The Body is the Foundation for a Healthy Mind
Why is it important to remove sugar from our diet?
Well there are many scientific reasons, and many benefits, so it really does depend on what's important to you; BUT what I can tell you with absolute certainty is that whatever reason you choose to take on the challenge - to quit sugar - you can be guaranteed of having more energy, vitality and happiness than ever before.
Diagnosed with an auto-immune condition in 2015 was a massive wake-up call.
Despite a life-time of taking pride in my health and fitness - having done a couple of half-marathons, countless triathlons and working as a coach and personal trainer - I had become complacent (and ignorant) about what I was putting into my body.
My story...
It started on July 23, 2015. I had a huge couple of months - a week in the US for training, a couple of weeks flying solo with kids on school holidays (because someone - me - forgot to book them into school care) and 5 days facilitating a program in Perth for over 60 people.
It was a big load. I didn’t think much about it at the time (that was a lesson in itself), but it eventually took its toll. I wasn’t getting enough exercise, I wasn’t paying attention to what I was eating, I certainly wasn’t drinking enough water, nor was I getting enough “down-time” - and I was ending the day with a glass of wine or two (ok, sometimes a bottle) - no big deal when it comes to unwinding from a huge day at work right!?!? #wrong
I got a call on the Monday afternoon, my husband panicking that kids hadn’t been picked up from school. Initially I thought “well, there’s not much I can do about it, and he’s ok to handle it”. The following afternoon, on the flight home, kicking back with a glass of wine and downloading (a Nicholas Spark film) ‘The Long-Ride Home” I fell to pieces...
“I can’t do this anymore, I need to simplify my life..”
I spent the entire flight crying, got home, saw my kids and spent the following four days in bed - battling exhaustion, burnout, anxiety and depression.
It took everything I had to pick up the phone to call my coach, but thank god I did, because that conversation was all I needed to get myself out of bed, quit worrying about work and just put one foot in front of another.. and that’s all I did for the next 4 days...
Day 1, walk out the front door. Day 2, walk around the block. Day 3, walk a bit further. By Day 4 I had the strength to get myself to the doctor. Having suffered post-natal depression in 2009 (after my second child), he says “you’re already on the register for depression, so we need to recommend you take medication”. While desperately needing answers, I said “I’ll do it as long as we explore other options - there’s got to be another way”
It took three months of blood-tests and visits to specialists before I was diagnosed with an auto-immune condition, ‘Hashimoto’s” - my immune system cells were attacking the thyroid gland, and the resulting inflammation and destruction of thyroid tissue was reducing the thyroid's ability to make hormones resulting in tiredness, depression, weight gain, poor memory, aching muscles plus...
I stopped work to focus on my health - acupuncture, kinesiology, chiropractic treatments, going to the gym, removing sugar and alcohol from of my diet. It took three years to make lasting changes in my habits; none more so powerful than when I discovered the benefits of removing sugar out of my diet.
Why is Quitting Sugar Good 4 Us?
Get your Auto-Immune into remission without drugs (if you’re lucky enough - but this is all dependent on your Drs Advice - it worked for me, but we I get we are all different)
Weight loss. ... (I lost 43cm and 13kg in the first 3 months)
An amazing amount of clarity in creative thinking and solving complex problems
Increased energy, vitality, strength and endurance
Rewire the brain with a more positive outlook on life and being able to see opportunity in the challenges around you - in yourself, others and the world
You will become better looking - clear eyes, skin and healthy glow inside-out
A deep sense of confidence, courage, compassion and connection with the people in your life
Increased resourcefulness, ability to plan for and anticipate future challenges
It’s not easy, but it is simple.
Whether its simple sugars, refined sugars, additives or the sugar we consume in alcohol - it doesn’t happen overnight. We are creatures of habit, and while habits take much longer than 21 days to change (so I discovered), getting started is hard and staying on track can be harder…
Left: Sept 2017 at 71kg with an auto-immune condition and unable to lose weight. Right: March 2018 at 60 kg after removing sugar and alcohol from my diet.
Here are five of my favourite lessons:
Starting is hard, but staying on track is harder. Being consistent is the key and making sure you have daily practices to remind yourself to stay on track helps.
Focus on making one small change at a time. Best not to start a new job, or a new exercise regime at the same time as taking out sugar. If you take out sugar, just start with one meal at a time, and perhaps just cut refined sugars before gradually taking out alcohol and grains.
Surround yourself with people who are committed to being a winner in playing the game - we are much more likely to succeed when we surround ourselves with a tribe! This doesn’t mean the people need to be quitting sugar with you, but they sure do need to support you in achieving your goals!
Be Kind to Yourself. It takes time to make a change. Don’t ever beat up on yourself if you slip up or you don’t stick to the plan all the time. We are human.
Find an altenative reward system. If drinking alcohol or eating high-sugar foods is a way to reward yourself, find a new reward, e.g massage, a relaxing bath, a walk, catching up with a friend for a healthy lunch or herbal tea - and definitely take milk out, no more lattes with milk, try swapping for almond milk or go black.
That’s it for now!!
Remember, we can’t change what’s happening in the world around us - but if there is one thing we have 100% control over, its what we put in our body and given our body is the foundation of a healthy mind, its a great place to start.
The good news.
You don’t have to do this alone.
I’ve done all the work to work out a simple process to help you disrupt old ways of thinking and ignite your passion so you can achieve your gals.
Check out our 28-Day Wellbeing Challenge and surround yourself with the motivation and support you need to kick a habit - quit sugar and alcohol, reduce spending money on unnecessary things, stop skipping exercise due to poor motivation and start getting a decent night sleep - sign up for our newsletter and be the first to find out when the next challenge starts - July 6, 2020.
In the meantime, what’s the one action you’re taking today, to take better care of your health?
If you can’t wait and you want more information on healthy hacks for increased energy and vitality, send me an email or connect with me on Linked In.
Until then, be well.
Kylee x
