What does freedom meant to you?

Freedom means a lot of different things to different people and we often think about different things associate with freedom.

Financial, time, creative, social… 
 
Finding ways to feel better in our bodies is a different kind of freedom. 
 
Improving mental health, physical health, reducing symptoms and increasing wellbeing, 
 
Many of us grow up thinking that our health challenges are just the hand we’re dealt and that’s just life. 
 
This is true in some instances but, in many instances there are things we can do to improve how we feel. 
 
Reduce pain, inflammation, gut symptoms, skin issues, hormonal issues and other physical symptoms. 
 
Improve mental health, mood, energy and feelings of well being. 
 
Doing this is a different kind of freedom.
 
Having the freedom to move with ease 
To think clearly 
To not have to put up with pain 
To feel well internally 
 
It can be hard figuring out the root cause of symptoms, learning the things our bodies need so that we can feel well, do the things we love, and not feel limited by our bodies. 
 
For those of us managing chronic health conditions, yes, you can argue that excluding foods, “having” to do exercise, healing the gut and including other health supporting habits isn’t freedom. 
 
That having to take what feels like forever to understand your root cause, finding the right things that support your body, having to go through the pain, frustrations and emotional turmoil, strips away your freedom. 
 
In a sense, this is true. 
 
But what’s the alternative? 
 
Eating whatever you want only to put up with symptoms for years. 
 
Feeling like your body hates you and is torturing you. 
 
What if our symptoms are our bodies screaming for help? 
 
What if respecting our body, figuring out what it needs and what it really doesn’t, exposing it to the things that help and not harm it, helps us create an internal environment that expands our freedom. 
 
When we focus on fueling our bodies with supportive foods, getting enough nutrients and exposing it to beneficial habits and things in our environment, we help it build resilience. 
 
When we work with our body and not against it, we can expand our health freedom. 
 
When we do the things that support our body, we create resilience to future health challenges and hopefully reduce the chance of them coming our way.

There are many things that are in our control, that we can do to feel just that little bit better, that make us feel more human again, and like we can spend more time doing the things we enjoy, with more energy, and less suffering.
 
This is just a perspective from someone who knows what it's like to have your body limit you and be in constant pain. 
 
Who got teary eyed the first time she could finally run again pain free. 
 
Who has gone through a lot of physical and mental turmoil and is much happier out the other side. 
 
I have learnt to respect and listen to my body, even though sometimes I would rather not and I’m not always perfect. 
 
We get to choose what we sacrifice for what we want instead. 

It is often a slow process to figure out the way our body operate best, the foods and habits that fuel it well. With trial and error to problem solve what is best for your body, you can go from someone dealing with symptoms that negatively impact your life to managing them after learning more about what your body needs. It can be confusing and hard to know where to start.

For some guidance support and advice, with nutrition, health and wellness, contact me today and we can chat about your specific challenges, come up with a personalised plan, and begin to get to the bottom of whats holding you back from feeling well.