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Are you wondering: Does AIP work? AIP = Auto Immune Protocol and it’s something many with autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s (like I have) swear by to temper down inflammation in the body and heal the gut. So today I am sharing my experience with the AIP diet so far and my Hashimoto’s health update, plus some fun photos from Mono Lake!

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Our California roadtrip from LA to San Francisco was a test-run of sorts for our upcoming trip to London and Paris.

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With my health issues and the subsequent lifestyle changes we’ve both undergone (Fred Baby is a saint to be doing AIP with me — a saint), this trip was a test to see if we’d be okay traveling away from home. From a kitchen where we can prepare our food. From a haven if energy levels and spirits should plummet.

Cute + Comfy Summer Travel Style | KELLY GOLIGHTLY

Since the end of April and starting AIP (Auto Immune Protocol), there have been so many adjustments, ups and downs, and we’ve essentially been in a holding pattern. There was no eating out, no cocktails at cocktail parties, no traveling, no anything which had been our normal life. It was a complete 180.

Stiped Umbrellas x Mono Lake | KELLY GOLIGHTLY

So how did it go?

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While there was one bad day on this trip which can squarely be blamed on coconut ice cream, I’m thrilled to report that the test run was a success. Not only that, but coconut incident aside (I’m clearly allergic or sensitive to coconut), on AIP, I finally have ZERO digestive issues.

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ZERO!

Cute Comfy Summer Sandals | KELLY GOLIGHTLY #monolake

I can’t even believe I’m writing that. It seems so hard to believe. Considering for the past 20 years, I’ve had terrible stomach problems pretty much every day of my life. Looking back to three months ago when I first started AIP, to even just a month ago when I wondered if I was ever going to notice a difference or feel better, the answer is a resounding YES!

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I almost hate to put this in writing as I don’t want to jinx it, but neither Fred Baby nor I have even had a cold since starting AIP! Prior, one of us was sick what seemed like every other week. Whether it was a cold, the flu, bronchitis, it was constant.

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I have learned SO much over the past few months and apologize that I haven’t shared more along the way since my initial post. Your reactions and comments were so overwhelming, in a good way. Thank you for making me feel like I’m not alone. But also in a way that made me so sad to see so many suffering. I am baffled and dumbfounded by how many — mostly women — are struggling with these same issues.

I’m also someone who tends to retreat when I’m not feeling well. And as an optimist who prefers to look at the sunny side of life, I really wanted to keep this as a place of positivity. And I desperately wanted to share good results or things that might be working, in hopes that it might help you, but the truth is I didn’t know if things were working and I didn’t want to lead you down the wrong path. I was also in tears half the time. Something about not getting enough calories will do that to a girl. (Another lightbulb moment: On AIP you have to eat SO much more. Use Cronometer or a similar site to see how many calories and nutrients you are getting + to keep track of how you feel each day).

With that said, if you haven’t tried AIP, please DON’T…YET!

Wait…what?

Before you start AIP, it’s really important to get food sensitivity testing done. Because once you cut everything out of your diet, you can no longer get accurate food sensitivity test results. The only way to get accurate results is if you are actively eating said foods (gluten, dairy, sugar, etc.). I know. I did it all wrong.

Which is why in Europe next week I’m going to eat everything, which is both exciting and terrifying. Why Europe? Because the food isn’t as mucked with there as it is in the U.S., and in the past I’ve had no digestive problems when we travel there. I can eat anything without negative consequences. Scary what we’ve done to our food supply in America. I digress…

So before you start on AIP, find a great doctor first. That took me much longer than it should have. But from my personal experience you are wasting your time to go to a Western medical doctor/endocrinologist if you have a chronic illness like Hashimoto’s. They are not equipped to deal with chronic illnesses/auto immune diseases like Hashimoto’s beyond changing your dose of thyroid medication.

Should you have a Western medical doctor as part of your team? Yes. If you need surgery, they’re your (wo)man. Should they be the one you rely on to get better? No. Who looks at you holistically? From your diet to your lifestyle? Who connects all the dots of your entire health history? No. For that, you need, in my experience, a functional medicine doctor. Will your insurance cover it? No. At least mine doesn’t. Is it worth every penny? YES.

Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? YES! I’m so excited to share that. And I’ll share more as I go, going forward because it’s not just AIP — there is more to it. We’re all in this together, after all. And I’ll be sure to share what to eat on AIP because that struggle was REAL.

Until then, feel free to ask any questions in the comments + I’ll do my best to cover them. Sending hugs to all of you. I’m eternally grateful for your support.e:

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PHOTOS by FRED MOSER

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