Today's the Start - Here's the First Assignment

[Amy]

Lets start with Step One. It's the first 21 pages and first 2 chapters. After you do the questionnaire in Chapter 2 it might have you skip chapters due to your answers. Ya'll choice if you want to stick to that or do a read through all together. I think those chapters still hold lots of useful info.

Lets shoot to have this reading done by Tues. It's not a lot. If that's too soon - please let me know.

So glad you are part of our group.

Amy

[Amy]

Are you excited by the first chapter? It's really amazing to see the amino acid link.

- Can you think of some false moods that plague your day?

- Are you understanding Amino Acids better and see how they effect our brain chemistry? I love the chart on page 10 "Your brain's True and False Emotional Chemistry" Eye opening. So many sounded like me - I was low in all of them.

- When you took the questionnaire, was it a light bulb moment of validation. That's what really set me forth on my journey. I knew it wasn't just me. It seemed like something I could fix.

- How's your diet? Great time to look and see if you are eating too many refined carbohydrates.

What are your thoughts on this section?


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[Joanne]

Yes - it REALLY has been an eye opener. The most amazing thing for me was the realization that some of my symptoms weren't "normal". Because I had been feeling this way for so long, I thought this was just the way "it is".

When I read the part about "the blahs" I couldn't believe how much I fit. I was always beating myself up for not having the motivation to do the things I love and for giving into fatigue.

I never imagined there was something that could help me feel more energetic. Up until now, I kept writing in my journal "I AM NOT TIRED" and thought if I wrote that down often enough and read it everyday, then hopefully my motivation would return and I'd start feeling the energy to get back to my hobbies.

I always said that I wasn't having any fun and couldn't understand why. I have been getting my routines organized, setting aside time to do fun projects - but when the time came, I was always too tired, or just simply didn't feel like it. I never imagined I felt that way because of an amino acid deficiency.

I have started on the 5-HTP and had my fist perfect night sleep in YEARS!

I need to read everything over a little more carefully to know how to proceed with the next supplements. I don't want to make any mistakes. I read everything over so quickly, because every page was another "a ha" moment and I was just so hungry for the information, that I gobbled it up without digesting.

Now I have the basics - I need to re-read to fully understand what to do next.

AMY - this should be required reading for EVERYONE in your group.

Joanne

[Amy]

It really should! I remember reading this the first time and thinking -WHY didn't my doctor tell me all of this?? I was mad. Sad thing is they don't know. Now it's our job to get the word out.

Glad the 5-HTP is working. I know I keep teasing but I really need a shirt that says "Supplements saved my life". We have a new contributor to the Egg the Natural News. Read their article in the coop about Pharmacuticals vs. Supplements. Great stuff!

[Sheryl]

I just read chapters 1&2 from the mood cure and the Natural News in the coop. This is great ~ I am so excited to keep reading. I am type 1 the most so I am excited to keep reading chapter 3. Thanks for the book club it finally got me started on this wonderful book! =)

[Jeanne]

Just finished the first two chapters and loved it. It seems to make sense. I loved the questions. I scored really high on 1, 3, and 4. I loved the last one. I can just look at a TV commercial and start to bawl. I watch American Idol now and cry (happy or sad) at the contestants. Try to say something at a meeting at work - cry. I am ready to get over this and get in control.

I thought it was interesting that once things were status quo, you could go off of the amino acids.

Love it so far, and I am going onto Chapter 3!

[Amy]

That's very true. I was dependent on them the first year. Now I use them as a boost. Especially when life is stressful. Lots cheaper and better on your body than meds.

[Natalie]

I probably have imbalances in all 3 areas, too. And I feel so validated, too!!!!! Here is a recommendation for supplemental reading, too because it addresses the 3 types of moods and therefore imbalances people can have: Feeling Fat, Fuzzy, or Frazzled? by Richard & Karilee Shames. The name of the book is hilarious & makes it sound not like a book you can take seriously, but honestly, it's good stuff, just like the Mood Cure.

Also, I am DEFINITELY ordering some L-Glutamine from the vitamin store.

[Amber]

I was shocked when I took the questionnaire and found that I was high in all four categories. It really does give me a sense of hope that I can "fix" everything. I didn't realize how much my diet (in the "what I eat" way, not the "let's lose weight" way) could affect my moods!

For the past few years, every time I see a school band or show choir, I burst into tears, and I've been so confused about why it happens. Hopefully, I'll be able to work through that with the help of the supplements.

[Joanne]

I ALWAYS cry at school concerts or anytime I watch someone sing or perform. I can't wait to see if these suggestions will help me control that. I felt so silly at the school Christmas concert this year. It was in the afternoon and all the lights were on. I just found out that my daughters teacher was finally approved for adoption (they had been trying for years to have their own baby and couldn't) - I cried my eyes out when I heard the good news and then bawled all the way through each class performance. I was the only one crying. I HOPE THIS HELPS!