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Have you ever felt like following the Wahls Protocol became your full-time job?

You started with the best intentions. You wanted to feel better. You were ready to change your diet, take your supplements, and do everything “right.”

But somewhere along the way, the plan that was supposed to support your healing started to feel overwhelming. Exhausting. Even defeating.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And you’re not doing it wrong.

You’re just burned out.

And the good news? There’s a way forward that feels more supportive—and more sustainable. In this post, I’m sharing 6 ways to recover from Wahls Protocol burnout so you can feel more grounded, energized, and hopeful about your healing again.

1. Get Clear on Your Why

When burnout hits, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. You remember the rules, the meal prep, the shopping lists—but forget the reason you started this journey in the first place.

So let’s bring it back.

Ask yourself: What was I most afraid MS would take away from me?

That answer is usually your why.

For me, it was being an active mom. I wanted to be present in the small moments with my daughter—running in the backyard, dancing in the kitchen, pushing her on the swing. That became my anchor.

For one of my clients, it was traveling to all the national parks. For another, it was having the energy to enjoy a family wedding in Italy.

Your why doesn’t have to be big or dramatic. It just needs to be yours.

Write it down. Reconnect with it. Let it guide your choices—not fear or pressure.

2. Loosen Your Grip on “Perfect”

There is no “perfect protocol.”

There is only what works for you.

If the Wahls Protocol has started to feel more like a burden than a blessing, it might be time to adjust.

You are allowed to:

• Go at your own pace

• Take breaks

• Simplify your meals

• Modify as needed

Healing isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. And if you miss a day—or a week—you’re not failing. You’re learning.

Chasing perfection will always leave you feeling behind. Showing up with compassion will move you forward.

3. Focus on Habits—Not Overnight Transformations

You don’t need to hit all 9 cups, take all the supplements, and revamp your pantry overnight.

In fact, trying to do it all at once is one of the fastest ways to burn out.

Instead, choose one habit to focus on.

If you’re overwhelmed, don’t overcorrect. Start with a glass of water.

Yes, really.

Hydration supports energy, digestion, brain fog, and mood. It’s an easy win that starts to rebuild trust between you and your body.

When everything feels like too much, water is a powerful way to say: I’m still showing up for my healing.

4. Let Your Meals Be on Repeat

One of the most practical ways to reduce burnout? Repetition.

You don’t need to cook something new every day. Create a small rotation of go-to meals and lean into them.

Some of my staples:

• Shepherd’s pie (always on repeat in my kitchen)

• Smoothies with collagen and leafy greens
  
• Soup or stir-fry with lots of sulfur-rich veggies

• A whole chicken in the Instant Pot (I make one almost every week!)

Predictable meals = easier grocery lists + faster prep = more energy for you.

Repetition isn’t boring. It’s smart. It’s efficient. It’s healing.

5. Meal Prep in Micro Moments

Forget the 3-hour prep sessions.

Instead, think in micro moments:

Chop veggies while your tea steeps

Wash greens while dinner is in the oven

Portion leftovers into containers while cleaning up

Healing happens in 5-minute windows. Little by little. Step by step.

And if you want to make those steps even easier—start by prepping your kitchen, not your food. I often set up everything the night before, so when I go to cook in the morning, it’s smooth, fast, and so much more doable.

6. Track Your Wins—Not Your Failures

We’re so good at seeing where we fell short.But what if you started noticing what you actually did right?

That’s why I created the Daily Dashboard. It’s a one-page tracker to help you:

Focus on a few key habits

Celebrate small wins

Stay consistent without perfection

You can download it for free at AleneBrennan.com/tracker.

Keep Going, My Friend

You’re not failing. You’re just tired. And you’ve been trying to do too much for too long without enough support.

But the Wahls Protocol? It’s worth it.

You don’t have to quit. You just might need to shift. Adjust it. Simplify it. Make it work for you.But whatever you do—don’t give up.

You don’t need hustle to heal.You need habits that support your body, not work against it.

And you, my friend, are strong enough for that.