On Plan

This has become a common phrase in my life lately. Being "on plan". It might not be familiar to you and after reading this blog post by Jennifer Griffin I think it's time I share what God brought into my life last fall. 

As probably many of you have done over the years, I've tried many diets, some extreme (NO fat, eating all FF foods and tuna...causing my hair to fall out), some just plain silly.  I avoided the whole "eating healthier foods" because let's face it...what sounds appetizing about oat fiber?  flax seed?

Well, as God usually does...He started showing me through a few friends about a new plan called Trim Healthy Mama.  I was VERY resistant (ok that's an understatement).  I thought these friends were nuts...complete fruit loops (one of my favorite snacks) for trying this out.  I tried a few of the recipes and was not impressed at all.  However, when they started reaching 30 pounds lost and keeping it off, I started pondering...

One Friday last September, I asked to borrow one of their books.  Figured I'd at least read it myself and then see what I thought.  God had already been working on my heart, I was venturing into essential oils (will write about this in later posts...they are wonderful!) and other healthy alternatives to medications, He had this timed perfectly.

The book is, well, HUGE.  But once you realize that over 1/2 of it is recipes, it's much less daunting.  I spent time that weekend reading through the first few chapters, the ones that explained not only the health reasons for this plan, but the science behind it.  Now, no, I'm not usually a science-minded person, but the authors  of this book (sisters Pearl and Serene) wrote in such a way that even I understood the rationales.  They each shared their health journeys over the years, everything from going completely vegetarian to raw to juicing (something that has never appealed to me).  And then you learn why each of those approaches never completely works for most people.  They explain the "why" to everything they write, leaving you with no question of the reason you will eat what you will eat.  The basis of this plan is swapping carbs and fats.  You eat BOTH and we're talking real fats like butter...but you eat them at different meals so your body can burn more efficiently. You will NOT go hungry.

The most amazing part to me was that both sisters approach the plan differently and they give you the freedom to approach it in YOUR way.  Once I started trying recipes that I knew would be more to my tastes, I realized how yummy going sugar free and wheat free can be.  Seriously, I never thought those words would come out of my mouth.  ever.  I have also learned that it's not an "all in or all out" method of eating.  While I haven't had a real Dr. Pepper since September (totally a God thing, if you know me and my addiction), I do still eat things with sugar and I have a piece of bread with supper or lunch, I just try to choose healthier options most of the time (notice I said "most :-)  ).  I also drink Diet Dr. Pepper a few times a week, but I have amazingly learned to love flavored teas.  not lying.  With this plan, it's ok...there are limits but not strict limits you MUST follow (although you can).  You can make it work for your tastes.  One of my friends is a complete "purist" with her THM plan, I am obviously not.  But we love sharing recipes and successes and frustrations.  You learn your limits on what causes you to overeat and work with that.  


Again, I usually take the easy route to things and then get upset when they don't work quickly and yes, many of them work for many people (Weight Watchers 5 times over my life, etc...) but this plan has been life-changing for me.  It's not quick, it's not a fix-all for everyone, but for the first time in my life, I'm content with that.  It's not all granola and oatmeal or else I would have quit after 2 weeks, believe me.  I'm content simply because this is the plan I know God lead me to.  Otherwise, there is NO way I'd be ok with slow weight loss.  (my past proves that fact).

I have lost 12 pounds since September...but again..for the first time, I'm not bummed it's ONLY 12.  The scale moves a pound or two up every week which is normal for our bodies, but I have yet to gain back more than 4 pounds...THAT is a first for this girl.  Even over the holidays when so many yummy treats tempted me...I was still able to keep things at bay without even trying hard.  Why?  Because as the book will show you, my body is slowly healing itself.  

A huge "A-ha!" moment came a few weeks ago.  I was at my parents' visiting and was eating more my old-usual ways and ended up having horrible stomach pains.  I had not realized until then, that I had not experienced these since starting THM.   I used to experience them daily.  Daily! It was common and I was used to it.  Now, not so much.  I still struggle with wanting ice cream more than usual, but now I know there are so many great alternatives to replace it with.  Yet I still have a small bowl every now and then because I can and it's OK.

So...all this to say...if you are stuck in that old "I want to feel better, look better, I need to lose weight, my knees ache, my doctor says I'm close to diabetes..." any of that...then I encourage you to give this book a try.  It's not for everyone, no one thing is, God made us all individuals.  But this plan is freeing so many women and men you wouldn't believe.  People are able to stop their medications for diabetes, asthma, and many other health issues.  We are seeing that life is not about dieting, it's about FREEDOM, loving God, loving our families, loving ourselves and healing the bodies God gave us.  

In future posts, I will give reasons for drinking apple cider vinegar and other "weird" things I never realized were good for you!  Along with cancer fighting (which we know runs in my family by leaps and bounds and is a fight I want to win if I ever have to face it), these natural remedies do so much for our health.  

As as an end to this...because you have read a lot today...here are a couple of recipes I use weekly, sometimes daily because I love them!

Low Carb Caramel "Samoas" Milkshake
(found on Gwen's Nest blog...she creates some amazing THM recipes!)

Pork Tenderloin with Pan Sauce 
(found on Chef Mommy's blog)

Infamous Pinterest Chicken Enchiladas 
(for these, you simply use low carb tortillas and add a tsp or so xanthum gum instead of flour to thicken sauce and you can also do 1/2 plain greek yogurt and 1/2 sour cream but not necessary and wahlah!  THM ready!)