I have a bit more of a personal story today, one that I’ve been wanting to share for a WHILE! I’ve been getting tons of messages from folks interested in the lifestyle changes that I’ve made, so today I am going to be addressing this for those interested in hearing more! If discussions of food or body are a sensitive subject for you, I wanted to take this moment to issue a content warning for this blog. Please take care of yourself, and if skipping today’s blog feels like the right choice for you, please do.
Hitting Rock Bottom
Let’s start back in 2022. Picture this: me, perpetually tired, stressed, anxious, and irritable. I wasn’t prioritizing my health, my mid-day fatigue was out of control, late night spaghetti binges were happening too often, and I was drinking a tad too much wine. I felt disconnected from myself, and I knew something had to change.
The Retreat That Sparked a Need for Change
Enter Catherine Roscoe Barr’s retreat. I won’t get into this in too much detail (you can read ALL about it here!) But, this experience was nothing short of transformative. While the concepts weren’t entirely new to me, Catherine’s guidance helped me apply them in ways that finally clicked. It was the catalyst I needed to start reclaiming control over my life and my health.
1. 7-Day Detox
Next up: Vanessa Grutman’s Functional Medicine Detox. This 7-day program is designed to support liver detoxification through a combination of nutritional shakes and supplements. Again, I won’t get into too much detail here because I have an entire blog on the detox right here, but this was the second step in an entire lifestyle reset for me.
2. Getting Back into Hot Yoga
After Catherine’s retreat and being reminded of the importance of intentional movement (for not only your physical but your mental health), I remembered my past love for hot yoga. So, I signed up for Pranify Yoga. Starting with 6 a.m. classes, I found myself hooked.
3. Meeting Jenn Pike
One day at yoga, I met Jenn Pike, a functional medicine practitioner, who has completely changed my life. Initially thinking her programs might be a good fit for my mom, I soon realized I could benefit from her expertise too. Through extensive testing, we discovered I had Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune thyroid condition. With Jenn’s guidance, I began a regimen that included:
- Naturally desiccated progesterone (morning and night)
- Adaptogens (morning)
- A multivitamin (morning)
- Happy Mammoth hormone balancer (morning)
- Omegas (night)
- Nutrafol (night)
- Magnesium (night)
Note: Please always consult your doctor before starting any new treatment or supplements.
If you’re interested in trying Jenn’s programs, my code JILLY will get you 20% off an annual membership!
4. Strength Training
Alongside all of these lifestyle changes, Jenn also introduced me to strength training. I incorporated this into my routine twice a week, while still doing yoga, eating healthy, and taking all my supplements. These changes led to noticeable improvements in my energy levels and anxiety… but something still felt off.
5. Cutting Out Gluten
While I was in Vegas for a trade show in January, I got SO sick. I couldn’t eat regularly during that illness, and once I recovered, I decided to revisit Vanessa’s detox program. This meant I had to cut out gluten. Shortly after, we went on our annual family trip to Maui, so I figured I might as well keep this whole no-gluten thing going! Surprisingly, I didn’t miss it at all. Not only was my midday fatigue gone… I felt… Happier?? Even with the loss of nacho… I was actually feeling the best I ever have in many many years…
To this day, I still haven’t reintroduced gluten, and I have no plans to. My main love of gluten was spaghetti and sourdough. There are many great gluten-free pasta options and I’ve kind of just managed to forget that bread even exists lol.
Of course, listen to your body and what you need for your lifestyle, but this is what has worked for me!
This picture below is my FAVE salad currently, click here for the recipe!
A New Lifestyle
Today, a typical day in my routine includes:
- A protein-rich diet with cottage cheese and eggs
- Exercise (yoga and strength training) 2-3 times per week
- A consistent supplement regimen
Addressing my thyroid health and making these lifestyle changes have absolutely transformed my life, and I am feeling SO GOOD.
If you’re feeling stuck, exhausted, or discouraged, I hope this blog helps you realize that change IS possible. It’s not going to happen overnight… and it takes hard work… but with the right support, you can find your way to feeling good.
xo
Jilly
Disclaimer: This blog post is based on personal experiences and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making changes to your health regimen.
