On Protocol
Week One of our Family’s Road to Wellness “On Protocol”
I see any challenge as an Adventure, the family however, might be feeling more of a mutiny. I’m still not sure about the verdict as of right now.
This first week was a learning week, so I want to first share what the protocol sets in place for us to follow and then our successes and set-backs in week one, why I am having our family along for this journey and lastly the rise imbalanced gut health and its relationship to obesity and mental illness.
This protocol is not just about REMOVING foods and ingredients that are known to cause irritants in our Gut and overall health, the focus is to be aware of the body as we remove certain items that can bring on or contribute to a negative gut microbiome and the effects that imbalance plays on our entire body. I do not promote diet in the modern sense, I’m very much against the phrase “can’t have” unless allergic of course , the phrase we are using is “it’s not on the protocol at this time”, and if all we did was eliminate foods and food groups I’d be frustrated, constantly thinking about what I can’t have and grumpy, just eliminating foods isn't the answer because it’s still leaving a depletion or an imbalance in our microbiome that needs to be fueled and restored.
So this is where we REPLACE items with organic when possible, non-processed foods, quality meats and shopping the perimeter of stores and reading labels. Trust me, we eat plenty of amazing foods, no one is going hungry.. The mission is to get 30 different plants into the menu each week. I know that can sound like a crazy mission, but it’s totally doable and exactly what this protocol teaches. Getting a variety of foods starts the process of supplying our gut microbiome with the nutrients to pull from, a variety of foods in correct proportions equals a variety of nutrients and that makes our guts, the second brain very happy which means the brain gets permission to start working again. REPLENISH is about helping the microbiome with our foods and Shakeology / Daily Sunshine. I am also taking the pre/probiotic and digestive enzymes as part of the protocol, the kids have their own supplements along with drinking their daily dose from Shakeology and or daily sunshine. REBALANCE is all about mind and body connecting, supporting this gut health journey with family nights, outdoor time, following the 4 week low impact workout designed to pair with the protocol, as the kids continue their dancing and jiu jitsu training.
In case you were wondering the list of 6 foods removed for 4 weeks are
Gluten
Dairy
Alcohol
Corn
Processed soy and soybean oils
Artificial sweetener
Reduce foods: each have guidelines to follow and causes you to really read the labels
Added sugars
Caffeine
Red meat
Ok so now if you hear my kiddos talk this week the new lingo is, “on protocol” it’s not a diet.
Week One, they were “starving” (my kids have never starved in their lives, thank the Lord and it’s a lesson to redefine what our brain says and what’s really happening, they actually they were just missing pizza, cheese, bagels, cereal, ice cream, granola bars, goldfish and soda, things that became regular in our lives and it wasn’t fair that my busy had me saying yes to more easy options overall. I thought I’d have to fight to even begin week 2 but guess what I’m not only the mom, but I’m also the grocery shopper and cook so onto week 2 we go.
Why is this a family adventure?
When I heard about Gut Protocol I knew that I had a responsibility to teach my children more, that I have shown them year after year my fitness, nutrition and overall wellness lifestyle but this was different, I knew as a health coach I’d be doing them a huge dis-service to them by leaving them out, this is more than food, it’s about finding balance in life, taking time to feel great, to give them the tools and permission to say no thank you to foods, drinks, activities and even people that cause stress or discourage healthy behaviors. To know what foods cause sluggishness, belly aches, acne and sleepless nights. To identify 30 different plants in the weekly menu, to read labels and know how to choose better options, to give attention to mental health.
It’s just the beginning for us. I know we still have lots to learn and we will inevitably hit roadblocks, but we are building a foundation for a lifetime of health and learning is part of the process. The connection between our gut and overall health, including obesity and mental health is astounding and once you know the connections and have the tools to heal it why would you take a backseat to making the changes needed to set your family up for a lifetime of feeling great, knowing how to manage stress and how to not eat our feelings this is a lifestyle I’m excited to continue to cultivate together
Why is teaching gut health so important and needs our attention:
On average, one out of every three adults is obese, which is about 36% of the population. (Harvard, 2020)
About 18.5% of children ages 2 to 19 are considered obese in the United States. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019)
Approximately 300,000 people die from obesity in America every year. (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2004)
Obese individuals spend about $1,500 more on medical care for themselves than people of healthy weight. (Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, 2012)
A study in 292 people found that those who were overweight had lower gut bacteria diversity and higher levels of C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker in the blood (pubmed)
Gut bacteria can have a profound influence over our mental wellbeing, including anxiety and depression.
With statistics like this, why in the world wouldn’t I want to give my family and my wellness community all the tools and support possible. However, as with any tool I have to remind even myself it only works when I do and then when I hear it doesn’t work, my question is: does it not work for me or did you not work for it? something to think about when it comes to your own health and wellness journey.
