Recovery from Anorexia, Infertility, and hypothalamic amenorrhea | Healing Infertility naturally

My story is one of overcoming disordered eating (anorexia), obsessive exercising, hypothalamic amenorrhea, and infertility. Ultimately this journey led me to discover true beauty, health, and fall in love with real food and farming. Stories are powerful and I share it in case there is anyone, like me, struggling with these things who needs hope and encouragement. If you know anyone who could benefit from hearing this, we'd love it if you'd share it with them!
Instagram: @fromscratchfarmstead
Web: www.fromscratchfarmstead.com

[@chrisbuilt9718]

I was 95lbs at 19. I was obsessed with dieting.. obsessed with exercise..I couldn't eat anything without running for an hour or more..it was awful..I justified..oh yeah healthy you know..but it crippled me..I couldn't enjoy anything because I was so obsessed with the scale. I became pregnant right before I turned 20 and most likely this saved my life. My husband was so supportive but he knew I was deeply struggling with letting myself gain weight in a healthy way..now 17 years and 3 babies later..that obsession has no hold on me..but I do find some of the obsessive compulsive behavior is still present. Thank you for sharing your testimony.

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

Wow! Thanks for sharing your story and that you’ve been able to fully recover and be free from those thoughts! ❤️

[@maripam6345]

Thank you for your testimony, it is very encouraging! I'm on the process of recovery from hypothalamic amenorrhea and it is indeed very hard even though I don't have any eating disorder, I have it because of stress and being undernourished during my last pregnancy because I was told by doctors to be on a diet to prevent overweight! I was so naive! Thanks God he protected me and my baby and we survived with lots of complications for me. We are working so hard to have a homesteading life in the near future and your channel is our favorite one to be inspired and learn, tje simplicity and humility that you project are so valuable! God bless you! Mariana😊

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

Hi Mariana! Oh my! I'm so sorry for what you've been through. Praying that you will be able to make a full recovery here and for your sweet little one to be completely healthy. Thanks for sharing your story too. All the best in your homesteading journey. It's such a fulfilling lifestyle! Thanks so much for watching and all of your encouragement!

[@rachelmelissa3637]

Wow, thank you for sharing this. I found your channel while looking for budgeting videos (totally unrelated!) and saw this video in your feed. My 13 yo daughter is currently recovering from anorexia. As a dancer she went through a very similar progression - super thin, constantly exercising, amenorrhea, always cold, irritable and depressed, terrified of getting fat. Everyone thought she looked great (a reflection of our cultural obsession with thinness) but I saw it happening over 2 years and finally got her into an amazing treatment program for several months. She is in a much better place now, she reached her goal weight and is having a period again and we’re on a rigid meal plan that similarly involves only whole, unprocessed foods. My heart goes out to you - I’m so sorry it took 10 years for you to find a pathway to health, but so glad you regained your fertility and that your story has a happy ending!

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

Oh wow! So glad your daughter has been able to recover. I really can’t imagine the pressure young girls face today with social media, it was already hard 20 years ago! Thanks for watching!

[@nat6106]

Thank you really for sharing this wonderful story. I'm gonna share the video with the girl that I'm dating. Her extreme low weight, though probably contributing in part in giving her a slim look that I found attractive at first, is now worrying me. She eats very little. I know she has issue with menstruation, her head is often dizzy, she falls sick easily. Added to that I realized she had a difficult childhood, some abuse and now she has to work long hours to pay her bills alongside studying. She is very kind. I hope I can help her change, become more healthy and feel better about herself.

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

So glad this was helpful to you. Thanks for sharing your story and praying for healing!

[@user-ce3wu8ov9p]

Thank you. Searching for answers and praying for Our daughter.

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

You're welcome! It's such a hard thing to go through for yourself and to watch your loved ones struggle. Praying that she can work through it!

