Do what lights you up!
I’ve always been a determined, driven and career oriented person.
I moved up the corporate career ladder at a young age and found myself managing a multi-million dollar fitness facility at the age of 26 only to become burnt out from the 12 hour days and frustrated with the limited impact I was actually having on people’s health.
I then landed myself in a VP of strategy role with a corporate wellness company, only to once again reach burn out and hit a wall of frustration when it came to really having the kind of positive impact I wanted to have.
And all along the way I sacrificed my own health in pursuit of a career that didn’t actually light me up at the end of the day. I was left feeling frustrated with work, fat, tired and sick all the time.
Luckily a mentor of mine introduced me to the idea of being a health coach, and not just any kind of health coach, but one who could make a really good living doing what I loved.
A career as a health coach checked all the boxes…
- Freedom to set my own schedule and travel
- The ability to work from home and focus more on work-life balance
- Doing extremely rewarding work helping individuals on a deeper level
I enrolled in the Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® course back in 2012 and I’ve been a full-time health coach making a good living doing what I love ever since.
Becoming a health coach not only brought joy back into my work life, but it also helped me heal my own health issues such as skin cancer, adrenal and gut dysfunction, Hashimotos, seasonal allergies, resistant weight loss and mold illness.
It was the best decision I ever made.
If you are passionate about health, want to help others on a deeper level, improve your own health and make a good living doing work that is extremely rewarding, then maybe being a health coach is for you too.
I’ve seen many people make a complete career change, going from being an engineer or stay-at-home mom, to becoming a hugely successful health coach.
What you do for work directly impacts the status of your health, so do what lights you up and your body will thank you.
If you want to learn more about what it takes to be a health coach, or if you are a health coach wanting to build a thriving practice that brings you joy….
STARTING TODAY, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (the health coach training program I went through) is launching the Ultimate Health Coaching Summit that will help health coaches, aspiring health coaches and health practitioners who feel stuck or who might be struggling to build their coaching practice, or who don’t know where to start.
And the best part is the summit is FREE! – GET ACCESS HERE
When you see the topics being covered by these 36 world-class health coaches (including me!), professionals and marketing experts, you’ll understand why the Ultimate Health Coaching Summit is going to be an absolute game changer for those who attend!
You’ll discover exactly how to get into the health coaching business, and how to address the struggles with your business and your clients, so that you can help as many people as possible get well and stay well.
All you have to do is reserve your seat for the most educational and inspirational event of the year.
And get this… you won’t need to worry about going broke buying programs that don’t work anymore… it’s all right here!
FDN has lined up experts (like me!) in coaching, marketing, nutrition, science and diagnostics for a LIVE 4 day event like no other.
And the best part about all this is that…
…It’s FREE for you to attend!
Unlike conferences and hotel seminars that you have to invest time and money to travel to, you can attend this cutting edge online digital summit from anywhere in the world. Cool huh?
No booking flights, rental cars, and hotel rooms, no dealing with layovers, lost luggage, and no missed work or time away from home.
Instead, from the comfort of your home or office or wherever you choose to listen in, you’re going to learn exactly how to…
- Make a great living changing people’s lives for the better
- Find programs and systems that get better results for you and your clients
- Teach natural healing alternatives to your community that work
- Be part of the growing community of expert health professionals and coaches
- Create a coaching business that can radically change your financial situation
- And so much more…
Now, all that’s left for you to do is to claim your FREE Ticket Here before time runs out.
You’ll need to reserve your digital seat to attend so you can get a reminder about the event on each day so you won’t miss any of the talks and all the extras that come with it.
The summit is already happening and it’s awesome!
Best decision I ever made…
Becoming a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, aka functional health coach, was the best decision I ever made for my health, happiness and career.
My decision was inspired by the health issues I faced at a young age…
…diagnosed with skin cancer at 26
…worsening seasonal allergies that would take me out for days and weeks
…chronic fatigue, struggles to maintain a normal weight, migraines and joint pain
All of which have been completely resolved using what I’ve learned as a health coach, and no thanks to the traditional medical approach.
I left the corporate world officially 5 years ago to pursue a full-time career as a health coach helping others to resolve their health issues and get back to feeling like themselves again just as I did.
The road to becoming a health coach and building a thriving full-time practice has been a bumpy one, but I did it and I continue to grow in so many ways!
Every day when I close my virtual office, my heart is full of joy and gratitude for the work I get to do; for the ways that I get to help others realize their health dreams.
If you’re a health coach wanting to build a thriving practice that brings you joy, or you’re curious about becoming one, then there’s something you have to know…
On July 18-21, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (the health coach training program I went through) is launching the Ultimate Health Coaching Summit that will help health coaches, aspiring health coaches and health practitioners who feel stuck or who might be struggling to build their coaching practice, or who don’t know where to start.
And the best part is the summit is FREE! – REGISTER HERE
When you see the topics being covered by these 36 world-class health coaches (including me!), professionals and marketing experts, you’ll understand why the Ultimate Health Coaching Summit is going to be an absolute game changer for those who attend!
