Why your healing diet isn't "working"
It’s not that what you’re doing isn’t “working,” it’s simply that you are a unique body that may require different things based on where you are at at this moment.
I’m always reading books, listening to podcasts and attending trainings on the latest and greatest in nutrition and holistic health to make sure I’m up to date on what’s going on and can best serve my clients. I was recently reading a great book about using nutrition and lifestyle shifts specifically to balance hormones. It had amazing information about getting to the root cause or hormonal imbalance in the body and at the end of the book proposed a 30-day “hormone balancing protocol” which included dietary advice and a supplement regimen.
To be honest, this is one of probably 10 different protocols I’ve read about in the last 6 months, all somewhat similar but with their own nuances, restrictions and guidelines.
As I was reading through I kept thinking about how many clients come to me saying they tried XYZ protocol and it didn’t “work” or they’re afraid they may not have “done it right.” What happens if you follow the protocol to a T but your symptoms get worse, or some get better but others get worse, or you have no idea if it’s helping at all?
It’s not necessarily because you didn’t do it right, or because something is wrong with you. Any protocol or template is meant to be a guide. The information that you gather as you move through these shifts and changes and observe results in your own body is what matters.
If you are instructed to eat 9 servings of veggies a day, most of them cruciferous and raw and you feel bloated and uncomfortable, that’s information. If you are told to avoid all carbohydrates and you feel like you have the flu and are zapped of energy, that’s information. If you’re drastically increasing your intake of fats and you digestion goes off, that’s information. If you’re eating a “perfect” diet full of restrictions and you’re so stressed out that you can’t sleep or relax, that too is information.
It’s not that what you’re doing isn’t “working,” it’s simply that you are a unique body that may require different things based on where you are at at this moment.
If you are having a difficult time navigating these waters and figuring out what works for you and your specific body, I can help! I always offer free, 30-minute discovery calls to hear more about your story, identify the blocks standing in your way and create a plan of action specifically for you!
Prefer to listen? Tune into The Live Well Podcast below (AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE SO YOU'LL NEVER MISS OUT!)
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Are you dealing with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune disease, pain or digestive issues?
You’ve gone to doctor after doctor. You’ve received some answers, have started on medications and notice some relief (thank goodness!) but are still left feeling exhausted, stressed, inflamed and not fully yourself?
Or maybe every test has come back “normal” and your practitioners have told you that there isn’t anything they can do, to come back when things get worse, or to simply manage your stress better?
If yes, then you are someone who would benefit form 1:1 holistic health coaching.
Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.
I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.
LIVE WELL PODCAST | EP #45 - CBD and our endocannibinoid system with Kara Dowdell
CBD has created a lot of buzz in the wellness world recently. Is this just a trend or is there something to it?
Join me and Functional Medicine practitioner Kara of Life Hub Center - Integrative Health + Functional Medicine for an educational seminar to learn everything you need to know about CBD and our endocannabinoid system.
CBD has created a lot of buzz in the wellness world recently. Is this just a trend or is there something to it?
Join myself and Functional Medicine practitioner Kara of Life Hub Center - Integrative Health + Functional Medicine for an educational seminar to learn everything you need to know about CBD and our endocannabinoid system.
Kara is a Functional Medicine Practitioner who utilizes systems biology and health coaching to help improve the health and lives of individuals suffering from autoimmune and chronic conditions. Diagnosed with Grave’s disease herself, she is passionate about helping people find real, sustainable health and tapping into their bodies own innate healing capacity.
Kara has over thirty years of experience in the healthcare industry. She earned her BS and MS in Healthcare from the University of Arizona and California State University respectively. After decades in corporate healthcare, Kara went on to pursue postgraduate studies from Duke University where she studied behavioral health and coaching methods in one of the world’s top integrative medicine programs. From there, Kara studied functional medicine in clinical practice from The Institute for Functional Medicine and The School of Applied Functional Medicine,
Recognizing the value in having different healing modalities to meet diverse client needs, Kara continually expands her knowledge base. She is a Certified Medical Cannabis Consultant educating people about the potential benefits of CBD and our endocannabinoid system. The goal of this interview is for you to really understand CBD, where it comes from, uses and benefits, potential contraindications and how to be an informed consumer if choosing to buy and use CBD products.
LISTEN BELOW (AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE SO YOU'LL NEVER MISS OUT!)
Click here to listen in iTunes
Click here to listen in Stitcher
Show Notes:
0:00 Intro
0:54 Introducing Kara Dowdell of Life Hub Center - Integrative Health + Functional Medicine
Understanding CBD, what is it and where it comes from?
What are its uses and benefits?
Potential contra indications and how to become an informed consumer.
4:10 Kara speaks about her functional medicine practice specializing in autoimmunity and chronic illnesses and how her interests in the potential benefits of CBD.
7:35 The problem with CBD on the market today and how this plant-based alternative is different to other pain reliving products.
9:06 What are cannabinoids and the 3 basic types of the cannabis plant.
13:53 What does CBD actually mean?
How cannabinoids in plants relate to supporting our body to reach homeostasis.
15:14 What is the endocannabinoid system and its recent discovery in the mid 90’s.
The endocannabinoid system and its regulation of hormones, blood tissue, digestion, and speed of healing.
17:43 How natural cannabinoids are created in our system and how you know when these receptors are activated (hint: yoga practice bliss!)
21:38 How do you know if your body is not producing enough endocannabinoids?
33:00 How to assess the quality of your CBD products, and why it’s so important to check your source.
41:45 “Start low then grow” how to determine the correct dosage for your unique endocannabinoid system.
49:26 Outro
If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.
