Sometimes we learn the hard way.

Sick, Sick, Sick.

Coughing, Sniffling!

I got Covid last year, and I’ll (lamely) blame that for getting off my eating habits, and from there gradually slipping back into the “Standard American Diet”.

“I can get by with this little bit…”

“This one time won’t hurt…”

Sorry to say, those statements do not make it so.

You can get by for awhile.  But before long, things mount up.  Not eating well messes up our bodies; it messes up our sleep; and those things mess up our disposition, and our stress. And our HEALTH.

I heard today that Regardless of the excuse you have, it has the same result.  And I believe that’s true.

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Everything about our bodies works together.

Nutritional deficiencies weaken our bodies, and our immune system.  They contribute to insomnia and poor sleep.  This also leads to reduced insulin sensitivity, which leads to poor fat metabolism. (According to Jennifer Campbell, Nutritionist with Masters Degree in Nutrition)

Just one example is, about 45% of the population is magnesium deficient, which can contribute to irritability, inefficient and lack of sleep, stiffness, anxiety and poor attention span.  Some newer studies are seeing a link to ADHD. 

Dr. Mark Hyman says magnesium is a critical mineral that is responsible for over 300 enzyme reactions and is found in our tissues, bones, muscles and our brain. 

According to Dr. Joseph Mercola there is a significant association between very low magnesium and depression in younger adults.  And magnesium is only one little thing!!

Bread and other simple carbohydrates turn immediately to sugar, and eventually over the years, our body gets tired of fighting it, and gives in as it attacks our microbiome in our gut, weakens our immune system, and increases our chances for all kinds of illnesses.

Of course, sugar and processed food do the same thing.  It may give us quick energy, but it steals our strength in the long term.  And it poisons our bodies.

What is processed food?  Some of it might have started out as real food, but once it is processed it no longer gives your body nutrition.  Many times the ingredients have been bleached, which destroys the nutrition, then synthetic vitamins and minerals are added, dye is added, sugars are added, flavors are added, and lots of salt (among other things).  It’s not real food anymore, and it’s not good for you.

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How much exercise does your body get?  Were our bodies made to sit all day? And then lots of times, rest when we come in the house?  Our bodies were meant to move!  Our organs need our body to move.  Our lungs need it.  Our blood flow needs it.  Our skin needs it, to sluff off dead cells and create new ones.  Our joints need it.  Our muscles!  Our sleep (aerobic exercise has been shown to have similar effects on sleep as sleeping pills)!! Our Mind needs it!

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Do you rest at night?  I read today that 70% of Americans do not sleep well (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and that nearly 40% accidentally fall asleep during the day at lease once a month.  Poor sleep hinders mental cognition and mood regulation, and diminishes daily work performance (and overall quality of life).  Loss of sleep stimulates our sympathetic nervous system, keeping our stress response activated.  This leads to elevated cortisol levels which further upset our sleep quality. (According to Jennifer Campbell, Nutritionist)

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Toxins add up = your toxic load is what finally makes the difference.  A little chemicals from here and some from there; toxins from here and there (makeup, household cleansers, skin lotions, hair treatments, nail polish, yard and garden sprays, etc.).

Toxins deplete nutrients, increase stress, impair our metabolism, promote oxidative damage to cells, and interferes with enzymes that strengthen our metabolism.

Over time, all of these things take a toll on our health.

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Why are we sick??  Why are so many traditional doctors not being able to give answers, and help people to be well?

In my opinion, a lot of the ills that people have today have to do with autoimmune conditions (which are caused by the things mentioned above).  Autoimmune conditions are hard to “treat” because they attack different people in different ways and affects everyone differently. 

Also, when the medical community has a protocol that is tied to “symptoms”, and they try to treat the symptoms (as opposed to treating the cause), it’s hard to get it right because your symptom and my symptom could be caused by a totally different thing.

Also, if you are given medicine to cure your sore foot, and you continue to eat the same way, continue to sleep poorly, continue to have over-stress in your life, and continue neglecting exercise for your body, it would be the equivalent to continuing to stand on a tack that is making your foot hurt.  The medicine will not heal your foot.  It may make it feel better, but the problem will continue.

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So.  Back to me creeping back into the Standard American Diet.  Feeling like, “I’m doing good.  I can handle this.”

It’s just not so.  Our bodies were not made for those poisons.  Lack of nutrition, being filled with poisons of all kinds, slacked off on exercise, (and for some reason, now my sleep is off!!) 

After Christmas, I got sick.  I’m not used to being sick.  I felt really bad.  I spent 2-3 days in the recliner with Farrell cooking for me. (I could eat, by the way.)

These days gave me time to think.  To analyze my life.  To plan.  I’m not up for New Year’s Resolutions.  But I’m always up for goals, and planning on how to reach them, and adding those steps to my calendar. 

So I asked myself if I wanted to continue my life the way I had been living it the past several months, fooling myself into thinking I was doing ok.  I absolutely did not want to continue on this path.

So I had to plan. I planned.  I updated my calendar with my plan and my steps to be successful with it.  I had been searching for someone to “walk” with.  Well, it just so happened someone started a group on Facebook for hiking.   Well, that’s what I truly wanted.  So I’ve joined the group, and I’m hiking!  And I’m planning my meals.  And I’m planning the time that I eat.  And I’m buying only real food.

And I’m feeling better even in the short time.  And I’m sleeping better. And I’ve lost a pound.  And I feel so accomplished even in these few days.  I know there will be a day coming up at some point that I don’t feel that.  And I will have to rely on my determination during that time.  But I am.  And I will.

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So, why are we sick??

It’s in our food.  And in our lifestyle.  Our bodies want to be well.  We can help them be well.  They’re designed to be well, and active.

Come go with me on my journey.  My journey to good health.  To feeling good.  To sleeping good.  To feeling exuberant.  To having energy.  To feeling peaceful and calm. 

(And don’t ever think you’re alone when you slip up, or don’t do as you know to do, or want to do.  We all slip up.  But we don’t have to stay there.)

Thank you for reading. 

Please call me if I can help you on this journey. 

My in-person, one-on-one coaching sessions are $50 per session in January if you sign up for four sessions.  On line, in person, or by phone.

Feel free to email me!

Sharon