You’ll discover exactly how to get into the health coaching business, and how to address the struggles with your business and your clients, so that you can help as many people as possible get well and stay well.
All you have to do is reserve your seat for the most educational and inspirational event of the year.
And get this… you won’t need to worry about going broke buying programs that don’t work anymore… it’s all right here!
FDN has lined up experts (like me!) in coaching, marketing, nutrition, science and diagnostics for a LIVE 4 day event like no other.
And the best part about all this is that…
…It’s FREE for you to attend!
Unlike conferences and hotel seminars that you have to invest time and money to travel to, you can attend this cutting edge online digital summit from anywhere in the world. Cool huh?
No booking flights, rental cars, and hotel rooms, no dealing with layovers, lost luggage, and no missed work or time away from home.
Instead, from the comfort of your home or office or wherever you choose to listen in, you’re going to learn exactly how to…
- Make a great living changing people’s lives for the better
- Find programs and systems that get better results for you and your clients
- Teach natural healing alternatives to your community that work
- Be part of the growing community of expert health professionals and coaches
- Create a coaching business that can radically change your financial situation
- And so much more.
Now, all that’s left for you to do is to claim your FREE Ticket Here before time runs out.
You’ll need to reserve your digital seat to attend so you can get a reminder about the event on each day so you won’t miss any of the talks and all the extras that come with it.
This is going to be awesome!
Get your body back for good
Summer is officially here stirring up all kinds of judgements, criticisms, wants and desires related to how you feel in your body.
Do you ever find yourself wondering why you don’t have energy to do the simplest tasks such as putting away the laundry, riding bikes with your kids or paying attention to a conversation.
Does getting dressed every morning feel like internal warfare with yourself – you put something on, criticize yourself in the mirror and change your outfit a million times until you find something that doesn’t make you feel like a stuffed sausage?
Do you wish you could just feel like your old self again?
…the energetic, clear-minded, great skin, creative, in-shape, productive, pain and bloat free person you used to be.
I know. I’ve been there, and many of the clients I’ve worked with have been too.
There once was a time when I felt like a stranger in my own body.
Acne took over the radiant skin I was always so proud of. Extra weight or bloating hid the muscle tone I worked so hard for and drastically reduced my outfit options. Low energy limited my ability to basically show up in life; to be the social butterfly I had always been, to be present or creative in my work and at home.
And all I could think about was a time when I felt physically and mentally fit. I didn’t have any self-imposed limitations. All I wanted was to find myself in that place again.
If you feel this way or have ever felt this way, can I get a hell yeah?
(if so let me know below!)
I struggled for a while before I figured out how to get my body back for good – but I did get it back and you can too.
The first thing you need to know is, there is WAY more to getting your body back than changing your diet and exercising.
And the second thing you need to know is, it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Diet and exercise are just two pieces of the puzzle when it comes to feeling like your best self, but they are only effective when the body is running on all cylinders.
Think of it like this…
If you owned the highest profile performance vehicle available in the world, filled it with the highest quality fuel and tried to take it from zero to sixty in 30 seconds with a clogged air filter, empty oil canister, imbalanced tires and sketchy electrical system what do you think would happen?
The car wouldn’t perform as expected right?
This is similar to what happens when you try eating right and exercising, but get little to no results. There’s something going on underneath the hood reducing the efficacy of your efforts.
In this week’s video and blog, I want to help you understand what is potentially going on underneath your hood so you can get your body back for good.
Have you ever caught yourself staring in the mirror wondering how you got here? Wondering…
…where all the weight came from?
…if everyone else notices the circles under your eyes?
…how you’re going to make it through all your meetings today?
…what would happen if you just went back to bed and hid under the covers?
You see, so many others have felt this way too but they have also found a way to get their body back for good with the right lab testing and guidance.
What you’re experiencing did not happen overnight. Feeling out of place in your body is something that has gradually occurred over time amongst the shuffle of work, kids, responsibilities, travel, stress and anything else going on in your life.
Feeling uncomfortable in your own skin happens when…
- Your hormone system go haywire
- Your immune system gets weak
- Your digestive system is dysfunctional
- Your detoxification system doesn’t work
- Your energy system gets slowed down
- And your nervous system sends mixed signals
In order to get your body back for good, you’ve got to get it all of the systems of the body running right, just like a high profile performance vehicle should be.
If your expensive high profile performance car wasn’t running right what would you do?
You would take it to the best specialist around for a thorough evaluation that would include a variety of diagnostic tests to check every aspect of the engine, fuel lines, tires, pumps and more.
To get your body back for good you’ll want to do the same thing so you can understand what is going on underneath the hood; what’s happening with your hormones, immune, digestion, detoxification, energy and nervous system so you’ll know exactly what steps to take to restore function and feel your best again.
Here’s the caveat though…
Running typical blood tests with your general practitioner, or even some specialists won’t get you the answers you’re looking for. (To learn more about why typical blood tests don’t tell you squat, check out the replay of the webinar I did here)
In order to REALLY see how your body is functioning, you’re going to need to run functional lab tests that provide deeper insights about function!
