When I first looked at this photo, all I saw was another over weight person.  I wanted to hide from the entire world. You can’t see the emotional trauma that I have endured from my hypothyroidism or the fight that I deal with daily.

You can’t see my struggles, my family history, my up bringing , if I was lucky enough to have one or both parents willingly active in my life nor can you put yourself in my shoes.
But you know what’s extremely exhausting?
Looking at a photo of another person and wishing you had their life. Frankly, just trying to be someone you’re NOT.
And you know what’s even MORE exhausting?
Judging myself .
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to lose weight, to dress nice, to have a better job or a better relationship with a supportive partner.

There is nothing wrong with wanting MORE.

And if  you’re not comfortable in your body which I was not then it’s perfectly fine to want to change that.
But hating yourself for where you are currently isn’t and that battle needs to start within.
Realizing in this very moment what I’ve just done.

Which was based solely on where I have been , not where I am going.

As, I look at this photo again. I see, more.

Just like you, my story is unique. For so many wasted years, I was a shamed of my struggles, particularly with my body image and embarrassed about my mental health. I couldn’t seem to manage my anxiety nor my OCD. I found myself unsure by my imperfect journey and it seemed for many years that I actually lost myself on this stretch of road that I’ve been traveling on. I didn’t like what I seen in the mirror, all the mistakes I’ve made, my flaws, my inability to control the chaos in my head and most importantly the struggles with my weight. I’ve learned that the mistakes where lessons to get me to where I am today and I couldn’t become who I needed to be if I didn’t travel that uncertain road. I had to stop being concerned with what was behind me! It was behind me for a reason. I’m actually a better person because of it. I dusted myself off and keep going. I started to understand that everything that glitters isn’t gold. I couldn’t be fooled by those SHINY OBJECTS. People that you meet don’t always let you know about their failures. Nine times out of ten they only allow you to see what they want you to see and for you to believe their always winning. I had to learn to stay in my lane and I knew that I would arrive. Anything that I had missed along the journey wasn’t meant for me. I looked myself in the mirror and told myself that: Someone wants what I have!
That MY gift that I am sitting on isn’t mine to keep. I needed to,” Write that book”! My gift means the world to someone else. I knew this in my heart. I felt it in my soul and GOD allowed me to feel it in my spirit.
This book gives me an opportunity to bond with YOU, and my community. I am happy you are here. Let me say it again, I am happy that you are here. I’ve read countless times where people are asking me about losing large amount of hair in their shower, severe dry skin, unable to lose weight and although they might have bought the products from whole foods, it’s just not working! So, it’s my JOY to turn your issue into a solution that is written in this book. Sometimes in life we just need clarity. You have to step out of your comfort zone and focus on where your path is headed. You were born with the capacity of abundance. You need to clear away any of the emotional, mental and energetic debris that is in the way of your ability to see who you really are in order to create the life you really deserve.

