by Feeling Great | Energy/Fatigue
Have you come to accept feeling tired and exhausted as normal? Jackie had.
Her doctor had told her being tired was part of being older and a grandmother and she’d do better if she lost the extra 10kg she was carrying, to reduce her risk of getting diabetes. If only it was that easy? Like clicking your fingers….10kgs be gone.
Exhausted? Craving sugar? Sex drive zero? Gaining kilos around your middle? That was Jackie. It’s a common story.
Jackie walked through my clinic with dark circles under her eyes and edged up the stairs slowly with a sigh. She looked like she was dragging herself through the day with gumboots filled with concrete. I could almost hear her say, does life have to be this hard. She didn’t look well.
Jackie had retired from her teaching job one year ago and was busier than ever with grandparent duties. She loved looking after her grandkids but was so exhausted and it was getting worse. Every night she craved ice cream and had a stash of lollies and chocolates in her bag, just in case she needed a boost. Her sex drive was zero, she could hardly make it to bed most nights, opting for the couch since the bed seemed so far away.
Her waist was expanding every month, the numbers going up, up and up.
Have you come to accept feeling tired and exhausted as normal?
(more…)
by Feeling Great | Body
Adrenal Fatigue: A Growing Epidemic and Its Impact on Your Health
Adrenal fatigue is becoming an increasingly common issue in today’s fast-paced world. Yet, many people remain unaware that they have it. It’s one of the leading causes of persistent fatigue and can significantly impact overall well-being.
What Is Adrenal Fatigue?
Your adrenal glands, which sit on top of your kidneys, play a vital role in producing hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones are essential for preparing your body for “fight or flight” during stressful situations (source: healthdirect). However, when you’re constantly in a state of stress, your adrenals can become overworked, leading to adrenal fatigue.
Many people experience symptoms of adrenal fatigue without realizing it. For instance, they may wake up feeling exhausted, rely on caffeine to get through the day, and consume sugary snacks for a quick energy boost. By the afternoon, they hit a wall, only to feel awake just before bedtime. Unfortunately, this cycle continues the next day, leaving them feeling drained and unable to function at their best.
The severity of these symptoms can vary depending on which stage of adrenal fatigue a person is experiencing.
The Role of Your Adrenals in Stress Response
The adrenal glands are small, bean-shaped organs that secrete cortisol and DHEA in response to signals from your brain. These hormones are crucial in preparing your body for a stressful event. They enhance your heart rate, lung function, vision, and hearing. Additionally, they help your blood clot faster if you sustain an injury, and regulate sugar and salt levels, which is ideal during a crisis.
However, if your body is constantly in crisis mode, this can cause long-term damage. We’re not designed to be in a constant state of alertness, triggered by thoughts about relationships, finances, work pressures, or family stress. This prolonged state of heightened stress interferes with your body’s ability to heal and maintain itself, accelerating aging and increasing irritability, fatigue, mood swings, and pain.
The Importance of Relaxation for Recovery
To reverse the damage caused by chronic stress, it’s essential to allow your body to experience relaxation. Your brain needs a sense of safety and calm to shift from a fight-or-flight mode into repair mode, restoring hormone balance and promoting healing.
Common Signs of Adrenal Fatigue
If you’re experiencing adrenal fatigue, you may notice some of the following symptoms:
- Persistent, unexplained fatigue
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Struggling to get out of bed in the morning
- Feeling overwhelmed or anxious
- Increased effort needed to perform everyday tasks
- Sugar or salt cravings
- Feeling more awake in the evenings
- Unexplained weight gain
- Reduced ability to handle stress
Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels can lead to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and early memory loss. Fortunately, you have more control over this situation than you might think. Changing how you perceive stressors and breaking free from the chronic fight-or-flight response is key.
Stress-Reducing Practices to Support Adrenal Health
To support your adrenals and reduce stress, consider incorporating the following practices into your routine:
- Meditation
- Spending time in nature
- Gardening
- Moderate exercise
- Yoga
- Journaling
- Tai chi
When combined and practiced consistently, these activities can have the greatest impact on reducing stress and supporting adrenal health.
How to Assess Your Adrenal Function
Are your adrenal glands contributing to hormone imbalances, such as PMS or menopausal symptoms? Could they be the root cause of your fatigue, chronic pain, or poor sleep? You can easily assess your adrenal function through salivary adrenal testing.
Unlike blood tests, which measure both bound and unbound cortisol, salivary tests focus on free or active cortisol and DHEA. This makes the test more sensitive and accurate for detecting adrenal imbalances. You can take the test at home, and the results are processed by a pathology lab, providing you with a comprehensive graphical report on your adrenal health.
By addressing adrenal fatigue early and taking proactive steps to reduce stress, you can restore balance, improve energy levels, and regain control of your health.
CLICK HERE to book a free 15 min call or an appointment to get started today!
by Feeling Great | Gut Health
3 Ways to Kick Your Sugar Cravings for Good
Struggling with Sugar Cravings?
Do you find yourself constantly craving sugar? Or maybe it’s turned into a full-blown addiction? You’ve decided enough is enough—it’s time to take control.
