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diet

How my pursuit of "perfection" led me to burnout

The question frequently asked of me: How does one become an expert in stress and adrenal fatigue? My answer: go through burnout twice and get mentored by the leading expert in Adrenal Fatigue, Dr. James L. Wilson.

Did you catch that? Twice. I suffered through a burnout TWICE.

You would think I would figure out what went wrong in my health and not do that again, right? That seems reasonable for sure; however, my burnouts were a result of two completely different circumstances.

Something to note: it’s not unusual to hear from my clients suffering through burnout for a second time; they slowly slid back into a lifestyle that resulted in the first burnout and leads to a second episode.

That isn’t necessarily my story, but I do find my story to be the same story of most women. I was striving for perfection.

My first burnout (and the focus of this blog post) was a result of over-exercising and under-eating. After going on birth control in 1999, I struggled with maintaining a healthy weight. I decided to stop taking the pill in 2000 after suffering debilitating migraines. I had never experienced headaches of this magnitude before and the pill was really the only thing that had changed in my life that could be leading to severe headaches. After I stopped the pill, the weight continued to be difficult to manage.

Add in getting pregnant and birthing three children in 5 years and weight loss seemed elusive. I tried everything under the sun to lose weight: fasting, Weight Watchers, juice cleanses, Isagenix, South Beach, Atkins, low fat- low calorie, Nutrisystem, diet pills. Everything.

In 2012, I went all in. Whatever it took, I would do. I sought coaching from a former physique competitor and began heavy weight training. I also added in a ton of cardio. I woke up at 2:30 AM to get to the gym at 3. I trained with weights for an hour and then did an hour of cardio.

I would go to work, come home and go for a 3-5 mile run. Sometimes I would play an exercise video on my laptop during my lunch hour and workout in the warehouse at my office.

I kept my calories around 1,200 most days and focused on consuming all the protein. I had two protein shakes a day. I was severely under-eating for the amount of activity I had each day. I became orthorexic. I measured and journaled each morsel. If I ate something that wasn’t “clean”, I added in extra exercise. I felt shame and guilt for not being “perfect”.

This went on for 1 ½ years. During this time, I went through a divorce, became a single mom, switched from a part-time photographer to a full-time business development manager that traveled, got into another relationship that was unhealthy, and now had this obsessive “fitlife”.

I had lost 40 pounds and was the leanest I had ever been since high school. To society, I looked perfect. I never saw it. I was so critical of myself. I was addicted to the creation of my “perfect” body. I yearned for better and continued to drive myself until I hit the wall. In 2014, I got so sick that I was out of work for close to three weeks.

Almost every infection possible had hit me at once (sinus, double ear, upper respiratory, urinary tract, and eye). I went through multiple rounds of antibiotics to recover. I was left weak, fatigued, and lethargic.

The ironic part? I was working with THE leading stress and Adrenal Fatigue expert, Dr. James L. Wilson. In fact, my job was to train and educate practitioners that were treating their patients for symptoms of stress that led to Adrenal Fatigue. I knew what led to Adrenal Fatigue and burnout. I taught medical practitioners how to treat their patients. I had the tools and education. But I didn’t live it. I thought I was living the healthy life!

I exercised. I ate clean. I took my supplements. But it was excessive. There was no rest. No grace for myself. No room to be gentle. Rest days were only for those who didn’t want it enough.

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The Road to Recovery

This incident of burnout led me to an entire new life and perspective of wellness. Dr. Wilson helped guide me back to a path to healing and health. I found out my hormones were a mess, my cortisol levels were completely opposite of what they should be, and I had some severe vitamin deficiencies. As I researched my way to recovery, I took my mentoring and education to heart. It lit a fire deep within me to teach other women how to avoid burnout and pursue recovery.

I had already begun coaching women on a weight loss journey, but I changed the way I coached my clients after my burnout because I realized I was leading women toward the same disaster I had just gone through myself. And so many other coaches have been doing the same!

We have women chasing this “ideal” and compromising their health in doing so. I have made it my personal mission to offer a comprehensive and holistic approach to prevent and recover from burnout. It’s not enough to give a client a meal and exercise plan; we must address the emotional, lifestyle, and nutritional changes that need to take place for sustainable results.