The good news is, these functional lab tests are super easy to do. Most of them are urine, saliva and stool based making it convenient for you to do them in the comfort of your own home.
And based on these functional test results you’ll receive guidance on exactly:
- What foods are right for your body
- How much sleep you need and when
- What type of exercise will get you the best results
- Which stress reducing tools would be most effective for you
- And what toxins or other environmental factors you should minimize to boost your health
Now doesn’t that sound pretty straight forward instead of guessing about what you should be doing to feel good in your body again.
Running functional lab tests is what gave me the insights to get my energy back, get my weight under control, clear up my skin and think clearly again when I wasn’t getting the results I wanted from diet and exercise, or my doctors.
Running these types of lab tests is what has helped so many of my clients uncover hidden healing opportunities such as:
- Estrogen dominance
- Insulin resistance
- Cortisol dysfunction
- Liver congestion
- Poor thyroid function
- And intestinal parasites, bacteria and yeast overgrowth
Those were standing in their way of feeling like their best self despite their diet and exercise efforts.
And using the data from these lab tests to guide recommendations for diet, rest, exercise, stress reduction, supplementation and toxin removal is exactly how clients of mine such as…
…David, lost 40lbs without engaging in a structured workout routine and is able to sleep through the night…
…Jene, was finally able to control her MS symptoms naturally and now can keep up with her grandson…
…Will, is now more relaxed in his decision-making process and can handle even more workload and challenges…
…and Desiree, began to own her worth, which improved her confidence when navigating restaurants and medical professionals.
See, it is possible to feel good in your body and like yourself again! All you need is the right lab tests and resources to steer you in the right direction.
If you want to get your hands on some of those lab tests and resources so you can feel like yourself again (or for the very first time), then schedule a complimentary Ideal Health & Weight Discovery Session with me here today!
#TBT Belly Fat Facts
Tomorrow’s summer solstice officially kicks off summer and bathing suit season here in the northern hemisphere, but are you ready for it?
If you’re dealing with unwanted belly fat then the idea of getting into a bathing suit this summer probably doesn’t sound appealing at all, and it likely leaves you feeling uncomfortable in your own skin all year long.
What you probably don’t know is that there’s a LOT more to losing belly fat than just diet and exercise.
So that’s why this week is a #throwbackthursday blog about all the belly fat facts you need to know so you can banish belly fat for good!
***
I would say that 90% of the people I talk to would love to lose weight around their midsection. Most of them are seeking that ever so elusive flat stomach.
Are you one of those people?
If you are, I have good news for you…
There’s still time to flatten your stomach for summer!
And it doesn’t require counting calories, crash dieting or spending hours at the gym.
Because the fact of the matter is, belly fat is NOT always a result of eating too much and exercising too little. In fact, calories-in versus calories-out is a dying school of thought.
There is a plethora of research these days showing just how broken the calorie counting and crash dieting approach is. In fact, cutting calories and crash dieting can actually cause weight gain long-term.
Everywhere you turn you’ll see all kinds of marketing, promotional products and advertising geared towards the calories-in versus calories-out method for weight loss and finding that flat stomach.
And yet, people still struggle to lose or maintain weight loss, even when they’ve tried almost every diet and exercise routine out there.
And what about the people who have stick-skinny arms and legs but are round in the middle – what’s their story?
What’s up with that belly fat that just won’t budge?!
The accumulation of fat in our bodies, and particularly around our midsection, is way more complex than what is portrayed in mainstream health.
Diet and exercise actually play a small role in the reason for fat around your midsection. In some cases, eating “healthy” and exercising can even contribute to fat accumulation.
Here are some facts about belly fat that I bet you didn’t know…
Excessive inflammation increases your storage capacity for fat cells, particularly white fat cells which are directly related to your “spare tire.”
White fat cells that accumulate around your midsection also serve as a protective mechanism to store the toxins you’re exposed to in order to prevent them from affecting your brain. So the more toxins you’re exposed to, the more white fat cells you make and the bigger the spare tire gets.
Constipation and poor liver detoxification can lead to a buildup of toxins in the body which creates even more white fat cells around your midsection.
Excessive amounts of white fat cells trigger even more inflammation which can result in fluid retention (edema), resulting in even more white fat cells! And a toxic body will intentionally hold onto fat to hide toxins in order to protect you and your brain from the re-circulation of toxins if they are not eliminated.
Low glutathione levels reduces mitochondrial function which leads to weight gain or loss resistance. Glutathione is the body’s most powerful antioxidant, and mitochondria are the organelles within our cells which generates energy from the food we are eating.
Insulin resistance or carbohydrate intolerance contributes to a fatty liver. All of which contribute to inflammation overload and poor toxin detoxification.
Do you see now why diet and exercise aren’t enough to get rid of belly fat?
In this week’s video and blog, I straighten out the facts about belly fat and give you tips so you can get that flat stomach for summer.
