Gut Feeling Diaries

Day 14/30 on the AIP Diet – Halfway There!

Wow! What a week! After pushing through the sluggish, low-energy days around Days 5–7, I can finally say I’m feeling amazing. My energy levels have taken a sharp turn for the better. No artificial boosts, just natural, steady energy that carries me through the day.

I’ve been sticking to the AIP protocol 100%, with one small exception: I’ve allowed myself a coffee every 2–3 days. I work full-time, and for now, coffee still feels like a little morning ritual that I’m not quite ready to give up. Baby steps!

In terms of exercise, I’ve kept things very gentle. The first week was all about reducing inflammation, so I stuck to yoga and slow Pilates. This past week, I introduced one light, full-body strength session, which felt great. I’m still keeping workouts under 40 minutes and very low-impact. Just enough to move my body without adding stress.

When I started this journey, I weighed 130 lbs. By the end of week two, I was down to 123 lbs. That wasn’t my goal at all, but I’ve been eating 3–4 full meals a day, so it’s not from undereating. Cutting out the small things like coffee creamer, nighttime snacks, sweets, and refined carbs have clearly made a bigger impact than I expected.

For the past few years, I’ve carried some stubborn weight around my midsection and chalked it up to “getting older.” It feels empowering to realize that I still have control over my body and that, contrary to what I believed, my metabolism isn’t slowing down as much as I thought. (Spoiler: some studies even dispute that theory, but that’s a topic for another post!)

I’ve also been actively reducing stress. I’ve started taking more intentional rest days, incorporated nightly Bible study, and added in regular yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. That’s been a huge part of my healing. Truly, I believe God has been guiding this journey, and I have to give Him credit for helping me stay committed and grounded. Matthew 7:7 – “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find.”

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Current Progress – Two Weeks In

✨ Hopeful is the best word to describe how I feel.
90% of my symptoms have disappeared. I have zero bloating, no blood (for those who don’t know, I have ulcerative colitis), and only mild joint pain and fatigue, which used to be nearly debilitating. This transformation is incredibly encouraging.

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What I Ate This Week:

Day 8 – Monday, Sept 29, 2025
Supplements (AM): Probiotics, electrolytes, L-glutamine
Breakfast: Kiwi, banana, coconut yogurt, cinnamon
Lunch: Turkey carnitas (from Sprouts), asparagus, kombucha (Synergy)
Dinner: Chicken, zucchini, carrot, sweet potato, kombucha
Supplements (PM): Magnesium glycinate, turmeric, dandelion tea

Day 9 – Tuesday, Sept 30, 2025
Supplements (AM): Probiotics, electrolytes, L-glutamine
Breakfast: Kiwi, banana, coconut yogurt, cinnamon
Lunch: Chicken, zucchini, carrot, sweet potato, kombucha
Dinner: Cod, sweet potato, lemon, carrots
Supplements (PM): Magnesium glycinate, spearmint tea

Day 10 – Wednesday, Oct 1, 2025
Supplements (AM): Bone broth, probiotics, electrolytes, L-glutamine
Breakfast: Coconut yogurt, cinnamon
Lunch: Chicken, zucchini, carrot, sweet potato
Dinner: Salmon, sweet potato, avocado, lemon
Supplements (PM): Magnesium glycinate, turmeric, dandelion tea

Day 11 – Thursday, Oct 2, 2025
Supplements (AM): Bone broth, probiotics, electrolytes, L-glutamine
Breakfast: Coconut yogurt
Lunch: Chicken thighs, zucchini, carrot, sweet potato, coconut water
Dinner: Salmon, cod, avocado, roasted sweet potato, lemon
Sauce: Cilantro, lime, garlic, olive oil, honey
Dessert: AIP Pancake (cassava flour, tapioca flour, banana, vanilla extract, coconut milk, baking powder, maple syrup)
Supplements (PM): Magnesium glycinate, spearmint tea

Day 12 – Friday, Oct 3, 2025
Supplements (AM): Bone broth, probiotics
Breakfast: Coconut yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, banana, cinnamon
Lunch: Cod, avocado, sweet potato
Dinner: Steak, avocado, sweet potato
Supplements (PM): Magnesium glycinate, spearmint tea

Day 13 – Saturday, Oct 4, 2025
Supplements (AM): Coffee, bone broth, probiotics
Breakfast: Coconut yogurt, strawberries, blueberries
Lunch: Protein-style burger (no tomato or cheese), side salad with cucumber
Dinner: Carnitas, two Shirley Temples (fun night out—coffee instead of alcohol!)
Supplements (PM): Magnesium glycinate (plus a Tums for some minor bloating and cramping)

Day 14 – Sunday, Oct 5, 2025
Supplements (AM): Coffee, bone broth, probiotics
Breakfast: Coconut yogurt, strawberries, blueberries
Lunch: Carne asada and avocado (I skipped the tortillas and just enjoyed the meat)
Dinner: Cod, steak, avocado, roasted potatoes, kiwi, clementine
Supplements (PM): Magnesium glycinate, dandelion tea

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Final Thoughts

This week has been a breakthrough. I feel clear, energized, and—for the first time in a long time—in control of my health. Week 3, here we come. We’re halfway through the 30-day challenge, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Thanks for following along 💛

Xoxo Sky