So New Years has come and gone. I’ve read so many posts on Facebook, Twitter, the internet in general, and yes, personal emails, texts, and other messages about how this is going to be the best year ever, like so many years in the past. 2013 was actually a very hard year for me. But that’s not what this is about. I’m actually not into making New Year’s Resolutions. My philosophy is why wait for a timeline to start being happy, being healthy, being fit, finding the love of your life, making more money, or forgiving someone for a misdeed. We can make a resolution each and every moment to conquer our demons, lose those 10 — heck 110 pounds if need be, and move on into a life that we specifically carve out for ourselves. Just because the calendar says January 1st, doesn’t mean that these resolutions magically come true. And that’s why, in my humble opinion, come February we are back on to whatever it was we were doing in years past.
My life has always been about being healthy and feeling good. I always put it out there that I knew what I was doing. And I do. But not really when it applies to my life in particular. I mean, again, I do. However, it’s the application that really matters. You can be a wealth of knowledge, but if you lack the discipline or the actual know how of how to apply this information to your life, it’s useless. Go ahead and listen to a Tony Robbins CD, nod your head in agreement, get excited. But if you don’t follow up with his tips and tools, well, you will not see results in your life.
That’s me. A wealth of knowledge. I have all of this information, and very little application…..in my life anyway. But that, here and now changes. I have tried every program in the book to get healthy, feel well, and be more energized. I have gone on medication for my thyroid, have had that medication adjusted more times than I care to count. I have gone on adrenal support supplements, taken this, that, and the other thing. I have gone on a VERY STRICT food allergy elimination diet and the only thing I had to show for it was an unnecessary 8 pound weight loss. But what I have not tried, something completely radical for me, is giving up the experimenting and trying to figure it out on my own. No….I have always done my own research which obviously brought me very little results as it was applied to my specific life and health.
This time it’s different. After years of fluctuating in and out of programs, between a very good friend of mine and I, we together discovered a program that not only is really starting to work on a physical level, but it is helping in the mental and emotional capacity as well. Many of you may not agree with this style of eating or living; however, I am going to be that cliche that says, “If it works for me, it can work for anybody.”
The program I am speaking of comes from a woman I have been following on Facebook and through her blog page. Maria Emmerich of Maria Mind Body came into my life several months ago and I have been completely fascinated by the information I have received. For the first time I can say that I feel I can eat and live in a way that literally has made a difference for me. First off, the difference I am feeling is in my brain. I feel calmer, I feel more satiated with the foods I’m eating, and I feel less drama/trauma in my belly. The Keto-Adaptation program that Maria has developed is the first program that, and I’ve only just begun, not only is making a difference, but it makes sense. If you have been following the USDA recommendations or a high carb/low fat diet, it takes some time to get past the idea of high fats and low to no carbs actually being good for you. But I am seeing a difference….and again, I have only just begun.
Through the month of January and well into February, I will be doing little mini blogs on my updates, how I am feeling, the improvement in my health, and photos of some of these Keto-Adapted meals that come along with the meal plans. I have started off with the Maintenance Plan which is what I needed for my specific goals since I do not want to lose any weight. The program offers a plethora of books, menus, and educational videos to not only tell you what to do, but to inform you and empower you as to why you are doing this. I think that that is the key to success. Understanding WHY you are doing a specific program. To understand WHY and HOW food affects our bodies. WHAT a specific nutrient or macronutrient does to our hormones, our tissues, and our organs.
Irritable bowel syndrome has been a huge issue for me since my late teens. It’s been drama/trauma trying to manage it and figure out how to fix it. This year I will turn 40 years old. And I simply refuse to spend the rest of my life in anymore pain, discomfort, or fear of food, travel, or dining out experiences. I want to enjoy my life, enjoy my body, and enjoy my well-being. I trust Maria because she is the only one with the information that truly resonates with ME. Many of you may not agree….and that is your prerogative. We have to follow what is best for us. But I have got a gut feeling about this and I’m all in.
Today will be day 3 of my Keto-Adaptation program. This afternoon I will do my full Health Assessment with Maria online to kick my program into high gear. This is my version of really healing. By giving the body what it NEEDS. Healing the digestive system which leads to every single other area of our body, is where it is at for me. I am focused, determined, and ready to push on. For this is my resolution here today.
So in the spirit of the New Year, I wish you all health, happiness, love, and prosperity.
To find out more about Maria Emmerich and Maria Mind Body, follow her on Facebook and on her AMAZING website which is chock full of recipes and information to help feed your mind, body, and spirit.
Best in health in 2014!!
Tracy Lynn
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maria-Mind-Body-Health/337393421445
Inner Health & Well-being 
Your blog is very inspiring. I am excited for myself at the level I have chosen to be on this paleo/ketogenic diet. It makes sense to feed our brain first, after all, it is our main guide in how to live our lives in a most healthy manner. Our brain makes all of our choices, and so to feed and nurture our brain is a no brainer. I can live without a ton of carbs, typically the only carbs I eat are in my morning fruit and my afternoon and evening veggies. My protein is moderate, not high. My question to you would be, if someone wants to go on the ketogenic diet, but say has an allergic or bad response to let’s say “cream”, can they still be successful with this diet? How can this diet appeal to all people and not just people that basically have no allergic reaction to any of the foods we eat most? I am fortunate, I can eat anything on this diet and thrive. However, some of us have bad allergic reactions to certain foods, be it a certain kind of fat coming from a certain source some of us can not eat. Does Maria address that concern?
Of course she does. The programs are catered to your specific needs ;however as an HHP even with a program that is sent out like this one, we have to individualize it. My assessment was pretty detailed and so I have to ease my way into it so that I can see where I am making progress. Although I have several areas that need to be addressed; I often feel that if you zero in on the bell ringers; you can often resolve many other issues. Like correcting your digestion and getting more sleep for instance. Those two can truly balance other areas that may not need to be addressed with urgency.