Now, that you know the facts about belly fat, it might seem like getting rid of it is much more complex than you originally thought.
In some sense this is true. Diet and exercise are a part of it, but alone won’t get rid of it.
Don’t lose hope, though.
There are four simple steps you can take to reduce your inflammation and toxic load while boosting your liver function and glutathione levels to help you get that flat stomach for summer.
Step 1: Boost Glutathione & Liver Function
Your body needs cysteine (a sulfur-rich amino acid), B2 and selenium to make glutathione and for your liver to function optimally. Eat foods rich in these nutrients such as; organic grass fed red meat, wild salmon, eggs, chicken, lamb, almonds, brazil nuts, tuna, halibut, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, asparagus, onions, mushrooms, and spinach.
Step 2: Cut Down Carbs (especially processed ones)
This one should be easy if you focus on replacing carbs, especially processed ones, with some of the nutrient rich foods mentioned above. Eating too many carbs in one sitting, or multiple times a day can oversaturate your cells with glucose causing insulin resistance, even in the “healthiest” people. Focus replacing your carb intake by bumping up your healthy fats with avocados, fattier cuts of organic meat and poultry, and oils such as olive, coconut and avocado oil. This will cut your carb cravings, leave you feeling fuller longer and less bloated.
Step 3: Minimize Toxic Exposures
We can’t always control what toxins we are exposed to because we can’t always see, hear, smell or feel them BUT taking action to control the ones you are aware of can drastically reduce the toxic load on your body. Some swift and strategic toxin reducing actions you can take include: using non-toxic home cleaning and personal care products, drinking and cooking with filtered water only, getting a HEPA air filter for your bedroom and office, and getting outside for fresh air multiple times a day.
Step 4: Reduce Inflammation
By minimizing your toxic exposures, cutting down on carbs, and boosting your liver and glutathione levels you’ll already be on your way to reducing inflammation. There are a LOT of other unforeseen things that can cause inflammation such as food sensitivities, parasites, bacteria and yeast overgrowth in the gut. To sort out these other inflammatory agents you’ll need to do some testing. But you can also take reducing inflammation to the next level by getting to bed by 10pm and avoiding the top most toxic and inflammatory foods such as gluten, dairy, sugar, soy and alcohol.
***
I can almost guarantee, if you practice these simple steps every day, your belly fat will start going away in 30 days (or less!).
And if you still feel stuck with belly fat that just won’t budge, let’s test so you don’t have to guess about it anymore!
To get your hands on the right lab tests and resources so you can find the missing pieces to your health puzzle and start feeling like yourself again (or for the first time!), schedule a complimentary Ideal Health & Weight Discovery Session with me here today!
Documentary reveals surprising truths about health
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know we have an epidemic of autoimmune and other chronic diseases, particularly in the Western world.
And it’s highly likely that you are suffering from this epidemic personally or at least know someone who is.
It upsets me to say this but devastating health issues have become so common, that most people have accepted them as “normal.”
The long list of symptoms associated with autoimmune conditions and chronic disease is alarming and can cause anyone who’s dealing with them to feel alone, anxious, and helpless.
If you can relate to this personally, or know someone who can, I want you to know something…
… you are not alone and it doesn’t have to be this way!
I’ve been there. I have come back from an autoimmune condition, chronic fatigue and other health issues, and I can tell you from personal experience it doesn’t have to be this way.
Aside from my own healing journey as proof, there are several populations around the world where people are virtually free of autoimmune and chronic health issues.
There are areas where people not only live well into their 90s and even 100s but they do so with exceptional health, vitality and energy.
Imagine if you could travel to these places and learn from these extraordinary people who have in some ways found the fountain of youth. Imagine if you could then discuss their lives with the top experts in the health and wellness world.
Imagine the insight you could gain from these discussions.
You would learn the fundamental lifestyle factors that allow these healthy people to be free from disease, the same principles I have adopted into my own life to reverse Hashimotos, restore hormone balance, lose weight and get my energy back.
You too would learn how to apply this ancient wisdom to your modern life.
A life free from the symptoms that hold so many people back from having the energy and happiness they deserve.
If you’re like me, the thought of this probably brings you great excitement.
That’s why in this week’s video and blog, I’m so thrilled to tell you about my friend, Jason Prall and his amazing project!
Jason and his film crew, traveled the world to research and intimately understand the solutions that allow certain people to live very long, healthy and happy lives.
And now he’s inviting you to experience this remarkable journey, to learn from the healthiest and brightest minds in the world, in a first-of-its-kind, 9-part documentary series – FOR FREE!
In this documentary, you’ll visit some of the most beautiful places on Earth, speak to the vibrant and spirited people who live there and be moved and inspired by their stories. It’s breathtaking.
Then you’ll sit in on Jason’s private meetings with the world’s leading health experts, authors, doctors, and healers.
You’ll be there as they discuss the fundamental principles that afford these people such wonderful, healthy lives – the same principles I have adopted into my own life to reverse Hashimotos, restore hormone balance, lose weight and get my energy back.
