January, 2012 is when I decided I seriously needed to lose some weight. There have been years before this point that I have eaten healthy, worked out and tried various weight loss products. Not until 2012 did I truly understand that to lose weight I had to feed myself nutrient-rich foods and stay away from sugar and other processed “junk.”
I didn’t have the energy I once had. I didn’t feel confident showing up in my body. I was sick of telling myself that I would always be size 12, and that I should just “accept” it. So in January of 2012, I completely changed what I put in my mouth and also started working out and doing bootcamp up to four times a week.
Eating clean for me meant eating little to no dairy, cutting out milk and caffeine completely and eating mostly vegetables and fruit everyday. By no means was this easy…in fact there were times I felt I was “cheating” by eating a prune or two. I simply knew I deserved to feel better and wasn’t about to give up. By August of 2012 I was down 30 pounds and 6 inches in my waist.
I’m a gutsy girl because I know it takes true motivation, self discipline and hard work to eat clean and stay healthy. You will not be the popular one when all your colleagues indulge in a cupcake or bagel with cream cheese and your reply is, “I don’t eat food that is processed.” When you turn down a drink because you don’t want the empty calories, your friends may not exactly give you a high five.
I now have my energy back. I don’t need the quick fix of a soda. I find myself actually craving healthy snacks. You may have set backs, tough days or just times where you want a cheeseburger and beer. I’ve realized that is OK as long as I’m back to my clean eating the very next meal. My weight loss journey is not over, I still have goals I’d like to reach. I’ve just realized I want to feed myself food that will support my growth, not that will hurt my gut or set me back. I look forward to my future and am excited about what is to come!
Losing my gut…I’m a gutsy girl!
SKH Note: Molly also just participated in my last 21-Day New Year-New You Group. She did an awesome job, and sent me this message: “I think what I am most excited about today (after making the Turkey muffins) is that you are introducing herbs and spices to my life! I have always done a pretty good job cooking healthy but many times I was “bored” of the food because it was so bland. Thanks to this program I am being introduced to ways of cooking that add so much flavor but are also good for digestion! How fantastic is that??!!” I’m certain she is on her way to even more greatness!
We are just 18 days out until the start of the next (and last) 21-day group program. Are you joining us?
Love your guts,
SKH
HECK YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Molly! I love love love hearing/reading success stories like that! Molly kick dairy’s ass HARD CORE – Thank god too because I have NEVER thought dairy was meant for human consumption! It’s meant for baby calfs, just like breast milk is ONLY meant for baby humans!! That’s IT!!!!!! It would be ODD if cow’s decided to drink human breast milk. Okay, well I just ruined this comment, I am going to stop while I am ahead (yep, my train of thought could get MUCH worse – lol)… Go Molly!!!