Pre THM
You ask, therefore you receive! Many of you have been requesting more posts on THM- something I'm very happy to comply with! Seriously, once I start you'll probably want to shut me up...
My journey to better health, though I'm not yet 20, has been long and full of mistakes. I've never been an extremely overweight person, but I could tell I was still overweight. Nobody knew my body like I did, I carry weight well, so people didn't think I had anything to lose. However, after losing about 27lbs with THM, I feel so much better!
My failed attempts of my health journey started back in 2010, I basically tried to lose weight by exercising extremely intensely. I lost about 20lbs (I guesstimate) but then hit a plateau. But still, I hung in there. I'm ashamed to say I pushed myself further than I should've. My body basically couldn't handle the stress I was putting on it. I've since self diagnosed myself with adrenal fatigue (brought on by exercise). I've researched many different types of "diets" (even went off of sugar...for three days lol!). I toyed with the idea of clean eating, but seriously...that food isn't the most appetizing on the planet! The more I researched healthy eating, the more frustrated I became, is anything ok to eat?! On top of that, I was having horrible blood sugar crashes that caused me basically to be incredibly air headish and unable to think (not a good thing, especially behind the wheel of a car!) Enter Trim Healthy Mama in August 2013. I can't express to you how excited I was to find this book.
I held off buying the book, because they used stevia for a sweetener (something I assumed was just like Splenda). I did a bit of research and discovered stevia is a plant-not a man made calorie free sweetener. I was in! I was able to grasp the basic concepts pretty well and mom and I dabbled in it for a few weeks. We decided to start after vacation, which ended up being about the end September.
I've lost 27lbs, yes, but the best thing is not feeling deprived, or guilty! I used to feel so ashamed about what I was putting into my body, but I didn't know what to do about it! Through THM, I've learned how to pair foods to lose weight, stay healthy and enjoy food!
I'm planning on doing a few posts on THM, but for now:
Pros and cons of THM
Pros: you get to eat super yummy food!
It's a way of eating I can continue for many years to come.
I've lost weight.
You can eat fat and carbs, just not together.
My out of control blood sugar is now under control!
You can eat anything, there are just some things to stay away from for better health and weight management.
I DO cheat once a week, which is a personal choice-but I don't feel guilty doing it! Your next meal is only 3 hours away.
My acne has all but cleared up (I have occasional hormonal breakouts, but they heal very quickly.)
My nails are growing like they used to when I was little, very fast!
I wear the smallest size I've ever worn in my life!
I'm off of sugar!
Cons:
While I love this program, there a few cons.
Getting off of sugar is horrid! It's seriously like a drug.
It does require extra work to eat healthier.
There's a learning curve in using new ingredients (stevia, almond flour etc.)
The first meals we made were...disgusting! The key is to first adapt the food to what you've been eating, then add new meals.
Sugar is in a lot of things you wouldn't suspect-like peanuts!
I'll stop blabbing now, but I would love to hear about your health journey! Are you on THM? Thinking about it? I'd be happy to answer any questions,just leave a comment!
Okay, so this was the best post ever, Natasha!
ReplyDeleteI identify with you so much. I've always struggled with my weight, but because I'm such a large frame I can "get away" with being heavier than most and still look like I'm not too overweight. And my blood sugar is a serious issue with me too. I've considered trying THM, but because my family wouldn't be doing it with me, I just don't think I'd be able to succeed.
I'm glad you said what you thought about the food initially. I hear so much about THM, "The food is great!" but then I also hear a lot, "The food IS GROSS." Also, I read an article the other day about stevia and infertility. I personally would rather not use stevia, but it's possible that that article was just bogus.
charmant
I've heard a bit from various people about THM but seeing your testimony really is getting me interested. You are really looking good!!! Loosing that belly flab and having a clear face now is a difference like day & night!
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm....can't start any major food changes right now as I'll be traveling in a few weeks for about 3 months.....but I might pick up the book when I'm in the US. ☺
Iris♥
oh my book is on its way! Seems too good to be true lol! You look amazing! I can hardly wait to start! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, my mom and I are both doing THM! I went to TN to volunteer for Above Rubies and lived with the Campbell's{parents to THM authors, Serene and Pearl} and lost about 20 pounds, maybe more, while up there. I wasn't doing THM per say but the Campbell's eat very healthy and close to THM. I lost more weight when I got home and not only that I have been able to keep it off since being home for about six months! That's how I know THM truly works because the weight I've lost as not come back. I've eaten more "cheat" meals then I should but I never feel guilty about it because the next meal I can jump back on the THM "train" and don't feel like I've ruined the whole diet. By the way I don't like to call it a diet because it's so much more; it's a way of life for me now! Will leave it at that for now...sorry for the long comment. ;)
ReplyDelete~Sarah~
http://allthingsvintage-sc.blogspot.com/
Congratulations on your success! :D
ReplyDeleteYou look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, you look great!
ReplyDeleteQuestion: you say in the cons that sugar is in peanuts. But isn't that natural, good sugar? Nuts and peanut butter have been my favorite low-carb snacks.
And do you eat any fruit on THM? (I know bananas probably aren't allowed: they have as much sugar as a candy bar!). I'm not sure I could do THM, as eating carbs without fat makes me feel bleh. I can handle fat without carbs, though.
I emailed you, but here's my response for others wondering this! When I refer to "sugar" I mean the nuts have sugar listed in the ingredients! Some to stay away from are dry roasted and obviously anything sweet sounding! ;) nuts naturally have carbs, but should never have sugar listed in the ingredients. I frequently eat peanut butter and nuts-Adams peanut butter at Wal mart has no sugar, just nuts, salt.
DeleteAnd yes, all fruit can be eaten (certain fruits like pineapple, watermelon etc-high in carbs-should be kept to a minimum.) THM also focuses on blood sugar control, so I'm sort of eating low glycemic as well. Bananas are advised to only eat half, to keep within safe carb amounts.
And you're allowed to have 5 grams (1tsp) of fat with meals that contain lots of carbs, for that very reason, that your body needs small amounts of fat to process the carbs.
Anyway-does that answer your question? Let me know if you have any other questions, I could talk about THM all day! Lol!
Natasha
WOW Natasha!!!! You look great! the change is unbelievable!!! It is so cool to know another girl my age who is doing this with their mom. I love THM. I feel so great except when it is hormonal related and I have definitely lost any hidden and un needed weight. I kind of got off track for about a month (a lot of birthdays in the family :)) and my mom encouraged me to do strict THM for a week ( no cheating) and I lost an inch in my hips, a half and inch in my thighs and about 3 pounds! not to mention I hadn't realized how crabby and headachy I had gotten! We have always eaten really healthy and done a lot of cooking normally so that I did not feel so much of a learning curve. We had also experimented with Stevia before as well. I am so happy you are doing so well! Congratulations! you look so beautiful! And by the way those glasses are SO totally COOL! You look awesome in them!
ReplyDeleteBlessings in Christ!
Victoria
http://rufflesandgrace.wordpress.com/