Using Food As Medicine to Reverse Chronic Health Conditions
Melissa first came to see my 2 months ago with a list of health issues in addition to struggling with her weight. She had Lipedema (hormonally produced lipomas from estrogen dominance), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (a genetic disorder that affects joints) with Mast Cell Activation, Eosinophil Esophagitis (a type of reflux), and allergies to most raw fruits and vegetables. At just 44 years of age she felt fatigued and her joints felt like she was in her 70’s.
She was already seeing an excellent integrative doctor who was helping with estrogen balance so our focus was going to be on food and exercise.
Although her goal was mainly to lose weight, when I looked at all her symptoms and her current diet it was clear to me that getting her healthy by using food as her medicine was going to have to come before the weight loss. Her current diet was inconsistent but lacked fruits and vegetables (mainly due to her fear of allergic reactions). She ate a lot of animal protein, fast and restaurant foods, was drinking Coke Zero and alcohol a few times a week.
Exercise made her exhausted and she got hurt easily so we set a goal to walk 5 times a week and aim for 10,000 steps a day along with swimming, yoga and Pilates.
Melissa completed BodyDesigns Two-Week Detox Plan and began to feel better. Her Lifestyle Plan added fruits and vegetables that used to cause reactions and she found herself able to eat them again. It was shocking but telling how eating real food had helped her get a healthy liver and gut so her body was able to digest the foods properly again and avoid the allergic reactions. Her symptoms of reflux went away too.
Over the next 6 weeks she continued to follow her Lifestyle Diet Plan and the fatigue and joint pain that still plagued her after the detox went away. She is now working out 30 minutes a day without exhaustion. She has not weighed herself but instead is going by how she feels and her clothes feel looser and she feels great.
When I asked Melissa what helped her most, she told me:
1. When I met with Mary, I was really feeling bad in so many ways and I never thought that changes in my diet could make me feel so much better. I think starting with the Detox Plan gave me structure and took me off some of the offending foods that were keeping me from being able to heal and get healthy.
2. Logging her food helped her get feedback and have support needed during tough days
3. Feeling better motivated her to keep making improvements in diet and not go back to old habits.
I’m so excited for Melissa that she feels like she has her life back and is on the road to lose more weight and continue with her new eating plan.
Are you looking to transform your health? Mary works with clients all over the country developing personalized nutrition and exercise plans for weight loss and health. If you’re ready to get started on your journey to health and wellness contact her today!
Visit BodyDesigns Two Week Detox Plan or BodyDesignsbyMary for more information.
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