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*Editor’s note: Elephant is not your doctor or hospital. Our lawyers would say “this web site is not designed to, and should not be construed to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion or treatment to you or any other individual, and is not intended as a substitute for medical or professional care and treatment. Always consult a health professional before trying out new home therapies or changing your diet.” But we can’t afford lawyers, and you knew all that. ~ Ed.
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What the data taught me about listening to my own body.
A few months ago, I began noticing something unusual. Even though I’ve exercised regularly throughout my life and consider myself someone who tries to live well, I wasn’t feeling like myself.
My energy was lower than it should have been, with fatigue that kept on going. At first, I tried the simple fixes. I drank more water. I added an extra espresso at lunch, hoping for a quick boost. Nothing worked. Eventually, I had to admit something was off—not in an obvious way, but off enough that I couldn’t ignore it anymore.
That’s when I decided to stop guessing and start looking deeper.
I consulted a functional medicine physician and began a comprehensive lab workup—more than 100 markers, many of which I had never been tested for before. Seeing that list was, honestly, a little overwhelming. There’s something vulnerable about wanting answers and also being a little afraid of what they might say. But I was ready. For the first time, I felt like I might finally have real data to learn from and work with.
When the Numbers Finally Made Sense
When my results came in, I didn’t know what to expect. Honestly, I braced myself for a stack of papers full of numbers I wouldn’t understand. Instead, my clinician walked me through everything clearly. The findings suggested I implement some dietary changes: removing gluten, reducing carbohydrates, and limiting starchy vegetables. I knew making all these changes at once could be daunting, so I focused on one step at a time, starting with removing gluten.
Turning the Lights Back On
Since removing gluten, bread, pasta, and most starchy foods, I have felt significantly better—less bloated, lighter, and clearer than I’d been in months.
Eating this way genuinely feels like flipping a switch—suddenly, my body is awake and responsive in a way I’d forgotten was possible. Whole food became the foundation, but the difference was letting my lab results lead the way.
My energy is steady, my digestion has improved significantly, and I wake up clearheaded.
Focusing on my labs and making tailored adjustments empowers and motivates me to keep listening to my body.
Along the way, I also learned how to prep my meals—and that changed everything about how I approached the week. Protein has become the center of my plate. Fish quickly became a favorite—salmon, tuna, and sardines. Some evenings, I bake salmon with herbs and lemon; other days, I toss tuna into a fresh salad.
Organic plain yogurt with a little wow butter—which tastes like peanut butter but without peanuts, since I’m allergic—is now a regular part of my routine. Almonds became my go-to snack. These changes may seem small, but together they made a meaningful difference. The biggest mindset shift was super easy: protein first, then vegetables and low-glycemic fruits, and step away from anything high in sugar or starch. That one reframe changed how I build every meal.
What Comes Next
My exercise routine has shifted, too, based on the lab results. So, they added new types of workouts to better support my energy and overall health, and I’ve felt the difference.
And now, next month, I’m doing Part Two of my comprehensive functional medicine labs—a full 360 follow-up that builds on January’s baseline. It will recheck key markers for metabolism, inflammation, nutrients, hormones, and organ function. I want to see how this protein-forward, low-glycemic, whole-food approach is actually changing my biology—and where I can fine-tune things next. I look forward to sharing those results with you.
Looking back, the most valuable lesson I have learned is to listen closely to my body and let the data guide me. It’s not about any single food or supplement, but about being open to what my body is telling me and using data to understand and respond to those signals. Sometimes the most powerful step toward better health starts with asking the right questions and being willing to look a little deeper for the answers.
This process didn’t just change what I eat—it changed how I pay attention to myself. For years, I rushed past the signs my body was sending. Now I know better: slowing down and asking what the first step toward true health is.
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