"Wtf is AIP?" The common question I get when I try explaining the dietary restrictions I have while I am healing my leaky gut & reversing my autoimmune diseases.
WHAT IS THE AUTOIMMUNE PROTOCOL?
AIP is an elimination diet specifically designed for folks suffering with autoimmunity. It helps to determine their food allergies and sensitivities, reverse nutrient deficiencies, balance gut flora, and heal their bodies over the long-term.
In a nutshell, AIP calls for removing foods that are most likely to be problematic for people with autoimmune disease—grains, beans, legumes, dairy, eggs, nuts, seeds, nightshades, as well as food chemicals and additives. Additionally, nutrient-dense foods are added to restore nutrient status, such as bone broth, high-quality meat and wild-caught fish, as well as organ meats, fermented foods and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Over the course of the elimination phase (which can last from a month to a year), you take note of the changes you experience in your health. When it comes time to slowly and systematically reintroduce foods, you will be able to tell exactly which foods are holding you back, and able to use this information to construct a diet that will best support your healing needs.
Mental Preparation
I've always been up for doing what it took to heal, and did elimination diets once or twice per year...or so I thought. What I realized in 2017 was that I was actually in denial when it came to the reintroduction phase, not wanting to actually admit that certain things that I loved had to go. I also never gave eliminations longer than 2-3 weeks. As I learned, that mindset was keeping me trapped in my illnesses.
So there's a few things I went through which are completely normal to allow yourself.
Take a minute to be pissed off! "It's NOT fair that I have to the way I eat to feel normal!"
Be sad for a moment too. Its OK to mourn your old way of living, but just know that in a short amount of time, it too will become routine & once you start feeling better, you'll wonder why you waited so long!
Set Positive Intentions. I am a healer. I am healthy, whole & balanced. I accept myself unconditionally right now.
Be thankful. To your source, whether its God, the Universe or whatever that is to you, that you are at the exact right place you need to be. Everything up until this has lead you here.
Summon your inner warrior! Its time to take control of your health! Any change can be scary but a big change like this can be overwhelmingly terrifying. Take a deep breath and know that you CAN and WILL do this!
Set Realistic Expectations
At the beginning of my #missionremission, I told myself that since I am such a strict perfectionist, I would be healed in a couple of months. Not only was that extremely unrealistic but it set me up to fail immediately. After shifting my mindset and accepting the fact that this was going to take some time, I finally started to see great results! It took my body a lifetime to become overwhelmed enough manifest illnesses, a couple months of anything wasn't going to fix anything long-term.
I also had to learn to let go of the perfectionism I was blessed with. I am not going to be 100% during my time of healing. My brain might be a bit foggier, my body may be a little more sluggish...so completely the 10,000+ tasks I throw on my plate each day is not realistic. AND THAT'S OK TOO!
Step 1: Remove triggering foods There cannot be ANY "cheat" meals or you must start the process all over again! This is really important. Not following this rule will never allow you to achieve success in going into remission.
Step 2: Add Nourishing Foods
Step 3: Reduce Environmental Toxins
Follow this link to Detox Your Home
Step 4: Proper Supplementation
Even our safe foods are not what they used to be so proper supplementation with pharmaceutical grade supps are the best way to compliment your wellness plan.
Click here for my dispensary with discounts to all of my readers.
Step 5: SWEAT
Whether its hot yoga, steam, an epsom salt bath or similar...sweat it out. Your body needs to rid itself of the accumulated toxins.
Step 6: Emotional Detox
For me that meant dealing with past traumas and stresses with modalities like Theta Healing & energy work from from Reiki masters, crystal and sound therapy, meditation etc.
The recipe for success will vary for everyone, but this is a strong starting point and where I lead my clients while they are being treated by their functional doctor, getting the proper testing needed to address their root causes.
5/29/18-Mini Progress Update:
I am now off ALL pharmaceutical thyroid meds!
My eczema is disappearing before my very eyes!
I am feeling lighter, happier and more equipped to handle stress.
My friends and family notice a positive change in me.
I am listening to my body & what I need without being mean to myself.
I have lost body-fat & gained muscle even through my adrenal heal protocol of no cardio, much less working out & eating more carbs.
Sending you the highest frequency of light, and thank you for spending some time with me today!
Brianna Marie, Holistic Healing Fit Club
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