From September 2018 to January 2020, I said a polite "no, thank you" to all forms of formal exercise. 

I stopped the CrossFit workouts I was previously doing up to six days a week.
I stopped running, lifting, and scheduling time for a workout each day.
I gave myself the full permission to do only what I wanted to do and for a solid year that meant  nothing more than a restorative yoga pose (or two) and a walk around the farm with my dog.

After 12+ months, I can officially say: a year off from formal exercise was one of the best things I've ever done for myself or my health. (Yes, ever.)

Have you ever found yourself scrolling on Instagram and trying *really* hard not to feel like a failure?

Maybe because you didn't eat 'clean' enough this week...
Or because you haven't spontaneously 'cured' your flare-ups or your symptoms...

Ever feel like you have to choose between your mental health and your physical health? 

Maybe feeling like you can't have both... you can't do the things that support your mental health AND do the things that support your physical body...

Do you feel divided between following a flexible, anti-diet eating plan (such as intuitive eating) and a more rigid, health-based plan (such as paleo or the autoimmune protocol)?

Maybe you're curious about the autoimmune protocol and all the success stories you've read. But maybe also you've done diets in the past and really don't want to start another. 

If this is where you find yourself today, I've been right where you're sitting.

I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease at age 14 and an eating disorder 7 months later. Meaning, when I wanted to heal my body using food I had a VERY hard time.

Do you ever feel like you have to choose between your mental health and your physical health? Ever worry that you can't have both -- you can't do the things that support your mental health AND do the things that support your physical body? 

Maybe you're divided between something like intuitive eating, an anti-diet approach to health and wellness, and something like an elimination diet, a possible management plan for autoimmune disease or chronic illness. 

You want to feel better, so you're really curious about the autoimmune protocol or Paleo or gluten-free eating. Or perhaps you've been recommend to cut out particular foods based on a medical restriction, intolerance or sensitivity. But, you've also done diets in the past and you really don't want to get back on one. 

If this is where you find yourself today, I want you to know you're not alone. You're suffering from what I call Split Health Stress.

Even more importantly?

I want you to know that you don't have to choose between your mental and physical health. You can have both. You can follow the principles of intuitive eating even while on an elimination diet.