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[James Small]

My journey to clear skin with a holistic approach...

In June I saw a dramatic improvement in my acne within the first two weeks of being on a strict paleo diet. The pimples on my face, back and chest reduced, my texture evened out and the post-inflammatory redness started to fade and I was officially 90% clear.

Introduction
For myself, seeing results so soon was shocking as I'd spent three years (since September 09') trying (and failing) to get rid of acne. I wasted my money on creams and ointments, such as Freederm; Tea Tree Oil; Oxy and Benzoyl Peroxide, which basically caused me to have even more outbreaks.

The only thing that really worked for me was the holistic approach, which gave me two benefits; clear skin and a healthy lifestyle! Being on the paleo meant that I avoided foods which caused me to break out; dairy, gluten, wheat (and other cereal grains), refined sugars and junk food, whilst I tried to get as much exercise as possible, drink as much water as possible, consume fruits, vegetables, meats and fish.

Current condition
Towards the end of June I stopped the paleo diet because of a lack of self control. Every time I tried to start the diet again I'd end up eating unhealthily. Eventually my skin started to deteriorate to the point where it returned to the same condition it was in before I began the paleo a month earlier. This was proof that my acne is related to diet and food.

Because I am now back to square one I want to eventually restart the paleo diet again. My reasons for this is so that I can naturally improve the condition of my acne again and this time keep clear skin long after I've stopped breaking out!

I'll be starting it again in a few weeks, once I've built up the strength to stop eating unhealthy foods.

Please feel free to ask questions or leave details about your own progress

N.B: I won't be uploading this log everyday like my old ones as doing so makes me concentrate on my skin too much. I will be around the forum though so send me messages if you need any advice or help .

Edited by James Small, 05 August 2011 - 09:14 AM.

[James Small]

Improvements so far,, mainly due a change in attitude...

When I stopped eating in accordance with the paleo diet I realized that it was only a matter of time before my skin deteriorated again.

It was more of a fear than anything. I really didn't want my skin to get bad again. Because of this I knew that I had to start the holistic approach again, although I just couldn't. I did try, but I just couldn't stop eating cakes, chocolates and other junk foods. The cravings were still too overwhelming and I certainly wasn't in the right state of mind to withdraw the foods that I loved completely.

In my head I started to eventually think 'I can't want to get rid of acne that much then', and perhaps I was right. If I was really affected by acne that much I'd rather cut out the foods if it meant the pimples would go? My perception of acne was changing. I just wasn't bothered about it any more.

This attitude was odd for me as I'd spent two years hating acne and hating it's affects on me.

Nevertheless my positive attitude overwhelmed me, to the point where a few weeks ago I just didn't care about my skin any more. As I began to accept my acne, and as I started to use my energy to think positively about it, the amount of pimples reduced - and a few weeks on, to this day, my acne is still getting better.

Last month I had at least 12 or more pimples. Now I only have four...

I will eventually incorporate the paleo diet into my life again, and so I'll be using this log to chronicle both my journey on the paleo diet and the progress I make through using a positive perception.

Edited by James Small, 30 July 2011 - 04:32 PM.