TIPS for being your own HEALTH ADVOCATE

“Once you experience the other side of your health problems, you don’t want to go back.” This has been replaying over and over in my head the past week as I’ve gotten over the hump, so to speak. Even with a seemingly healthy diet, exercise routine and mind body practice, I still had a very hard time the first 3 weeks of this reset. It wasn’t easy to say the least, however I can say that coming out after 5 weeks of absolutely NO GRAINS, NO SUGAR, and no peanut butter, I feel like a new person. I really have no cravings, no desire to scoop into the peanut butter or eat a huge bowl of oatmeal.

Sugar, grains and certain foods, if we let them can absolutely control our mind and take over our body in ways we don’t realize until we let those foods go.

Now, does that mean I’ll never have grains again, absolutely not. I agreed to 6-8 weeks of giving up these foods, with the intention of SLOWLY allowing them back into my diet monitoring them closely as I let them gradually come back into my life. However, I will say, I don’t miss them at the moment, I have a healthier relationship with food and I now have MORE energy. Sometimes you have to go through the valleys to see the bigger picture and overlook the landscape.

None of this process has been easy. But you know what kept me going and SUPER focused? Was KNOWING I was going to feel better by healing my body from the inside first. THAT was what kept me focused and didn’t make me stray once. I never had a desire to.

Now 5 weeks into this and I feel like a new person, aside from not sleeping with a sick baby, I STILL feel better! This is what has started to transpire and happen over the past month:

• My hormones are balanced and I don’t have the crazy mood swings and ups and downs

• My period came after 29 days, for the first time in over 20 YEARS

• I had virtually NO cramps or any PMS symptoms after getting my period this week

• I have NO sugar cravings. I occasionally crave chocolate but I allow myself to have 1-2 squares of DARK and (Clean) chocolate everyday (I’ll list these in a separate post)

• My mind is clear and I’m able to plan, create and remember so much more!

• I have super vivid dreams every night that I remember which is kind of fun!

• While my energy was lower at first, its definitely increased over time. I now feel stronger than ever and have been crushing my workouts which has been so fun!

• No more bloating, gas and discomfort. I can eat foods and actually enjoy them, including ALL varieties of fruits and veggies!

Now I realize every single person is different and what works for me isn’t necessarily for you. I write this as a way to inspire and empower YOU to take ownership in your health. You can absolutely CHANGE your health for the better if you want!

Be your own advocate.

Don’t accept status quo or “normal”. you are absolutely in control over your health in so many aspects and you should never have to deal with feeling bad. Reach out. Keep searching for answers and know you WILL FEEL BETTER and absolutely CAN FEEL BETTER.

Here are a few GENERAL guidelines to follow if you’re trying to search for answers and literally FOLLOW YOUR GUT and be YOUR OWN ADVOCATE:

1. Get your gut tested by a qualified practitioner. There are so many tests out there, I used the GI Map test by DX LAB Solutions and they gave me a list of practitioners in my area who would test me.

2. You can find people in your area who practice more Eastern medicine or Integrative approach by looking for Acupuncturist, Functional Chiropractors, Functional Medicine physicians, Chinese Medicine doctors, and other functional medicine practitioners by doing a search on Google or on social media there are several and many of which will do an initial consult for FREE.

3. Get a consult or test from any of the above and compare it to what you’re hearing from your General Practitioner. It’s always great to get alternate opinions, especially when you feel that it doesn’t align with how you are feeling.

4. Bottom line, if it doesn’t feel right, get another opinion or FIND WHAT DOES FEEL RIGHT. You shouldn’t have to be on medication, or birth control or whatever for years and years, especially if it makes you feel terrible or makes you feel uncomfortable.

That’s all for now, I’d love to hear from you! What are you experiencing? Were to able to seek out help? Let me know in the comments below!

XX

Angie