Most of you have been drawn to me either by my 80 pound weight loss, my battle with estrogen or diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease. Not a day goes by where I don’t receive an email from a reader that says, “I have the same thing as you, how did you fix it?” I cringe when I get these emails. What I really want to tell them is this is not how to get answers to your health.
To your defense, you’re frustrated. Frustrated with a medical system that is severely lacking in preventative care and not equipped to deal with the conditions that affect the body as a whole. Frustrated that you can’t get answers but friends this is not how to get answers to your health.
First, no one has the answer to your health. If they tell you they do, run in the opposite direction because they’re lying to you.
Your health is you. It’s individual. It will never be the same as your next door neighbor’s, your best friend, or even your twin sister. A number of factors go into your health. Here’s a few to consider.
Exposure to environmental chemicals & toxins, food & water quality, exposure to GMO’s, pesticides, chemicals, level of immunity, types & quality of medications, DNA, lifestyle, physical activity, nutrition, vitamin & mineral deficiencies, mental health and medical history.
Every person in this world has a different path in their life that defines their health.
That path is what led them to the health condition they are experiencing today. No two people have the same exact path in life that get them to that same condition. You simply cannot compare your health to another person’s health and expect the same result.
When you, my reader email me asking how I “cured” my Hashimoto’s, I throw my head in a pillow screaming because one, Hashimoto’s is not curable and two, I feel like a failure for not helping you see that what’s happened to me is not the same as what’s happening to you. Even if I tell you the exact steps I’ve taken, it doesn’t mean it will “cure” you.
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My frustration is also with the poor education our society has given us around managing our health. We’re in a world where people have become programmed for quick fixes. That includes you! We’ve become a bunch of Stepford Wives. Give me a prescription, I’ll fill it at Walmart and I’ll feel better in an hour.
My dear reader, it’s time for some tough love.
If you’re suffering from a medical condition like missing periods that you can’t get answers to or you’re trying to lose weight and aren’t being successful, stop looking for a quick fix and get help. The right help.
I can’t tell you how many people told me they’ve been to every specialist under the sun for their missing periods. When I ask them if they’ve seen a functional doctor or naturopath, they say “what’s that.” Exactly. You’re not looking for the right help. I know this, because I spent two years of my life and thousands of dollars working with the wrong professionals.
What’s the right kind of help?
A functional doctor, a naturopath, a functional registered dietician, holistic nutrition practitioner or a health coach. These professionals treat the body as a whole and can direct you to the right resource.
Why does working with the body as a whole matter?
For certain things, you need every body system to work together. For example, you can’t lose weight if you’re a stressed out mess with bad digestion. Sorry, it’s not going to happen no matter how few calories you eat. Things have to be addressed in a certain way, and these professionals know how to do that.
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Not working with a professional is also dangerous. It increases your risk for contraindications. Let’s say you’re on cholesterol medication. Cholesterol medication has contraindications with many supplements. A lot of medications do. What if you combined a health supplement with the wrong medication because you read somewhere on the internet it worked for someone else? You’ll end up worse than you started.
I’m not telling you this to scare you. I’m telling you this because I want you to find the right answers to your health. I’ve been through this, and I really wish I would have had someone like me to turn to when I was going through my own personal hell with my body. This is the reason I became a health coach and nutrition practitioner so I would have the education to help myself and others.
Accept that no magic pill does not exist.
Stop wasting your time looking for a quick fix on the internet or doing a 10 day weight loss program that will get you no where. God didn’t stamp each one of us like a box of cereal and make us the same for a reason. We’re not created equal and therefore, there is no one size fits all. That’s why these professionals exist, and why health coaching is a growing field.
So what’s the solution?
Stop comparing yourself to others. Find the right professional and invest in your health. You will save yourself time, money and whole lot of frustration in the long run. Trust me, I’ve been through it.
Now, what questions do you have?
Thanks for letting me Think Out Loud
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Such an awesome post! When I had a run in with an overgrowth of candida – I found that my doc’s prescription wasn’t the best – treating the body as a whole instead of popping a pill – hoping for a quick fix can sometimes lead to so many more issues. Congrats on becoming a health coach so you can better understand your own body and help others along the way!
Thank you Shashi! I think anyone I’ve talked to has had a similar experience at least once in their life. Glad you were able to figure yours out.
I’ve talked about my own health journey many times and along the way realized that traditional medicine wasn’t always the answer. I needed someone who wasn’t so focused on a single symptom they could look at the whole picture.
Exactly! We are complicated humans & often things are connected. It’s unfortunate that traditional medicine hasn’t come around more to that philosophy.
I would add that even if you visit a holistic professional it may take a few times to find the RIGHT one, I saw 3 functional naturopaths before the one I have now. Keep looking for that person that asks you all the questions, supports you, and truly cares. You will find them, you just have to keep looking!
YES! This is key. They are not all created equal.
Love this! I finally went and saw a doctor about not having my period for 6+ months…it’s been wonderful going through tests ruling out every single possible health condition and working with someone who truly cares about my health.
Good for you! I went through the same & they couldn’t tell me what was wrong with me which is why I ended up seeing a naturopath. I pray you find your answers easier than I did.
It takes an army, and a combination of tradition western and traditional holistic medicine to help the body. But really, it is whatever works for you–I couldn’t be managed without real medications, but I also know many who need to look elsewhere than the pill bottle for answers to their problems!
Definitely! I think when you have a diagnosable disease modern medicine has most of the answers, but like you said sometimes it a matter of find what works best for you.
Every time I read about your story, I cringe. It reminds me of al the crap that my mom went through. It’s amazing how negligent medical professionals can be.
I often wonder if it’s just bad luck, but then I hear from so horror stories from others and realize it’s not. That’s why I keep stressing the importance of others to be their own health advocate.
Hi Megan,
have just been looking at one of your recippeis on the Paleo hacks site and I am very surprised that you recommend using a MICRO WAVE for any reason! Micro waves kill any nutrients or goodness in any food so should not be used by anyone looking for healthy food! I bought a new microwave 7 years ago and it is still in the store cupboard unused becase the sane day as I bought it, I got an email from a “healthy” Doctor in America in which he suggested the following test!
Boil and allow to cool completely a glass of water in a microwave, –take 2 identical plants and water one with the micro waved water and the other with normal tap water. The first plant will die within a week the second plant will thrive – this is due to the complete lack of nutrients in the microwaved water!
Micro wave machines are for lazy people not healthy people!
Keith Darby (aged 77)
Hi Keith, I actually just had a course in school where we discussed this. Scientific studies shows NO EVIDENCE of microwaves being harmful to human health. Personally, I believe any form of modern technology can be harmful but you have to pick your battles. It’s not realistic to live your life making everything from scratch and avoiding modern conveniences unless you live in a tree in the wilderness alone. You have to find the right balance for you.