I’ve been having lots of conversations lately about the expectations we have for ourselves. We expect once we begin taking action to improve our health condition, that a shift to doing better will come quickly.
We read books, or internet articles, or hear someone’s gospel-like miracle healing story, and we expect that for ourselves too.
And sometimes that’s the case. We feel substantially better almost immediately.
But that’s not always the reality.
In fact, if you listen to nearly any respected academic researcher or health practitioner, or expert in their field, they often stray away from miracle stories and black and white health panacea protocols. And they instead use language more along the lines of “…it depends” and “not one thing that helps but a combination of [diet and lifestyle] factors.”
Healing Isn’t Linear
Rarely ever is healing, or improving in whatever goal we have for ourselves, linear. One finite example, is that it takes at least five days for the lining of the gut to repair itself after it’s been damaged, and a full three to five weeks for a food that triggered the inflammatory process to fully leave the system.
So as we already switch our calendars over from the first month of the new year into the second, this is my gentle reminder to you.
Go easy with yourself.
Expect less linear lines and gold stars at the top, and more nuance, (adventure!), overcoming fear, stepping into the unknown, and learning more about yourself and your needs.
Something Practical
And for something practical to guide you, here’s a little practice to try: Ask yourself what you need today by really stopping what you’re doing and resting a moment in complete not-doing-or-thinking-ness. And then ask yourself, what do I need today to feel better? How can I care for myself better today?
Our bodies are meant to heal themselves. Sometimes we have to mentally get out of our own way and give them care and time(!) to do so.
Reach Out
If nothing comes up for you in the reflective exercise above, or you’re ready for more nutritional guidance, I invite you to reach out to me for more personalized support on digestion, sports nutrition, or both.
GUTSy Performance Nutrition 