Wendy Leung: Are you becoming a hermit because you’re
so embarrassed about your IBS symptoms that you’re avoiding being around people?
Watch this video and learn how to own your IBS instead of it hiding yourself away.
For the most helpful information you’ll find about IBS online, subscribe to my channel
and hit the bell to be notified when I post a new episode every Friday!
If you’re missing out on life because you’re ashamed of your IBS, by the end of this video
you’ll feel more confident stepping out the door again.
I’m Wendy Leung: Holistic Health & Happiness Coach, Licensed Acupuncturist, and Powerhouse
IBS Conqueror, and I know all about embarrassing IBS symptoms.
I teach my clients how to own their IBS and live life instead of hiding from it, and now
it’s your turn!
IBS can be seriously embarrassing.
Loud stomach noises in the middle of an office meeting, smelly gas that you can’t control,
needing to suddenly run to the bathroom and stay there for long enough that people start
wondering where you went, being so bloated that people start asking about your pregnancy,
or a million food sensitivities that make you seem super picky...
It’s an embarrassing subject to bring up, even with your closest friends, let alone
your coworkers.
I mean, who want to admit that they always fart a lot or have uncontrolled diarrhea or
haven’t pooed in a week?
What’s the most embarrassing part about having IBS?
Let me know in the comments below.
It’s hard to admit that you have a chronic digestive issue.
It’s one thing inside an online support group, but in your real life you might feel
like everyone will judge you, or that it’s none of their business, or that you don’t
want people to see your weakness.
But, people can be more compassionate and understanding than you give them credit for.
Holding it in, keeping to yourself and shying away from the people that care about you will
only make them wonder and speculate, and often make the wrong assumptions.
And even worse, it’ll isolate you from the support system that you really need.
Stats show that over 20% of Americans struggle with digestive conditions - that’s one in
5 - so you’re not as alone as you think.
When I was first diagnosed with IBS, I had no choice but to tell people what was going
on with me.
I’d miss class so often that I needed a doctor’s note to explain my absences.
But when it came to telling my boss at my part-time job, I never revealed the full story.
I was worried that he would think less of me.
But my not sharing totally backfired and he brought me into the office one day to talk
to me about the importance of responsibility instead.
Ouch.
So I learned my lesson and when I started a new full-time job, I told them about my
IBS up front, within the first week, even though by then it was mostly under control.
Being fully transparent with them actually had more advantages than not:
It left room for me to take random sick days when I really needed them.
My growling belly, bathroom breaks and strict lunch schedule were sympathized with, not
laughed at.
And I didn’t have to worry about explaining my bloated belly or choice of “comfort”
clothes over office-wear sometimes.
And with my friends, I’m open too.
I had poo conversations with my besties long before I was even in the healthcare profession,
and in our house, any room in the house can be designated the temporary “fart room”
if we ever need it.
The thing of it is, your actions, your work ethic, and your devotion to your friends speak
for themselves.
When you’re up front about your health issues with the people in your life they’ll support
you because they know that you’re doing your best.
They’ll sympathize and accommodate because many people have invisible illnesses just
like yours.
And they’ll respect you for being up-front and honest.
So instead of hiding away, feeling like you’re a burden to your friends, or somehow weak
for struggling with this issue, think about the first person you can reach out to to share
what you’re going through and do it this week.
You’re not weak, you just have a weak gut.
And as I always say, IBS not a forever thing.
It’s just that you just hadn’t found the right solution until now.
But you’re in the right place for that, so stay tuned!
So now that you feel a bit less alone and a little bit less embarrassed about sharing
your IBS story, how about taking some concrete steps toward getting your IBS under control?
I have a free online class that teaches you the 3 Essential Shifts to tame your IBS and
get your life back for good and the link to sign up for it is right to the top of the
banner on the right side!
Also, if you want to join a tribe of women who are on an IBS journey just like yours,
join my Facebook community of Powerful Women Conquering IBS, where I share tips on how
to get you confident and healthy again.
If you liked this video, be sure to let me know by liking it below, and dropping a comment
with the word “helpful” and what your biggest takeaway was.
And also, share with your fellow IBS conquerors so you can help them understand that “IBS
is not a forever thing” and I can help you guys get to health together!
I have so much to share with you to help you get your IBS under control, so make sure to
subscribe to my channel and hit the bell to get notifications every Friday when I post
a new episode.