Getting the Scale Moving in the Right Direction

I have had a post about my “food journey” written for months now, but have been avoiding editing and posting it because 1) it is a novel! and 2) after re-reading it I realized that it sounds awfully self-important. I would be intimidated if I read it back in the place that I started from. I also know that I still have some ways to go. So while I do want to share my whole journey at some point, I’m going to skip the chronological account for the time being and just quickly tell you where I am *now*.

I will however, treat (traumatize?) you to a few before and after photos to give you some perspective:

Before

This photo was taken in March 2003. I was at or near my heaviest – which was around 175 or 180lbs. I couldn’t find many pictures that were very telling of my weight because I was smart enough to wear dark colors on my bottom half most of the time, and because I wore lots of long-sleeves that made my arms look smaller. Also, I had NO IDEA I was 180lbs! I still felt very attractive and was honestly feeling healthier than I had in a long time because I was getting *sleep* for the first time in years (college schedules are so fantastic compared to the hustle of the last few years of highschool). I was however, barely able to walk up a hill without passing out, and feeling unable to control the amount of food I ate.

Fast-forward a semester and a caring doctor (who I wished much ill on at the time) told me I needed to lose 20lbs! My BMI was 28, which she told me was bordering on obesity!!!

I was honestly shocked and immediately responded with anger and denial – then hopelessness. I owe so much to the kind friends who came alongside and supported me during that time. I was blessed with everything from character-affirming compliments that took my focus away from obsessing about my weight, to friends who met with me daily and weekly to exercise and talk about food choices!

By Christmas of 2004, I had lost over 35lbs and was able to run or bike for *miles* rather than mere yards. I finally understood what it felt like to feel healthy, and to feel rested after a nights sleep and renewed after a meal!

After

Why am I forever doing something weird with my hands in photos??

These were taken in October 2010, and last week (Feb 2011). I weigh 145 and 135lbs respectively.

The first photo above may not look significantly different than these current photos of me to your eyes. Really, I don’t feel disgusted or shocked when I look at my before pictures either, but I do feel grateful and relieved because I know how much better I feel now.

I have now gained and lost the same 35-40lbs three times. First in 2003-2004, and then after my two pregnancies. The first time was HARD. It took a lot of work. I would never have imagined that my body could be strong and resilient enough to do it THREE times. I know that I owe my success to the lifestyle changes I made that first time around. Very briefly, here are some of them:

• NO soda or mixed drinks
• Water as primary beverage (supplemented by coffee/tea)
• I don’t buy “junk food” b/c I can’t eat it if it’s not around
• Avoid processed, boxed or frozen dinners (w/the exception of Annie’s mac ‘n cheese on occasion)
• An active lifestyle (walking daily when it is nice out, carrying kiddos rather than using a stroller, etc.)

This last time was harder than the second (to be expected as I get older), and at the turn of the year I found that the scale had started to move in the wrong direction. I have always eaten much more in the cold months as I love the comfort of a warm meal or a cup of tea and something sweet. My skin and muscles aren’t  as resilient as they were before kids though, and my clothes looked too small and my skin flabby. I decided to start tracking everything I ate (using calorie-count.com) to try and temper my appetite and hold myself accountable. After a week, I noticed that I was consuming far less protein than I thought I had been, and far far more sugar.

With my husband’s encouragement, I decided to cut sugar out of my diet entirely to see if it made a difference. This turned out to be no easy task! Sugar (I’m talking sugar cane in all of it’s various forms) is in everything!! As I read the ingredients of even my “natural” branded foods, I found that I really couldn’t eat anything that I didn’t prepare myself. There is sugar in store-bought sausage, pasta sauce, salad dressing, bread, and even added to some dried fruit!

As I searched for sugarless recipes and meal ideas, I came across some startling information about the effects of sugar on our bodies. Sugar is detrimental to everything from our dental health to our fertility. I was also alarmed to read that sugar is called dozens of different things in lists of ingredients. The best resource I have come across so far is the book, Get the Sugar Out* by Ann Louise Gittleman. It was in there that I read that the average American consumes 140-150lbs of sugar a year. Yuck!

The first week of no-sugar was difficult. I drank a lot of tea with honey to curb my cravings. As I backed off of honey though, I realized that my cravings for sugar were not only lessening, but my cravings for food in general were disappearing also! And then the miraculous happened. The numbers on the scale started going backwards.

In all, I have lost 10lbs in the MONTH that I’ve been sugar free!

I am not eating significantly less food or fewer calories. I *am* however eating fewer grains, more vegetables, and plenty of good fat (dairy, coconut oil, eggs, meat). I am also now avoiding all sweeteners, including honey and maple syrup, except for special occasions.

Valentine’s weekend was a confirmation of my body’s addiction to sugar as two glasses of wine and a couple of (grain-sweetened) chocolate covered strawberries has me fighting cravings again. I know better now, and have motivation to persevere. More motivation: this weekend I had someone approach me and touch my stomach for the first time while not pregnant. She had to comment on how flat it looked!

I’d strongly encourage you to take the time to examine your sugar intake, even if you already have a healthy diet. And if you are looking for general encouragement for weight loss and serving your family nutritious food, jump over to a few of these books and blogs that I have found encouraging:

Real Food* by Nina Planck
Nourishing Traditions* by Sally Fallon

“Zapping Sugar Cravings” (article)

Naturally Knocked Up (and her guest post about sugar)
Simply Sugar & Gluten Free
Health, Home, & Happiness
Kitchen Stewardship
GNOWFGLINS

And my post on “Real Food” Resources.

*This is an Amazon affiliate link.
This post is linked up to 5 Minutes for Mom’s Winter Weight Off challenge.