You’ll gain a deep understanding of how you can implement their knowledge into your own life to get incredible results too!
Jason told me this is the last time this series will ever be released for free… so please don’t miss out on this opportunity.
Reserve Your FREE Access Pass Here.
(and please share this with people you care about).
Here’s a breakdown of the 9 episodes (each one begins at 6:00 PM Eastern Time and stays live for FREE for 24 hours from June 19th – 27th):
- The Truth About Aging: Can It Be Slowed or Even Reversed?
- The Gut and Immune System’s Role in Disease and Early Aging.
- The Surprising Way Healthy Populations Think About Diet and Exercise.
- Toxic Planet! How To Be Healthy In A Sick World
- Sleep, Light & Disease! Where The Western World Went Wrong And How To Fix It.
- Raising Healthy Kids! Fertility, Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond
- Purpose, Gratitude, and Community: What All Healthy Societies Know That We Don’t
- The Real Reason These Healthy Populations Don’t Get Chronic Disease or Cancer
- Bonus: Combining Ancient Wisdom With Modern Technology
I hope you’re looking forward to this as much as I am!
#1 Key to Living Your BEST Life
This past week I took a much needed road trip up the California coast to relax and rejuvenate my mind, body and soul.
I laughed, played, meditated and connected with myself in ways that I hadn’t in a really long time. I spent hours hiking and driving in places where cell service and WIFI literally don’t exist even in our modern day world.
Along the way, I had a lot of time to reflect on what has transpired in my health and in my life over the years, and I was reminded of a quote by JP Spears from the Human Longevity Project Documentary…
“Maybe life loves us enough to gift us with pain, to get our attention, when we’re not calibrated with our life purpose.”
In the Human Longevity Project, as my friend and health researcher, Jason Prall traveled the world to seek answers from the planet’s healthiest people, a few things became clear…
What these extraordinary people all had in common were things like gratitude, community, connection, and a sense of purpose – all of which I got even more in touch with on my recent trip.
These things seemed even more important than diet and exercise in most cases, because even if you’re doing “all the right things” when it comes to diet and exercise, if the rest of your life isn’t aligned with your health then all of your diet and exercise efforts can go to waste.
It was these intangible aligned elements that indeed played the biggest role in why the healthiest people were so happy and healthy … even into their 90s, 100s and beyond.
And they have also played a big part in helping me to restore hormone and gut health, reverse Hashimotos and overcome mold illness over the years.
If you’re not familiar with what I’m talking about, you should be, so let me fill you in…
My friend Jason began his global quest 3 years ago, to pursue something he calls, The Human Longevity Project.
During this journey, Jason not only spoke to, and learned from the most vibrant and healthy people on the planet, he also sat down with the leading functional medicine minds in the health and longevity industry.
Jason’s goal was to uncover the hidden mechanisms that contributed to remarkable health.
The result is a stunningly beautiful 9-part documentary.
Best of all, you can witness this journey and soak up all of the insights Jason uncovered for free!
The Human Longevity Project was released last spring, and I just heard that this is the very last time they’re releasing this series for free.
This one-of-kind event unlocks the secrets of the world’s healthiest and longest-lived people, and is certainly one you DON’T want to miss!
The series has brought so much perspective and affirmation into my own life, and I want you to get all of the information and benefits it has to offer you too.
I’ll certainly be watching it again, will you join me?
World Thyroid Day
Did you know that 1 in 3 women are estimated to have a thyroid disorder such as hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s?
According to the American Thyroid Association, “more than 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime. An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease and up to 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition.”
Those are some alarming numbers. You could be sitting here reading this right now and not even realize that you could be part of those statistics.
The American Thyroid Association (ATA) in cooperation with the European Thyroid Association the Asia-Oceania Thyroid Association and the Latin American Thyroid Society, celebrated World Thyroid Day this past Saturday, May 25th, in an effort to bring focused attention to “the gland” that has been related to such widespread “dis-ease” throughout the globe.
As someone who was previously diagnosed with Hashimotos, an autoimmune thyroid disorder, and fully recovered from it, World Thyroid Day is near and dear to my heart.
And not just because I’ve been diagnosed with a thyroid condition BUT because I think about all of the people like you, who may OR may not know that you have a thyroid issue too.
In honor of spreading the word about thyroid health issues, I had the pleasure of doing a Facebook Live Video with my fellow thyroid warrior and Functional Nutrition Specialist from New Zealand, Shelley Gawith!
Check out our Facebook Live video to learn more about your thyroid!
I’ve also written a TON of blogs about thyroid health and thyroid related health issues.
Check out some of my post popular and insightful blogs about your thyroid so you can prevent or potentially reverse any thyroid issues you might encounter….
Think You Have A Thyroid Problem? Read this
I dive into detail about how having a sluggish liver can greatly impact your thyroid function and what you can do to promote optimal thyroid hormone conversion!