The effects of stress on the body are of enormous proportion. When a stress response is kicked on (and stays on in times of chronic stress), EVERYTHING is affected: hormones, blood sugar, digestive system, brain cognition, immune system, tissue health.

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Adrenal Fatigue doesn't have to be permanent.

Adrenal Fatigue is completely preventable when you are intentional towards a holistic approach to health. Stress is a choice, burnout is a result.

If you think you may be suffering from burnout, click the button to download “5 SIGNS OF BURNOUT” to understand the symptoms and steps needed to promote recovery.

What questions do YOU have about adrenal fatigue? Let me know in the comments!

Stress Management: Meal planning

Stress Management: Meal planning

As we are going through the “Love Your Life” month I realize that one of the things keeping my clients from really loving their life is feeling completely overwhelmed at the idea of meal planning, prepping, and keeping the menu fresh.

Today, I am sharing all about my process. This is what I’ve been doing most recently and I am loving it!!!!! #gamechanger

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I am using Trello for my meal planning (and general life organization) video that I am sharing today. It’s free, there is also an app you can use and it is magical!

If you are not using Trello yet, I highly recommend it! It has become an important tool for time management and implementation strategy when setting goals and creating the activities for those goals.

Trello has become my best friend as I get my life in order. You can create customized boards. I have quite a few specific to my business and my home. I break things down by month in my business to keep me focused and organized because I know what’s coming every day, week, and month.

As I plan weekly meals, one thing that has helped a ton is for me to set aside some time on Saturday or Sunday. Sunday seems to work the best for this. I find that it’s a more relaxing time to figure out what we are going to eat for the upcoming week.

I like to have dinner and breakfast options planned out for the week. However; in my case, for my family, dinner is probably the most important to plan. When it comes to breakfast in our house, we tend to keep some quick things on hand. We prepare breakfast burritos to freeze and boiled eggs ahead of time or my kids just grab a bowl of cereal or toast and a boiled egg. I make myself and my husband a green smoothie every morning (one of us likes that more than the other, I will let you guess who doesn’t. HINT: the answer isn’t me).

In the video below I am sharing tips and trick about meal planning. I am sharing my meal options and how my grocery list became smaller and more organized. Typically, you go to the grocery store and forget most items because the list you wrote out is on your kitchen counter (or is that just me?), you impulse shop, and you wander aimlessly because you don’t exactly know what to prepare everyday.

Enter the ever-amazing Trello! (I can’t sing the praises enough)

I am showing you how to create your own organized grocery list on Trello.

I break down the list by:

  • Dinner

  • Breakfast

  • Kitchen Plan

  • Snacks

You have everything in one place. You look for a recipe, add the ingredients and even the link you got the recipe from. This is really helpful in case you forgot to add something. And remember how I said there is an app? Now your list and meal plans are mobile!! Cue the singing angels!! 😇

Eliminate frustration at meal time by planning ahead. The way to revitalized wellness doesn't have to be stressful.

Trust me… after you watch the meal planning video you will love me!!!!

It’s crazy how the everyday routine can be so time consuming and stressful! But today, my friend, that changes for you!!

I am sharing some really EASY recipes and methods to turn meal planning into FUN. (FYI-my family LOVES each of these things in the video!)

No more headaches or overwhelm when it comes to think about preparing your own healthy food. You have just learned another way to manage your stress.

You’re welcome. 😘

Here’s to Whole Health. Whole Love. Whole Success. 💜

** If you are struggling to lose weight, be sure to download my free guide “5 Ways Stress Is Stopping You From Dropping A Dress Size” by clicking HERE.



What Do I Eat If I Have Adrenal Fatigue?

What Do I Eat If I Have Adrenal Fatigue?

As I have coached my clients that are undergoing immense amounts of stress in their lives, I have noticed a common pattern with regard to nutrition. High carb, sugar-laden food that is lacking dense nutrition and only provides an energy crash and endless cups of coffee is the usual diet of those living a modern, fast-paced life.

