amanda.m.hurlburt, Author at Make + Manifest

Halfway Through 2022: The Powerful Health Changes I’ve Made So Far This Year

ALL THINGS ENDO, HOLISTIC LIVING

Amanda Davis, pelvic rehab therapist, sitting on green bench

I once cried while scrolling through Pinterest. Yep, true story. Now…let me clarify a bit, because the tears weren’t flowin’ due to a DIY gone wrong or a trusty go-to recipe suddenly showing “page not found” (although both have happened farrrrrrr more than once). No, I was balling my way through my favorite app on earth because I was searching for endometriosis guidance, and between the diet recommendations, hormone balancing hacks, pain management strategies, supplement suggestions, etc.– I felt overwhelmed.

Have you ever regretted an Internet search? Ha!…I realize this could happen for more reasons than one, but my remorse was happening for two— (1) there was so much information that I didn’t know where to start, who to trust, or what would actually work, and (2) because I was desperate for answers and ended up more confused than when I started.

While I ~certainly~ still don’t have it all figured out, my endo knowledge and women’s health awareness have exponentially grown since that weepy day of scrolling all those years ago. Current Amanda wouldn’t even recognize that vexed version of me as I’ve learned that managing my health isn’t found in grand gestures, life overhauls, or even perfection (thank goodness). In fact, I tend to avoid anything that requires sudden shifts or massive modifications because they’ve proven unrealistic and unsustainable for me.

Instead, I’ve become quite the seeker and appreciator of tiny transformations that add up over time… those whose reminders are scribbled on post-it notes, require only an easy pantry item replacement, or add a single step to a system I’ve already succeeded in.

The Amanda you see today– the one who blogs about her pelvic health wins, posts her hormone successes, and now shares her own resources on Pinterest– I’m leaps and bounds beyond where I was when I first stopped taking birth control, far past the girl who was trying to get pregnant, and now a few steps ahead of the postpartum me who was simply trying to catch her footing. I’m [here] because of a relentless love for the magic that happens between trial and error and those ah-ha moments that lend themselves to progress and healing. But I’m still not “there”.

I don’t have it all figured out; in fact, I’m writing today to share some ~new~ health strategies I’ve started just this year, the “why wasn’t I doing this sooner?!” type o’ things that have made an impact on my physical, mental, and emotional wellness and are too good (and easy) not to shout about. Anyone, ~literally~ anyone, can do these things with a bit of intention and proactivity in their corner. And if any of the following give you that gentle nudge or curious inkling of “I could totally do this” or even “I can definitely use this”, I’m here to tell ya it’s 100000000% possible.

MAGNESIUM IN MY WATER

Put in a good ol’ Google search for the benefits of magnesium and you’ll find a laundry list that makes it hard to skip past this one without taking action. Magnesium is a mineral that helps with (simple but oh so important) cell function, blood sugar, mood, hormone production, bone, and muscle health to name a few. It’s also one of the first things I recommend to my patients who struggle with constipation, in conjunction with a squatty potty and proper pooping posture of course *wink wink*.

Since I started taking magnesium a few months ago, I’ve noticed a few changes that I believe this simple addition is responsible for including regular bowel movements, more energy, quicker workout recovery, and better stress management.

There’s quite a few options out there for magnesium both in form (powder vs. capsule vs. liquid) and type (magnesium glycinate vs. citrate vs. oxide being the most popular). Magnesium glycinate is the most bioavailable to the body, but because I put glycine in my morning smoothie, I add this magnesium citrate to my water and drink both in the morning to get the best bang for my buck.

While some health changes require a bit of effort with starting and stopping and starting again more times than you care to admit, this is one I’ve easily maintained. Adding a scoop to my water is just so easy peasy, and you can consider that “subscribe and save” option on Amazon checked for magnesium in the Davis house.

**FOOD ~BEFORE~ COFFEE**

Besides peeing, petting my pup, and thanking the good Lord above for the breath in my lungs, the first thing I usually do in the morning is drink a cup of coffee. But in my quest to optimize my menstrual cycle and dial in my hormone health, I learned that coffee right away in the AM could contribute to a rise in cortisol (the stress hormone), which is already at its peak when you first wake up.

While cortisol is meant to be high in the morning to give you energy, excessive cortisol from caffeine can lead to hormone imbalance, weight gain, mood swings, urinary frequency, low sex drive, and irregular periods.

I recently learned that eating a little something ~before~ enjoying your morning cup o’ joe can help reduce the effects of caffeine on your cortisol levels. And as someone who doesn’t have to be told twice to eat, I jumped all over this one. Hard-boiled eggs were my first go-to followed by a charcuterie style meat and cheese combo, but neither sat well in my stomach. Then I stumbled upon Laurence’s (Lolo for short…yes! Just like my girl *swoon*) from @_heartsoulwellness gelatin gummy recipe and have been hooked since.

With just two ingredients (juice not from concentrate and quality gelatin), this is super easy to make and a single batch lasts me all week (unlesssssss Bob and Sloan sneak some for themselves). Not only does gelatin have gut-healing and digestion supporting benefits, but I truly believe eating this before my coffee has contributed to a longer menstrual cycle and lighter periods.

