How I lost weight (without a stupid diet)

I recently lost around 35 pounds. Doesn’t sound like a lot but I wasn’t terribly overweight. I’m about 10 pounds away from what I want to be and I’m pregnant again so the goal weight will have to wait. I’m already too small for my wedding dress…who can say that??? I want to share with you how I did it because most people try a follow a specific diet which I don’t believe in. The word “diet” implies that you’ll follow a specific regime for a certain amount of time and then what happens after? You gain it back! I just have a few guidelines that really worked for me.

#1. Take care of your inside
Emotional eating is a killer. It’s what most overweight people struggle with and I am not immune either. When I’m upset I just want food (except not with the morning sickness). Go to a counselor and work on yourself. Talk to them about emotional eating and things that trigger your eating also definitely talk about other things that bother you. You don’t have to be depressed or have a hard life to see a counselor. A counselor can give you healthy tools to help you deal with your emotions. Also check to see if your city provides counseling for people who are lower income and see what your insurance covers.

#2. Walk
Now if you enjoy a form of exercise more than walking then do it but do it often. I recommend walking because it has a major amount of benefits. I saw the pounds really drop when I walked 5 times a week for about 45 mins/walk. Don’t think you have to run to lose more weight. You burn just as many calories/km walking as you do with running. Not only will the weight fall off but you’ll feel better about yourself and have more energy. You’ll also love the sight of some new calve muscles appearing. Add weights to up your workout!!

#3. Trans fats and MSG
Trans fats (hydrogenated oil or shortening) and MSG are two things I decided to clear from my diet completely because of the health concerns surrounding them. When you cut these two ingredients out you’re cutting out pretty much all processed foods. If you totally cut these two ingredients you’ll have to find fresh alternatives to your favorite processed treats. No more Campbells Soup and no more Side Kicks. You’re making the soup from scratch (super easy) and you’re boiling up some real pasta and sauce. Be careful of staples that you’ve always used! Soda crackers say they have no trans fats but hydrogenated oil is third on their list of ingredients!! Cutting out on processed foods will also lower your sodium intake which leads to water retention and the amount of gross preservatives and artificial flavor and color in your diet. Mainly, eat fresh foods that promote health, life, and vitality. Processed foods promote fat, depression, and loss of energy…amongst many other things. If you need something quick then check out the natural section of your grocery store, they have a ton of good alternatives to your usual quick food.

#4 Eating Late
In the wise words of Oprah “eat nothing after 7:00 not even a grape”. Have fluids, and if you NEED to have something make sure it’s HEALTHY!!

#5 Whole grains rock my world
Your poops will become regular and your body will be happy. Don’t eat white anything. Brown rice brown bread, BROWN BROWN BROWN!!! Trust me, you’ll really learn to love it a lot. Try different rices and different breads. DO eat ground flax seeds as well! A healthy digestive system creates a good environment for weight loss!! Please don’t be tempted by the no carb thing. Sometimes seeing results doesn’t mean you’re getting them in a healthy way!!

#6 Moderation is key
K I admit that today I had two tall eggnog lattes and I shared a sticky bun (I’m pregnant ok?). Two eggnog lattes may not be the best for you, perhaps one isn’t even what’s best. Moderation is key. Even eating all fresh foods can make you gain weight if you eat tons of them!! Have a varied diet of many things. Don’t feel bad to have something you love, just don’t eat it everyday, perhaps once a week is best!

#7 I don’t believe in diet food
Last but not least. DIET FOOD! Diet soda, diet this, diet that. It’s garbage!!! Anything that is artificially sweetened puts your health at serious risk. Please read my other blogs on the subject. Low fat stuff tastes gross in my opinion. I don’t consume diet food and I am a size small!!! I have butter not margarine and yes, I’m still a size small!! I truly believe, and you can call me a nut, that there are things put in diet food to keep you fat, make you hungrier, and make you addicted to them. I don’t believe that the people making the diet food have your best interests in mind. Diets are a fad and there’s money to be made from it!! STOP BUYING IT! Moderation friends!

So that’s how I lost weight. I know some of the things mentioned in here sound kinda scary, like giving up diet soda and not eating that delicious tuna helper. The thing is, I never lost weight drinking diet soda and eating tuna helper. I used to be addicted to these things and now I SERIOUSLY do not miss them. I am a happier person now, a more energetic person (well before a fetus took over my body), and a healthier person. Even the effects of my adult ADD have lessened. I really hate seeing all the obesity in our nation. I see people with their shopping carts full of Junk or walking down the street with a big slurpee in their hand and I just wanna yell THAT’S WHY YOU ARE FAT, STOP IT!!! Life is so important and being a healthy person for yourself and your loved ones is incredibly important as well. I hope this is an easy outline that you can follow and perhaps you will change things. That’s why I’m here, to provoke change! Please leave your comments and if you choose to make some changes then please tell me, I’d love to hear from you!