I've been a little hesitant to share some of this...
because it's kind of personal, it's my own journey
and because I know that some people don't care
and even get discouraging about it sometimes.
BUT...there are others who have been encouraging me to share.
because it's kind of personal, it's my own journey
and because I know that some people don't care
and even get discouraging about it sometimes.
BUT...there are others who have been encouraging me to share.
In fact, a few days ago marks the 4th person in the last few months that has said "you really need to show before and after pictures!"
Not because I was on this crazy, drastic weight loss journey - but just for the proof of what learning how to eat the right foods and cutting refined sugars from my diet really can look like.
So I searched back through pictures, and I'm finally giving in.
Even if I do end up closing my eyes and having one of my children push the "publish" button on this post because I can't make my finger do it.
Even if I do end up closing my eyes and having one of my children push the "publish" button on this post because I can't make my finger do it.
If you're my friend in real life, on FB, or have been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I began making some healthier decisions in my food choices awhile back.
It's actually been about a year and a half total.
6 months of me trying on my own (with no accountability or real knowledge) and a year of participating off and on with the My Clean Eating Challenge.
In which now I'm helping lead others and share the knowledge I've learned.
6 months of me trying on my own (with no accountability or real knowledge) and a year of participating off and on with the My Clean Eating Challenge.
In which now I'm helping lead others and share the knowledge I've learned.
Never before in my entire life had I desired to take control of my health and change my eating habits. Nope. Not gonna happen. You die happy or you die healthy, right? I wanted to die happy.
(I didn't realize the two could go hand in hand)
I maybe tried to give up pop a few times in the last 5 years, but it never stuck. And Pepsi is really really good.
But then...
Our good friends and neighbors have 2 sisters that began their own "clean eating" journey (let's just define clean eating at this point as whole foods, closest to their natural form as possible, no processed foods, and no refined sugars)
They wanted to help people be more educated and have a support system to learning and implementing a healthier lifestyle...so they created the My Clean Eating Challenge.
It started small...just a local group where they live.
The 2nd time the challenge ran, teams from a few other states joined in.
And it has grown and grown and grown.
Just real people telling others how learning to eat real food has changed their life.
When I heard about the first challenge I thought, "YEAH RIGHT!"I laughed at them. And wondered who these people really were!?!?
Obviously not normal people.
Maybe if it was 2 weeks long I'd consider.
Obviously not normal people.
Maybe if it was 2 weeks long I'd consider.
There was a list of things in my diet I was not willing to give up....ever.
But when they announced the 2nd challenge...I SOMEHOW had reached a point in my life that I was willing to make some changes to see if I could get some results.
But when they announced the 2nd challenge...I SOMEHOW had reached a point in my life that I was willing to make some changes to see if I could get some results.
After 3 babies, I wanted to see if getting my pre-baby body back was even possible. (and it was! or at least pretty darn close!)
I needed relief from migraines other than prescription meds that cost $50 a pill. (and I got it!)
I needed to find out if there was any hope in getting over some digestive problems I've learned to live with. (and there is!)
And little did I even know it was possible to feel way better and have more energy on a daily basis that I had ever known before.
And little did I even know it was possible to feel way better and have more energy on a daily basis that I had ever known before.
I overall just knew I needed to make better choices and take better care of my body because I was pretty lousy in that department overall.
So I registered for my first 90 day clean eating challenge...and then wanted to slam my head into a wall to knock the crazy out of me. What in the WORLD did I just sign up for!?!?
It's been a year since that first challenge now. And guess what? It wasn't a fad, it wasn't just a 90 day thing and then back to my old ways.
The knowledge I gained about WHY I would want to eat this way is what made it all stick.
I still slide. I still cheat. Sometimes for days and even weeks at a time.
When I vacation I don't really watch what I'm eating. When we eat out, I don't try to order something healthy from the menu. I just cheat, enjoy and move on (and sometimes pay the price after).
But my brain is forever changed and that's what gets me back on track every time. Knowing that I want my lifestyle to be overall healthier than before. Not every meal, not every day. But what I go back to after screwing up, is always where I should be.
My goal is 80/20. I feel like that is being realistic. Living a healthy lifestyle does not have to be all or nothing. But those first steps to build the habits sometimes does need to be. That's what the challenge was for me...tightening the reigns, holding myself to strict standards (with the help of others) to get quicker and truer results than just having a foot half way in.