1 in 3 Women Have This
I share the 1st major step I took to boost my thyroid health so I could feel like myself again – medication free, and that has helped others to do the same.
It’s Time To Part Ways
More info about getting over my thyroid fears, giving up my thyroid medication crutch and the new chapter of my health journey.
My mission is to support busy, health-minded people like you in getting your hands on the right lab tests and resources so you can have a super healthy thyroid, or so you can simply get back to feeling like yourself again.
If you want to explore the missing pieces of your health puzzle on a deeper level so you can actually fix what is wrong and feel your best, then schedule a complimentary Ideal Health & Weight Discovery Session with me here today!
#TBT What foods are right for you?
Last week I shared one of my favorite topics with you – how to find the right diet for you, so you can have your ideal health and weight, and feel like your best self.
I also shared the Food & Body Language Log tool that I’ve personally used, and that I use with all my clients, to dial in the right diet. (download the Food & Body Language Log tool here if you didn’t already)
When you’re eating the right diet AND foods for your body, naturally you will feel more uplifted, motivated, energetic and lean.
AND when you feel this way, making food choices that are in alignment with your health goals and how you want to feel becomes second nature – there’s no question or challenge about it.
So in light of last week’s conversation, here’s a Throwback Thursday blog to help you get even more clear on what foods may, or may not be right for your body.
***
Did you know there is a difference between eating healthy and eating right for your body?
Eating right for your body will include healthy foods, but not all healthy foods are right for your body.
What makes a food “healthy” anyways?
According to the dictionary, the word “healthy” means…
“in good health.: “I feel fit and healthy” “the family is the basis of any healthy society”.
So how does that apply to food then?
We tend to lump a bunch of foods under the definition of healthy – ones that we’ve been told are healthy because of certain nutritional values they hold. “Healthy” foods tend to be: high in vitamins and minerals, low in calories and sugar, and great sources of fiber and healthy fats according to whoever makes up these standards around healthy foods.
I think most of us would agree that these foods would fall under the definition of healthy because of their nutritional value…
- Organic vegetables
- Organic fruits
- Organic meats, poultry and fish
- Organic nuts, seeds, beans and legumes
Yet, not all of the foods in these categories are right for my body and they may not be right for yours either.
Last week I was reminded of this lesson when I ate something that appeared to be healthy on the outside but wasn’t quite right for my body on the inside.
Check out the Facebook Live Video where I share my experience, the friendly reminders my body gave me and how to know what healthy foods may not be right for you…
From the outside, the food that I ate last week looked super healthy. It had clean ingredients, it was certified gluten free, Paleo, vegan, Whole30 approved and all that jazz.
Initially after eating this apparently healthy food for dinner, I felt fine. But the next morning was a different story. My body gave me all kinds of signs that this apparently healthy food, or combination of ingredients was not working for me.
After being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s in 2016, I started eating a modified Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) diet to reduce inflammation, lower my thyroid antibodies and to allow my body to heal. After about 3 months my antibodies were down, I had lost some weight, I was feeling great and I was able to reintroduce some foods I had been avoiding.
Upon reintroducing foods, I quickly realized that some of the healthy foods I used to eat, such as bell peppers, chia seeds and walnuts, didn’t agree with me, although they are “healthy”. Over time, as my gut has healed more, I’ve been able to add certain foods back in small amounts while still feeling great BUT red bell peppers and chia seeds still aren’t my friends.
I was able to figure this out by simply paying attention to how my body responds to certain foods and by using functional lab testing to identify what foods my body needs to function at its potential.
If you feel as though you “eat healthy” but aren’t getting the results you want, have tried every diet and they don’t work, or just plain stuck when it comes to losing weight or improving your health, then it’s likely because there is a difference between eating healthy and eating right for your body.
You could be eating the healthiest foods in the world BUT if they aren’t right for you, you won’t get the results you are looking for.
To figure out what foods are right for you…
1 – Tune Into Your Body
Often we are eating on autopilot and not recognizing or connecting with how foods make us feel. Reactions to foods can happen immediately or be delayed for as long as 72 hours. Reactions to foods can show up in various ways – not just as digestive upset. Check in with yourself 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating a meal to assess your mood, energy and how your physical body feels. If you feel anxious, tired, bloated, gassy or just “off”, this could be a result of something you ate.
These same symptoms can also show up over the course of 3 days after eating something that doesn’t agree with you. If I get “glutened” (secretly slipped some wheat) then I’m guaranteed to have anxiety for the next day or two.
Other signs of food reactions can also include: acne, eczema, psoriasis, irregular menstrual cycles, joint aches and pains, issues sleeping and more! If your symptoms come and go, start tracking them along with what you ate and see what you can correlate!
2 – Test Don’t Guess
Tuning into your body to find out what foods serve you best is the key, but sometimes the signs may not be super clear. Food sensitivity testing can pinpoint exactly what foods your body is reacting to so you can take empowered action to support your body with the foods you need.