[@francinemilette8535]

OMG you are an angel and a real strong woman. I went through anorexia a few years in my teenage years, with, more or less the same hurdles as you. I wish I could talk to you as I don't want to write too much about myself here. Anorexia is part of life, I struggle with it in my head it doesn't show, have to be careful. It unfortunately damaged my vision. You are awesome for sharing and I'm sure it will help many women, and young girls.

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

It's such a real issue for so many! Thanks for mentioning your struggle too. I think it's huge when people realize they aren't the only one. Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@DollyJohanne]

Thank you for sharing your journey ♡ Happy for you! Love and blessings from Johanne, Norway 🇳🇴

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

You're welcome!! It's always those hard experiences that make the biggest difference in helping us grow! Thanks for watching! :)

[@CarisaRae]

❤❤❤❤❤ I'm a chapter leader for The Weston A Price Foundation and I approve this message!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

Love it! Thanks for the encouragement!!

[@dreamingwillowhomestead7909]

Recently just found y’all’s channel while looking for milking cow videos! And after binge watching a ton I came across this one. I’m also struggling with infertility. After coming off birthcontrol over a year and a half ago I haven’t been able to get my cycle going normally. And after going to doctors and specialists and receiving no answer other than we can force a cycle with this pill, I’ve started on my journey to wholistic health and living. Love your story and you’ve definitely encouraged me today. So thank you🤗

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

Thanks for watching! That’s awesome how your journey has led you to this lifestyle of more natural living! Honestly our infertility journey ended up being such a blessing (after the fact) but it taught us SO much and we are SO much better off for it. If you have ever have questions, feel free to reach out. Your body knows what it’s doing. Cheering you on!

[@stellabeaudry1777]

I came across this segment purely by accident. But I want to thank you for sharing your story❤. Remember you are strong & beautiful. Maybe you can friend me on messenger. I have more to say & ask, but I don't think the person that I'm concerned about would like it 💔💙. Thank you & may the good Lord keep you & your family safe from harm ❤. God Bless

[@lottiewynnpsychicmedium]

Thank you for sharing your story. After 26 years of a intermittent restrictive eating disorder through an anorexia diagnosis, alongs8de a compulsive exercise disorder I am finally ready to heal once and for all.... but everything you look for in terms of this speaks about "all in recovery" meaning eating things such as processed and ultra processed foods. This didn't align with me, as I don't see how this would be nourishing your body in anyway (and probably why my recovery attempts had never worked before!) There's little out there supporting recovery with a whole food diet, but it makes the most logical sense. Thank you... its the confirmation and motivation needed and its lovely to see you so happy and healthful now ✨️

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

So, so glad this was helpful for you!! I wish you all the best on your journey and recovery. It is SO worth it. And yes, doing it with real, whole foods - your body will know how to respond.

[@ritazhongyi]

Thank you so much for sharing your story so sincerely. It gives me hope!

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

I’m so glad this was helpful for you!!! All the best! ❤️

[@carolwhisenhunt7504]

Wow! Joelle, what a brave, strong woman you are. Ty so much for sharing your story.

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

You're welcome! Stories are powerful and I hope others struggling with similar things may not feel alone in it!

[@lisanowakow3688]

You did so good! I’m so glad you were able to make that change to a much healthier you.

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

Thank you! 😊

[@luizsedeh3764]

Thank you so much for sharing. I’m doing a lot of research as my wife is struggling with FHA caused by LEA. Trying to convince her to stop weighting food, counting calories and exercising too much. Again thanks for sharing.

[@luizsedeh3764]

Do you mind sharing the contact info of the doctor you mentioned? Thanks

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

I think it's really great that you are wanting to encourage and support your wife in this! It is so hard and having that support, especially from your spouse is huge! I worked with Dr. David Bilstrom (drdavidbilstrom.com), that was over a decade ago when he had a functional medical practice in our area. It looks like he is doing quite a bit online now.

