During my teen and early college years, I battled weight issues like many others. Doing the diet route led me to gain weight through the misinformation I had to decipher through and the crazy cravings that developed from not eating foods that were high nutrient (remember the low fat and no sugar craze?). Truly it seemed like an endless battle even though I had the motivation to keep trying. But motivation without proper knowledge of what’s good for YOUR body, not what all the nutrition plans say...which was what made me gain weight in the first place...is a dead-end street. Finally, after listening to my body’s cues and paying attention to the foods that made me feel good, and kept my energy levels and cravings in check, I was on the path to sustainability for a healthy weight and mindset about food. Fast forward to today, I don’t obsess about weight and food, I know what works (TRF and high nutrient foods) and it’s automatic for me now. Coupled with a training program that meets my strength and physical goals, it’s a win-win! I now have the confidence that nutrition no longer controls me, but I control it. We don’t have to settle for what we think is out of reach, there’s always a way!
Here are a few things that can SABOTAGE those weight loss goals:
*Following a generic diet plan
*Eating too much processed "healthy" food (gluten free, no sugar, low carb, etc).
*Getting on and off the wagon everyday
*Your splurges become binges
*Trying every magic protein powder, super food, weight loss supplement, while not changing lifestyle and expecting results.
*Eating because you think it's time you're supposed to.
*Mindless snacking
*Following extreme diets
*Never changing your workout program
Here are a few tips that can bring SUCCESS to your weight loss goals:
*Staying consistent
*Eliminating or reducing foods that affect you negatively (bloating, fatigue, cravings)
*Getting tested...hormones, GI tract, toxicity, hair analysis
*Eat when you're actually hungry...often times if you wait a few minutes, the "hunger" will pass because it wasn't true hunger.
*Eat whole, unprocessed, real food
*Less grazing and more full, balanced meals. Allow time for food to digest before eating again.
*Aim for protein, fat, and carbs in your meals. Start off balanced and then observe if a more plant-based, paleo diet, etc advances you sustainably toward your goals.
*Find and surround yourself with like-minded people who encourage you in a disciplined lifestyle vs. enabling or encouraging the status quo. If you can't find any, then build the strength to go alone no matter what. People come and go, but you are with yourself 24/7
*Change the variables in your workouts. Keep evolving.
Settling is never a good option. I, at one time, thought that weight struggles would be all I would ever know and almost persuaded myself to accept it. Even though I was a consistent member at the gym and trained all the time, the weight still was an issue. Balancing my blood sugar and finding the nutritional key for me was my saving grace. So thankful, I didn't give up. You don't have to either! :-)
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