whew. this is a post i never ever ever thought i’d write.*
*also, perhaps a post with the least amount of photos i’ve ever written.
before i dive into the bad news, there’s some background info you need to know.
1. i have always suffered from mildly severe acne since high school (not severe acne, but definitely worse than mild…). my face had phases of looking good and being a complete disaster, but my back and chest are pretty much always broken out. this has led to not wearing many tank tops or strapless dresses, taking birth control for almost 10 years to try to regulate my hormones and help with the acne, trying every over the counter medicine i could find, taking some prescription meds for the acne, and even going to the point of going tanning to try to make it go away.
2. my skin has been really really really bad lately. i went back to a dermatologist about two weeks ago and she prescribed me two topical treatments for the acne. but warned me that it would probably get worse before it gets better when i started using the medicine. it’s gotten worse. and that’s really an understatement.
3. i’ve been talking monthly with my health coach (a perk of being an iin student – we get our own health coach!). during our conversation this month, i mentioned my skin and i updated her on my dermatologist visit and the prescriptions she gave me.
—–
there. i think we’re all caught up now.
now it’s time for the sad/bad news.
while i was speaking with my health coach, she asked if i’ve ever tried changing my diet to help with my skin. i answered her honestly that i knew it would probably be a good idea to do an elimination diet and try to see if anything really seems to trigger my acne, but that i had never even really considered trying it.
note – my acne does seem to be at least partially tied to hormonal cycles, but even if dietary changes could help a little, i’m all for it!
so of course, she gave me some tough love and helped me realized that if i want to get down to the root of the problem and not just put a band aid on it and treat the symptoms, i’d have to put on my big girl panties and try eliminating some things to see if i have any dietary sensitivities.
oh, but she had a tidbit to soften the blow (or so she thought).
she said that dairy is often something that can affect acne and that she thinks i should start by just eliminating dairy for at least a month and see if i can tell a difference.
ouch.
but i’m a wisconsin girl. there really isn’t much that i love more than some good, flavorful, cheese. pair it with wine or beer or crusty bread and i’m in heaven!
but then she said something that really made me stop freaking out.
if you have a hard time with it, just remember that you’re doing it for your health.
ok ok. if you bring my health into it, i can do anything for 30 days.
so that’s where i am.
i’m eliminating dairy from my diet for 30 days and then seeing where i go from there.
it’s definitely going to be a challenge. yesterday was the first full day of no dairy and i definitely had to be conscious of not grabbing some cheese to put on my tacos for dinner or not eating a chobani for a snack, but i was totally satisfied by all of my snacks and meals once i chose an alternate option. i just had to mix things up a bit compared to how i usually eat.
also, brad made it pretty clear that he has no interest in joining me on this little diet adventure. so there will still be cheese and milk in the fridge. it would definitely be easier if we kept it out of the house so it wasn’t staring me down every time i go get something to eat, but i still think i’ll be able to manage.
and now i’m torn.
do i hope that my skin improves after this month and i find out one of the things that is contributing to my acne?
or do i hope that nothing changes so i prove it’s not dairy that’s a problem and i can return to my beloved cheese?
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow. I too have STRUGGLED with acne just like yours. It’s so horrible now I hate leaving the house… makeup can cover it from a distance of a few feet or more, for a few hours, but after that, I’m toast. I never thought it could be my diet. I honestly don’t know if I could do without cheese though. Everything else, no problem. But cheese!! Le sigh. I guess it’s worth talking to my doctor about… and I’m excited to see how this goes for you!
kjpugs recently posted…Peach and Copper Nails
Oh noes!! I’m so sorry to hear about this, but I know you can do it!! We’re all here for you! I started eliminating cheese on salads, tacos, etc. just for calorie purposes…but I forgot about yogurt!
I know you can do this though. You’re such a goal-oriented, organized, health-conscious girl!
