Two years ago this month, I started a new nutrition journey based on a recommendation by my family physician. I had gone to see him early in January of 2017 because I could not stop getting bronchitis. I’m talking a decade & more of going on antibiotics & steroids 3-6 times a year for upper respiratory infections, strep throat, bronchitis, sinus infections, and more. Family & friends were always telling me I had a cough. And while I was aware of the cough it was so much a part of my daily life it was my norm.
His recommendation after running a bunch of tests that came back negative?? Change my food by going gluten, dairy & soy free. Then invest in a good probiotic. I took a few weeks to wrap my head around the info & plan for my big change. Then on January 18, I started my LEAN, CLEAN & GREEN lifestyle change. In fact, the night I started I was supposed to meet up with a group of women at a restaurant. It was the first time I had ever chosen to eat at home before I went out to eat. But I was so SICK of being sick, that eating at home was worth not being derailed. Especially on day one!
I’m not going to tell you it was easy because it wasn’t. I went a full 6 months without ever eating any sort of bread (most gluten free breads are gross to me.) There were plenty of times I got grumpy because I had to rethink how I looked at food, cooked my food, chose restaurants, or had to skip out of a fun meal with friends & family. But after awhile it became every day life & it was easier, our family assimilated around it & I learned how to modify when eating out.
There were plenty of times I would ask myself is this going to work??? Is this worth it???? That’s what I repeat to myself over & over again as I took the time to try a new recipe or had to cook myself a meal while the rest of the family was eating take out. But I had all my questions answered in 2017 because my life changed. I didn’t have strep a single time. I didn’t have bronchitis a single time. I didn’t have any sort of sinus or upper respiratory infections. I didn’t take a *SINGLE* antibiotic. I didn’t take a single steroid. I have more energy, like through the roof energy levels. I’m happier. I’m less anxious. I move with my kids more. I sleep better. The list of benefits is unending. I will never go back.
Am I recommending everyone go dairy, gluten & soy free? Nope, not in the slightest. I do think that as a society we could all be better off eating whole foods, but I wouldn’t dare give my personal medical advice from my doctor & tell you to apply it to your life. If you have been told by a doctor it’s time to make some changes OR if you have been dragging your feet to take care of yourself & you need to see a doctor, I encourage you to do something about it TODAY. A year from now you will be so glad!
Have you ever made any big changes in your life & they ended up being amazing?
You have a good doctor!