Fitness and Faith

My name is Judy, and since having children, I’ve had an issue with weight gain.   Growing up, I was a skinny kid, and  even as an adult I had no weight problems, except after I started having children.  I had good results with my efforts in the beginning of whatever I would try, but it never lasted.  I watched friends and family be on the same plan and cheat themselves into the next century, while I did everything I was supposed to and nothing seemed to happen beyond the first initial loss.  I’m really good at sticking to things even if they don’t work at first to stick it out.  However, sometimes I would “cheat.” I’ve noticed that when I would “cheat,” I would lose weight.  I didn’t “cheat” often but every once in a while I would.  Then, even that stopped working.

One example of my weight problem was  two years ago. My sister and I at different times, were on doctor prescribed weight loss plans.  She lost 38 pounds and I lost 8!  Mad?! You bet I was!  I didn’t get it.  I weighed, measured, followed and didn’t even sniff a “cheat” but then after defeat took over I just gave up.

So here we are, coming up to present day. After an unusual year,  with tons of stress (including some major grief) and 2 major operations that caused me to be on too many antibiotics (14) over the past year.  I figured my gut was not happy as I was bloated like never before.  One thing I knew I could do was get my gut happy again. So I began to take my probiotics and stayed away from sugars and acidic foods/drinks.  I found that my USANA supplements helped me have the energy and immune health I needed so badly in order to heal.  Then, all of a sudden I began gaining weight for no reason. I was not over eating or cheating! My frustration was growing.

I know that at my age loosing weight is not easy, and I had listened to my parents in their 80’s still talk about loosing weight.  I didn’t want to be thinking of this anymore.  I’ve decided I’m who and I am and I love it.  Maybe it’s just how it is.  Screw the skinny jeans and cute clothing.  I’ll just be happy with me and end the pressure of it all.  Besides, I could not possible try or do anthing else diffrent.  Or could I?

While visiting my friend Beth (blog owner) I learned that while my protein shakes were the only thing that gave me a balanced meal and started my day off right, I was using only 2/3 of the amount I was supposed to! I told Beth how many calories I was eating, and she said I was not eating nearly enough. She helped me download MyFitnessPal (which is free) and I put in my height and weight and it recommended I eat almost 2x as many calories as I was. After the shock wore off, Beth helped adjust that a little lower so I could manageably eat that many calories. I thought she was nuts that I needed to eat more to lose weight.  Beth explained that larger bodies need more fuel.

In less than a week, I’ve lost 4 lbs! I am eating more, and eating quality! Guess what?  My bloat has gone down too!  I didn’t think I was eating so little, I ate what I thought was the right portion but I would be hungry for the next meal. .   I thought I was doing fairly well.  Overall, I don’t use processed foods, I eat lots of fresh foods and good sources of protein.  What really got me was that I’m dairy and gluten free and when I made those changes, I did not lose 1 oz. of weight.  I would talk to multiple doctors about it, one doctor (who was new to me) told me to get biatric surgery, within the first 5 minutes (Rude anyone?).

I’m excited to actually get healthier.  If I knew that eating MORE was the key,  that would have been easy.  It took one person who was not afraid to tell me what she thought, to start on the right path.  After all the years I’ve wasted, cried over, all the money I’ve spent, all the time beating myself up for failed attemps.  All to find out that every doctor and so called professional I sought out, failed me (because they did not ask more questions, or listen to me).

Be kind to yourself. In my I needed to eat more to lose weight. I will have to adjust my calorie intake as I lose weight. Now, this is that easy for me, for once.  Finally, I feel energized and empowered with a new sense of eating for joy, knowing I’m going to actually have results.  I will continue to learn about the carbs, sugar, protein ratio but I’ll get there.  It’s been less than a week and I’m esctatic!

Be kind to yourself.

Judy M. from New York