If we haven't met before, I'm Christina Tidwell, founder and owner of Live Well with Christina. I'm so excited that you're here and have begun to delve into your health and wellness journey! Here at Live Well we help people with autoimmune disease take control of their health through nutrition, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.
If you suffer from:
Fatigue and energy crashes
Brain fog
Poor digestion
Symptoms of autoimmunity
Stress and overwhelm
...and aren't getting the support you need, I can help guide you through 1:1 health and nutrition coaching.
Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.
I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.
LIVE WELL PODCAST | EP #44 - Exercise and autoimmunity with Andrea Wool
Andrea Wool is the creator and founder of Autoimmune Strong which is an online workout program designed for those with autoimmune disease. Andrea struggled for years to find a fitness professional who understood how to work with my body's chronic flare-ups and pain and developed the Autoimmune Strong program for her own personal healing. Join us as we speak about what kind of exercise is right for those with chronic pain and autoimmunity and how to get started!
Andrea Wool is the creator and founder of Autoimmune Strong which is an online workout program designed for those with autoimmune disease. Andrea struggled for years to find a fitness professional who understood how to work with my body's chronic flare-ups and pain and developed the Autoimmune Strong Program for her own personal healing and to help others traveling the same path.
For people struggling with autoimmune disease, fibromyalgia, and other chronic pain issues, exercise is a double edged sword. As Andrea explains, exercise can definitely help us manage our symptoms and flare-ups. Chronic pain conditions are exacerbated by inflammation, and, if done properly, exercise can help to reduce inflammation and pain caused by inflammation. We know that movement is essential, but too much movement can stimulate a flare-up of the worst kind.
Join us as we speak about what kind of exercise is right for those with chronic pain and autoimmunity and how to get started!
LISTEN BELOW (AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE SO YOU'LL NEVER MISS OUT!)
Click here to listen in iTunes
Click here to listen in Stitcher
Show Notes:
0:00 Intro
0:52 Introducing Andrea Wool founder of Autoimmune Strong, NTP and Certified Personal Trainer
2:00 Andrea speaks about her own personal journey with autoimmunity (Hashimoto’s, Celiac, Fibromyalgia and mixed connective tissue disorder)
“I was exhausted in my bones”
7:00 What is exercise intolerance?
Why do those with autoimmune disease feel more fatigue?
10:00 Exercise as a stressor
11:00 I have chronic pain and I’m so tired, what kind of exercise can I do?
Acknowledge where you are at, not where you think you should be
11:50 Andrea busts common exercise and weight loss myths
16:30 How to keep an exercise (and symptom) journal
19:00 How to shift the “no pain no gain” mindset we might find ourselves in
20:40 The importance of strength, flexibility and mobility
Core strengthening to reduce structural pain
25:00 The benefits of foam rolling
30:06 Exercise for chronic pain
39:30 Learn more about the Autoimmune Strong Program
42:40 Outro
If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.
If we haven't met before, I'm Christina Tidwell, founder and owner of Live Well with Christina. I'm so excited that you're here and have begun to delve into your health and wellness journey! Here at Live Well we help people with autoimmune disease take control of their health through nutrition, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.
If you suffer from:
Fatigue and energy crashes
Brain fog
Poor digestion
Symptoms of autoimmunity
Stress and overwhelm
...and aren't getting the support you need, I can help guide you through 1:1 health and nutrition coaching.
Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.
I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.
LIVE WELL PODCAST | EP #43 - Dining out with dietary restrictions with Julia Craig
Julia is a holistic Nutrition and Wellness coach, helping women who struggle low energy, digestive issues and stress to improve food choices and daily lifestyle habits so that they have a happy tummy and mindfully manage a calm mind and body. Join us as we speak about managing travel and social events with ease!
Do you have a hard time navigating food choices when you are out at restaurants, traveling or in social settings? If so you are not alone! I’ve brought Julia Craig on the podcast today to speak about the nuances of managing dietary restrictions while eating out and traveling.
Julia is a holistic Nutrition and Wellness coach, helping women who struggle low energy, digestive issues and stress to improve food choices and daily lifestyle habits so that they have a happy tummy and mindfully manage a calm mind and body. Join us as we speak about managing travel and social events with ease!
LISTEN BELOW (AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE SO YOU'LL NEVER MISS OUT!)
Click here to listen in iTunes
Click here to listen in Stitcher
Show Notes:
0:00 Intro
2:46 Julia speaks about her own person journey and the work she does today at Julia Frances Wellness
5:50 What happens when we move away from “black and white” food options and want to travel and be social?
The importance of being social
Considering our mindset around food
9:02 Tips for eating out
Understand your dietary requirements so you can articulate them to others
Cultivating the connection between what you eat and how you feel
Feeling confident speaking your needs
Look at the menu before you go or call ahead to have the conversation before you go
19:30 “You’re an important person and you are fully worthy of having different requirements to other people”
20:25 The importance of connecting to your “why”
21:00 Julia’s planning tips for her own 3-week road trip in New Zealand
27:30 How to work with the waitstaff
35:01 Outro
![Julia Craig [Live Well]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/573cbf27c2ea51f428cb5132/1556822532541-78BCIW34NX89KWEIVBTE/Julia+Craig+%5BLive+Well%5D)
If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.
If we haven't met before, I'm Christina Tidwell, founder and owner of Live Well with Christina. I'm so excited that you're here and have begun to delve into your health and wellness journey! Here at Live Well we help people with autoimmune disease take control of their health through nutrition, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.
If you suffer from:
Fatigue and energy crashes
Brain fog
Poor digestion
Symptoms of autoimmunity
Stress and overwhelm
...and aren't getting the support you need, I can help guide you through 1:1 health and nutrition coaching.
Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.
I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.