"Stress Rolls Off My Back" — Jennifer's Food and Mood Story

"Stress rolls off my back like water on a duck. While I might go into stressful situations, it doesn't shake or rattle me."

Hi, my name is Jennifer, and I've completed Chandra's gut health program — what she now calls her Food and Mood program.

I was really motivated to start because I have diverticulitis — pockets in my intestines that, when inflamed, are very symptomatic. My last episode ended up in the ER with sky-high blood pressure, and I knew I didn't want another visit like that. So I took the leap of faith. This is a condition that isn't going away — it's part of my body — and I wanted to learn a way to sustainably live and enjoy my life with it without worrying about other episodes.

From ER to In-Charge

I was diagnosed in my 30s, and I didn't want to spend the rest of my life suffering with it. Now I'm 100% sure I know how to take care of myself to prevent that. I've helped heal my gut. My gut handles things so much better now after the food reset.

I actually enjoy eating this way. I've cut out a lot of processed foods. I still have some here and there, but because I've done the work my body bounces back easily. Going on vacation, coming back, and looking forward to getting back into my routine — that's huge. It's not a big deal to eat a salad while other people eat hamburgers, because I know I'm fueling my body in a way it likes.

Stress Was Always the Other Piece

My goal starting the program was that stress rolls off my back like water on a duck. Before, I was getting caught up in other people's stress all the time. Now I'm no longer drawn into other people's stressful situations, and I don't linger in my own. I'm able to find the next best step — or feel the emotion, sit with it for a while, and let it go and process it.

That's a skill I now have for the rest of my life.

The Unexpected Wins

A few things I didn't expect:

• I lost 40 pounds. Sustainably. I have a plan for the rest of it.
• I learned to listen to my body. I think society trains you not to notice the nuanced signs and symptoms. Now I have that awareness, and I can turn things around quickly.
• My relationship with my spouse got so much better — not because he's sitting in on my sessions, but because I'm responding to him differently. He doesn't eat the way I do. We have sugar, cakes, cookies, crackers, soda in the house and I'm not tempted by it. He eats what he wants, I eat what I want, and there doesn't need to be any drama around it.

"I don't suffer anymore. My gut is in such a better place than before Chandra's coaching program."

Thank you, Chandra.

— Jennifer