It has been a year now since being diagnosed with adrenal fatigue by my holistic practitioner. About six months into treatment my life had started to come back to me. I was able to do day to day things without being in constant muscle pain. I was also able to do some weight training! By the spring my body began to flare again and I had to stop all exercise. Currently, I can't exercise because of the aches and pains it brings on. My body can't tolerate it nor will it recover. I feel like I am missing out and I want the old meathead me back. Another part of me is starting to accept this situation as I allow my body to heal. I am generating new thoughts of realistic expectations on how I need to be gentle with myself. I didn't get adrenal fatigue over-night. I'm sure it has a lot to do with me having one kidney, a blood disorder, having an eating disorder for ten years, being a teen mom, having four kids, being in abusive relationships, finishing college while raising my kids while working part-time and running a business. When I graduated college and landed my first full-time job I finally had a chance to "relax" and that's when it all hit me. It was like a rug had been pulled right from under me as I
lay there helplessly without being able to move asking-" why me?"
So now I feel obligated to call out the health and fitness industry and social media who is always posting pictures of flawless women with six packs, without cellulite, and perfect perky boobs to represent health. We congratulate women and are in awe over their flawless bodies- even after kids, but we forget that all women are beautiful no matter their size. Health is what matters, not making women and young girls feel like shit about their bodies because they don't look like that.
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As a health coach I think- how can I be a coach if I can't exercise?!
Then I think about how many mothers and women push themselves daily and eventually find themselves unwell, just as I have, from over-doing it to look like those fitness models and what social media portrays as sexy, healthy and fit. My guess would be 99.9 percent of the female population.
It is crucial for women to be well and not to exhaust themselves during their health and fitness journey. As a health coach I don't expect unrealistic expectations from my clients. I work with them and for them. I will support them and open up to them in a no-bullshit type of way- I have clients who will vouch for me! :) We make changes together to become the healthiest they can be in healthy realistic ways.
If you want to lose weight, feel better about yourself, and don't want to find yourself sick and exhausted down the road here are the top things you should have in order to help you feel your best:
1) Nutrition.
I have stressed so much lately that the number one thing that you have control over is what you put in your mouth. No excuses. I've been on food stamps. I understand the cost of food. Eating healthy is do-able! When you plan, are proactive, and have your shit together you have control over this. Get my free PDF guide today and make your list and plan out your week of meals. This will save you time, sanity, and money.
I want to also stress the importance of eating whole foods and eating when you are hungry. DO NOT EVER STARVE YOURSELF to lose weight. It will come back and bite you in the ass. Please reach out to me if you need help with this.
2) Sleep.
Secondly, the next most important thing is sleep!! I can't stress this enough. Sleep is what rejuvenates you. You build new cells and repair your body. Don't deprive yourself. Get 6-10 hours a night. Find the magic number that works for you. I have heard this and I am guilty of is as well, "I am so exhausted today and had four hours of sleep last night, but I'm working out anyway." If you do this from time to time it shouldn't hurt you, but don't make a habit out of it. If you work nights change your shift. We were not made to be nocturnal. Not following normal and regular sleep patterns long term will mess you up.
3) Exercise.
It's the sexy new trend...
Nike- Just do it.
Under Armor- Protect this house.
Victoria Secret.
Exercise is great! It releases endorphins, gives us energy, keeps our weight in check, and prevents disease. I don't want to down play how good exercise is for us, but when you take someone who doesn't eat properly and isn't sleeping well who exercises to an extreme anyway you are "waiting for a bomb to explode"- eventually. (Me for the past 10 years of my life).
Also, without getting into too much detail, our hormones help to regulate our weight. If we don't eat right and we aren't sleeping no amount of exercise with get you to your goal and keep you there.
So that brings me to this:
The athletes and fitness models who promote exercise and fitness dedicate their lives to it. They do this for a living. They don't go work 40 hours a week and then proceed to workout 5-6 days a week, raise a family, and run a household for ten years while maintaining six pack abs. It doesn't happen. They have off-seasons also. they prep for a shoot or a show, then look normal again.
This next point is tough for me to say because I have many friends in the industry. Calling this one out may even mean I will have a smaller friends list, but the truth must come out. As a former "coach" related to a specific company in the fitness industry, I can't justify working out intensely six days a week. It's just not realistic and I no longer believe it's healthy. Our bodies need rest and more than one day. When we exercise our muscle tissue breaks down and tears. We need to eat well, sleep enough, and rest to repair it.
4) Stressors- Good & Bad.
Family, work, life changing events, the furnace that just broke, the toilet flooded, we just had a baby, or got a new kitten- we all have something that causes stress. While all stress is not bad, it can still take a toll on us physically and emotionally. What can help is keeping a journal and writing them down. On another note, it's ok to cry, say no to things, and just spend a day in your pjs while binge watching Netflix. Emotional well-being is important.
As I finish up this blog post I want you to know that you need to do what is right for you. Fast food is obviously not going to help you to be healthy, but when someone tells you a mango is bad- run. If a trainer is working you out til you puke-run. If you don't feel refreshed on five hours of sleep every night and continue to train for a marathon- don't run. Listen to your body. Tune into it.
As always, I am here for you! Please reach out because it is my love and passion to help you to feel well!
Thanks for reading!
XOXO Stephanie
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On my FB page & personal page.
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