What is AIP and Is it for Me?

• Ann
• February 23rd, 2019

I often get blank stares when I share with others that I am following an AIP elimination diet for my autoimmune condition. I honestly don’t like sharing about the AIP protocol with co-workers because I don’t know how much or little to share. I’m thinking, “What do they want to know, how much do they want to know, do they even care to know???” Otherwise, I’m telling my life story and they continue to nod their heads as I list all the foods I cannot eat. It’s almost a look of pity.WHAT IS AIP?

So the first question everyone who is new to AIP asks is, what is AIP? It is also commonly know an The Paleo Approach, Autoimmune Paleo or Autoimmune Protocol – AIP.  It’s a science-based dietary protocol to restore gut health, balance hormones, and regulate the immune system.

AIP consists of a dietary component and a lifestyle component.  The dietary component eliminates high inflammatory foods and then later reintroduces those foods slowly into your diet to determine which foods your body causes inflammatory symptoms.  The lifestyle component aims at managing, stress, sleep, movement, and relationship connections.  

As you can see, treating an autoimmune condition is not only dietary but it also heavily relies on a healthy lifestyle component to healing. 

MY WHY.

I was diagnosed with Hypothyroid last April. My mother actually has Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sojourn’s Disease, Celiac Disease, and Hypothyroid. Talk about bad genes. I see the health issues she has struggled with and the way I see it, I’m headed on the same path if I don’t take control of my health now. This is my why.

 IS IT FOR YOU?

The answer is up to you. The way I see it you have 2 options.

Option 1 is to ignore the fact that you have this condition and that there is nothing you can do about it and the only thing you can do is take your prescription meds and hope your health improves.  You can continue to see your Doctor as the pain gets worse and when new symptoms start to arise.

Option 2 would be to take control of your health and well being and decide you want to live a better quality life. You may even have the possibility to put your autoimmune condition in remission.

THE REALIZATION.

Realizing I had an autoimmune condition was a blessing and a curse. It was a curse because my metabolism began to slow down and I started to gain weight. I no longer had the vibrant energy I once had. My bowl movements were constantly fluctuating from constipation to loose stools, with bouts of painful stomach aches. At work I would suffer from headaches and midday brain fog. I thought it all was all related to stress, postpartum, and poor diet.

The blessing was that my condition made me realize I could no longer sustain this lifestyle that I once lived. My body was telling me, “Hey! No more!” Most people would think, “Oh that sucks, you can’t eat this or drink that.” The truth is, I feel so much better now that I am taking care of myself. My “Ah Haa” moment was when I started eating, sleeping, and exercising when I realized, “This is what it’s supposed to feel like. This is what it feels like to be pain free, energetic, and have peace inside.”

I was so used to feeling anxious and popping NSAIDS like they were tic-tacs I lost all perspective of my health.

HOW AM I TODAY?

Today – I am not standing here a cured woman. I am not perfect and I struggle with work-life balance. However, the difference is, I prioritize my health first. I go to bed early, I consciously plan my meals verses eating on the go. I wake up to meditate for at least 5 minutes. I do gentle exercises such as walking, light strength training, and yoga.

I am so aware of my body and how it’s supposed to feel that I know when it’s off and when I need to reset it using AIP.

TAKE CONTROL.

Wouldn’t it be nice to take control of your life, your health?

If you feel AIP might be right for you, let your journey begin here. 

Sign-up for a free 20-min phone consult to discuss your health goals and learn more about the autoimmune protocol.