The key to change isn’t a New Year’s resolution–it is an inner voice with a new message.
If a new diet or exercise program were the answer to our New Year’s resolutions we wouldn’t find ourselves making the same ones each January. But change is hard. A six week meal plan and two week cleanse leave us feeling great, but by mid-March old habits take over and we’re battling familiar symptoms of weight gain, fatigue and frustration. As our health declines so does our belief that we can change. It seems easier to give up.
If there is anything I know for certain it is that better is possible. I build better every single day.
People often ask me how I have the emotional strength to constantly rebuild my broken body. How do I have the discipline to go through long periods of fasting when my inflammation is so intense that food becomes toxic? How can I tolerate a diet with no sugar, no dairy, no gluten, no eggs, no alcohol, no soda, no juice, and no coffee? And more importantly how do I keep from getting discouraged when even these healthy choices don’t keep me safe from inflammation?
My answer, “I’m worth it.”
I invite you to join me on a journey of building better. You might think I have a head start, but before you use that excuse you need to understand all of us are on shifting ground. The only constant in health is that our health is always changing. It takes work to maintain good health.
This is where my ground shifted two weeks ago. I choose to share these unflattering moments with you to inspire you to believe in better. To offer hope and a guide for you as you build a healthier, happier life.
The first photo was taken in early October. It was a bright sunny day—notice my small pupil, the white of my eye, and tan skin tone. (excuse the fuzzy image, but you get the idea of a healthy, happy eye) I was out with two friends energetically walking through the Santa Barbara foothills. I was enjoying eating dinners at restaurants, playing golf, lifting weights, and celebrating time with friends painfree from the challenges that have haunted my past.
The second photo was taken 13 days ago on Christmas morning (both eyes were swollen.) My pupil is large because when the optic nerve gets pinched by inflammation the eye dilates to let in more light. My upper lid is swollen which pulls my eye open and the lower lid is filled with fluid and toxins.
What happened?! These telltale signs of toxicity might make it look like I had a wild time on Christmas Eve, but my inflammation raged because our 4 legged “grand-dogs” came to visit. I am highly allergic to both of them. (It is a choice I won’t make again.)
Over the past two weeks I have struggled to regain a footing. I spent 5 days on a bone broth fast, adding cooked vegetables and small amounts of salmon in gradually over the next 3 days. I went without family meals. My daily workouts are on hold because of the pain and fatigue that accompany inflammation. I take long walks to keep fluids moving. Days are spent alone soaking in Epsom salts, doing lymph massages and sleeping 9-10 hours a night.
Frustrating, yes. A reason to give up, no. It took two weeks to heal, but it used to take months. What makes these choices possible? A new perspective that my short term loss is worth the long term gain. And knowing the pure joy that comes from being disease and pain free at the end of the hard work. This morning I worked out and tonight my husband and I are going out to dinner.
Beginning next week I will outline my basics for healing, but before you follow anyone’s guide there is a first step that is critical to success. It is believing you’re worth it. From this belief grows the courage, the resilience, and the determination to make any change. Without this conviction you will continue to ride the ferris wheel of disappointment.
Throughout my writing you will hear these words: Change is built on practice. We get good at things we practice. As with any practice you have to do it. Over time a practice becomes a way of life and things that were once hard get easier.
This week’s practice: Discover you are worth it by changing the message within.
The most valuable tool I learned in my decade of seeking health was learning to like myself. I learned to believe “I’m worth it.” That single change makes every other choice possible. As good as food tastes I am able to give it up so that my body can heal. In weak moments I have a clear perspective on the hard choices. I don’t want to hurt, I don’t want to lose my sight, I don’t want to be isolated from my friends and family. Now rather than taking months to heal, I heal in a week or two. My life isn’t lost waiting for tomorrow because I value it today.
I learned the practice called Mirror Work in the office of Dr. Ryan Saey. When you learn to treat yourself the way you treat your best friend you have a foundation on which wellness is built.
Practice:
- Look in the mirror at the beginning and end of each day and find something about yourself that you like.
- Write it down or write it on the mirror! I don’t wear lipstick but I always make good use of lipsticks that are giving to me! Note: I’m already feeling so much better!
- Repeat this process each day. EVEN when it feels silly.
- If you can’t think of something nice to say think of what your best friend would say to you.
- For more information about Mirror Work please see Louise Hay’s teaching called “Mirror Mirror” The link to her site is found here: http://www.healyourlife.com/mirror-mirror-on-the-wall
Good health doesn’t require a perfect choice it’s all about your next step. I look forward to our journey together through 2016.
Fondly,
Leigh
As an aside: The “Because You’re Worth It” campaign was launched in 1973. It revolutionized advertizing because it gave women a voice. Check this link for the history of the campaign and this link to watch the original commercial!
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This content is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult with your advising physician before starting any treatment for a medical condition. Leigh Myers and the Choices of Wellness website shall not be held liable or responsible for any misunderstanding or misuse of the information contained on this site or for any loss, damage, or injury caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by any treatment, action, or application of any food or food source discussed in this site.