Aparna B. recently posted…Busy Bee Weekend
Ahh Sarah! I have recently struggled with acne as well. Mainly around my lip/chin area. It’s so embarrassing that I actually started to work from home, maybe I’m a little too vain. ..all because a co-worker actually taunted me about it! I don’t know what’s with people these days…anyway, I have heard eliminating dairy would be a start. I have been taking a low dose antibiotic and applying some topical creams, but nothing is really helping. I honestly would try the dairy elimination (even though it’ll be a challenge!). I may also be going this route too. I think dairy is one of my main food groups! I would be torn too- but in the end, it may be worth it!
Christy recently posted…-Things To Try Thursdays- Prescription For Herbal Healing (Book)
I will be honest and tell you that having to give up cheese is kind of one of my worst fears. That being said, I know that if I was told by someone with knowledge told me that giving it up would help with a major health issue that I was having, I think I’d have to at least give it a try. SO proud of you for stepping up and making the hard choice in honor of your health!! Remember, its only 30 days, after that you can decide if it needs to be a permanent change, take it one day at a time.
Kelly recently posted…Restaurant Review: Yogurt Square
good news: there is no dairy in wine!
heather recently posted…Overdo Updates
or beer!
whee!
I echo what Heather said, it could be tied to diet and it could be a lot of other things. Look at your skincare routine, try upping your Omega’s in your diet, more water, more water, more water, look at what makeup you are wearing too. Good luck, it is hard to go dairy free!
Mellissa recently posted…Fitness Friday: Yoga Challenge Week 2
Good luck Sarah, I know how much you love that cheese.
Wow, major bummer. I’ve struggled with acne all of my life as well. It definitely gets better when I have more vegetables & water in my diet but to be honest, my skin is at it’s best when I’m not “trying” to fix it. I wash my face with Neutrogena Naturals in the shower every morning, moisturize with Cetaphil post-shower, wash with warm water at night, followed by moisturizing again. While I still have a few minor breakouts from time to time, my skin is better than it ever was when I was overly treating it with every medication on the market. Except for Accutane, that cleared me right up both time I took it but it’s much too scary of a drug to ever take again!
Trisha recently posted…Thirsty Thursday: Strawbeery Vodka Melonade
I have had an issue with acne too although I am on prescription and it seems to be helping. I also LOVE cheese. I am thinking of you…hang in there!
That is really hard!! I did the vegan challenge for March, and somehow made it through… I switched to almond milk but never could found a soy yogurt I liked, and didn’t even bother with non-dairy cheese!
Good luck- it’s amazing how a simple diet change can really impact us. Hope you learn something from it, one way or the other!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted…Triathlons and baseball
ok when i first started reading this post i thought someone died! glad no one did
good luck with the elimination…hope it helps!!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted…Fitness Friday 24
That’s what I thought too! Or that you were giving up blogging…
Katie @ Katie Without Restrictions recently posted…Words of Worth: It’s Your Choice
Yes this is going to be a hard change for a WI girl
Good luck!
Mackenzie recently posted…Thank You Skinny Taste for Skinny Scones
Ugh. Fingers crossed that it works for you.
I’m a Wisconsin girl too and I had to give up all dairy when I was nursing my boys because of allergies. I got used to it – I was dairy free for 3 years with the first and 1.5 years with the second. Make sure you read labels!! There’s lots of hidden dairy in stuff. I know your situation is not quite the same, but if you are going to do it, try to get as clean as possible. Also, it takes about two weeks for your body to heal from dairy, so hang in there if you don’t see results right away!
You can do this!
MCM Mama recently posted…Playing hooky
Ahh Sarah! I just tried to picture what even one of my days would look like without dairy… ugh. I (obv!) totally love cheese! And factoring in yogurt, that’s a pretty much daily snack for me. I have to say, as much as I know you want an answer to your acne problem, I think I would be rooting for dairy to NOT be that answer. I do hope that you don’t have a super long road ahead of you in figuring it out though.
I’ve struggled with acne since high school too. Dairy was not easy for me to give up when I went vegan, but’s it’s really helped my skin, I even stopped wearing foundation! There are some great vegan alternative cheeses that will help with cravings, Daiya shreds and Vegan Gourmet are my faves.
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