Why You Sometimes Feel Worse Before You Feel Better
- johannaschneiderhe
- Jun 11
- 3 min read
(and why exactly that can be an important part of your journey toward balance)
Maybe you’ve experienced this:
You start taking care of your gut — adjusting your diet, supporting your system with things like food sensitivities, SIBO/IMO, or leaky gut…
And suddenly, you feel worse than before. More bloating. More fatigue. Maybe skin reactions or emotional lows.
And then the thought comes up:
“This can’t be right… I should probably stop.”
But this is exactly the point where many people give up too soon.
What’s happening in your body during this phase?
This phase is often called a healing crisis or initial worsening — but I prefer to call it:
👉 a phase of internal adjustment
Because your body is starting to move again.
1. Your body is clearing things out
When you begin to support your system:
old metabolic waste is being released
unfavourable bacteria are being reduced
processes that were previously overloaded get activated
👉 This can create byproducts that temporarily make you feel worse.
2. Your microbiome is shifting
Especially when working on gut health:
your internal balance is changing
beneficial bacteria need space to grow
old patterns start to dissolve
👉 This transition can feel unstable and uncomfortable at first.
3. Your nervous system is involved
Your gut and nervous system are deeply connected.
When you start making changes:
emotions may feel more intense
Your system becomes more sensitive
old patterns may resurface
👉 This is not a setback — it’s movement.
4. Your body is relearning balance
Your system may have been out of balance for a long time.
Now it’s not trying to become “perfect” —👉 it’s trying to return to balance
And balance is not linear. It happens through adaptation.
Why many people quit at this stage
After 2–3 weeks, many think:
“This isn’t working”
“I can’t tolerate this”
“I must be doing something wrong”
So they switch:
one week this
then something new
then something else again
👉 The problem with that:
1. You never know what actually works
Without consistency, there is no clarity.
2. Your body stays in stress mode
Constant change means:👉 your system cannot adapt to anything.
3. You interrupt the process
Especially when it comes to gut health:
👉 3–4 months is often the minimum to see real changes
Anything before that is often just the transition phase.
What can actually support you now
Instead of quitting or constantly switching:
reduce intensity if needed
support elimination (hydration, gentle movement)
build in intentional rest
observe instead of reacting
👉 You don’t need to push through — you need to move with your body.
You don’t have to go through this alone
“You probably wouldn’t repair your car yourself. You wouldn’t take apart your washing machine. And you wouldn’t fix your fridge without knowledge.
So why do you expect yourself to fully understand and ‘fix’ your body all on your own?
You’re allowed to get support. You’re allowed to be guided. And you don’t have to walk this path alone.”
Especially during these phases, it’s so valuable👉 to have someone by your side
Someone who:
has walked this path themselves
understands how these phases feel
supports you through the difficult moments
helps you stay consistent without overwhelming you
Because when things feel hard, we tend to question everything.
And that’s exactly when it helps to have someone say:👉 “I see you. I know this. And you’re on the right path.”
The most important takeaway
Your body is not working against you. It’s trying to return to balance.
Not everything that feels uncomfortable is wrong. And not everything that feels better quickly is sustainable.
👉 Real change comes from time, trust, and gentle consistency.
An invitation for you
Before you quit too early, ask yourself:
Have I really given my body enough time?
Have I been consistent enough?
Or am I reacting to uncertainty?
👉 Sometimes, the shift you’re looking for lies just beyond the phase that feels the hardest.
And that’s exactly where your new balance begins 🤍
Ready to feel supported instead of overwhelmed?
In this free initial call, we’ll gently look at where you are right now, what your body is telling you, and what your next aligned steps could be.
👉 This is a space for you to be seen, heard, and understood — without pressure.
Click here to book your free call and take the first step towards more balance 🤍
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