Leading a life that has never-ending to-do lists and expectations that are elusive, yet continue to leave us striving toward “accomplishment” has a tendency to grab on-the-go meals that can be consumed quickly and typically during a commute. A breakfast consisting of baked goods, bars, packaged shakes, or designated “breakfast” options being sold in the aisles of the grocery store that contain more sugar, preservatives, and white processed flour than the “vitamins & minerals” being touted as being delivered in each delicious bite is the norm.

Friends, if this is you, I beg of you to consider your nutrition in order to begin a road to new energy and mental clarity.

"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food"  ~Hippocrates

When you are suffering from Adrenal Fatigue, nutrition is critical to recovery. Rather than looking to a prescription or a crash-diet to solve your problems, take a good look at what you are putting in your body. Food is healing and quality is everything. Poor diet can exacerbate the suffering you experience.

There are three things to keep in mind when you are trying to recover from chronic stress and Adrenal Fatigue and trying to understand what is important with your nutrition in order to recover from Adrenal Fatigue.

  1. All macronutrients are important and necessary.

With the common and popular diets eliminating an entire macronutrient group, carbs are getting a really bad wrap. What people need to understand is that carbs are an essential source of vitamins and minerals that provide energy; one of the top symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue is chronic fatigue. Therefore, you NEED carbohydrates to create ATP (energy) without creating more stress internally.

However, not all carbs are equal. The carbs you want to eat will consist of whole, unprocessed foods full of fiber (flax, quinoa, sweet potatoes, and cruciferous vegetables).

You will want to combine a fat, protein, and complex carbohydrate with every meal. Combine fat, fiber (carbs), and organic protein when creating your meals. This offers longer satiation and a more balanced blood sugar level that doesn’t leave you with a crash an hour later.

2. The sweet limitations of fruit

People with adrenal fatigue and blood sugar problems should go lightly on fruits, especially in the morning. But if you exercise early in the day, it may be possible for you to handle a small amount of fruit for breakfast. Exercise elevates cortisol and aldosterone levels, which in turn raise sodium levels in your blood, allowing for greater tolerance to the effects of fruit.

However, be very careful of fruit consumption and if you notice that you become more tired, thick headed or start to experience other symptoms of either low blood sugar or low adrenals, then eliminate fruit in the morning. Any fruit that you do eat should be organically grown. Many people who suffer from adrenal fatigue are sensitive to chemicals in foods.

Here are some recommended fruits for those with adrenal fatigue: papaya, mango, plums, pears, kiwi, apples, and cherries. Fruits to avoid would be bananas, raisins, dates, figs, oranges, and grapefruit.

3. Caffeine Prolongs Exhaustion

People with adrenal fatigue often crave caffeine or cola beverages because of the stimulatory effect of the caffeine. The difficulty with this is that caffeine also over-stimulates the adrenals, which leads to further fatiguing when the caffeine wears off. Therefore, many people with adrenal fatigue get through the day by kicking their adrenals with several cups of coffee and beverages containing caffeine or by combining caffeine, sweets, and chocolate (which contains caffeine and a caffeine-like substance). Although this makes them feel better temporarily, this regimen will eventually exhaust the adrenals even more, leading them into further difficulties.

Now they have a vicious cycle repeating. They need coffee to be productive, they crash, they are exhausted and need more caffeine and sugar. And on and on it goes. Therefore, avoid or limit caffeine containing foods and beverages.

Replace your coffee habit with herbal teas, mushroom elixirs, and lots of water.


Next steps…

If you’re confused about what to eat, remember this: lean protein, carbs (in the form of greens and fiber) and fat. Every meal. It’s key to recovery.


For You…

Need a breakfast or lunch that is quick to make, packed full of vitamins & minerals and gives the nutrition you need to support a body in stress? Here is a quick, cheat sheet to print and hang in your kitchen for powerful smoothies that help to promote Adrenal Fatigue recovery. Click the image below to download!


Avocado Deviled Eggs

This is such a quick and easy snack! It also happens to be a favorite breakfast to make myself.

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Ingredients:

6 hard boiled eggs

1 ripe avocado

1 Tbsp. Primal Kitchen Chipotle Lime Mayo

salt & pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cut eggs in half. Remove the yolk and place in bowl with avocado and mayo. Mix yolks, avocado and mayo together. Scoop the magic mix into the halved egg whites. Sprinkle paprika (optional).