I see it all the time. Amazing people like you choose to cut back on sugar and focus on better health. You want to enjoy life and retirement without being weighed down by health problems or expensive insurance costs.
What does turning 65 and beyond look like for you? You can’t buy back your health, so now is the perfect time to put a plan in place.
But here’s the challenge: The moment you declare, “I’m never eating sugar again,” your brain starts obsessing over it. Suddenly, sugar is everywhere—at the supermarket, coffee shop, and even the petrol station.
How did that happen? Your brain and subconscious don’t recognize negative statements. Instead of saying “I won’t eat sugar,” try a positive approach:
- “I will eat mostly vegetables, fruit, meat, nuts, and seeds for the next 30 days.”
Now that sounds doable and empowering! With a clear focus on whole, nourishing foods, it’s time to clear out the sugar-loaded foods from your home. That includes lollies, chocolate, soft drinks, alcohol, and refined grains like bread and pasta.
Now, let’s dive into three powerful ways to end sugar cravings for good.
1. Reset Your Sweet Tooth
If you’ve been eating too much sugar, your gut bacteria are likely out of balance. The bad bacteria thrive on sugar, making cravings stronger. But the good news? You can reset your taste buds!
- Start by swapping sugary treats for healthier options. Instead of milk chocolate, try a raw cacao mousse. Replace toast with a green smoothie.
- With every smart choice, your body will adjust. Over time, you’ll be shocked at how sweet your old favorites taste.
- Need extra support? A 30-day gut reset program can make the transition easier. I offer one-on-one sessions (in-clinic or via Skype) or group programs for a more affordable option.
2. Nurture Your Gut Health
Once you reset your gut, it’s essential to keep it balanced. Here’s how:
- Minimize processed foods – Whole foods keep cravings at bay.
- Limit antibiotic use – Stay healthy to avoid medications that harm gut bacteria.
- Get outside daily – Being in nature (green spaces) and near water (blue spaces) helps diversify your microbiome.
Your gut health plays a massive role in controlling sugar cravings, so protect it!
3. Make Yourself Sugar-Craving Proof
Low energy is one of the biggest reasons we reach for sugar. When you’re tired, your body craves a quick energy fix—and sugar is an easy target.
- Instead of sugar and caffeine, focus on fixing the root cause of low energy.
- Common culprits include poor sleep, food intolerances, adrenal fatigue, medication side effects, thyroid issues, and hormone imbalances.
- I specialize in getting to the root of what’s draining your energy and providing long-term solutions.
Need help breaking the cycle? Book an appointment or schedule a call via Skype or phone.
Final Thoughts
Slaying your sugar monster takes one step at a time. The journey is easier when you reset your taste buds, heal your gut, and manage your energy levels.
If you need support, I’m here to help. Let’s kick sugar cravings for good—so you can feel energized, healthy, and in control!
For more interesting information, you can read this Histamine Intolerance – Recognizing the Symptoms and Causes and share with us your thoughts!
Loads of health & happiness,
Julie XXX
📍 Naturopath, Pharmacist, Life Coach
📧 Email: julie@feelinggreatnaturopath.com.au
by Feeling Great | Mind
Anxiety and Stress & Overwhelm: Take Back Control of Your Life
Feeling Stuck in a Cycle of Anxiety or Stress and Overwhelm?
Lately, I’ve noticed a pattern in my clinic—Anxiety or Stress and Overwhelm.
The stories may differ, but the themes are the same:
- Women doubting themselves, focusing on what they’re not instead of who they are.
- Feeling trapped in self-judgment—“I’m not enough,” “I’m being judged,” “I’m unlovable.”
- Taking antidepressants yet still feeling stuck in sadness.
- Relationships unraveling, leading to heartache and uncertainty.
- Friendships breaking down over small misunderstandings.
- Losing passion for work and feeling disconnected from life.
- Teenagers struggling to see a bright future.
- Aging parents facing health declines, bringing tough decisions.
Now, imagine dealing with more than one of these at the same time.
No wonder anxiety feels all-consuming. But you don’t have to stay stuck.
The Toll Stress Takes on Your Body
Your adrenal glands are working overtime—nonstop.
- Your heart races.
- Your hands feel unsteady.
- You crave sugar, caffeine, or alcohol to cope.
- Your shoulders feel like bricks, tense and burning.
- The tight band around your temples just won’t let up.
How long can you live like this? It’s time to say, “Enough.”
This cycle is stealing space from a life that could be calm, joyful, and fulfilling. You don’t have to stay in survival mode.
The Three Stages of Adrenal Fatigue
1 – Alarm Phase
Your body is in high alert, producing stress hormones at full speed. Symptoms include:
- Anxiety & panic
- Irritability
- Sugar cravings
- Hot flashes
- Weight gain (especially around the midsection)
- Increased heart rate & blood pressure
- Insomnia
2 – Adaptation Phase
Your body is trying to cope, but the cracks start to show:
- Feeling drained but still wired with adrenaline
- Struggling to sleep—especially if you stay up past 10 PM
- Feeling worse after exercise
- Mood swings & low libido
- Blood sugar imbalances
- Muscle pain & inflammation
3 – Exhaustion Phase
Your body is running on empty, making recovery feel impossible:
- Chronic fatigue
- Depression
- Waking frequently throughout the night
- Complete physical and emotional burnout
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. But ignoring it won’t make it go away.
