The first thing I tell the people I coach through the Desperation Diet is that they need to keep a food journal. I know, soooo annoying. Who has time for that bullshit? You do, well, if you want to get better and heal and be inspired by your progress of course. 

Our mind deceives us because we get lost in fear, mostly thoughts that scare us off our healing path. Thoughts like "I need more nutrients" or "this isn't working" or "why is it taking so long to see results?" Other thoughts that might derail healing are "I don't understand this," or "it's too simple, how could this possibly work?" And sometimes our well-meaning friends or family can derail our path with one roll of their eyes. I experienced these thoughts throughout my entire journey and I constantly had to wave them off by focusing on my progress.

And yes, fear is natural in trying to heal ones’ disease. Our mind is set to seek the silver bullet or the most nutrient dense foods we can find on every health Instagram or blog out there and when it doesn't heal us, we feel broken. How is it possible that I can eat all this fantastic food and still be so fucking sick? I don't think you can find a more frustrated and disillusioned person if you tried. Of course, it's not always as easy as just doing the Desperation Diet. Sometimes other stuff needs to be explored like is it pesky parasites causing issues or viral infections. I did every test available to me, just to make sure I had covered every possible cause. No fun.

But, I digress. Back to food journaling and little victories. The reason why I have my clients journal is so that they can keep track of how they feel and what results they see when they add or subtract food. These little steps forward are signals that they are moving in the right direction. Sometimes it's the absence of pain, sometimes it's a formed poo, and other times it's just feeling better. These little steps are what I call "little victories" along the natural path to relief. 

Without a food journal, it's easy to miss the little cues our body gives us that shows us we are making progress. With healing, (depending on the person and the severity of the imbalance of course) it can take what might feel like an unreasonable amount of time. But, it's those little victories that show us we are moving forward. It's important to trust the progress, as little as it might be at times. For me it was hard and scary but the idea of cutting it out or taking immune suppressants to cover it up was not the path for me. I wanted to be cured and that is why I did everything I could to hold the line. Yes, even grasp at little victories. I felt like it was my body giving me a thumbs up.

In the first meeting, I suggest my clients set their mind straight for the journey ahead. Once the mind knows what to expect it's a bit easier. Because knowing it might take a lot of fucking time, that you will get bored of eating so simply and you will want to cheat but won't because of potential pain and agony is a normal part of the journey. 

I know It's hard to sit and eat what feels like air while your family and friends eat like kings. That part sucks a lot, but yeah - maybe ask them to gorge somewhere else if that helps you hold the line.

Food journaling is powerful because it keeps track of our journey and connects us with what works and doesn’t work. This is helpful on SO many levels. Mostly, because when there is pain and suffering, there is usually a loss of memory. Loss of memory can derail the journey because we panic and forget the progress we have made and the things that got us there. Working with me, not working with me, please journal that shit.

Things to add to your food journal.

1. What you ate, how much of it and how you felt after. Did it help or hinder.

2. What do your poo's look and feel like. 

3. How much warm water you drank.

4. How did you sleep.

5. Any and all little victories.

6. What's better and what's worse.

The hardest part of healing is patience. Patience isn’t something most of us practice when it comes to health. I learned a lot of patience during my healing years. Yes, years. 

We need to retrain our silver bullet mentality to a silver bullet journey. I’m not sure when we transitioned away from natural healing into the silver bullet mentality, but it has come at a significant cost. Now is the time to lean into supporting our bodies - use a journal, take detailed notes and trust the progress. Also, find a doctor who supports you and believes in what you are trying to achieve who can oversee your health. 

Emotional support from the white coat is healing. 

And remember, your tastebuds are a**holes and not the BFF you think they are.