My healing “journey,” as some might call it, began in March 2020. Frustrated with my declining ability to climb our basement stairs—a daily reminder of my waning enjoyment of hiking—I sought help in the form of a personal trainer.
I made an appointment with a trainer named Andrew and the week after our very first meeting our country shut down due to COVID, so I canceled my upcoming session. Two months later, I reached out to him again. We agreed to hold our sessions outside until businesses were allowed to reopen.
My first workout was a walk up a 10 percent grade, carrying a 10-pound weight. I was surprised at how a task I could have mastered with ease in the past had become so challenging—I felt pathetic.
I met with Andrew about three times a week. We did a variety of “movement” activities and he even suggested I keep a food journal. He shed no judgement as as he reviewed my daily breakfast of two donuts. During my sessions, there was much conversation which I grew to realize was my “education.” I learned A LOT! My background is in medicine—I am a certified registered nurse anesthesiologist—yet I knew very little about how to be healthy. Andrew understands how our bodies metabolize and use food as energy. He asked me a pivotal question very early on: “Would you put sand in your gas tank and expect to drive your car?”
Andrew taught me to give myself permission to be flexible in defining exercise—I was able to accept that any daily movement such as cleaning the house, yard work, etc., qualified! I found myself wanting to “move.” I added some cardio—elliptical and treadmill—and found it to be a great way to deal with stress. Now I see cardio as an extra—not as a requirement. My diet has slowly changed as well. I don’t count calories or macros. I simply eat fresh, real food.
A bit of history—in 2010 I was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease called CREST syndrome, so I was accustomed to living with daily pain. However, after six months of clean eating, I awoke one day without any joint pain! I have eliminated all processed foods and sugars from my diet, and now eat only organic fruits and vegetables, and grass-fed meats. I was able to get off three different medications for my gastrointestinal system, and a daily anti-inflammatory. I lost 55 pounds that first year! I can say without a doubt, I will never return to my old way of eating. I feel too good to go back.
My doctors were amazed at my transformation. I follow my blood work every six months, with astounding results. It has been three years since I started my program with Andrew, and I’ve not deviated from the new lifestyle. Yes—I have had some challenges. My work demands as a business owner have caused incredible stress this past year—but I’ve never missed a workout and have never considered deviating from clean eating.
These past three years have allowed my brain to rewire its circuitry. Using food as fuel for my body and daily movement has become automatic. I’ve also become more aware of how sleep and stress can affect my health. I have become a voracious researcher in ways to optimize these pillars of health.
I am blessed to have a wonderful husband who supports me, and an excellent “coach” as my trainer. This support system gives me the courage to accept myself and to embrace the fact that “it’s a journey.”
Copy
