This post is dedicated to those of you who tirelessly chase well-being, making monumental shifts in your diet, exercise, and lifestyle, only to find yourselves still wrestling with digestive issues.
Friends, as I inch closer to the big 5-0 (if you’re shocked, imagine my reaction typing it out and seeing it in black and white), I grappled with digestive health for nearly a year. Yes, despite having penned a recipe book on gut health, even I wasn’t spared. I’ve always relished eating well and have immersed myself in the world of digestive wellness. Yet, about a year ago, I found myself inexplicably bloated after meals.
My first suspect was a wheat intolerance, so I bid farewell to my beloved sourdough bread, and the occasional delicious and sensuous experience of a good bowl of pasta, but alas, no relief. Next, I eliminated dairy, that classic dietary villain, but again, nothing shifted. After a series of doctor visits, lab tests, and investigative dietary adjustments, I finally discovered I was battling SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), courtesy of low stomach acid and possibly insufficient enzyme production. And as I learned through my research and support system, this is fairly common for women of my age.
It’s a peculiar twist of fate, isn’t it? Even with all my knowledge and dedication, my gut could still stump me and throw a wrench in the works.
It has been a humbling journey, but I am happy to report that I am doing well and my digestive health is improving weekly, and as a result I have taken a deeper dive into digestive health, and gut health, and have learned so much more.
One of my biggest biggest lessons in this journey has been self-compassion and humility. I’ve realized that even though I help others along their healing paths, I too can and should reach out for support when I need it. My ego clearly needed a swift kick in the butt.
I’ve also discovered that digestive health goes far beyond good nutrition. For me, there were deeper energetic and emotional issues that needed addressing. I’ll dive into these insights in my next post.
For now, I encourage you to be gentle with yourself if you’re struggling with digestive health. Don’t hesitate to seek help and support. Building a community around your health journey is a powerful way to grow, expand, and heal. Every crisis, I’ve learned, is a portal to greater self-knowledge, expansion, and growth. So, hold yourself with kindness and remember, we’re all in this together.
Sending you self-compassion, peace and grace on your healing journey.
Marlien x
