Gut First, Brain Second

Here's what I'm learning about my gut: I thought I had to get my mind right so my tummy would follow but in truth, I needed to get my gut healed so my mind could get right. I have struggled a long time with feelings of inadequacy because I couldn't lose weight but then I found out I had Hashimoto's, an auto-immune disease that throws the body into being hypothyroid. -- but it wasn't an excuse. I still could not say that I was doing everything I could to heal my body. The moving wasn't there, the nutrition wasn't there. -- Then two things happened that have changed my world: essential oils and going gluten free. Essential oils are putting nutrients in my body so my body isn't getting thrown into that feeling of LETHARGY, LACK and CRAVING. Because of this, getting off of gluten has been a much more natural transition (and I say transition because it's been a series of baby steps). MY GUT IS HEALING SO THE MIND CAN FOLLOW. This isn't a matter of will power and I don't think dieting is either. My experience is that when the body starts healing and knowing what "healthier" is, it will support you in what it desires and what tastes good. Addiction and craving comes from a sick gut. It is HUNGRY for SOMETHING to satiate the need for nutrition, WHICH ISN'T NECESSARILY THE SAME THING AS FOOD. So. Have I been perfect? Far from it. Here's my confession: I wanted a cheeseburger the other day, straight up. Yes, with the gluten bun. I split one with my daughter from a place I have historically LOVED getting burgers from. After about 2 bites, I took off the rest of the bun and just ate the meat and veg. The dough was a gluey mess in my mouth and the taste was not worth continuing. Gross. Another time, there was a fried shrimp and onion ring incident when I let myself go too long without food but again, didn't finish like I normally do. I can see with continuing NUTRITION, my body will keep moving toward healthier food because that's what it will KNOW. Vegetables are no longer a mystery. I make rice less often (gluten free but I feel better with less grain in general). The scales are starting to tip (literally!) so that feeling better (better mood, less brain fog, more energy) isn't worth giving up for a bite of gluten. This is a journey I'll be on for awhile. I didn't get sick over night and I won't get well over night. I take it one meal at a time and I don't always make the best decisions. What I AM celebrating, though, is that what was once a chasm between healthier choices and getting well is narrowing...and it's a relief.