We still enjoy eating out. I still have a Pepsi from time to time. I still devour chocolate chip cookies sometimes.
But I know the path that I'm on and the habits I've formed won't allow that to go on for very long. After a few meals or a few days of cheating, I know that my body doesn't feel like it should.
It doesn't have to be this psycho, extreme, "tree-hugger" way of life.
It doesn't mean you'll never be able to shop in a normal grocery store again...I shop 95% at Walmart and Dillons. Or that you'll be slaving in the kitchen every meal.
It doesn't mean you'll never be able to shop in a normal grocery store again...I shop 95% at Walmart and Dillons. Or that you'll be slaving in the kitchen every meal.
This isn't a paleo diet...which eliminates some entire food groups. It isn't counting calories.
It isn't even trying to eat everything organic.
It's just learning the difference between REAL food and not real food. And learning that some of the junk that is in our food is the culprit for weight gain, health problems, sleep, energy and disease.
It's learning how to truly eat healthy.
It isn't even trying to eat everything organic.
It's just learning the difference between REAL food and not real food. And learning that some of the junk that is in our food is the culprit for weight gain, health problems, sleep, energy and disease.
It's learning how to truly eat healthy.
It's not a diet. It's a life change and new habits.
So here they are (waaaaaaaay out of my comfort zone). Nothing drastic compared to others, I know that. I'm sure there are some of you out there with pictures that could put mine to shame.
But these are big for me. And they definitely have an impact on keeping me going.
And for vain reasons only did I feel the need to include the picture with the age app that guessed me 10 years younger. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! (in my best Napoleon voice)
Who cares if there was no consistent and accurate predictability.
I will keep this forever.
I realize my clothes disguise some of the changes. But sorry...this is all you're getting.
I'm pretty sure you can see the difference despite the clothes.
About 25 pounds total. Bringing me back to my pre-baby weight.
I know some of you get there without hardly trying, or after breastfeeding.
But you're lucky, and I'm not.
Please hear me when I say I did NOT think I was fat. I was not depressed about my body before (well most days anyway). Even looking back at some of these pictures I remember thinking I looked fine. I was fairly content with my body, because I convinced myself it wasn't going to change and there was no sense in getting depressed about it. But let's be real here too...I also cannot count the number of times I looked at pictures thinking "delete, delete, delete."
I know that's most of us huh?
Weight loss does not have to be a motivator for everyone. Just the desire to get healthy! Did you know there was such thing as "skinny fat". Read this article from Time Magazine. "On the outside they look incredibly healthy, but on the inside they’re a wreck". It's a real thing.
I'll be leading a team through the challenge again this summer. Starting June 1st! It's now just a 9 week challenge instead of 90 days.
I would love to have you join us! Either alone, or with a friend or relative you want to bring along with you. You can do it from ANYWHERE...all the classes are taught by webinar and everything is available online.
Don't worry about committing to be perfect for 9 weeks. You'll get 2 cheat meals a week to keep yourself sane if you really need them, and you'll have a team and coach to encourage you when you slide.
Don't stress about recipes and where you'll shop and if your family will join in.
The goal is to come out of the challenge in a better place than you went in. If you're the only one in your household doing it...that's a good place to start.
Use the competitive edge of the challenge to push yourself and use the accountability and community of the challenge to help you stay committed and get the support you need.
Here are the event details...
If you sign up today or tomorrow it's not too late!
REGISTER HERE.
My Clean Eating Challenge Summer 2015 includes:
- Weekly educational classes
- Private Facebook group for recipes, motivation, fitness and clean eating tips
- Webinars from Dr. Patrick Garrett
- 50% off consulting appointments with Dr. Patrick Garrett
- Personal accountability from teammates, captains, and team leaders
- Personal touch from your team leader bi-weekly
- Daily access to team leaders/captains regarding clean eating
- Weekly prizes for top challengers
- Team and individual competition for points and weight loss
- Point tracking for eating clean, water intake, sleep, and team communication
If you sign up today or tomorrow it's not too late!
REGISTER HERE.
I promise if I can do this, anyone can do this.
If you need the help and support of someone who has gone ahead of you, I would love to help you.
If you need the help and support of someone who has gone ahead of you, I would love to help you.
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