It must be going around, because almost every person I’ve talked to this week has either been down with the flu, or knows someone else who has.

And this week it hit the Soukup household as well.

First it was my oldest daughter, who was away at college but decided to come home when Tallahassee was hit with a freak Florida snowstorm…

Then my husband got it.

And just as he was starting to feel better, it was my youngest daughter’s turn.

So yes, my house has basically become a ticking time bomb of infestation, which I am now doing everything in my power to avoid! 

I’ve been macrodosing on vitamin C, plus taking zinc and vitamin D, loading up on essential oils (especially Thieves), and washing my hands as frequently as possible (but not antibacterial soap, just regular hand soap infused with essential oils).

And so far, I’m doing just fine.

Which is definitely a good thing, because I hate getting sick. 

I know most people probably do, but for some reason getting sick makes me irrationally angry—almost to the point of rage—which is not a pleasant experience for anyone around me.

Mercifully for everyone, it’s been years since I’ve had so much as a cold.

And that didn’t used to be the case.

I used to be the one who got sick all the time, especially when I traveled, which was at least 3 or 4 times a month. Every time I’d go on a work trip, I’d come back and end up in bed. It was terrible.

My immune system was completely shot, and I realize now that I was not only chronically exhausted, my insulin and cortisol levels were way too high, my gut biome was a hot mess, and I was severely nutrient deficient from 20+ years of eating a mostly plant-based diet that was loaded with sugar and processed ingredients.

And although at the time, I never really connected my poor immune system to my struggles with weight loss. In fact, I don’t think I even realized just how unhealthy I was or how bad I felt most of the time. I thought it was just part of getting older. But looking back, it’s so clear to me now that it was all part of the same problem.

Chronic exhaustion. Low energy. Immune system failure. Dull skin. Dark circles. Frequent headaches. Bloating and inflammation. Uncontrollable weight gain.

They were all the symptoms of what I now call the Big 3—insulin resistance, leaky gut syndrome, and hormonal imbalance. I just didn’t know it.

But here’s the cool thing that I really didn’t understand when I started: 

When you fix ONE, you fix them all.

And I don’t mean taking medication to just mask the symptoms, because that won’t actually heal you.

There’s only one way to actually heal your body, and that’s by changing the way you eat. Food is literally the best medicine that we have. It’s the miracle drug that has been sitting in front of us the whole time.

So what’s the magic food that actually helped me heal my body by reversing insulin resistance, healing your gut, and balancing my hormones?

It was pretty simple actually: whole, nutrient dense food that is LOW in sugar and high in protein and healthy fat.

It was avoiding processed food that is loaded with toxic preservatives and chemicals, while including foods that are naturally rich in antioxidants and probiotics. It was eating MEAT—preferably high quality red meat, which is the most nutrient dense food in the world.

It was eating to nourish my body.

And maybe that sounds too simplistic to actually work, but I promise that if you eat that way consistently, you can fix almost everything that doesn’t feel good in your body right now.

It will take between 3 and 6 months to reverse insulin resistance.

It will take between 6 and 9 months to balance your hormones.

It will take between 9 and 12 months to fully heal your gut.

But within a year, you could look and feel completely different. You could have more energy than you know what to do with. You could be free of aches and pains and daily headaches. You could have skin that looks clearer and brighter than it did in your 20s. You could finally be at a weight that you’re happy with.

The problem is that our modern world makes it hard to be consistent. We’ve been conditioned to choose convenience, and to fool ourselves into thinking the foods we choose every day don’t make that big of a difference.

I know, because that’s what I told myself for a very long time.

But now I know better.

Because that’s the way I’ve been eating for four years now. And I’ve never felt better.

Yes, I lost 49 pounds, but the weight loss was really only the beginning.

Because the real win was reclaiming my health and actually healing my body.

And I’m not saying I’ll never again get the flu, but I didn’t get it this time and I know it’s because my body’s immune system is now stronger than it’s ever been. And while I’m sure the extra vitamins I’ve been taking this week have probably helped a little, my main defense is my daily lifestyle.

But I also know from experience that changing your lifestyle is easier said than done. Old habits die hard, and self-sabotage is a real thing, which is why support and guidance is so key. 

Honestly, that’s why I started Thinlicious in the first place—because knowing what I know now, I couldn’t not share it. And I think that’s what makes our TAS program so powerful and effective—because it’s designed to help you shift your mindset and create lasting habits, not just tell you what to eat and what not to. 

Jim Rohn once said, “take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live in.” Along those same lines, the ancient philosopher Virgil wisely noted that “the greatest wealth is health.”

In other words? You’ll never regret the time or effort you put into getting healthy.

And so I guess that’s my challenge for you this week—to ask yourself what you’re doing to take care of yourself and your health. Not just for the short term, to avoid getting the flu, but for the long term, to actually heal your body and feel your best? And what would need to change in your life right now to make this a priority?

Live with purpose, friend, and stay healthy this week!

xoxo, Ruth

P.S. If you want help mapping out a 12 month plan to transform your health, I’ve put together a fantastic free training video. You can access it HERE.

This week’s podcast episode…

What’s cooking in my kitchen…

Here’s the recipe I shared last week:

The latest from my Instagram…

Instagram is my jam! If you’re there too, I’d love to connect with you—find me at @RuthSoukup or @ruthsoukupbiz for online business tips!

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