Generally, food sensitivities are a result of having a leaky gut and they only need to be avoided for a period of time to help the gut heal. Once your gut is in a better place, you can retest your food sensitivities to see which ones have improved for those that can be added back in, and which ones still might not be right for your body.
Don’t be fooled by “eating healthy.”
Simply eat right for your body, and take the time to understand what healthy means for you.
***
If you want help figuring out what foods ARE right for your body, OR how to heal your gut so you can enjoy some of your favorite foods again, then schedule a complimentary Ideal Health & Weight Discovery Session with me here today!
And don’t forget to, download my Food & Body Language Log, log 6-10 meals for food ratio feedback and then send me an email, or message me on Facebook or Instagram to let me know what you discover about the right diet for you!
What diet is right for you?
Do you know what diet is right for you?
Do you feel overwhelmed or confused about all the diet info circulating the internet?
Are you tired of feeling bloated, low on energy or not losing weight no matter what you eat?
Have you tried eating a Paleo, Keto, AIP, Whole30, vegan or other type of diet but didn’t get the results you were hoping for?
These are some of the same questions and frustrations my clients also have when they start working with me. The first thing we focus on in our work together is figuring out what diet is right for their body so they can feel their best, and I want to help you figure this out too.
Naturally you will feel more uplifted, motivated, energetic and lean when you’re eating a diet that is right for your body.
AND when you feel this way, making food choices that are in alignment with your health goals and how you want to feel becomes second nature – there’s no question or challenge about it.
The truth is, you are unique and therefore your diet should be too.
This concept is grossly overlooked when trying to figure out what diet is right for you, but it’s the most important one because what works for one person does not necessarily work for all.
How many times have you felt frustrated about a diet because you’ve compared yourself to others who are getting results from the same diet you’re doing, even though you’re not?
Here are some BIG reasons why your dieting efforts might not be working for you:
- You’re eating the wrong ratios of proteins, carbs and fats for your body
- You have not-so-obvious food sensitivities or intolerances causing inflammation
- You have underlying hormone imbalances preventing your diet from being effective
- Your digestive system is a disaster resulting in poor nutrient absorption and overall bodily function
Simply changing your diet without understanding what diet is right for you won’t help you get to the bottom of these bigger result blocking issues.
BUT when you do know what diet is right for you, it can help to resolve food sensitivities, hormone imbalances, digestive dysfunction and ultimately help you get your energy back, lose weight, sleep great and feel like yourself again.
In this week’s video and blog, I want to help you figure out what diet is right for your body so you can get back to feeling like yourself again, or for the very first time.
The number one reason why most dietary approaches don’t work for people like you, is because you’re usually eating the wrong ratios of proteins, carbs and fats for your body.
When you eat the wrong ratios of proteins, carbs and fats for your body, it can leaving you feeling:
- Tired, anxious, irritable or needing to nap
- Snacky, stomach heavy or craving sweets
- Brain foggy, wired but tired or physically full but still hungry
These are all signs that your ratios are off, your blood sugar is likely not balanced as a result, and the nutrients in the food you ate was inadequate.
Aside from the Keto diet, most dietary approaches don’t actually address the ratios of proteins, carbs or fats that you should be considering for each meal or throughout the day. And the ratios associated with Keto definitely aren’t right for everyone – especially if you have a thyroid or other type of hormone imbalance.
Most diets fall into what’s called an “elimination diet” approach; telling you what foods to avoid and what foods are considered ok.
For example, Paleo and Whole30 diets promote eating whole, unprocessed animal and plant foods, and they avoid processed foods such as sugar, dairy, grains and soy. The Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) diet adds another layer of elimination to the Paleo diet by also excluding foods containing lectins such as eggs, nuts, seeds, beans and nightshade vegetables. But all three of these diets are non-specific in regards to the ratio of protein, carbs or fats that you should eat in each meal.
Vegan or vegetarian diets are also based on elimination. They exclude certain animal products, but don’t address food ratios. As a vegan or vegetarian you might need a higher ratio of protein sourced from plants to feel your best, but you probably don’t hear many people talking about this.
To sum it up, an elimination diet alone won’t typically get you the results you’re looking for. However, elimination diets do provide a great foundation to help you to figure out what diet is right for you.
Elimination diets help you to avoid foods that commonly cause inflammation such as processed foods, grains, dairy, sugar, soy or those that contain lectins. Implementing an elimination diet to reduce inflammation means you are taking one BIG step in the right direction.
The next BIG step to figuring out what diet is right for you requires dialing in your ratios of proteins, carbs and fats so your body can get the fuel it needs to function at its potential.
When you’re eating the right ratio of protein, carbs and fats per meal you will:
- Be able to go 3-5 hours or more without feeling hungry
- Have energy for hours and feel recharged
- Think clearly, feel uplifted and be more positive
You can use the elimination diet of your choice as a guide to create a clear list of foods you can eat and those you should avoid. Then take it one step further by customizing the ratio of protein, carbs and fats included in each meal so you can feel your best.
