Practice to Progress
This is me today
I wasn’t always this person, but I practice every day for progress to be the healthiest version of me.
I raised 4 boys. Let me tell you, my body went through the paces! With each child, I added extra pounds compounding up to 215 lbs. rather than a healthy 155 lbs. Trying everything I knew to be true, eating a balanced 50% carbohydrates, 30% fats and 20% protein I could barely maintain. I decided to purchase an expensive weight loss program. I ate from their packaged meal plan and talked with a coach once a week. Six months following a calorie restricted diet, I had success. 50 lbs.!
Through my 30s, I exercised regularly, and continued to follow the weight loss program on my own without the purchased food: 3 meals and 3 snack every day. I joined a gym, participated in group exercise and hit the weights. I put on extra weight. I blamed myself for not being “disciplined enough to eat right”. Giving up on my own diet, I tried a different program which led to more frustration and weight gain. I continued this trend for nearly 2 decades.
As I approached age 40, I noticed more changes. Along with the continued weight gain, I slowly became depressed, my legs were always swollen, my blood pressure became borderline high, my A1c increased and I just felt horrible. To add insult to injury, I had a feeling of worthlessness because I was failing to look like a healthy example to my clients. How can I help others if I can’t show by example? I lived like this through my 40s and early 50s, continually telling myself “this is how it is” and “just deal with it”. I struggled for more than a decade with my husband at my side being my emotional support.
Once we became empty nesters, our lives became healthier. I knew this would do the trick. We stopped eating at chain restaurants, purchased more fresh produce and lean meats, and spent more money on whole grain breads, pastas, and other side dishes. We were living a healthier life more than ever before, but no matter how hard I worked out or restricted my food, my clothes got tighter and tighter.
In November of 2020 I had enough, and decided to experiment with a radical change in nutrition. I joined my husband in the low carb world and paired this with intermittent fasting. Within the first 2 weeks, I was amazed at what was happening to my body. The swelling in my legs was nearly gone, I felt like exercising again, and seemed a little bit happier. As time continued, I recognized more positive changes like my blood pressure returned to a low normal, the swelling in my entire body was gone, my core body temperature increased from 97.5 to 98.5, my teeth became less sensitive, and I feel, for the first time, like I actually have control over my weight. My little experiment was developing into a much-appreciated lifestyle.
As I continued through the year, I learned so much about the Standard American Diet (SAD) history, and the detrimental effects it left in its wake. I came to understand why Americans and many other industrialized countries are plagued with metabolic disease. I also learned how to reverse these trends.
Today, I continue to practice LCHF and IF. Are you ready to gain control of your health and weight? I am anxious to help you on your journey to Start Well and Stay Well.
