There is something you likely don’t know about me. It is embarrassing, but I’m all about keeping it real and being vulnerable.
So here it goes. . . . . . . .
Flashback to 1996. It was a year of peak stress for me. I was a 1st-year medical student AND I was planning a wedding. Of course, it had to be perfect, because a.) I’m Libby and I’m a total perfectionist and b.) Little girls dream about the perfect wedding from the time they are born. During that time I learned that processed carbs were COMFORT.
I felt like I was barely hanging on and I learned that Oreos or sugary cereal provided me temporary comfort. My favorites are Golden Grahams, Cocoa Krispies, Fruit Loops and Cheerios with honey (just in case you are wondering). Mmmmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about these yummy treats.
Luckily back then my metabolism was rock solid.
I look back at this year in my life as the most difficult one yet.
I learned to cope. I learned not to compare myself to others. I decided to do the best I CAN do and to battle overwhelm by just doing the ONE next thing. Year two of medical school was MUCH easier for me with this mindset. I didn’t need to rely so heavily on my sugary treats anymore. Praise the Lord.
Turning 40 was hard for me. I didn’t mind 30, but 40 bothered me. I turned to my old friend, sugar, to comfort me during this transition. Unfortunately, after 40 the rock-solid metabolism was no longer there to back me up. I gained weight, got depressed, and felt tired.
Bone tired. I thought it was time to throw in the towel.
My friend, sugar, helped temporarily but really only made things worse. Eat, temporary dopamine hit, self-loathing, need another dopamine hit, on and on. I tried to stay off the scale, but I knew what it would say. I was on a vicious cycle in a negative direction.
I tried to power my way through. It worked for a while, but then I’d eventually give in.
When I found Functional Medicine and fixed my adrenals I felt so much better. Then I was able to make better choices. It was a snowball effect in a POSITIVE direction. The first month on the adrenal program I didn’t change my lifestyle at all. I just didn’t have it in me. I knew I should be doing better, but just couldn’t. The increase in energy and just overall well being continued to get better month after month after month. As a result, the lifestyle changes got better month after month too. One year later I was a totally new person and didn’t even recognize the old me (both in the mirror and more importantly, the person I had become in the process).
To be honest, in this unprecedented time of uncertainty I find myself looking for my old friends. Old habits are hard to break. It seems like we are free of them, but when you ramp up stress, we default back to them.
One thing I LOVE about being older is that we have more life experiences to draw from. I now recognize what I’m doing. I ask myself why?
Am I stressed?
Am I tired?
Am I hungry?
Is there something else I can do that will better solve my problems than the Oreos will?
Some days (like yesterday) the answer is no, but most days the answer is YES.
This is a temporary time. We will get through this.
If you need a pep talk, I’m here for you.
I hope I can be a better friend to you than the Oreos ever will be.
FYI– Exciting things are coming. I AM STARTING A PODCAST! Episode #1 was supposed to be recorded this week but, like all things, is on hold with Coronavirus. It is called “PRing Life.” My great friend and Functional Health Coach, Alix and I are teaming up to share all of our stories and inspire you to thrive not survive as an over 40 athlete! You will be the first to hear when episode #1 is released.
In my new virtual program: Reset Your Adrenals, Transform Your Life, I dive deep into how one can uplevel their health and live their lives to their fullest potential.
Whether the condition relates to stress, hormonal imbalances, sleep deprivation, inflammation, blood sugar stabilization, or the thyroid, the first step is looking at and resetting the adrenal glands. I also discuss 5 modifiable lifestyle factors in detail and share step-by-step instructions on how to get all 5 back on track.
If you’re tired of living on a merry-go-round with your health, then this course is for you. Join me today and take the very first step in resetting your adrenals and regaining control over your life!