My name is A.L. Childers, and I am an internationally recognized published author, blogger and a wellness health coach. I also dabble in freelance journalism and I have over a decade of experience in research and editorial writing. This journey that I’ve traveled on has led me to become a healer and more spiritually-enlightened. I wholeheartedly take a holistic approach to my body, mind and soul. I believe what you put out into the world, it comes back to you good or bad and we make our very own health more complicated than it should be. People have gotten lost in the basic function of how their bodies work. Our cells are cities within themselves and each have their own designed function along with being their very own conscious entities. As humans, we are each on a unique path to find that inner peace. Everything in life is a modest complication of many truths.
I’m was allergic to myself, in theory. Being diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and later Hashimoto’s hasn’t been any walk in the park. My entire body is at the mercy of my thyroid. My body immune system is attacking my thyroid gland – as if it was foreign tissue and my immune systems ultimate goal is to eventually, completely destroy my thyroid gland.
After being diagnosed with hypothyroidism over 25 years ago. I knew there was something more than just being labeled with a medical condition and taking a daily pill. There wasn’t a lot of information on how to heal myself and I wasn’t okay with this. I was so hungry trying to find the answer where I could be able to feel real again and I became extremely desperate to get my life back after years of living with a chronic health condition.
My doctor did exactly as he was trained to do. He evaluated me with what I presented him, asked me a few questions in return, listened to my basic body functions and gave a solution to best heal the issue at hand but I needed more. I needed him to become a medical detective to look at all the clues that I presented him and for him to investigate through blood work, my medical history, my lifestyle, my food intolerances, my environment and my vitamin deficiencies. I really can’t be upset nor blame my doctor that the root of my health issues weren’t being addressed. He was doing exactly as he had been trained to do in his 12 plus years of medical schooling plus along with his hands on clinical experience and that was to treat the symptoms that I placed in front of him.
Doctors need to rethink how they approach treating our thyroid issues by:
Analyzing a patient’s medical history and recognizing if there is a problem, performing the correct tests, properly diagnosing and treating the causes of thyroid dysfunction, educating the patient by stressing the need for a lifestyle change, a hypothyroidism style healing diet, vitamin deficiencies, food allergens and adding supplements that they aren’t getting from the foods they are consuming. Also, prescribing the right thyroid hormone replacement and dosages specifically designed for that individual person. We are all unique. You see we each have a story and its completely different from the next person.
I learned that my doctor didn’t have a whole lot of training on nutrition nor the medications they were prescribing either.
Also, what “real” clinical trials the medications went though, the adverse reactions and how they evaluated the effectiveness to the human body. I also learned that most medications were designed to only treat the symptoms not to cure the issues at hand. My best bet was to learn nutrition, learn how my body works, teach myself about herbal medicine from the earth & other forms of natural medicine.
After being diagnosed, I started to read everything that was put out there, anything that would lead me to a topic about hypothyroidism. I would research that topic- if there were text books related to that topic- I would order them and based on reading that book it would lead to me to another book or another article or another research paper. What I have learned was really shocking. There has been information out here for all of us to see. Your body simply can’t heal itself when its full of inflammation, parasites, toxic chemicals, fake foods, heavy metals, pharmaceutical poisons and refined sugars. These things are meant to destroy your health not better it.
The science is out there everywhere people are just choosing not to look at it or many who were like I was simply don’t know they do have a choice.

You do have a choice.

I felt as if I had lost control over my body and my mental health as well. It seems that I had experienced every symptom from lack of energy, anxiety, weight gain, scary heart palpitations, brain fog and this was just to name a few. I couldn’t sleep and where the hell had my eye brows gone? My hair was falling out and the regrowth was thin. I was always constipated, my blood pressure started to increase, my fingertips would get cold and numb just out of the blue, my emotions were all over the place as if I was on an emotional roller coaster. I had aches and pains that it seemed hard to explain to my doctor and my doctor thought it was all in my head. Have you ever had a new car and you just made your very last car payment or the 36-month warranty had just expired and it seems things are starting to breakdown. The excitement of that last payment but yet the disappointed of no warranty left. I felt as if I was beginning to slowly die.

There is a major disconnect between what we believe to be healthy foods and what research tells us is healthy. In fact, many of the health foods today that people go out of their way to eat daily are extremely thyroid suppressive and hopelessly inadequate. I started to become my very own health investigator. I started researching what I need to do to start addressing what the root cause is because that lead to me to this point in my life. I certainly wouldn’t take Motrin if I got a pebble stuck in my shoe? So, why am I going to take this new medication for my thyroid if I didn’t understand how I got here?
As I began researching, I soon discovered that hypothyroidism does has a root issue. I often ignored all the underlying causes of my hypothyroidism. What was I looking for? Like an onion, I needed to see it layer by layer. I started to do a little pruning of my branches, I wanted to be healthy again. My thyroid was being influenced by so many different things.
There isn’t a one-size-fits all to hypothyroidism.