Take Action Before It’s Too Late
If left unchecked, stress can spiral into:
- Food sensitivities
- Leaky gut
- Insulin resistance
- Autoimmune diseases
- Chronic inflammation
By Stage 3, your body is in full burnout mode. At this point, management—not recovery—may be the only option.
But it doesn’t have to get that far.
It’s Time to Reclaim Your Energy – Get Rid of Anxiety or Stress and Overwhelm
If you’re ready to make a change, I’m here to help.
Here’s what the lovely Jenny had to say after just four weeks of working together:
“Thank you, Julie. I can’t believe how much better I feel in just four weeks! You’ve opened my eyes to a new way of thinking and given me the tools I need. I finally have the energy to handle life again. I’m excited for the future—thank you!”
You don’t have to navigate this alone. I’ve been there too.
But here’s the truth—doing nothing leads to more suffering. Waiting only makes healing harder.
Ready to Feel Better? Let’s Get Started
Book an Adrenal Discovery Session (30 minutes for $90) to take back control—Skype or in-person options available.
[CLICK HERE] to take the first step toward a better tomorrow.
With love,
Julie xx
For More Information about Letting Go of Overwhelm?Click here.
by Feeling Great | Hormones
Hormones and Weight Gain After 40: Take Back Control
Hormones and Weight Gain – Don’t Settle for Fat, Frumpy, and Grumpy
Recently, I came across a social media comment that truly shocked me about Hormones and Weight Gain:
“I think for women between 40 and 55, we’ve given up on losing weight because of metabolism and hormone changes through menopause…”
Wow… really? I was horrified by the collective acceptance of that mindset. It immediately made me picture someone lying on train tracks, accepting their fate instead of taking action.
Let’s be clear—there’s no need to surrender to weight gain, exhaustion, or mood swings.
The good news? It’s all fixable. I help women rebalance their hormones every single day. With a background in pharmacy and naturopathy, plus 25 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand that hormonal imbalances can be corrected.
If you feel tired, sluggish, or frustrated with stubborn weight gain, your hormones may just need a reset.
Understanding Hormones and Their Impact on Weight
Hormones control everything from metabolism to mood. When they become unbalanced, weight gain and fatigue can follow.
Signs Your Hormones Are Out of Balance
- Thyroid Issues – Fatigue, constipation, thinning hair, stubborn weight gain, depression, and brain fog.
- Adrenal Dysfunction – Trouble sleeping, anxiety, belly fat, sugar cravings, irritability, and night sweats.
- Insulin Resistance – Expanding waistline, brain fog, dry mouth, fluctuating energy levels.
- Sex Hormone Imbalances – Low libido, irregular cycles, hot flashes, PMS, mood swings, and fibroids.
Since hormones interact in complex feedback loops, imbalances rarely exist in isolation. That’s why comprehensive testing is key.
Why Blood Tests Don’t Always Show the Full Picture
Standard hormone blood tests only measure total hormones, not the active (unbound) hormones that influence how you feel.
That’s why salivary hormone testing is a far better option for assessing adrenal and sex hormones.
It’s affordable and a powerful step toward feeling and looking your best.
Everyday Factors That Disrupt Hormones
Modern life is full of hidden hormone disruptors. Here’s what could be messing with yours:
- Toxic Chemicals – Found in food, water, air, plastics, household cleaners, and cosmetics. These mimic hormones and interfere with natural balance. Switch to low-tox products for better hormonal health.
- Too Much Sugar & Refined Carbs – Cakes, biscuits, and processed foods disrupt blood sugar levels and alter hormone activity.
- Not Enough Healthy Fats – Avocados, nuts, seeds, coconut oil, and fish support hormone production. Avoid low-fat, processed diet products.
- Poor Gut Health – Your gut microbiome influences hormone regulation. Eat fiber-rich foods, fermented options like sauerkraut and kefir, and reduce inflammatory foods.
- Lack of Sleep – Poor sleep increases cortisol and disrupts overall hormone balance. Addressing sleep issues can dramatically improve how you feel.
- Too Many Stimulants – Caffeine and alcohol provide temporary relief but deplete essential nutrients and stress the adrenals.
Change Your Lifestyle, Change Your Hormones
“After 40, the rules of self-care change. It’s time to re-evaluate your habits.” – The Daily Mail
So, let’s ditch the idea that weight gain and exhaustion are inevitable.
You have two choices:
- Give up and accept feeling sluggish.
- Take action and regain your energy, vitality, and confidence.
You only get one body in this lifetime—so take care of it. For more hormones information? Try and read Finding Your Way Out of Hormonal Chaos and share us your thoughts!
CLICK HERE to book your hormone testing and start feeling incredible again.
With love,
Julie xx
