Dealing with Adrenal Fatigue.

So my followers may have noticed, and those that read my last blog, that I have taken a different approach not only to eating but my training and lifestyle. My plans to compete have now been put on hold until.. I am unsure when I will compete next but I am crossing my fingers for FitX 2014 as my debut as a Bikini Pro.

For those that have been following me for sometime they will notice that after receiving my Pro Card in 2011 I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue. At the time I took the (what I thought at the time) necessary steps to get better. I cut back on my training and I cut out stimulants but my lifestyle stress and pressures did not change, with the move away from my family I would say that it actually got worse. About 2 months after having “time out” I was getting ready for photo shoots, training videos for gym equipment, which then lead straight into a competition prep for my Pro Debut.  After receiving my Pro Card I was even more driven because this is what you do, you create your own life, nothing will fall into your lap and you work hard for it! The thing was I didn’t feel like there was anything wrong, I felt fine and was hungrier than ever.  I competed and as planned came in fuller than I have ever as I wanted to be comparable to my idols, Erin Stern and Larissa Reis. I honestly didn’t put much strain on my body, most of my cardio was half hour HIIT at the track and only in the last 4 weeks did I increase it, but my closest friends would know that in that time it was a very hard struggle for me mentally not having the support crew close to me as I was used to and added personal stress.

After moving back to WA and so happy to be home I was straight into work, a job that I am so passionate about and as my personality take on as much work as possible as I am an all or nothing person. I saw potential to create my own business helping girls prepare for the stage, which is a massive passion of mine and bought me so much joy. My heart was also set on getting to the US and onto the Pro stage. I trained harden then ever, I pushed my boundaries and my do or die attitude had me pushing myself harder to get those results I was hungrier than ever to prove that I belong on that US stage.  I competed at FitX firstly, then my girls competed and then I was off to the US after smashing out as much work as possible. I was on fire and I couldn’t stop and would not sit still for an instant, if I was sitting down I was on my phone, emailing, keeping up to date with social media and the list goes on…

After having one of the best experiences of my whole life and returning home from the US my body was not coping well neither was I mentally.  I started finding it even harder to deal with stress, I was gaining weight in my mid section very easily after being so strict, my digestion was horrible and it took me longer than normal to process any information. After numerous doctors and finally finding a great endocrinologist I was diagnosed with stage 1 adrenal fatigue. I never felt too bad and could always push that bit further because my body was producing so much cortisol, which is your body’s natural response to dealing with any form of stress whether it be physically or mentally. When your body produces excessive amounts of cortisol it will eventually affect the production of hormones, which is something I have been dealing with now for over 4 months.

Mentally this has been a major struggle to me, I was told that I would not be able to compete again for a long period of time and that was no what I wanted to hear. Not after finally making it to the US to compete. Being told that my body was attacking itself made me feel dreadful.. For once in my life I actually second guess the one thing in my life that I have worked so hard for and this killed my spirits…

No matter how I looked at things there was not one sole factor that bought me to that state. I came to terms with the fact that it was the mixture of everything over a period of years and not slowing down. Although I always knew better and preached a balance to my close friends, clients and anyone I spoke to in fitness, I was the last person to listen to my own advice. Maybe its one of those things that you have to experience yourself to know that there is a point where you can push to hard. A high regarded sports person once said to me, “Summer its not the ones that work the hardest that survive, it’s the ones who’s bodies can tolerate the longest that will.” I honestly do see some truth in that statement, but it covers so much ground mentally and physically.

I don’t take any “sport enhancing” drugs as much as some may think and I also take minimal amounts of caffeine so I want to make that clear as many things do affect adrenal fatigue which can be more mentally than physically. Not properly dealing with the death of my father over 5 years ago could also be another huge contribution to my sickness.

4 months on and I am starting to feel a lot better, my heart is set to compete at Tony Dohertys IFBB Pro Show in March but I am reluctant to think I will be ready in time. I now have soul focus on my one job and lifestyle clients but my own health is number one. For once I think I am actually focused on my own happiness and healthy otherwise I am useless to everyone, right? This week my energy and digestion feel so much better, so I feel now I am on the correct path with my nutrition. My body must be absorbing nutrients again more efficiently as my muscle tone is coming back, and the more I am eating the learner I am becoming. With that said I still may have a long road to recovery but I am very lucky to be on top of this and not in a worse state that I know others have experienced.

I am very fortunate to be working with two amazing doctors and to have the support of my family and friends. I am lucky to be learning this about my body and I have put so much research now into nutrition and health. I feel blessed to be confident in noticing signs and to be able to guide others on the correct path if they do feel they have issues. I have said this a million times before but knowledge to me is power and to be able to share that with the world gives me so much satisfaction.

It has taken me a long time to come out with this as I wasn’t to sure how to approach it under judging eyes, I wasn’t sure what everyone would think of me and my own judgment of my own body as I wasn’t sure exactly what my body was going through. And you know what I am still learning everyday.

I always wanted to ensure that in my fitness and life journey that I stay open and honest with my followers to give them insight and inspire them to follow their dreams. I want to ensure that everyone is motivated to be who ever they want to be so here it is out now for everyone to see and understand that sometimes our little bodies cant take everything we throw at it, its ok cause we are human and this just teaches us to be stronger. I found the strength to come out with my story after closely following a fellow Australian IFBB Pro that been dealing with adrenal fatigue for many years. I am so happy to see that Ellena is making such an amazing recovery.

I would love to hear your thoughts on adrenal fatigue, really not down to publically hearing anyone’s negative feedback or comments so perhaps keep them to yourself like you should. This is something that could happen to anyone and what many people aren’t aware of is, they are actually going through it at this moment.

So CHILL, take the time out in life to smell the roses.

Much Love and Support 

Summer xxxx