The Foot Bone's Connected to the Ankle Bone....

Last weekend I gave a talk to a group of Biologic Dentists on "A Functional Medicine Approach to Hypertension and Sleep Apnea." I had them all get up and move to the song Dem Bones.

My point was two fold. First, everything is interconnected. Second, 10 people with the same diagnosis may have 10 different root causes. This is true for any given chronic dis-ease. Treating symptoms and separate "body parts" is why conventional medicine is ineffective for chronic disease. I've written some of my own personal story here.

For those of you who are already thinking of training for Spring time marathons, and are feeling fatigued, here's my unsolicited advice to you. In addition to a coach or personal trainer, consider this. Hypothyroidism (low energy), adrenal fatigue (stressed out adrenals), low muscle mass (catabolism) and infertility are rampant. Similarly, the root causes may be different for each of us. A functional medicine approach will uncover the hidden internal and/or external stressors, so the body can heal from within. Here's a few common stressors:

1. Food Sensitivities and the SAD standard American diet.
2. Mental/Emotional Stress
3. Gut dysbiosis (bacterial overgrowth)
4. Micronutrient insufficiencies 
1. Zinc and B12 deficiencies are very common especially in vegetarians and vegan diets.
2. Magnesium deficiency is the most common overall. Common symptoms may include insomnia, constipation, tight muscles and hypertension.
3. Vitamin D is a hormone important for immune function and positive gene expression
5. Malabsorption and/ or maldigestion leading to malnutrition. Not having enough stomach acid or pancreatic enzymes due to stress, aging and/or eating on the run is one example.

In my case, I've had all of the above.  Growing up in Washington DC and wearing stress on my shoulder as a badge of honor, makes me prone to this. 

A common myth is that we just need to eat less and exercise more. This can exacerbate stress related conditions. Instead, most of my clients need to eat more healthy fat and nutrient dense food, and exercise less. It takes a commitment to uncover these stressors and to heal from within. Functional and nutritional testing can help you discover what is needed for your unique body. Then it's a matter of committing to small simple changes to create sustainable optimal health. What small simple steps will you gift yourself this year?

With Love,

Carpe Diem,

Lisa

About Lisa Jackson, RN, CHC, RYT-500, FDN-P, AFMC
Lisa is an author, inspirational speaker and functional medicine and nutrition trained health coach. Lisa's mission is to inspire, educate and empower others to feel and look their best at any age.

Lisa's book, Savvy Secrets: Eat, Think and Thrive outlines her seven step process towards optimal health that is fun and transformational.

Lisa is the founder of Carpe Diem Wellness and The Wellness Inspired Network. When she is not coaching, speaking or writing, you can find her practicing yoga and joyfully sharing Carpe Diem Dance.

Squirrel!

My mantra used to be "There's never enough time." And I wondered why I suffered from hypertension until I heard Dr. Deepak Chopra speak who said,

"The fastest way to a heart attack is thinking there's never enough time."

No, Duh! The lightbulb went off. Yet, I love ideas, I love the potentiality in all things, I love action. I love creating new thoughts, ideas and opportunities.

The problem lies in the execution.  It's easy to get distracted like the cartoon dog...squirrel!

For some reason, this is especially true for the things I love the most as well as for self care. We've been conditioned with our "to do lists" and culture to do what we "should do" or "need to do" first. We applaud hard work and our "no pain, no gain" mentality.  We often idolize the martyr and self-sacrificing. 

I'm going to be sacrilegious and suggest that we have this ass backwards. 

Personally speaking, when I get up and do my yoga and self care first then the rest of the day moves more freely. My thoughts flow. My writing is more authentic and comes with ease. I'm more stable and more present with my clients, family and friends. I work from a sense of strength and fullness, rather than one of fear and lack or resentment. 

Self-care and self-love is the most loving gift you can give to your family, friends, and business. 

To serve my clients, I must first serve myself. My job has become self-care. It's fun, it's energizing, and gratifying. 

I used to be very judgemental about "selfish people."  This was my shadow side. The side of me I denied. I was so busy caring for others that I became selfless. When I went through my first coaching program and my coach asked me what I did for fun....I cried. I didn't really do anything for fun. I was so busy working the only thing I did for myself was sweat in 110 degree room doing Bikram yoga. This fed my "Pitta fire" and I felt better afterwards...well sometimes. Until I didn't. Then I knew it was time for change. 

So how to improve execution for what is really important? 

1. First, take enough time for self, for contemplation, to get out of your head and into your heart and soul to discover your priorities. Schedule in vacations, before other priorities takeover.
2. Second, practice tools of focus. Commit to small steps toward bigger goals. Complete each step before moving on to the next. Resist chasing every squirrel. ( I know, but they are so much fun!)
3. Get support. Acknowledge your strengths and hire someone to help you with the rest.

Here's to your best year ever!

With Love & Gratitude,

Lisa

About Lisa Jackson, RN, CHC, RYT-500, FDN-P, AFMC

Lisa is an author, inspirational speaker and coach, with a mission to inspire, educate and empower others to feel and look their best at any age. 

 

Lisa's book, Savvy Secrets: Eat, Think and Thrive outlines her seven step process towards optimal health that is fun and transformational. 

Lisa is part of the New Self Health Movement and the Wellness Inspired Network. When she is not coaching, speaking or writing, you can find her practicing yoga and joyfully sharing Carpe Diem Dance.

Love Heals

Last night my beloved husband took me to see "Les Miserables" at National Theatre as my Christmas present. The last line Jean Valjean sings:

"To love another person is to see the face of God." It was magnificent. Needless to say, there were tears. 

Love Heals. Unconditional love, healed Jean Valjean. After working closely with people for the past 38 years, I can confidently say John Lennon is right... "All you need is Love".

Many of us find this love as parents and/or through service to others. But how do we give unconditional love to ourselves? We can spend so much time giving to others that we can struggle with our own self care.

This is especially true for healthcare practitioners and caregivers.

The body is self-healing and self-repairing. It responds to messages given. In order to heal from within, the love needs to come from within. The body is always listening to our self talk and our actions.

Yesterday, I received a card in the mail written to me, by me during my functional medicine retreat this past Fall. I'm going to be vulnerable and share the message that I wrote to myself after a few days on retreat.

My Dearest Lisa,

You are loved just the way you are. Remember to be yourself. Cherish and love yourself so that you can be fully present to love and cherish others. 

When your small scared self tries to control you, just remember this. You are loved, you are safe. There is nothing to fear. Use fear to guide you. Have courage to lean in to your soul's calling. Be the joy you wish to see in others. Give yourself permission, so that you can show and guide loved ones to do the same. For in the end, there is no judgement. There is only love. 

Love, 

Lisa

What letter can you write to yourself as you think of the New Year and the New Life that you would like to create?

With Love & Gratitude,

Lisa

About Lisa Jackson, RN, CHC, RYT-500, FDN-P, AFMC

Lisa is an author, inspirational speaker and coach, with a mission to inspire, educate and empower others to feel and look their best at any age. 

 

Lisa's book, Savvy Secrets: Eat, Think and Thrive outlines her seven step process towards optimal health that is fun and transformational. 

Lisa is part of the New Self Health Movement and the Wellness Inspired Network. When she is not coaching, speaking or writing, you can find her practicing yoga and joyfully sharing Carpe Diem Dance.