Make sure you “mmmm” at least five times while eating. *note: this will give you 3 servings of 4 egg halves. Sometimes I eat 6 halves. Eating the whole batch at once is very tempting, but 6 eggs at one time may make your family not want to be near you later. Ha!

Noatmeal Porridge

This is so hearty and filling and it stays with you all morning. It’s the PERFECT comfort food for Fall.

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Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) water or Coconut Milk

  • 2 tablespoons hemp hearts

  • 2 tablespoons almond flour

  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut

  • 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal

  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds

  • 1/4 teaspoon granulated stevia (or any kind of sweetener you like, to taste)

  • 1 pinch sea salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Stovetop Method: Add all ingredients except the vanilla to a small saucepan over low heat. Cook until thickened, stirring constantly, about 3 to 5 minutes; stir in the vanilla. Serve warm.

  2. Microwave Method: Add all ingredients except the vanilla to a large cereal bowl that’s microwave-safe. Microwave on high until thickened, about 2 minutes; stir in the vanilla. Serve warm.


    Note: I added pumpkin seeds, walnuts, dried cranberries, shredded coconut and cinnamon as topping. I also like to add more almond milk. This is completely optional but why would you delete magic? Muy delicioso!!

Low-Carb Mind-blowing Pancakes

These are completely mind-blowing and you truly won’t even miss all the naughty carbs from regular pancakes. Still a treat and not as depleting.

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Ingredients:

  • 2 Eggs, large

  • 2 oz Cream cheese

  • 2/3 cup Almond flour

  • 1 tsp Baking powder

  • 1/2 tsp Cinnamon

  • 1/2 tsp Sweetleaf - stevia sweetener

  • 2 tsp Vanilla extract

Liquids

  • 1 tbsp Water

Condiments

  • 1 Butter and syrup

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Add all ingredients to blender. Start with eggs and water and cream cheese so you don't have anything get stuck at bottom.

  2. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides if needed. Let batter sit for 2 minutes.

  3. Heat a non-stick skillet to medium heat. For each pancake, pour 3 to 4 tablespoons of batter onto skillet.

  4. Once you start to see little bubbles form, flip and continue to cook until pancake is browned on each side. Continue until you have used all pancake batter.

  5. Serve pancakes topped with butter and syrup!

How Does Stress Disrupt Blood Sugar Balance?

How Does Stress Disrupt Blood Sugar Balance?

Your body and brain depend on balanced levels of blood sugar (glucose) to steadily supply your cells with fuel for energy. Stress normally drives blood sugar up to power a “fight or flight” physical response via the adrenal stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol converts energy stored in your body into glucose so that your blood sugar rises to energize that anticipated surge in activity. As your blood sugar goes up, insulin is secreted by your pancreas to move the glucose from your blood into your cells.

This extra glucose is meant to be used up by a strenuous physical response to the stress, which restores blood sugar back to normal. In the prehistoric world, stress typically came from physical threats against which a short burst of activity increased the odds of survival. However, in the modern world stressors are typically ongoing pressures against which physical activity is seldom used or useful.

If your life is stressful, especially with a diet high in refined carbohydrates and without regular vigorous exercise, the consequent repeated or chronic blood sugar and insulin elevation you experience can create problems over time that prehistoric humans probably never had to face.

When this is occurs too frequently, your cells become more resistant to insulin to avoid the toxicity of excess glucose. This can leave too much glucose in your blood and too little in your cells. To maintain balance, your body converts and stores the excess blood sugar as fat – usually around your abdomen.

Paradoxically the decreased amount of glucose getting into your cells triggers hunger and you may find yourself craving carbohydrates. Refined carbohydrate consumption spikes your blood sugar up and the vicious cycle of blood sugar imbalance and insulin resistance continues – an added stress with ever greater negative consequences for your whole body over time. When it comes to blood sugar, maintaining balance is the key for good health and steady energy.

