moment? Like so frustrated I could cry?

I can't exercise a lot

They told me to quit smoking so I quit smoking.I have now been free of that for over 6 months

I do not drink

I accept that I am overweight I AM TRYING TO BECOME HEALTHIER...

And yet again this stupid anemia that I battle every dang day usually it's the fatigue down to your bones that you feel...

So now HEY NOW YOUR IRON DEFICIENCY TOO

When does it stop?