Have you ever felt like you are getting no where, despite seemingly so much effort?
Have you ever been discouraged after making changes, and seeing a lack of results?

Every body has things they don’t like, their battles, whether it be physically, emotionally, or just life battles in general.

If we didn’t struggle, we wouldn’t learn.  And if we didn’t learn, we wouldn’t grow.  And if we didn’t grow, well, what is the point?

Weight loss, fitness, education, skin conditions, allergies, food intolerances, parenting, friendships…. we all have challenges that we face every day.

The problem with social media is that people only discuss their highlights reel.  Nobody puts themselves out, so completely vulnerable, admitting their weaknesses, showing their flaws so openly.  But what does this do?  This makes people feel like they are the only ones with battles, they are the only ones taking what seems to be one step forward, two steps back, constantly.

I have mentioned in passing some food sensitivities of my own.  I have posted on Instagram about my hormonal imbalance and constant search in healing my acne through lifestyle and nutrition.

I don’t believe in bandaid solutions, although at times, it has been tempting to pop a pill.

This is my story.

I have had bad skin since I was 12.

I was bullied about it in Year 8.  My nickname was “rudolph”. I was pushed and shoved. This was after being bullied in primary school and excluded. My self esteem was shattered.

From grade 10 to 12, I suffered stomach cramps, digestive issues, and alas, still poor skin.  I had every test under the sun, before they thought, maybe it was just IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).  I lost weight, I had the feelings of constantly being stabbed in my stomach.  No body tested my hormone levels, or barely even mentioned that side of things.

But acne is something you grow out of, right?  Wrong.

I was taking the pill, Levlen, and it barely did anything to my skin.  I know there are more expensive contraceptive pills that address skin, but to be honest, I tried not to care about it too much, and its only been since I realised I didn’t want to have to take that option and stopped the pill before my first pregnancy, that I really looked into alternatives.  I haven’t used heavy chemicals on it (proactiv etc) or taken harsh medication (accutane).  I barely even covered it up with make up.

I have had regular facials.  No change.

I have paid for expensive products. No change.

I have used 100% natural skin products from the pantry (manuka honey/jojoba oil etc).  A little change.

When I first became passionate about nutrition, I discovered the power of healing from the inside out. My daughter, Abigail, had reflux as a baby, eczema which increasingly got worse as she got older.  Dermatologists prescribed steroid creams, GPs advised that it would be mostly environmentally.  Diet changes have managed it 99% from when she was about 3 years old.  So from there, I started investigating the correlation between acne and diet.

So I have tried exclusively gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, grain free… Maybe not for long enough (as it can take 6 months for any of this to make changes!), but sometimes the stress of being so disciplined with that, can be just as bad for the skin as eating it every now and then!

I saw a Naturopath (very reputable) who has never not been able to help somebody.  9 months later and there was still little progress.  I spent about $2500 in this time, getting tests done (which always showed something was not quite right) and a taking a heap of supplements.  We were both at a loss.

One of the last things I had done was a food sensitivity test which highlighted chicken and eggs, as well as other things, and by then, I just quit.  It was getting hard and ridiculous and I couldn’t keep putting myself through it.

I went to the GP and had hormonal testing through them also.  It confirmed my imbalances but I was only offered a bandaid solution.

So every day I battle a hormone imbalance which is shown through my skin.  Every cycle I have days where I sometimes wonder what people will think of this “health & fitness professional” that has acne.  And fear that I will be judged.  At times I wish I could wear a paper bag, but I am getting better at accepting it, and becoming more confident with who I am on the inside, that it doesn’t matter what I look like.  And I am sure I notice it more than other people do!

Currently I am taking one herbal hormonal support supplement (Vitex), but unfortunately it is something that can take up to 12 months to work, as hormones are tricky things, affected by so much!  I also take a prebiotic and probiotic fermented supplement and use organic and natural skin care products (The Beauty Chef).  Our home is mostly chemical free.  I think my overall complexion has improved, and my acne is not as angry as it used to be, but the breakouts are still there.  But I think I have seen a lot of progress and I am excited to see where the next few months takes me.  I try to limit eggs and sugar, and I only eat chicken once, maybe twice a week._  Although I have seen people have success with vegan, but I haven’t been game to try that yet!  It is a hard line to draw, where do you stop and just accept what is, and give up?  But it is important to me, not just for a clear complexion, but for my health and hormone balancing.  So I will keep on keeping on.

To be doing everything “right” and seeing little results, is challenging.  Sometimes I want to cry, I do cry…  But I remind myself that I feel better doing what I am doing, and I am so aware of my body and how certain foods and things make me feel.  I have learn a lot. But it still sucks, and sometimes I want to get the magic pill to cover it up.  But slowly but surely, I have belief that I will get there, and when I am there, and the outside of my body reflects the effort I have put in to my mindset and inner health, then it will be worth it.  And I will be grateful for the experience, and for acne alerting me of the problem.

When my skin breaks out, my head is also itchy and flaky, my hair constantly falls out, I have increased body hair, and irregular periods.  Hormones are frustrating and so hard to work with… that is my battle.

Everyone can show their toxins in their body differently.  Skin rashes, weight gain/loss, muscle aches… Never ignore the signs.  And always remember, it is better to treat the cause, not the symptom, because otherwise the cause will still remain.

So if you are sitting there wondering why your efforts are not working, look at why you started, and if the reasons are still there, and you feel better, do your best to keep placing one foot in front of the other.  Because while there is still progress, even if it is slow, you are doing amazing.  If you have given up before, don’t let this stop you from trying again, and again.  It is okay to want to quit, just as long as you don’t. There is always something to improve on.  Mindset, relaxation, stress levels, nutrition, exercise.  It is one big circle that comes together to make up who you are.  I know stress levels and my ability to switch off and relax is my downfall, and I know by making more effort to focus on this, it will also help with my progress.  Just remember you are not alone.

Only look back to see how far you have come, you are not going that way… I look at what my “bad” used to be, compared to what my “bad” now is… and I know I am making progress.  And it is worth it.

 

 

My “bad skin” today