Chapter 1: A Reunion and a Revelation

Recently, I caught up with a friend I hadn't seen in about a year. She looked fantastic and shared how she has been feeling vibrant again. With her permission, I’m relaying her inspiring story.

The last time we met, she expressed concerns about her mobility. In her 60s, it would have been easy for her to attribute her stiffness to aging and resign herself to that reality. Does this sound familiar to you? It’s not uncommon to find ourselves attributing changes in our bodies to the passage of time and thinking, “I must be getting old.”

Around last Christmas, my friend noticed significant stiffness in her right shoulder, which worsened by summer. As an enthusiastic tennis player and gardener, she found it increasingly difficult to engage in activities she loved. Simple tasks became challenges; she struggled to lift a coffee cup and had trouble finding a comfortable sleeping position.

In search of relief, she tried marijuana gummies. While they provided some temporary comfort, they were not a lasting solution. Feeling desperate, she sought help from a rheumatologist, who diagnosed her with pseudo gout and osteoarthritis. She was prescribed a six-day course of prednisone, but the relief was short-lived. Despite the initial improvement, the pain returned as she tapered off the medication.

Her hands were swollen, making it hard for her to bend her fingers. This chic, slender friend was no longer herself and was losing her quality of life. Physical therapy twice a week yielded no significant benefits. Eventually, she turned to a holistic doctor who advised her, “Heal your gut — everything originates there.”

How did she tackle this? By eliminating processed sugars, gluten, and dairy from her diet. She became more conscious of her food choices, reading labels carefully and realizing how prevalent gluten was in many products. She acknowledged her habit of mindless snacking and the amount of sugar she was consuming. “I was deceiving myself,” she confessed, despite being thin.

Can you relate? I certainly can — I’ve had my moments of self-deception too. Although she was slim, she recognized that she had been living to eat instead of eating to live. Many of us enjoy food and the social gatherings that accompany it. But can we shift our focus to cherishing the company and conversations rather than just the meal?

Even small changes can propel us forward. My friend admitted that she felt quite hungry initially. Becoming aware of her eating habits was a mental challenge. As she put it, “Sugar is addictive.” Research by Dr. Daniel Amen suggests that sugar may be more addictive than heroin.

Consider that for a moment.

To combat her cravings, she began incorporating more fruits into her diet. “My body adjusted, my stomach shrank, and the addiction subsided,” she shared. She started consuming whole foods, focusing on organic, grass-fed proteins and eggs, and limited her beef intake, as it can be harsh on the gut. She switched to gluten-free snacks like pretzels and waffles and eliminated alcohol, which is high in sugar.

Was this lifestyle change difficult? What she found challenging was the pain that had hindered her ability to engage in activities she loved. The impact of alcohol extends beyond its sugar content; it can lead to overeating due to its relaxing effects. Remarkably, she lost 10 pounds, which made her feel even better in her clothing.

After four weeks of these changes, my friend began to feel genuinely well. Neither prednisone nor marijuana gummies nor physical therapy had provided the relief she sought — it was the shift in her diet that transformed her life. She did incorporate some apple cider vinegar, collagen, and a few supplements, but she emphasized that the food changes were paramount.

This new lifestyle has become her norm. We wrapped up our conversation with her remarking, “I’m almost grateful this happened; it has made me healthier.”

Her experience serves as a powerful example of how altering our eating habits can profoundly influence our overall well-being. We possess more control over our health than we often realize.

Many struggle with making these changes, as friends and family may not understand or support their journey. The uncertainty of where to start or how to maintain these changes can be overwhelming, leading to frustration and a return to old habits.

If you're seeking support on your path to self-awareness, consider exploring NEW BE. This platform offers a fresh perspective and actionable steps for those looking to embrace a new way of living.

Ladies, let’s aim to make the second half of life the best half.

If you haven’t already, take my complimentary QUIZ: What is Your Self-Awareness Type? It only takes two minutes and provides insights into your journey ahead.

For deeper connection, like my Facebook page and subscribe to my YouTube channel for “Minutes With Michele.” You can also visit my website and connect with me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

I encourage you to explore the works of my talented writer friends, including Trista Ainsworth, Gurpreet Dhariwal, Amy Marley, and many others.

Always celebrating, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, Founder & Leader of ILLUMINATION

Until next time ~

Sending you light, love — and self-awareness.

Be Well,