The hardest part of change...

I remember like it was yesterday…the day the doctor told me I should not eat gluten.  I seriously thought I would not be able to survive. 

To fully understand the depth of my despair you had to understand how much gluten was a part of my life…which is probably what got me into this situation.  Not only did I LOVE Italian food and pasta of any kind, I was also addicted to pancakes, tortillas and donuts.  They were the staple of my diet.

I remember saying that I would do anything to feel better.  My symptoms were out of control…bloating, gas, constipation, acid reflux, ulcers, brain fog, depression, infertility, fatigue and more.  I could not go on feeling like this!

But, gluten?  Really?  Everything I loved to eat had to be eliminated?  I seriously did not think it would be possible.  And, here I am 15 years later.  Gluten free, dairy free, and currently egg free, and so much better for it.

Fifteen years ago, when I first started down my gluten free journey, it was actually much more difficult than it is today.  Restaurants didn’t have gluten free menus, no-one understand what it meant to be gluten-free, or even why.  I didn’t have the experience and skills in the kitchen to understand what was and wasn’t gluten free, and I spent almost all my time trying to replace what I loved with boxes that said “Gluten-Free” instead of learning what it was that my body actually needed.

Do you want to know the hardest part though?  The hardest part was changing my thoughts around what it meant to be gluten-free, why it was important to me, and how it made my life better instead of worse.

As a society we associate so many activities and events with food.  We give it an entertainment value instead of a nutrition value.  Breaking up with that source of joy and entertainment was hard. Finding a way to navigate in a world that didn’t understand my limitations was hard.  Fighting cravings was hard.  But it was all worth it.

Thanks to my commitment and perseverance I eliminated most of the symptoms I struggled with.  I finally overcame 10 years of infertility struggles and brought two wonderful kiddos into the world.  I now know how to feed my body what it needs to be strong and healthy.  I can see quickly and easily when my body needs different nutrition.  And, most of all, I have absolutely no interest in eating gluten.

While my journey has been long and bumpy, the number one thing I have learned along the way is that I can change the way I feel about being gluten free when I change the way I think about being gluten free.

If I think about how hard it is, then it is hard.  If I think about how healthy it is, and how much stronger it makes me, then it is easy.  If I think I am missing out on treats and special events, then it is hard.  If I think I am missing out on severe bloating, fatigue, and other symptoms, then it is easy.

This transformation of my thoughts was the key to my long term success with a gluten free diet…and many other things in my life.  When I began to examine and manage my thoughts, every thing changed.

If you’re at a point in your life when you know something needs to change…maybe with your diet, or with another area…but you’re afraid to take the next step because of everything negative you associate with it, I’d love to help.  Let’s have a casual conversation about where you are in your journey, and how your thoughts may be impacting your outcome.  I’d love to show you what a difference it makes to examine and manage your thoughts to get the outcome and life you desire.  Just send me a message at [email protected] or text me at 307-296-1910 to schedule a consultation.