Resetting My Mindset
Embracing Small Wins on My Gut Health Journey
Over the years, my gut health symptoms felt like an endless struggle I had to “fix” or control. I was in denial, questioning why my body couldn’t just go back to the way it was before and wondering why I couldn’t enjoy all kinds of food without worry. Accepting my chronic symptoms was challenging, and I found myself constantly searching for a solution that could somehow restore “normalcy.”
I resisted the idea that this was now part of my life, hoping there was some way around it. But gradually, I came to see that peace wasn’t about “winning” against my symptoms; it was about resetting my mindset.
In my last post, I shared how I began to shift from feeling at odds with my gut to learning to accept and live with my conditions. This journey eventually led me to go back to school and enrol in a Specialist Diploma program in Nutrition.
Finding Insights Through FODMAP
In one of my classes on Gastrointestinal Disorders, the FODMAP diet was briefly introduced, and I found it fascinating. The idea that specific foods could trigger symptoms made me want to dig deeper, so I explored the work Monash University has done on FODMAPs and completed their online patient training program. This training helped me recognise that some of the foods triggering my symptoms are high in FODMAPs, and it gave me practical tools to manage those flare-ups with more awareness.
I learnt that a low FODMAP diet isn’t meant to be followed long-term, as it can be challenging to sustain and may lead to nutritional deficiencies. Now, if my symptoms act up, I reflect on what I ate, make a note, and check its FODMAP content to identify potential triggers. Rather than completely avoiding these foods, I try to eat them in smaller portions, balancing awareness with flexibility so I can still enjoy a wider variety of foods without feeling overly restricted.
What Has Helped Me Along the Way
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Everyone’s journey with gut health struggles is different. Here are some things I’ve tried that have brought me closer to balance. I’ve come to accept that going back to “before” is unlikely, but these small transformations have helped me move forward in meaningful ways:
- Re-thinking “Cure” as “Understanding”: I realised that focusing less on “curing” my symptoms and more on listening to my body has helped me feel more at peace. Accepting my body where it is today felt like an important first step.
- Re-learning about Food: Diving into FODMAP research allowed me to identify potential triggers in my own diet. While FODMAP isn’t a permanent solution, it has helped me make choices that sometimes reduce symptoms, giving me more control and insight.
- Re-adjusting with Portion Control: Instead of avoiding certain foods entirely, I try smaller portions to see what I can tolerate. This approach has given me a bit more freedom and enjoyment with food.
- Re-focusing with a Symptom and Food Log: Logging what I eat and any symptoms afterward has helped me spot patterns and identify potential triggers. It’s a simple way to better understand what my body tolerates over time.
- Re-balancing instead of Restricting: Recognising that a strict FODMAP diet isn’t sustainable, I aim for balance rather than restriction. Including a range of foods has been important for my nutrition and for finding a routine I can maintain.
- Re-connecting the Mind-Gut Link: I’m still exploring the connection between my gut health and mental wellness, experimenting with practices like sound healing and mindfulness along the way. I hope these practices will help me tune in to my body in new ways, bringing a sense of calm that feels supportive for both my mind and my gut.
Resetting My Mindset
Shifting my mindset has been a total turning point for me on my gut health journey. For the longest time, I was stuck in this cycle of trying to ‘fix’ everything, hoping I could somehow rewind back to ‘normal.’ But I’ve learnt that — It’s not about going back. It’s about finding small wins that help you move forward.
Every little shift — whether it’s re-thinking how I approach food, re-learning what works for my body, or re-balancing restriction with flexibility — has been a tiny victory. It’s shown me that progress doesn’t have to be about big, dramatic changes. It’s in the small, everyday moments when things start to feel a little easier.
So, if you’re in the middle of your own gut health journey, here’s a little reminder: Small wins matter. Keep resetting, keep embracing, and trust that you’re moving forward — even if it doesn’t always feel like it.