My new purpose is to empower people to embrace who they are, to add value to their life, to inspire them and to connect with those who are struggling with hypothyroidism. You need to realize that you have to invest in your health. You are worth investing money into yourself and take charge of your health. Will it “hurt” a little? Ha, you bet, but it will change your life. The choices you make every day has a direct impact on your life. I want you to learn the true meaning of being healthy and HELP give you the resources to where YOU become successful in your healing journey. You have to start to focus on healing your body naturally from the inside out.

Our entire body is at the mercy of our thyroid. After being diagnosed with hypothyroidism over 25 years ago. I knew there was something more than just being labeled with a medical condition and taking a daily pill. I was frustrated, overwhelmed along with feeling fat, foggy and fatigued. There wasn’t a lot of information on how to heal myself.
A sluggish thyroid has an incredible impact on our health. One in 8 women will struggle with a thyroid problem in her lifetime. As diseases go, you would think that it would be a cinch to diagnose and pretty straightforward to treat but it’s not. My main goal is to help lead people towards good health, boosting wellness and a longevity loving life. If you’re a “quick fix junkie” then this book isn’t for you because you won’t find any of those unreal ramblings written within the pages of this book. This book advocates a clean and healthy lifestyle. I’ve been a mess-in-a-dress struggling with daily life and I can show you have to make the modifications according to your own body’s needs. If you are ready to see a tremendous transformation within yourself and erase years of neglect, then you’re ready to explore what has been written within the walls of this extraordinary life changing book.
The Hypothyroidism Fix: A Women’s Holistic Guide to help her get out of Survival Mode with hypothyroidism
In this unique thyroid book, you will Learn:
*How to fight those Hormones that control your weight*
*What are the right lab tests to order and how to read them*
*Understand why 1 in 8 women will develop hypothyroidism in the United States*
*Be able to identify and address sneaky thyroid disruptors*
*Start shopping for the best foods to begin healing Hypothyroidism*
*Discover powerful thyroid healing recipes for the mind, body & soul
*This book empowers women in the redevelopment and healing of the body along with understanding the necessary skills to help get out of Survival Mode with Hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism: The Beginners Guide: How to stop surviving and start thriving

Food is thy medicine, right? Actually, it can work one of two ways. Food can be thy medicine or food can be thy death. This book is a guide that will inform you from the perspective of a women. You will also be able to determine what areas in your life that may need a little bit of work and the skills needed to improve those issues along with some fabulous recipes to help get you started on how to eat KETO AIP. I will also help you understand how to fix your gut, strengthen your immunity and fight inflammation with an autoimmune approach. The Keto AIP removes all the common inflammatory food triggers that stimulate a possible autoimmune reaction in the body. We’re going to start resetting those adrenals, boosting that energy and doing a little booty kicking to those hormones that have decided to act like a wild college student and pull an all-nighter the day before final exams.

The Keto Autoimmune Protocol Healing Book for Women: Strengthen Your Immunity, Fight Inflammation and Love Your Incredible Body

A Women’s Holistic Holy Grail Handbook for Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s: How I healed my Hypothyroidism and Autoimmune Disorder with Personalized Nutrition

Poisoned Profit

A Survivor’s Cookbook Guide to Kicking Hypothyroidism’s Booty

Breaking the Chains of Hypothyroidism: Unlock The Secrets That Help Women Begin to Heal and Get Out of Hypothyroidism Survival Mode

Disclaimer
The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements. Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek. I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.

Audrey Childers is a published author, blogger, freelance journalist and an entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in research and editorial writing. She is also the creator and founder of the website the hypothyroidismchick.com. Where you can find great tips on everyday living with hypothyroidism. She enjoys raising her children and being a voice for optimal human health and wellness. She is the published over 10 books that aren’t listed here but some of her books are : A survivors cookbook guide to kicking hypothyroidism booty, Reset your Thyroid, The Ultimate guide to healing hypothyroidism and  A survivors cookbook guide to kicking hypothyroidism booty: the slow cooker way. You can find all these books on Amazon.  You can also find her actively involved in her Facebook Group : Healing Hypothyroidism. This blog may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author bio, and this copyright statement.