Shay Rowbottom

“JUST SAY NO” is actually horrible advice for those growing up in abusive environments.

Saying yes to w**d saved my life.

What started as a decision at age 14 to experiment with a “safer” alternative to pills & alcohol, became a 15 year journey as a pothead.

I smoked w**d morning, noon, and night.

I used it as a reward system, forcing myself to get my homework done before getting high.

I was constantly planning my life around it.

I never got on pharmaceuticals, never became an alcoholic, and used cannabis as a mood stabilizer, antidepressant, parent... and best friend.

In my late 20s it began to dawn on me how different my life (and psyche) could have been had I never smoked w**d.

I felt I owed it to myself to see what life was without it.

I embarked on a one year challenge and, after many attempts, succeeded in living completely free from THC.

I decided to keep the streak going.

But many mental health problems ensued shortly after.

My disordered eating came back — a disease I first brushed up against around age 12–13, right before cannabis.

I never realized it may have saved me from decades of body obsession and food issues.

I also developed mild OCD these past 4 years. Manageable, but frustrating. Determined not to break my streak, I found relief through other substances like microdosing mushrooms or drinking kratom.

And worst of all?

My sleep was never the same without w**d.

For four years, I struggled to fall asleep.

Finally this past February, one week after my 4 year anniversary without w**d...

I cracked.

Who cares? I thought.

I did my experiment — and then some.

Living without w**d opened new neural pathways. It taught me discipline and helped me grow up — making up for lost time since stunting my emotional maturity, starting at age 14.

I became a woman.
And I’m proud.

But after reintroducing cannabis and realizing... wait a minute👇

My OCD is gone
My disordered eating is gone
My sleep... finally normal!

F**K!

Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful I quit. I needed it.

But 4 years?

Damn I pushed it.

Conclusion, in short?

I’m a better person with THC in my system.

And that’s totally cool.

**d

I absolutely hate having to “limit fat” intake as it’s one of my favorite things.

Butter
Cheese
Nuts!
..omg I can eat so much nuts.

You’ve probably heard of the Ketogenic diet, but it’s not realistic long-term for women, and especially not for weight training.

So, I cycle it.

I go 2-3 months on sugar burning, and I do my best to limit fat intake during those months. Why? Because fat sticks AS FAT when you’re not in a Ketogenic state (Keto means burning fat for fuel, instead of sugar).

When I’m going hard in the gym, I need sugar.

Those 2-3 month sprints usually look like:

Sweet potatoes
Eggs/Egg whites
Fruits
Rice

and lots of healthy meat&protein.

In those 2-3 months, I put on muscle.

Now comes the “cut” phase you so often hear of, but I do it differently.

After so many months burning sugar, I’m usually aching to get back into Ketosis (fat burning). And NOT just because I want to lose the excess belly fat I gained during my weight training months... but because I genuinely MISS being in Ketosis!

Being on a Keto diet gives me:

-Clarity
-Confience
-Clear skin

not to mention about 75-85% of my anxiety and OCD tendencies disappear.

It’s a high.

On top of all that?

I lean out and shred the fat, displaying my hard earned muscles I built the months prior.

Please, don’t listen to the fitness gurus who tell you fasting for a day or two will deplete all your muscles.

It’s nonsense.

I have been cycling in and out of Ketosis for years, and truly believe it’s only helped my weight training in the long run.

To get into Keto, I usually fast for 1-3 days.

By then I am fully in fat burning and switch to healthy meats and my beloved FAT FAT FAT foods once again!

Seriously, do you know how fun it is to wake up, eat a whole rack of bacon, eggs w/ the yolks, AND add in cheese!?

Guilt-free heaven.

As long as you continue to intake enough protein, you can absolutely maintain your muscles during ketosis. I chill out on weight training and switch to swimming/walking/yoga instead.

Keto for 1-2 months,
Sugar burning for 2-3.

Rinse & repeat.

My body has never looked better, and I truly wish more women understood this lifestyle.

what can I say, blondes really do have more fun.

😜

I'm just here for the food.

If he doesn’t want me like this, he can’t have me.