“The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but will rather cure and prevent disease with nutrition”. – Thomas Edison
Let’s be honest, Thomas Edison’s prediction about doctors of the future occurred in an era when pharmaceutical drugs were not as safe and effective as what present-day medical professionals prescribe to help us heal in a timely manner. Even the antibiotic was decades away from being discovered. However, the highly imaginative inventor somehow spoke with the forethought that what we eat (or don’t eat) may be paramount to preserving our long-term health.
What if certainty around disease prevention centered around food consumption became “what the doctor ordered” to rid ourselves of symptoms that gradually invade our bodies and often change our lives. Must we just “deal with” chronic or continuing stomach upset, headaches, anxiety, insomnia, joint pain, weight gain, etc.? Maybe not.
About 10 years ago, I read a book recommended because I was seeking the magic for increased athletic performance. The book promotes a whole foods diet reset that I decided to give a go (I really wanted to perform!). Interestingly, only a few weeks in, the migraine headaches I had been plagued with for decades had begun to decrease in frequency and intensity. Weeks later, I realized my bouts of sudden nausea and stomach upset that forced me to pull off to the side of the road and/or run to the nearest restroom (not always convenient) had all but disappeared. As I continued on this new nutritional path, the headaches eventually ceased to exist. Prior to this, I assumed I would have to endure and attempt to mitigate the effects of migraine headaches for the rest of my life.
Did my performance improve? Probably. I was no longer sidelined from training because I was in bed, numbed by prescription medicine until the headache passed. But, caring about improved performance is now a distant memory. Prior to incorporating the changes, I had incessant angst about the possible onset of a migraine. This required pre-planning. For instance, should a headache come on, I knew I must take the medicine at the onset, but not on an empty stomach. And, if I’m not home when the headache occurs, where will I lie down, who will I call if I can’t drive, where is the nearest restroom in case of severe nausea? Where are my kids and who can I call upon to take care of them? And most upsettingly, what will I be forced to miss? I never dreamed there was another way. Today, what I sincerely care about is that I no longer feel the threat of what prevented me from enjoying what is important to me– living life filled with meaningful experiences with family and friends.
The sacrifices I made were relatively minor. The rewards – even over a decade later – are quite substantial.
A commitment to living a healthier, more active life…whatever that means to you…can be within your reach…and worth it! Make an appointment for a Complementary Health Coaching Consultation and see if Health Coaching can help you incorporate changes that will make a difference for you!