Also out of a page of Lolo’s recipe e-book (PS – save $5 with code AMANDA through June 3^rd) I’ve recently started adding collagen and raw egg yolk to my coffee to help with those cortisol levels too. I’m not ready to comment on any noticeable changes (other than how creamy + rich + satisfying my coffee is lately) since I’m only a few cups in, but I’m convinced that everything from her recipe e-book will likely find its way into my healing journey at some point or another.

BEEF LIVER SUPPLEMENTS

My husband started the carnivore diet in the new year and I quickly became a believer after a little more investigating, but [that’s] another post for another day. Since we’re no longer eating most vegetables, our research led us to beef liver and would ya know it…liver’s one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals that are more bioavailable (aka easily absorbed and used by the body) than most plants and pills.

As someone with endometriosis, what sold me on beef liver was this:

It is ridiculously high in Vitamin A which is shown to decrease growth of endometriosis tissue by reducing estradiol production
It contains zinc which supports the immune system, an easy win-win
It’s full of copper which helps rid the body of iron, something that’s often too high in those with endometriosis
It has selenium which is an anti-inflammatory, a ~must~ for endo warriors
It includes phosphorous which helps rebuild bone and teeth health, both of which have likely undergone damage with prolonged use of synthetic hormones

I’d always rather get my nutrients straight from food, but I’m not to the point of ~actually~ eating liver, so these desiccated liver supplements are my current best option. I haven’t had a single endometriosis “flare-up” since I started taking these and let me tell ya…that’s a BIG. DEAL. Some call this is a fad, but I’m officially a believer and am feeling better than ever.

THIS ONE SIMPLE QUESTION

Everything I’ve mentioned so far touches more on the physiologic parts of health, but as we allllllll know, mental and emotional health are beautifully intertwined and can’t be ignored. In an effort to avoid burnout as a working mom and get to know myself better outside of motherhood, I’ve started asking myself one question that’s seriously up-leveled my life…

What would make this moment a 10/10? In other words, what can I do to give this day five stars? How can I make this time/activity/instance perfect?

I’ve incorporated this question into my everyday and I’m truly a happier and healthier person for it. I drink out of my favorite mug in the morning. I make sure my podcast episodes are downloaded for my commute and cup holder contains a sip-worthy treat. I optimize my lunchtime, plan outings with intention, and indulge in my nighttime rituals.

With the wisdom of aging and reality check that is motherhood, I’m learning that joy is found in the little things, and #praisebe those little things are pretty dang easy to come by if you slow down long enough to notice them. Stress, frustration, anxiety, and overwhelm are all realities of life, but this cup-half-full, too-blessed-to-be-stressed mindset is proving to go a long way. Start by committing to ask yourself the question above at least three times a day, and I have a feeling you’ll be hooked before you know it.

Wellness is a journey… a process, practice, progression and passage that ebbs and flows with seasons of life and self-education, and I’m willingly along for the ride. I know I’ll never get it perfect, but gosh dang it I’m gonnna try.

As someone who’s been around the block in performing, preaching, and prescribing health changes for a living, I have a few words of advice if you too are in a period of searching for wellness–

(1) Be consistent. No matter your health goals, you’ll never know if what you’re doing is working if you don’t stay the course. I’m not saying that slow and steady progress is useless or to give up and quit if you skip one day, but you’re far more likely to know if something is successful (or not) if you remain as regular as possible with your efforts.

(2) Be patient. Unfortunately the body doesn’t function like Amazon Prime…yet. If you don’t see changes in a week that doesn’t mean it’s not effective, and often the longer you’ve had an issue the more time you can expect healing to take. Give your body the space and grace it needs to see a difference before prematurely calling it quits.

(3) Listen to your body. I’m a firm believer that we all have a deep and often unconscious understanding of what our bodies need, even more than a medical professional and far more than a social media influencer. Listen to your gut and trust your instincts as you’re doing your research and choosing your next plan of action. You’ll know when something’s not right or you’re on the right track.

(4) Track your progress. Most people look for day-to day-changes (and get frustrated when they don’t see them), but comparing one week or one month to another is where you’ll notice the biggest improvements. A daily journal of how you feel (physically, mentally, or emotionally depending on your health goals) is an easy way to track progress over time and truly assess if what you’re doing is making a difference.

My health is one of the most important things to me, and because how I feel directly dictates how I show up as a mom, wife, friend, and professional, wellness is something I’m always seeking, bettering, and refining. I don’t know it all and I sure as heck never will, but the above is a reflection of me doing my best in the season I’m in, and something’s definitely working.

If you too are on the hunt for the next best “thing”, know that I’m doing it right here along with ya! And you better believe I’ll be sharing everything I find 😉

– Amanda

Disclaimer: The content provided here does not constitute medical advice, nor is it a substitute for personalized healthcare. If you have concerns about a medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment, you should consult with a licensed healthcare professional.

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. No pressure, but I have a feeling you’re gonna like what I’ve taken the time to put my recommendation behind.