Hear my health journey from my IG live last week….
I knew something was off. My energy dipped, my skin flared, and my mood felt off.
I had a suspicion that it was probably fluctuating hormones (or, as I’ve now learned, perimenopausal symptoms). After several months of dealing with a slew of symptoms ranging from hot flashes and weight gain to restless sleep and mood swings, I decided I needed to take charge of what was happening in my body.
I started by scheduling an appointment with my OBGYN, who gave me three options (btw, I spent a total of 6 minutes in her office):
*Estrogen / Progesterone Patch (HTR)
*Veozah -a non-hormonal prescription medicine used to treat hot flashes and night sweats caused by menopause; used as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy.
*SSRI (Prozac, Zoloft)- An antidepressant
I wasn’t overly enthusiastic about any of these options, so decided to consult with a Naturopathic Doctor recommended by a friend. I should probably mention, I am not opposed to HRT. I understand that the studies now show that the pros outweigh the cons and many women are having great success using HRT. I’m just not sure I’m ready to go there (yet).
After a very thorough 90 minute visit with the Naturopath, I walked out feeling seen and heard. I loved her “whole” person approach, which as a Holistic Esthetician, I aim to do for my clients as well.
We decided to prioritize my sleep hygiene because without proper sleep the body can not function and properly restore itself. She also suggested some dietary changes and that I focus on hydration to support my liver, which is probably working in overdrive because I’m not drinking as much water as I should. Tip: Herbal tea counts as water intake!
Lastly, she sent me for bloodwork, which once we get the results, we can work on a deeper lever to combat any deficiencies or imbalances ... .or, consider HRT.
It’s funny, because everything she asked me to do are things I have done in the past with simple tools that I have available. The missing piece is that I wasn’t being consistent. And, we all know consistency is key for any type of progress. It was a great reminder!
So, I walked out feeling empowered and ready to tackle my symptoms and optimize my overall health. Here’s what I did:
I tried a 2-week anti-inflammatory reset. I eliminated the following from my diet:
*Processed Foods
*Alcohol
*Sugar
*Gluten
*Dairy
In addition, I was focused on making sure I eat 30 grams of protein with every meal and drink 84 ounces of water daily (with electrolytes). Plus 30 minutes of movement daily. I’m planning on doing strength training too.
To improve my sleep hygiene, I started being more diligent with my bedtime ritual (going to bed and waking up at the same time daily). I also started taking the following supplements:
-
Magnesium Glycinate (for better sleep)
-
Cortisol Manager (Ashwaganda + L-Theanine to lower stress)
-
FemmenessencePro (this is Maca) to balance hormones
After only 7 days, I felt a tremendous difference in how I was feeling:
*Less Bloating (like 3 lbs less)
*More Energy
*Better Sleep (still waking up at 3pm but I’m getting to sleep much easier)
*Glowing Skin
I think I’ll continue with this plan for a while longer!
This experience has been a HUGE reminder: You don’t have to overhaul your life — small shifts can create big results. And, food is medicine. I stand by it.
I always tell my clients to consult with their doctor and to get bloodwork done but I do want to point out that everything I’m sharing above is helpful for ANYONE to try! You don’t even have to be in peri/menopause to try this reset.
If you’re curious or you just simply want to start living a healthier lifestyle, try one or two swaps this week. You’ll be amazed at what your body tells you when you start listening.
Grab my go-to recipes and Reset (Anti-inflammatory) Diet here
