Tags
4 years ago, I had a severe case of eczema that covered over 80% of my body. The itch went deep down into the layers of my skin, down to the bone. I could never get relief. I couldn’t sleep more than a few minutes at a time, and most nights woke up to rub my skin with ice to numb the itch for a few hours. I looked like I had leprosy. It was horrible.
As a fitness coach, this was catastrophic not only for my business, but for my mental health as well. So I sought out a highly recommended naturepathic doctor who diagnosed me as having a bad case of candida, and put me on a super strict Anti-Candida Diet. I had to cut out dairy, soy, corn, flours, sugar, vinegar, nightshade vegetables, grains, and all kinds of other things that left me wondering what the heck I COULD eat. But I was desperate to heal my body and get back to normal. So, for over 9 months, I followed the Anti-Candida Diet to a T, never deviating or cheating once. I took my supplements as prescribed, gave up my favorite health shake and fruits (I have beautiful mangos and bananas that grow in my yard, and I couldn’t have any of them!), no ice cream or cupcakes on my birthday, and ate plain salad and sashime everytime we were invited out. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, and yet, I did it gladly because I could see in my mind how my skin would look like when my eczema was gone.
Because fitness is my business, diet is a big part of the support I give to my customers. It’s not easy to change your lifestyle, and unless you were faced with a situation like mine, where your diet affects your mental and emotional health enough for you to do something about it, most people just accept the way their lives are.
So this week, we were asked to go on a Mental Diet and fast from all negative thoughts for an entire week. I cannot allow myself to dwell for a single moment on any kind of negative thought. Not for a single moment! If I give in, I must start all over again. Tough stuff! I am learning that I need to not only not dwell on a negative thought, but I must REPLACE it with a positive thought. That’s the only guaranteed way to kick it out of my mind. It’s been a hard exercise, and I start over every 5 minutes. But I MUST learn to do it. Emmet Fox, author of the Mental Diet says:
I cannot be healthy; I cannot be happy; I cannot be prosperous, if I have a bad disposition.
If I am sulky, or surly, or cynical, or depressed, or superior, or frightened half out of my wits,
my life cannot possibly be worth living.
I’ve caught myself several times. My ego gets in the way and I have to start over again. Sigh. I know I’ll get it. I am envisioning my mind as healthy, clean, pure, happy, and lighter. It will happen.
Darren Sanford aka The Network Marketer's CPA said:
Fran, thank you for sharing this story. This is yet another testimonial that great things can happen for us if we have a positive mindset.
Make it an awesome day!
franpatoskiemasterkey said:
Thanks for stopping by, Darren!
Alice Cameron said:
Love your blog this week. I’ve been sick all week – very sick and I’ve had to re-start over and over! I am relieved to hear that I am not the only one struggling with this but I see the amazing benefit! NO negative allowed period! Thanks for the inspiration!
franpatoskiemasterkey said:
I have been saturating my mind with the word and listening to my DMP set to music. The Law of Substitution works!
Nicole W said:
What a trying experience! I have had eczema in small doses and that must have been so awful to deal with. It is great how you can take that difficult experience and use the lessons to conquer the mental diet. Inspiring, thanks for sharing!
franpatoskiemasterkey said:
Yes, it was such a relief when it was all gone!
Michael Eisbrener said:
Thank you Fran! I have too many friends with eczema. Your commitment to your health is inspiring. The first time I went on the no negative thoughts diet I realized the source of all my negative thinking were a series of beliefs and mostly expectations that all looked something like ‘this shouldn’t be’….. Instead of avoiding the negative I began changing my expectations to align with the current experience in someway…sometimes I had to look from a 100 years away to get it done. I suspect all negative is only my opinion designed to keep that subby in charge. Thank you!
franpatoskiemasterkey said:
That’s great insight, Michael. Looking from 100 years away makes everything so small, doesn’t it?
John Kennedy (@JKmkmma) said:
Aloha Fran,
What a great story. Without a doubt, the Mental Diet is a challenge…but you’ve proven here that you’ve faced very difficult challenges before and fought through them. We’ll do the same with the Mental Diet as well….and the feeling of accomplishment will be exhilarating!!
franpatoskiemasterkey said:
Amen to that!
Ed said:
Hi Fran. Thank you for sharing your story, and I hope that your eczema has cleared up. 9 months, WOW, that’s a long time, but for what your goal is, it’s well worth it. You certainly have mental toughness, and a burning desire for the things that you want in life, and I know you’ll nail the mental diet soon enough.
This was a great post, and my prayer goes out to you. God Bless You.
franpatoskiemasterkey said:
It took a very long time to completely clear up (years), but now I can’t even remember that episode in my life. Three straight days of non-lingering negative thoughts!
mentorsusan said:
Fran, Thank you for your openness and honesty. Not only is it a true a great story, you have really let us see a bit of the real you. It lets me the reader really feel a bond and comradery with you.
franpatoskiemasterkey said:
Thank you, Susan. I don’t know how else to be!
masterkeyreflex said:
Congratulations on your prior victory & the present one in the making 🙂 Tough love, for sure, eh?
franpatoskiemasterkey said:
Definitely! Honored that you stopped by!
Brent Vachon said:
I lov the disciple towards your vision that you already have inside of you Fran, its right there towards the vision of your health, now with the Master Keys to bring that same quality out in every aspect of your life……WOW, shine the brilliant light of yours Fran…thanks so much for sharing…
franpatoskiemasterkey said:
Thank you so much for the kind words, Brent!
Tony Profit said:
BAM!
The “KEY” (in Mark’s Voice)
is the CATCHING Yourself Part!
GREAT Read, thank you SO Much!
Tony
PS. Here is a Gift I Pray You’ll Enjoy…
http://j.mp/TPLiveCalls
franpatoskiemasterkey said:
I can totally hear Mark saying that!
2020masterkey said:
Great post…visual caught my attention. Keep pushing.
franpatoskiemasterkey said:
Thank you! Hope your week went great!
Gloria said:
I admire your determination and commitment for health! I am inspired by your words and unwilling to accept life the way it just is, thank you for the reminder. Words of wisdom, thank you.
franpatoskiemasterkey said:
Thanks, Gloria! Part of my DMP is to continue to be an eager student. Have to keep growing!
brentvachon said:
Hi Fran, leaving this for the week 8 blog, as I can’t find the comment feild, That is just a fantastic story about how you met your husband, and I love the courage and faith you expressed, in your church, I know that you sung like an Angel…KEEP SINGING YOUR SONG
franpatoskiemasterkey said:
Thank you, Brent!
Pat Jordan said:
I’m curious how the 7 Day Diet went
Always looking for ideas. My main problem is bad drivers set me off verbally…
Pat
franpatoskiemasterkey said:
You must come to Hawaii! We have the nicest drivers! 🙂