A few months ago, I did a post that talked about how 5 years ago I was diagnosed with early onset arthritis and arthralgia, but today I lift heavy weights. I broke down what I did to heal.

While it didn't go *viral*, plenty of you commented on it, wanting to know exaaactly what I did, how long it took for me to "feel normal again," and if it was hard. 

One of my favorite mantras is: choose your hard. Sometimes it seems that everything in life is hard! But some things are harder than others. For me - being a young 48, not being able to move without pain and receiving an effed-up diagnosis that I have early arthritis and that it would now be about "pain management" - was too hard. I chose what I think is the easy way out. 

I did a radical elimination diet, following wisdom from Dr Mark Hyman's book, The 10-Day Detox Diet, and Dr Will Cole's book, Inflammation Spectrum. I took out gluten, dairy, sugar, seed oils (!!) and processed foods from my diet. Anything that came in a box or package? It did not get eaten. I also dropped alcohol (all kinds, even red wine!) and switched to no caffeine. Draconian, I know. And yet: choose your hard. 

I started salvaging what mobility I had left and began focusing on mobility, flexibility and stability strength training. Stability training - anything from standing on 1 leg to balancing on an inverted bosu ball to develop core and leg strength is amazing for helping ease joint pain. Flexibility - hello, yoga and gentle stretching. Routinely. In the morning, throughout the day and at night, before bed. And mobility training - because you can train to have stronger joints and ligaments, and better joint mobility. Having investigated a number of mobility instructors, I am a Big Fan of Beard The Best You Can Be. I have bought his annual access pass and really feel his courses were instrumental in helping me regain joint strength and have less pain. 

I also deployed all manner of healing modalities: breathwork, grounding, red light therapy, reflexology / acupressure, infrared sauna and cold plunge. Currently super trendy (especially with the biohacking bros), these modalities are actually ancient wisdom techniques that have been around for thousands of years. They help bring the body back into homeostasis and spoiler alert: they work.

Finally, I researched and started on HRT (hormone replacement therapy). As someone nearing menopause, I was interested in the overlap of my condition and menopausal joint pain symptoms. I will say, HRT was the last thing I tried, having felt markedly better already with all of the other steps I was taking. If you want more information on HRT and if it's right for you, I can recommend The New Menopause by Dr Mary Claire Haver. 

I know it sounds like I deployed a lot of different things. I did. My approach to fixing a problem is always "and." I'm going to try this, and that, and this over here and that over there and everything else until I'm good. Let me know in the comments if you want more detail on any of these modalities, I know I veer on the right end of the bell curve in tackling these head on. 

How long did it take? That's a tough question because it wasn't like I did this for a short period of time. I realized something drastic was going to have to change - it was going to have to be a lifestyle change. So I changed dramatically. I became the friend that used to drink but now doesn't. I became the friend who shows up to parties with a veggie tray so I have something to eat and don't have to compromise my standards if unhealthy food is being served (it almost always is). When it becomes your way of life? You don't notice the time that's passed, you're so focused on changing all of your habits and shedding old habits that have held you back. So... my best guess? 1 year? 18 months? 

My final thoughts on this: this is YOUR life. YOUR body. YOUR pain. It's your choice how you want to proceed. Some people decide this approach is too hard and take the 2-Aleve-and-limited-mobility route. I thought that sounded too limiting; I still have so much life in me and want to live vibrantly, with movement and joy. So I took the easier way out: doing this protocol. 

Let me know if you have any questions! As always, I'm here to help you age well naturally and help you look & feel your absolute best for your age. 

Let's age well naturally, lovelies-

x
Juliana

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