The autoimmune mindset is something that can be complicated and depending how you look at it, can have certain effects on your overall health.
In fact for many people, when we believe our own body is attacking us we not only hinder our healing process, but often feel our body betrayed us and we become the scapegoat for this 'disease'.
So do we have a condition or not?
Let me ask you this…. does it really matter?
For me, it didn't. I realized that I definitely had something going on that needed healing. I needed to clean up my act and treat my body and mind with respect.
I wasn’t feeling well and knew that if I didn’t make a change and take care of myself that nothing was going to get better. Whether I wear that label of having an “autoimmune” or not, I want to prioritize and take care of myself.
The first few things I did were diet, movement and mindset related and to this day those are a daily focus in my day to day life (even as a mom!).
✨Wahls Protocol. This protocol has been life changing for thousands around the world in healing different autoimmune conditions.
✨ I make sure to get in movement, everyday. Even if it was a short walk, or a quick arms workout - it helped so much mentally and physically!
✨ The way we think about things really matters. It's not just, oh think positive and everything will be alright, but it's deeper than that. Truly deeply believing and knowing that your body can heal itself has been shown in many cases (think Joe Dispenza) to actually heal your body (I do believe along with food choices, toxin reduction, movement and more).
I’ve made many strides towards better health and changes in my life so that I’m able to feel good and at the end of the day, that’s what matters to me.
Exercise has also been a passion of mine and something I have truly enjoyed. I have loved exercise since I was 16 years old when I realized it could help me feel better and bonus for looking better too.
Getting pregnant didn’t stop me one bit. I exercised all throughout my pregnancy, right up until a few days before birth; it helped me mentally and physically, not only prepare for birth but prepare for that 4th trimester.
As you're getting used to your body again (after holding a beautiful baby for quite some time) you may want to get back to movement, whether that's a mental or physical reason, it can still show up pretty heavily.
I wanted to get moving after the first month or so, but knew I needed to take my time or I could risk overdoing it, which I did not want to do as that can cause permanent issues (especially for that pelvic floor).
I have been doing some pelvic floor exercises (sent to me from my pelvic floor therapist), some arm workouts and walking, but now I wanted to up my game.
This last week I started running again for the first time in over a year. I LOVED it! I had missed it so much and it's something my little guy and I can do together! I have started very slow (again didn't want to overdo it) with the couch to 10k app which keeps me in check.
Here are a few tips as you transition to working out postpartum!
- Start gradually; it’s important not to push yourself and put undue stress on your body.
- Focus on core and pelvic floor exercises; a pelvic floor specialist can be a great resource
- Stay hydrated; so important, especially if you are breastfeeding
- Listen to your body; if something doesn’t feel right, take a step back or adjust the workout.
- Be patient; your body is completely different now, give yourself a little grace.
I'd love to hear your experience with working out after having a baby!
Pregnancy and postpartum can take its toll on your body and your overall health. It’s so important for your recovery to be doing things to serve and love on your body. It is easy to get sucked into the cycle of overwhelm - you are caring for a new baby, navigating breastfeeding, creating a new schedule, redefining your identity...the list goes on and on!
Here are some ways to reframe your mindset during those challenging times of overwhelm:
🧘♀️Breathe and close your eyes
Taking just a few moments to close your eyes and take a few deep breaths can be mood changing! When I do this I engage my pelvic floor muscles and remember what it's like to feel that calmness, to sometimes be in a tranquil pool of blue/green water and to hear the sound of waves. It truly helps me relax, ground and come back to what a blessed existence I have.
🕺 Move/Shake
Moving your body is key for so many reasons. A way of movement that I’ve been focusing on (along with my usual) is somatic movement. One way to describe this is movement in which you focus on the internal experience and feeling of the movement instead of what it looks like from the outside.
🍪 Choose a healthy feel good snack or stuff your face🤣
Just kidding, don’t just stuff your face. Emotional eating can be very common for many reasons, but regardless it is not the best coping mechanism!
Slowing down, even if it is just for a minute or two can be the difference needed to reset, regulate your mood and get your day back on track.
What do you do when you’re having one of those days?
The holidays are a busy time - running in so many different directions, from family party to party, celebrating the season with the ones you love. This is your sign to prepare to take on healthier habits for the holidays
Look, I’ve been there (frankly still am there sometimes) where your circumstances are driving you to stress eat. Whether that’s family asking you crazy questions or long travels that you really didn’t want to do in the first place or maybe it’s actually fun things like that journey to see family you haven’t seen in awhile and are excited to see!
Whatever it is, one of the ways you can keep your mind and body in better shape is by making healthier food choices.
A lot of my clients and people I know are overwhelmed by the holiday onslaught of sugar laden foods or endless holiday parties where the eggnog is flowing (or maybe you’re more of a mulled wine person) and aren’t quite sure how to handle it all.
One of the best ways I’ve found throughout the years is to plan. Plan what you’re going to eat or drink and attach a why to it.
What do I mean by that?
When you attach a meaningful why to your eating plan that can be a game changer. It allows you to dive in with determination to make those healthier choices a bit easier.
My why is my brain.
Without healthier food choices my brain just doesn't like me. When consuming a lot of sugar, alcohol and processed foods I end up with a severe case of brain fog which can lead me further down the autoimmune path, which I choose not to do.
What I eat directly impacts my ability to process information, sleep, make choices and feel joy.
Those are some big impacts!
Throughout the years people I've worked with have come to realize (especially after a particularly rough holiday season) that taking a more planned approach to what they eat (and let's be real, many other things) can be really helpful when it comes to thriving and not feeling just plain gross come January.
This year (2023) I put together a fall meal plan challenge where folks got access to a two week meal plan and group support to implement it! I'll be doing these throughout the year so keep an eye out for the next one!
The holidays are naturally a busy time filled with family get together, exchanging gifts and yummy treats. If you are pregnant during the holidays you may feel an added layer of stress.
Last year at this time I was pregnant with our little man and I was seriously feeling all the feels. It was the holiday season and I was constantly working on the different things I should eat. And boy is there a lot of info out there! I knew there wouldn't be a lot of my usual items that I consumed on the menu (think wine, extra cookies and other less than stellar choices).
Even with my masters in clinical nutrition, there was A LOT of info out there, much of it is of course conflicting. So down the research hole I went.
Sometimes Google can be a great resource and sometimes it can be a little overwhelming, which is why I decided to simplify and create a guide for pregnant mamas!
Packed with tips, recipes and ways to still enjoy things, even if it looks a little different for you this year!
This guide will put your mind at ease and make navigating all of your holiday get togethers less stressful, giving you more time to sit back and enjoy the season.
Click here to join the waitlist to get access to the guide for pregnant mamas when it officially launches!