[@marisaniki]

I went through the EXACT same thing as you. Thanks for posting this

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

It’s always so nice finding others who can relate! Thanks for watching :)

[@angesmith2322]

Love this testimony, thank you

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@katewilliams7717]

Thank you for sharing your story

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

Ugh! 100%. It is SO hard when you are in it. I'm so sorry that is where you find yourself. But, I promise, it is worth it! Your health and livelihood are worth it! Hard is definitely not the same thing as bad and I think there are SO many opportunities for growth through hard things! Cheering you on!!

[@zorihristova1393]

Thank you for sharing your story!

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

You're welcome!

[@taylavannelli813]

You and Allie Ostrander should connect. She’s a professional runner who has been through a lot with EDs and is in recovery. It would be cool to see a combo video with you two where she is in recovery and you are on the other side of it. Thanks for your story!

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

Oh interesting! That would be a lot of fun!! You're welcome!

[@creamcreamm4389]

Thank you so much for sharing! 🤗

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

You're so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@stephencameron1709]

Such a wonderful story and a beautiful family. Ptl! Val C

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

Thank you!!! Praise the Lord, indeed!

[@ciaralewis968]

What a victory. ❤

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

Amen! ❤️☺️

[@rebekahhobbs9605]

The human body is so amazing!

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

SO Amazing!!

[@emilnovaci5104]

Thank you!! 🤗❤️

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

Thanks for watching!

[@alanatrask579]

Thank you so much for giving me hope . I recently stopped my period after I moved because of emotional stress and I lost my appetite. I relate to your story a lot and I'm so glad I got to hear your story. I'm working on rebuilding my diet. What's your favorite food to eat?

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

I’m so glad this was helpful for you! I do lots of eggs, meat, veggies (cooked), full fat dairy, fruit…some grains but not a large part of my diet! All the best to you!

[@no.0x0x0x0]

Wow. I needed this, wow. You sound so wise and measured. I needed to hear that: "It is possible" to fix this. Thank you so so so much. God bless you for sharing your wisdom so patiently and generously. I wrote down your observations and gentle suggestions. I am so sorry to hear about your miscarriage. I can't imagine how you felt. So great that you and your husband focused on nourishing your body and life. I'm in the opposite situation re: weight. We have similar diets (prior to your making a change: low fat, processed, etc) and I don't move my body much (opposite of you). So it's unhealthy diet and lack of movement in my case; overweight, stressed, etc. I'm going to follow your points about doing anti-inflammatory diet, going on walks, healthy exercise and nothing extreme, and being patient. Inshallah it will help. Thank you so much again. Bless you.

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

Thanks for your kind and thoughtful comment! I’m so glad this is helpful for you and can help in your journey! All the best to you! ❤️

[@natalicalandri6151]

Gracias por comparti tu testimonio, es muy valioso y alentador para mí. Podrías decirnos qué alimentos consumías en el tiempo que ganaste peso?

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

You're welcome - glad it was helpful! I ate a lot of starchy vegetables (sweet potatoes especially), avocado, full fat dairy, meat, some nuts and lots of other fruits and veggies.

[@kelseyovalle331]

I did the same thing as you!! But I’m still looking for healing and for a doctor who can help me… do you know where I can find an integrative doctor? My gut tells me this is not right and I love living healthy. Also I want you to know it truly means a lot to know that I am not alone in this journey

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

I’m so glad you found this helpful and I’m so sorry you’re going through this! I’m sure your intuition is right. You could try the directory at the institute of functional medicine (ifm.org) to see if there’s anyone who might be a good fit in your area! All the best to you. ❤️

[@spring7643]

Approximately how many calories are you eating now? I recently developed amenorrhea from restricting calories.

[@FromScratchFarmstead]

Good question! Honestly, I’ve never tracked calories but I can guarantee you it’s well over 2,000. I’d guess more in the 2,500-3,000 range (I’m also pregnant now). Thanks for watching!