Countless times, I would start a diet or workout plan, to fail just after two months. It was typical for me to get this sudden urge to get in shape and be healthy. The next day I'd be cutting carbs and working out to P90X. I would keep up with this dramatic lifestyle change for about a month, maybe even two. But as usual, something would come up, like Christmas, a get together, or if I may...PMS, and it would set me off course. All at once, I would give up, and all the weight would come back. Sometimes gaining more than what I had started with.
We all know food addictions are not unlike alcohol and drug addictions because our bodies crave the instant gratification that it gives-sugar and sodium being the main culprits. Although I admitted I had a problem, I was not about to check into a rehab or get lucky enough to be a contestant on The Biggest Loser. Instead, last May I ran my first 5k since High school. I signed up two months in advance, so I would have time to prepare. I used the "Couch to 5K Program" that was available for free online and was a free download application for my Android phone. I totally recommend this program to people who have not run in a long time. After my first race I signed up for my second one just two months later. Having incentives allowed me to stay focused. The weight was coming off gradually . . . but I still had not done much to change my diet yet.
As the weather got colder and school started back up again, time was limited for workouts, and I decided it was time to focus more on my diet. My husband suggested counting calories and that is when the fat started to melt off. I was not even working out as much (only 2 times a week on average), but because I was still staying active and keeping my calories to 1500 per day, the weight started to drop. Some people might think that is low, but I was eating throughout the day, like before, but replacing it with fruits and veggies. This is nutrient dense. By the New Year I was over 30lbs lighter.
It was not until I went to visit Melissa in Rochester this past New Year’s and for her son, Knox’s first Birthday (My Godson!), that she introduced me to the world of juicing and raw foods. She mentioned a great documentary Forks over Knives (This can be found on Netflix for free if you do the streaming). Watching this video changed my whole concept of food and diet/disease correlations. Very quickly my focus became health and wellness and my weight loss became secondary. This documentary opened my eyes, even scared me a little. I was no longer certain if what I had been eating all along was even food...even more importantly...I was giving it to my husband and son!
Of course I get cravings for junk food, and I have allowed myself to indulge from time to time. Although, if I have too much processed “food” my body begins to shake and I have even seen spots! It's as if my body is literally (and immediately) communicating with me.
Counting calories definitely made it easier to adapt to a lifestyle of juicing and raw foods. Little by little, I am still making more changes. I know many people are very excited about mine and my sister's weight loss and are interested in how we got started. Since starting almost a year ago I have lost over 50lbs.
My advice? Start slow. Take junk out little by little and add healthier choices little by little. Once something becomes a habit then add or take away something else. Baby steps. Remember who won that fabled race?
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