Tips for Keeping Blood Sugar Balanced

  • Keep a daily account of everything you eat for a week. In one column, list every bit of food, drink and medication that you take and at what time. In the second column, list your symptoms and the time at which you experience them. Very often you will see a correlation between what you have consumed and your symptoms. When you do, eliminate those foods or drinks that you notice are contributing to your behavior and note the difference. Important: do not stop any medication cold turkey. If you believe that your medication may be contributing to your symptoms, contact your physician. A diet diary is your personal blueprint: a clear overall view of what you are eating, digesting and assimilating. It can be the first indicator that something is wrong and, perhaps, a very inexpensive way of correcting a very simple problem.

  • Eliminate the “main offenders” from your diet. These include sugar, white flour, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, junk food and fast food.

  • Exercise caution when eliminating certain substances from your diet, especially ones that are addictive. For example: if you tend to drink a pot of coffee a day, gradually decrease your consumption over time. The same is true for tobacco and alcohol. If you are addicted to tobacco, alcohol or other substances, it’s often best to quit under the guidance of a professional. There are many physicians and support groups helping people deal with all sorts of addiction, which can be very difficult to beat on your own. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

  • Replace the bad foods with good ones. Aim for a diet that focuses on the natural: Lean meats, whole grains, brightly colored vegetables and some fruits (those with lower amounts of fructose). Instead of focusing on the foods you can’t have, focus on all the foods that you can have. You’ll soon find that healthy foods can have an addictive taste as well, but without the negative effects.

  • Eat 4-6 small meals throughout the day, with snacks in-between. This helps balance blood sugar and energy levels throughout the day. Reminder: do your best not to overeat. Having smaller meals at more frequent intervals can help avoid overeating.

  • Be prepared: have food with you at all times to balance blood sugar. Keep healthy snacks at work, at home, and anywhere you spend a lot of time. Having healthy snacks and food on hand will also make it harder to cheat by hitting the drive-thru or a convenience store.

  • Be careful of how much fruit you consume. Fruit is generally considered healthy, but can be detrimental for those with hypoglycemia. Many fruits are high in natural sugar, which can further disrupt blood sugar imbalance. Generally, fruits are better to have at lunch are later in the day. Avoid dried fruits altogether, as they are quite high in fructose.

  • Be mindful of natural sugars occurring in some natural foods, or foods marketed as natural. Fruit juices, smoothies, and yogurts (especially those with fruit) often contain high levels of sugar. Natural or not sugar is sugar, and your body will react to an excess regardless of source.

  • Build up a library of cookbooks. These can help give ideas of healthy, low-sugar recipes. Sometimes coming up with food plans can be frustrating, so keep helpful resources on hand. Bookmark recipes and meal ideas on your tablet, phone or laptop for quick reference. There are many websites that offer free healthy recipes, including ones that focus on hypoglycemia-friendly foods.

Material for this blog sourced by Adrenalfatigue.org
Photo by Audrey Fretz on Unsplash

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Stress Management: Goal Setting

Stress Management: Goal Setting

Did your 2018 start out like so many other years? Full of promise and a fresh start? Did you make a list of all the things you will conquer this year? Are you like 80% of the population that has abandoned the resolutions already? 

A lack of a plan leads to leaving the goals in the dust by the end of January and thinking, "I'll get it next year!". 

If you are struggling to stay on track with the goals you set at the start of 2018, this is the episode for you. Fine-tuning your goals to be specific, targeted and time-sensitive is an essential start to the goal-setting process. In order to manage your stress, goal-setting and planning are imperative.

Goal setting can be overwhelming, especially if you are focused on many new goals. When you are overwhelmed, it's hard to stay focused, especially if there is not a plan behind each goal. 

Today we break down 3 strategies to manage your goals so that you feel equipped and confident with a plan to accomplish them.  Starting with a few goals in the areas of life that are your biggest priority is a great place to start.

 

The overwhelm is no-more with these goal setting strategies. Tell me what goals you have and if you have a plan to accomplish them!

5 Things To Look For In A Health Coach

5 Things To Look For In A Health Coach

’Tis the season for resolutions and goals; a certain focus tends to fall on the health that we may have let slip by in the past 12 months. We write out lists of well-meaning promises to ourselves that we will fulfill this year. THIS YEAR it will be different...