HEALING HASHIMOTO’S: TO EXERCISE OR NOT?
Welcome to Episode 10 of Georgina Szabo TV! I found out that I had Hashimoto’s disease after multiple miscarriages. Instead of just taking a pill I wanted to get down to root causes so I could really heal my body vs simply addressing a condition and putting a Band-Aid on it. After working with Functional Medicine doctor Stephanie Daniel I was able to put my Hashimoto’s disease in remission within 6 months and get pregnant naturally at age 39, and gave birth to a healthy baby girl. In the process I found my true purpose, which is helping others reverse their Hashimoto’s so you can reclaim your health too and live a fulfilling life.
I often get asked if I exercised during my Hashimoto’s healing process. In this episode of Georgina Szabo TV, I am going to share with you exactly what I did so that you can check and see if your current exercise regimen is supporting or sabotaging your healing.
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HEALING HASHIMOTO’S: TO EXERCISE OR NOT? – Episode 10
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When I got diagnosed with Hashimoto’s I was super tired. I had very low energy and even just getting through the day was hard. My mind was telling me that I needed to exercise and when I couldn’t, I felt guilty for not doing it. But my body kept telling me to do nothing– rest and sleep.
As I was struggling to decide what to do, my meeting with Functional Medicine doctor Stephanie Daniel arrived. I told her how tired I was and all I wanted to do was sleep more. I’ll never forget her looking at me in the eyes asking- so why don’t you?
It was a simple question but that’s when it clicked for me. Why didn’t I? Because I thought I had to operate as usual and stay up late to do “adult” things, you know, adults are “not supposed” to go to bed before 10pm. Who ever made up that rule, right? 🙂 Also, because I HAVE to exercise, everybody always says so, so I have to get up early to do that. While all these thoughts were going through my head, Dr. Daniel’s voice brought me back to the present moment. She said – If you feel like sleeping, then sleep. There is no reason not to.
This was yet another moment when I realized that following my body’s lead is critical. Instead of pushing it where it did not want to go, I had to let go of my own expectations and allow my body to rest. So I started going to bed right after my 5-year old daughter and allowed myself to sleep 12-13 hours a night on average.
Also, by going to bed early, I didn’t have to stress myself out going to bed late and not getting enough sleep. Do you ever have that? When you climb into bed thinking- if I don’t fall asleep right away I won’t be getting enough sleep, and naturally, your body goes into “freak out” mode and you can’t fall asleep and are totally stressed out in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?
As for exercise- You may have guessed it by now. I followed my body’s lead there too and allowed it to rest instead of work. This is when I discovered Yoga Nidra actually. I signed up to take restorative yoga classes at a local yoga studio and I tried out Yoga Nidra that was offered during weeknights. If you haven’t tried it yet, you must! It is super relaxing with very minimal movement, and it’s all about letting go. You feel like even your eyelashes are relaxing! 🙂 Such a great way to prepare for bed. I included a link to one in the notes below so you can try it too.
So yes, I allowed my body to rest and receive, simply focusing on my breathing, and doing nothing. I can’t tell you how much my body was craving that! My typical daily routine included so much doing, keeping track of things. Filming events during the weekend required even more of me by sticking to a schedule, with laser sharp focus, being on my feet for 8 plus hours and working into the wee hours. It was a lot! My body needed a break. And some nurturing and restoring.
I also went on walks whenever I felt up for it. I really allowed my body to dictate the speed. I enjoyed gentle morning or evening walks a couple of times a week and yoga Nidra, restorative yoga 2-3 times a week. This combo plus the 12-13 hours of sleep a night made a big difference in about a month. I noticed I had more and more energy to carry me through the day and gradually I started adding back more active yoga classes, pilates and barre.
Simultaneously I was following anti-inflammatory diet and undergoing a cellular detox protocol tailored to my needs by Dr. Daniel. We were also addressing my gut, which I will share more in a separate episode. It was all starting to come together.
Learning to slow down was another part of the puzzle. Our society always tells us to do more, fit in 10 more things in our day but I am here to tell you, slowing down is just as important. We cannot go 100 miles per hour every minute of the day and avoid burnout. Our body gets depleted so we must honor and allow its need to re-charge and receive.
During my Hashimoto’s healing process I learnt to prioritize sleep too – to this day I go to bed when I feel sleepy. Everything else can wait.
I have a lot of energy these days but I still don’t put extra stress on my body with unrealistic expectations and militant scheduling. I let my body lead each day whether I am going to do a high intensity work out, or stretching/yoga. Honoring our body’s energy on a day-to-day basis is so important. I hope you too will give yourself what your body truly needs.
If you are interested in learning more about Hashimoto’s and how you can start reversing it, I invite you to watch a FREE science-based video with my Functional Medicine doctor by clicking on the green button below:
Thank you for tuning in and spending this time with me. I hope you found value in this episode, and if you did, please share it with anyone who could benefit from it.
“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” – Ram Dass
Resources Mentioned That Will Help Healing Hashimoto’s
Yoga Nidra – Learn More Here
This Yoga Nidra Relaxation Full Body Scan is like a massage for the central nervous system. Yoga Nidra is a form of meditation that helps with insomnia, anxiety, stress, adrenal fatigue, ptsd and so much more. This scan takes you through the whole body, systematically relaxing every part of your being. Scientific research has demonstrated that restorative power of just one hour of Yoga Nidra is equal to 4 hours of healthy sleep. This is why some people refer to yoga nidra as “bliss for your brain” or “divine sleep”.
Online On-Demand Personal Trainer – Learn More Here
I have been working out with Suzanne Bowen for a decade now. I just love her workouts and the convenience of tuning in anytime, anywhere. She has over 350 streaming barre, interval, mat, stretching and cardio workouts that you can do any time on any device. Her instructions are clear and easy to follow. She always breaks down the form and makes it super fun. Try it for FREE!
MyYogaWorks – Learn More Here
Their online yoga collection ranges from restorative to sweat-inducing practices and serves beginners and seasoned yogis alike. Try it for FREE!
Healing Hashimoto’s Naturally and Get Your Life Back (Video) – Watch It Here
In this short video Dr. Stephanie Daniel discusses how Hashimoto’s develops and what can be done to reverse it. I worked with Dr. Daniel and absolutely love her approach and the way she explains the entire process. In fact, with her guidance I was able to put my Hashimoto’s in remission within 6 months of working with her. As a result I was able to get pregnant naturally at age 39, and gave birth to a healthy baby girl. This convenient format fits any busy schedule- tune in while you drive to work, do dishes or go for a walk. If you have time to watch/listen to one thing, let this be it!
Whether you just got diagnosed with Hashimoto’s or have had it for a while, I would love to hear from you. Drop me a comment below to say hello and ask me a question you would like help with.