Quality-A Word To Live By
Having turned 40 last year, I have really sat down and tried to figure out what I want for the rest of my life. I heard from many people that when you hit the big 4-0- this happens, but I didn’t really believe it…
Until I hit 40.
I can only speak from personal experience, but turning 40 was a big life changer for me. For whatever reason, this age started to spark a few bells in me.
Warning bells that is.
Without going too much into my struggles after having my son, including a post-partum infection requiring a hospital visit, I felt that since then my health kinda ‘tanked’. I struggled with lack of energy, pain in my hips, and had gained over 25 pounds (on my already overweight frame).
This added up to difficult days. My energy was depleted and even going for my daily walk was a chore. I honestly, was just trying to get through my day and was seriously lacking some much needed vitality!
My hip pain was first addressed with Bowen Therapy which thankfully allowed me to not wake from pain in the middle of the night! So, I was able to finally get a better night’s rest. So, my energy did start to improve! I live and love Bowen Therapy-which is why I did my Master’s level in it! If you are suffering from hip pain, which is very common post C-section, then make an appointment today! http://www.stephaniefarwellnd.ca/Services/Programs/Pain-Relief
Thankfully, the majority of my hip pain was gone after Bowen, but my energy, vitality and weight were still causing other issues for me. Other than my clothes not fitting the way I wanted them to (my wardrobe theme was baggy), I struggled to get the energy to go for my daily walks and even to do my Pilates! I didn’t even have the stamina to get through a workout! To put this in context, prior to getting pregnant with my son, I had just finished the Beach Body’s Insanity workouts!
I would press play on my workout, which was a lighter version than Insanity, and I didn’t even have the stamina to finish! Mind you this was 2 years after my son was born. This made me feel extremely defeated. My body didn’t feel like my own!
I struggled for years, looking for my ideal diet that would give me my energy back. I tried everything from vegan to vegetarian to just clean based eating.
And yet, my energy was still non-existent! When I turned 40 I said to myself-‘ENOUGH”! How will the next half of my life be? I didn’t want to live out the next half of my life tired, uncomfortable in my skin, and miserable.
So, I decided to do an exercise to find my many ‘whys’ (click on post here >> http://www.stephaniefarwellnd.ca/Blog/ArticleID/1192/Your-Weight-Loss-Journey-Begins-With-A-Plan-Right-Nope-Here’s-What-To-Start-With) so that I could become clear as to why I wanted and needed to change! That way, I could refer back to them when my journey back to true health got difficult at times.
My focus on what I wanted and why lead me to re-evaluate my whole life. I even went back to the drawing board when it comes to basic physiology and the understanding of insulin. This made me gravitate and do my research on a high fat, low carb way of eating. Not keto, but lower carb. I knew that the size of my waist at that time (being 43 inches!) indicated that my insulin was raised (in women anything above 35 inches is a strong indicator), along with the myriad of symptoms such as: foggy mind, constant thinking and craving of foods, constant need to eat, and if I didn’t eat in time-watch out!
Hangry was a word that was used too much in my home.
After starting my high fat, low carb way of eating, my foggy mind lifted, I almost never, ever crave foods! My mind is no longer riddled with thinking about my next meal. I had always felt like I was starving before. Even when I was eating super ‘healthy’ foods! I have lost over 20 pounds and 17 inches since early March!
To be honest, prior to the birth of my son, I always had wanted to lose weight for aesthetic reasons. Which is fine, but for me it really changed. After suffering the way I did, I had come to the conclusion that nothing is more important than feeling good in your body and mind! To be able to sit on the floor and play with my son, and it not be painful. To go for long walks outside with my family. To love and enjoy my food-for it to be satiating and satisfying. For my mind to be free from thinking about food all of the time (which those that have suffered this know it can be miserable).
For your body to be pain free, to feel vital and alive, to feel happy and satisfied, AND to like how you look and feel in jeans!
Now THAT is true health to me.
All of this are now essential to me. And I will find a way to fulfill them. I have learned there is always a way, you just sometimes need guidance, or know where to look.
Now I am starting to be grateful for what happened to me after my son was born. It has made me really stop and uncover what are the most important things to me in life.
Struggle can be ones greatest gift, if you allow it.
If you are currently struggling with your weight and would like some guidance on how to feel great both mentally and physically, AND to drop those stubborn pounds-FINALLY! My Goldilocks Method for Weight Loss will be open for registration on Monday September 17th, 2018!!
As a current patient, if you want to partake in the program, you just need to book a 45 minute intake that will allow for measurements to be taken, goals to be outlined, and for me to go over the program. Then you will receive weekly emails, teaching audios, meal plans and specific guides (such as a Fundamentals Guide, Hydration, Intermittent Fasting Guide, Meal Planning and the Ultimate Eating Out Guide) for 12 weeks. After your first intake, you will have weekly 15 minute check-ins at the clinic or over Skype. These will help to keep you on track, trust me! And a private Facebook group community that you can join (only if you want to) where you can get encouragement and support!! The program is meant to teach you and help you to really embrace a new amazing healthy and fun lifestyle! All of the additional things (such as the teaching audios and guides) that I have done to help you through the program is at no additional charge, you just pay the standard fee for the Naturopathic visit (which will be covered up to the amount that you have in your private insurance)! I really want to assist you the best way that I can!
If you’d like to book in for the program, you can do so online at:
http://www.stephaniefarwellnd.ca/Contact. Just ensure that you book in for a 45 minute slot and leave me a note that you intend to join the program. Or just quickly email me at info@stephaniefarwellnd.ca or call the clinic at 519-954-9168 and I’ll book you in! If you are not currently a patient at my clinic and would like to join the program, you need to book in for a ‘New Patient’ for one hour either in clinic or over Skype, and the rest of the program for the remainder of the 12 weeks is the same as above!
I am so excited about this program and I can’t wait to help you in own weight loss journey!
Let’s Find Your Middle!
Dr. Stephanie Farwell, Naturopathic Doctor, Bowen Therapist and Reiki Master
