I’ve come a long way from where I was in the early 2000s when I ate at Culvers multiple times a week telling myself that it was okay since I was eating the fish sandwich, so that was “healthy,” especially as french fries count as vegetables, right? When I really needed a “healthy” option I’d head to Milio’s or some other sub shop and keep lying to myself that I was doing okay. It was at this time that my epilepsy was discovered and along with being obese, exhausted, and achy, I was having seizures every few weeks.

Over the last two decades I’ve done a lot to make my diet healthier for me. I don’t think I’ve stopped at a Culver’s or a Milio’s in probably almost ten years now and I don’t miss it. I do still have dietary challenges that cause some bothersome health issues though and I need to keep coming back to check in with myself. That’s what this is.

I’d been on a low-glycemic diet for my epilepsy for several years. I decided to end it last fall because I was questioning if it was really helping my seizures and I wanted to be able to eat more fruits and sometimes have a slice or pizza or enjoy dessert with family and friends. I did well going off the low-glycemic diet through the holidays, but early in 2026 the sugars and carbs started to really move in. I was in a period of change, leaving a really stressful job, and going to new employment that would be less stressful in the workplace, but also meant no summers off and lower pay, so has its own stressors. I started eating pizza, a lot of pizza, and ice cream, and an assortment of other “treats.” I gained 12 pounds in two months and started to see a whole list of body issues that I hadn’t experienced in over a decade. It was time to do a reset.

That brings us to today. This morning I put together a list of 20 things that I see or feel happening in my body that I’d like to change and believe that I can significantly correct through diet. I also put together a list of five things that I would like and I think would be possible if I make those corrections. Here’s what I would like in my future.

1. To have a diet that is both sustainable and healthy for me for the long term
2. To consistently feel the energy to bike to work on nice days
3. To have the energy to strengthen my muscles for long term health
4. To return to running consistently, join in some 5 and 10k races and maybe some longer races as well
5. To strengthen my brain and gut for a long, healthy, joyous life

I’ll be using the Whole30 as my reset tool over the next 30 days. I’ll be updating here on my blog. I hope you’ll join me and offer your thoughts along the way.