I have had several people ask about my recent weight loss and what I did…So here goes:
I have to say my weight has been a constant issue in my life. I have been on numerous “diets.” And I have come down on numerous occasions, but I tended to gain all the weight back and then some. So, my journey started months before I started. I was always seeking answers to my health issues. I asked friends who had studied what to eat. I researched it myself and it always came back to a few specific things.
First, it has to be a lifestyle change. NOT a diet. I knew that a diet was a temporary fix and that is probably why I gained it all back. Second, sugar is the ENEMY! (And as I call it , fluffy flour.) But not like the “Atkins”type diets. I had been down that path before and it didn’t work out so well for me. And let me tell you I LOVE bread and pasta. So how was I going to let those go?! Third, You have to be ready to give up and surrender to what your body is telling you. Fourth, everything in moderation. Fifth, exercise is an important role in our general health. (But let me let you in on a little secret…I didn’t exercise during the majority of my weight loss. SHHHHH!) I am a big believer in getting out there and getting moving, but for some reason, every time I have put the two together ( diet & exercise) I don’t seem to lose. I am now running and training for another race, let me tell you it is so much easier to move my body now. Sixth, it is easier to attempt this if you are doing it with someone close to you. My hubby joined me in my quest to shed pounds and get healthier. Seventh, if it is not good for you just don’t bring it in the house! RUN in the other direction! If it is there, you WILL eat it! I know I do.
I really had to come to a point that I was ready to change and not be the chunky girl anymore. I had to be ready to give up my beloved sugar and carbs. I had been in denial long enough that I could get rid of “Moe and Joe” as I had named them (my muffin top) without giving up sugar. So, the key was making sure I was not hungry. I can remember trying Weight Watchers, and STARVING! I don’t play nicely with others when I am hungry. I know that protein lasts the longest in your body for keeping you full. So, I bumped up my protein. I did protein shakes, protein bars, lean meat, ect. I do not eat soy protein, it is not the best for you as it acts like estrogen in your system, and really, I don’t need any extra hormones in my body. I still eat bread. There, I said it. But, not the average American fluff that we are all used to. I eat sprouted wheat, flourless bread. Which actually has quite a bit of protein in it. ;o) I love fruit, and on the “Atkins” type diets, they say no fruit too. I couldn’t do that. So, the only sugar I allowed myself in the beginning was fruit. I can remember one day I was getting the girls a snack of goldfish crackers. I popped a couple in my mouth, as I usually did then I stopped! I spit them out, wondering what I was doing?! Just habit. It is hard to teach yourself a new way of eating. In the beginning I remember thinking what am I going to eat?! I felt restricted, but really I think we only restrict ourselves. I have found many snacks to eat that I wouldn’t otherwise think of. Almonds, hummus and whole wheat crackers (be careful, they sneak the bad fluffy stuff in there and just call it whole wheat to trick you into buying it. I like Akmak crackers.) Crunchy Curls from Trader Joes (they are potato & lentil) I know I said potato. I didn’t get rid of ALL carbs, just the unnatural, have to enrich because they took out all of the good stuff kind of carbs. I still eat rice, although I prefer brown rice. I think it tastes better and it is better for the carb situation. I basically ask myself, How fast is my body going to process this, will it make my blood sugar sky rocket? If it is, I don’t want it, because in the long run I will just be hungrier and want to eat bad things. I try to listen to my tummy. If I am hungry I eat. Even if it is a little snack. That way I won’t be STARVING and want to eat EVERYTHING in sight. I always try to carry a protein bar in my purse or glovebox for just an occasion. I also allowed myself a “day off” here and there. If I didn’t I would have been tempted to eat the bad things mixed in with the good. If you give yourself that lenience and then jump right back on the horse, then you don’t feel deprived. I have to deal with this day in and day out. It is not easy, a battle sometimes, but if I just keep chipping away, then I don’t feel overwhelmed. And really, when people look at me and tell me I look great and I am “wasting away”, it empowers me to keep going. When I am fitting into sizes I can’t remember fitting into, it helps me to keep on top of it. Like I said, I am not perfect, some days are better than others in my food choices, and let’s face it, sometimes it is a cookie kind of day. But I stopped using excuses, like “I deserve this giganto-bowl of ice cream, it has been a hard day with my girls.” Really?! Deserve?! Just an excuse and unwarranted justifications. I love ice cream, but remember when I said everything in moderation? That is right! Just a little. Or I would rather opt for Fro Yo, but just a little. :o) (Love Yogurtland!) Like, I said, if I am going to be tempted to eat something bad, I just don’t allow it in our house. If it isn’t there, I won’t eat it. My mother in law came to visit recently and commented on how we didn’t have anything “good” in our house to eat. I KNOW!! That is because if it is there, I will consume it.
Really it is all about what works for you. This is what has worked for me. I have lost 23 pounds and have kept it off. Taking me down to a size I used to be pre-kiddos. Sure I flex about 2 pounds up and down. But I am ok with that. I am now hoping to tone up my body now with running. You have to stop with the excuses, and bite the bullet. Make the hard choice and give up something that you love if it is not good for you. I hardly ever eat the “fluff” anymore, or the real sugar, it makes me feel sick. Good luck on your journey, I would love for you to share your journey as well! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Protein bars I love: Think Thin- Crunchy Peanut Butter: 0g Sugar 20g Protein
Builder Bars-Peanut Butter: 20g Natural Sugar 20g Protein
Protein Shakes I love: Premium Pro-Rated by Wellements-Chocolate (I have not tried Vanilla) you can get this one at Costco! (Sometimes I mix it with a little 1% milk, ice, banana and T. of Peanut Butter in the blender, YUM just like a milkshake! 2g Sugar 25g Protein (thanks Esther for the pointer on this one)
Sugar Substitute I love: Somersweet- made from mung beans! You can order it online from Suzanne Somers. Tastes much better than even Splenda, I think.
You can do it!
