Heads or Tails Tuesday

Today's Heads or Tails Tuesday theme is TAILS - Never Say Never (something I thought I'd never do or say, but now do).

Until a little over two years ago, I'd been a vegetarian for many years. I vowed I'd never eat meat ever again, until a set of circumstances arose which brought about a total shift in my stance on the matter.

I have health problems, some of which I don't really want to discuss online, but the ones I am prepared to talk about are spinal arthritis and chronic fatigue. A couple of years ago, I was also found to be seriously lacking in B-group vitamins. As a result, I was displaying symptoms of neurological damage. I had poor coordination and balance, part of which was due to arthritic bony growths putting pressure on nerves and blood vessels in my neck, but the situation was exacerbated by the vitamin deficiency. I was also suffering such severe weakness, I couldn't get around without the support of a stick - and I'm not an elderly person.

A doctor advised me to change my diet. I resisted at first, as the thought of eating something that once had a face, made me feel sick. But my medical problems got steadily worse. Vegetarianism is generally a very healthy way to eat. Trouble is, I hated most vegetarian protein sources, such as soya/TVP, tofu, Quorn, pulses, etc. So I literally lived on sweet foods and meat-free pizzas. I ended up feeling so wretched that I finally gave in to my doctor's suggestion, and started eating chicken and fish. I've since added a little bit of red meat to my diet, too.

I still feel very guilty about eating meat, but my physical health has improved vastly. I've lost over 40 lbs in weight, am much stronger physically, and no longer need to a stick for support. The arthritis and chronic fatigue are still with me, but since eliminating my dietary deficiencies, things are much better. Despite vowing I'd never eat meat again, and still feeling very guilty about doing so, I dread to think where I'd currently be, health-wise, had I stuck to my vow.