Figuring out your food ratios is actually pretty simple. All you need to do is:
- Tune into your body 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating
- Notice how it’s responding to what you ate
- Adjust your food ratios until you get the perfect response!
To help you figure out what ratios are right for your body, click here to get my Food & Body Language Log.
Dialing in my food ratios has been a game changer for me, and my clients too!
I would love to hear how dialing in your food ratios has been a game changer too.
Download my Food & Body Language Log, log 6-10 meals for food ratio feedback and then send me an email, or message me on Facebook or Instagram to let me know what you discover about the right diet for you!
When traveling takes a toll…
If you’re anything like me then traveling is a big part of your life whether it’s for work, vacation, or both.
I’m currently in the midst of one of my busiest travel times of the year with back to back conferences, events and of course a few personal vacays in between.
And let me tell you, my body is feeling it.
You probably don’t normally notice the true toll that traveling takes on your body because…
…if it’s work related you, tend to see it as “just part of the job” and so you continue to push through…
…and if it’s vacation related, well, then it must be all good right?
Traveling is a type of stress we just don’t typically address.
Think about it. How many times have you come home from a trip and:
- Come down with the worst cold or flu ever
- Felt extremely exhausted even if your trip was a vacation
- Had a flare up of muscle or joint aches and pains
- Struggled to get your sleep back on track
- Noticed your weight shot up
- Or experienced a relapse in your autoimmune condition, anxiety, skin breakouts or other health issues
These are all signs of the stress your body experienced while traveling.
Don’t get me wrong, I love traveling and I would never give it up, but over the years I’ve learned to notice how it can take a toll on my body and how I can be proactive so that it doesn’t create a huge health set back for me.
Stress is anything that places a burden on your body resulting in inflammation which leads to any of the health issues you might encounter. Stressors can include the foods you’re eating that aren’t right for your body, getting inadequate sleep, over or under exercising, emotional or physical stress, toxins that you encounter and hidden stressors such as parasites, bacteria or yeast overgrowth in the gut, hormone imbalances, liver congestion and more.
The not so obvious, but typical types of stressors you encounter when traveling are:
- Having less options for food and water quality
- Not so supportive beds or environments which negatively impact sleep quality
- Sitting for prolonged periods of time or getting less movement in general
- Dehydration from flying or not being in your normal routine
- Crossing time zones and messing with your natural hormone balance
- And an abundance of toxins circulating the air in airports and hotels
These stressors can add up quickly while traveling. As your stress load increases, it can suppress your immune system making you more susceptible to getting sick, disrupting your natural hormone balance which drains your energy and mood, overloading your liver causing a backup of toxins in your body and destroying your gut resulting in digestive upset.
You may not have complete control over these travel time stressors BUT you can reduce their impact on your body when you take the right steps.
In this week’s video and blog, I help you identify the toll that traveling might be taking on your body and provide you with proactive tips so it doesn’t set you back.
In the game of living a healthy life, the key to your success is NOT living in a bubble and avoiding all “unhealthy” things, but the trick is learning to navigate life differently so your body and health are more supported.
As I already pointed out, there are quite a few types of stressors you are typically encountering while traveling; some might be within your control and some may not be.
Instead of stressing about finding the perfect place, food and toxin free environments while traveling, here are some simple steps that I take, and that you can take too, in order to proactively support your body and prevent any health setbacks…
Prioritize Food & Water
- Make eating gluten- and dairy-free your #1 priority to reduce inflammatory food factors
- Increase your water intake 1 day before and while traveling to prevent dehydration
- Be mindful of your alcohol intake – if tired or jet lagged, opt for a mocktail instead
Sleep Soundly
- At night set your room to 68 degrees for optimal sleep temperature
- Cover all ambient lights such as alarm clocks, and smoke alarms, and tightly seal curtains shut (Ninja trick! Pack electrical tape to cover smoke alarm lights and place pillows against curtains to seal the cracks)
- Get sunlight exposure upon waking up to balance your circadian rhythm
Reduce Physical Stress
- Stretch, stretch and stretch! Daily and intermittently on the plane for long flights
- Opt for less intense exercise such as walking or yoga
- Schedule a massage, acupuncture and/or chiropractic adjustment within 1 day of returning home
Decompress and Revitalize
- Pack lavender essential oil to use anytime you need to unwind throughout your trip
- Start and/or end your day with a cycle of deep breaths, meditation or journaling
- Schedule some time at the spa or book a massage to relax and restore your body
Tone Down Toxins
- Pack a travel-size salt lamp to help purify air, reduce allergens and negative ions
- Drink purified bottled water ONLY – grab Life Water when you can and look for glass bottled water in restaurants such as Pellegrino
- Get in touch with nature – open windows when possible, get outside daily and even put your bare feet in grass or dirt to offset toxin exposure
I love helping my coaching clients learn how to navigate life differently so they can enjoy traveling AND have their ideal health and weight at the same time.
If you’re a busy, health-minded professional who travels a ton and wants to learn how to support your body better while doing it, then schedule a complimentary Ideal Health & Weight Discovery Session here.
