I Was Doing Everything Right… Until This One Choice Changed Everything

Have you had a chance to check out the Better Days With Teri blog? If not, this one might be a good place to start—because this one is raw, real, and if I’m being totally honest, a little embarrassing. But I’m sharing it anyway, because I think someone out there needs to hear it. Maybe a few of you.

Over the past year, I’ve been working closely with hospital nutritionists, physical therapists, and multiple doctors on my families health journey. It hasn’t been easy. It’s been full of ups and downs, learning curves, and moments where I just wanted to give up and eat whatever I wanted. But through it all, I’ve stayed committed—until I didn’t.

Let me tell you what happened. This isn’t a glamorous story, but it’s the truth.

I Thought I Had It Under Control...

Gary and I had been doing so well. Like, seriously well. Our meals were clean, our habits were aligned, we were saying no to temptation, and it felt good. You know that feeling when your body starts thanking you for taking care of it? That’s where we were. Energy was up. Sleep was better. My skin even looked better.

So I got a little cocky.

I thought, “You know what? We deserve a treat.” Just one weekend. Just a little break. Life’s too short not to enjoy pizza once in a while, right?

So we did. We had pizza. Not the cauliflower crust kind — the real-deal, cheesy, greasy, glorious kind. We had plain and honey BBQ chips, we had Cheetos, and then we topped it off with ice cream. I remember thinking, “Wow, this feels so good. I’ve missed this.”

And, I didn’t feel that bad, Gary seemed good. So the next weekend? We did it again. It felt like freedom. Like a reward. Like a little rebellion after months of following all the rules.

Then My Body Turned on Me

But after that second weekend, something changed.

First, the scale went up. Not just a little bloating—I gained twelve pounds. Yes, twelve. And let me be clear: this wasn’t just water weight or a fluke. It was my body reacting to the overload of processed food like a full-on red alert.

Then my urine became cloudy. Not to get too graphic, but that’s a warning sign. That’s your body waving the white flag. My liver wasn’t processing all those additives, preservatives, and chemicals I just dumped into my system. My kidneys weren’t happy either. I was tired, sluggish, and a little panicked.

All the progress I had made felt like it slipped right through my fingers in just a few days. And do you want to know the worst part? I knew better.

I knew what processed foods do to the body. I’ve read the articles, I’ve heard the warnings, I've spoken to professionals, Doctors, Nurses, I’ve lived through the healing. But I let my cravings and comfort override what I knew to be true.

Processed Foods Are Not Harmless

Let me say this as plainly as I can: processed foods can destroy your health. Not over time—quickly. I’m not just talking about weight gain or bloating. I’m talking about what you can’t see. What they do to your organs. Your energy. Your sleep. Your clarity. Your moods.

These foods are engineered to keep you hooked. And they’re loaded with chemicals your body doesn’t recognize. When you flood your system with them—even just for two weekends—your body doesn’t just get upset, it shuts down.

And for those of us who are sensitive, who’ve already had health challenges or chronic inflammation or hormone imbalances, the consequences hit even harder. And this is not about looking better, losing weight, or fitting into some irresistible outfit—it’s about not dying from health issues due to processed chemical based foods.

The Clean-Up Isn’t Pretty Either

So here I am now—back at square one in many ways. I had to go through the pantry and throw out all the leftovers from our “cheat fest.” I had to start flushing out my system with tons of water, whole foods, and gentle movement. I had to cancel plans because I didn’t feel good. I even had to reschedule some commitments to give my body space to recover.

And I had to forgive myself.

That’s the part people don’t talk about enough. When you fall off track, especially when you’ve been doing so well, it’s easy to spiral into shame. But shame won’t heal your liver. Guilt won’t clean your kidneys. Blaming yourself won’t give you back your energy.

Getting back on track is the only option. And grace is part of that journey too.

The Real Lesson: Do What You Know, Not Just What Feels Good.

This is a hard truth, and I’m saying it with love: just because it feels good in the moment doesn’t mean it’s good for you. We know this, but sometimes we don’t act on it. We let “I deserve this” become more powerful than “I deserve to feel well.”

I had a moment where I chose temporary pleasure over long-term progress. And the consequences came fast. But what I want you to take from this story isn’t that I messed up—it’s that we all do. What matters most is how quickly we turn things around.

Better Days Start With Better Choices

I’m not telling you never to have a treat. I’m not saying your life has to be bland and restrictive. But I am saying this: know your body. Respect it. Listen to the early signs when something feels off. Don’t wait until you’re forced to fix what could have been prevented.

Processed food isn’t food—it’s a product. And our bodies are beautifully designed, but they can only take so much. The more we honor them with real nourishment, the better they show up for us.

And trust me, nothing tastes as good as feeling good.

If you’re on your own journey, whether you’re just starting or getting back up like I am—I see you. Keep going. Every clean choice is a vote for your future. Every real meal is a step closer to healing. And every Better Day starts right now—with you.

Love,Teri 💛