Day 194. 132 pounds lost.
So where did we leave off yesterday? Ahh yes. I called bullshit on the 80/20 rule. If you want to put it to the test, only do diet and exercise and see what happens the first time something emotional happens in your life. If you aren’t right in the mind, life will kick your ass and boot you off that concrete stand you thought you were on. If your mind is strong, and your will is unwavering, you will continue unconcerned. Put it to the test.
Pillar 2: Diet (30) – I don’t use the word “hate” in my vocabulary so I will say “I strongly dislike” the word “diet” for many reasons but above all else, it creates rules and regulations, and we don’t listen to our bodies. The method for my weight loss that I was “given the message to follow” was intuitive eating. It’s not a diet, it’s a way of life. It focuses on the core elements of learning to listen to YOUR body. We are all different, and our bodies respond to certain foods differently. For instance, my body always responded negatively to sugar. Not only did I never lose weight, but I would break out in little red dots anytime I ate processed sugars. This was also the case with dairy. When I made the decision that I was going to start listening to my body, they both had to go. Along with sugars and dairy, I ditched red meats, certain kinds of starches, bread, pasta, rice, boxed and processed foods. I stripped what I ate down to chicken, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts, fruits, and veggies. I do have the occasional protein shake or bar when I’m in a hurry as long as the sugar is equal to or less than 1 gram of sugar.
Because I did this, I don’t have to count calories. I simply eat until I am full. Some days I eat a lot more than others, but it’s about eating the right foods that MY BODY responds to and listening to how it feels; when to eat more and when to stop. It took a few months, but it’s funny how once I realized I could actually eat food anytime, a lot of food’s irresistible draw vanished. Eating this way has been a game changer for me because it has brought a new level of awareness; spiritually and energetically. I have a lot more headspace. It’s hard to explain, but I don’t spend time worrying and wondering if something I ate last night is going to show up on the scale. Couple more things – I eat a banana or avocado almost every day. OH NO!!! *gasp* “Bananas have soo much sugar in them.” Like I said, every BODY is different.
All those supplements you see in GNC and the ones people try and peddle you because they know you are on a “weight loss journey” – yeah, *cough*. Let’s talk about supplements. I get hit up several times a week on Instagram with companies wanting to sponsor me if I run around and talk a bunch of good stuff about their supplements. I take a multi-vitamin, and I drop lemon essential oil in my water. The only reason I take a multivitamin is that vitamin D historically lacks in my body. I’m not saying supplements and vitamins don’t have their place, but I will say if you are looking for a miracle just like I was, and some magic potion that will take all your pain away, there isn’t one. You must learn to eat for your body. That’s it. That’s all you have to do. Think about all that room you can save in your pantry when you stop buying all that stuff people make you believe that you need. You don’t. Chew on that for a bit.
———————- <— that’s my line in the sand.
Pillar 3: Exercise (20). Movement. My goal was to learn how to use my body again. I wanted to slim the weight off my body so I could walk again and get strong so that I can get out there and do all the things I have ever wanted to do. That’s it. This is the only body I have, I don’t get another one. Movement, movement, movement – do what makes your body sing. It can be anything. My body loves weights.
My final comments on this 2 part series: I’ve also had quite a few people asking and telling me “what’s normal” regarding pounds lost per week. “How do you keep losing consistently”?
I don’t splurge in my diet.
I lose weight consistently because I AM consistent.
Define normal range – it depends on what you’re doing, whose body we are talking about, what foods you’re eating, how much movement your getting and let’s be truthful, what the body is willing to let go of every week. I will take every pound that my body gets rid of.
2 pounds, 5 pounds – and I will be grateful for whatever the number is. I am grateful every day. Everyday.
When the wolves come and hunt me down
I will face them all and stand my ground
‘Cause there’s a fire burnin’ in me
They will see my strength in this love I found
Lovingly, Bean
