When Life Throws You a Curveball.

  Wow! Where has the time gone? It's hard to believe how much has happened since my last blog post in 2015!

We've added four more children to our family, moved, bought a farm, started a homeschool co-op, and began pastoring a little country church. We've also graduated four of our children from homeschooling, watched our oldest son get married, and had plenty of adventures along the way!

So much has happened in the last eleven years, and I wouldn't even know where to begin telling it all!

 During this hiatus from blogging, my weight loss and health took a nosedive. During my pregnancy with baby number six, I did really well following the THM lifestyle. I felt amazing and experienced the best pregnancy of all my children. If I had known what would have happened after the birth of baby number six, I'd probably have given up. 

The birth itself was traumatic and chaotic. Our son was born in February of 2015, and six weeks later I packed up our house and moved to be near my in-laws. During the next six months I experienced unstable menstrual cycles and so much pain. I honestly figured it was stress from moving, setting up the house, running a co-op, and looking for houses to purchase. 

Around November, things had progressed so much that I was having cycles non stop. I finally went to the doctors. The doctor said it was fibroids and sent me to have an ultrasound done after administering the Depo shot to stop the bleeding. I wasn't keen on having the shot but she insisted that it would help. She told us to be prepared that I would most likely have a hysterectomy. 

My husband and I arrived at the ultrasound room with heavy hearts. This wasn't what we wanted. We wanted more children and the thought of being unable to carry anymore babies was heartbreaking. It felt as if the choice was being taken away from me. 

While lying on the exam table waiting to see how bad the situation was, the tech told us we were pregnant. I immediately became angry because there was no way we were pregnant! Keep in mind, during the visit with the doctor I had a urine and blood test that came back negative for pregnancy. The tech showed us the screen and sure enough, there was a baby on the screen surrounded by fibroids. I was already in my second trimester!

My Renewed Mind

As I started my Trim Healthy Mama journey I had high hopes that I would lose weight and feel healthy. I have surpassed those hopes and achieved them. I feel healthier, my energy is up, I don't feel sluggish, I don't snore while sleeping and I feel great overall. Each meal has been a victory of overcoming the stress eating. Every time I exercised I was in control of my body. I finally felt free from the guilt of over eating and being overweight.  I rejoiced when I discovered something new on my body be it my ribs or finding my knee caps, it was and still is exciting. As I shared my journey with others my desire to keep at this new lifestyle increased because I wanted to share this experience and the knowledge I learned with everyone. I told anyone who would listen about THM. I was quickly becoming an advocate for THM because I knew it worked. I was seeing a trim body, becoming a healthier mama but one area hadn't changed and that was my mind.

When I first started losing weight, I couldn't really tell. My clothes did get loose but until I took pictures I didn't see the results. I had many people tell me I was looking great, and the scale was moving down. This was all good it actually made me feel great but when I looked in the mirror all I saw was the fat me. I would belittle myself all the time. When I would weigh myself I did it three or four times in a row believing the scale was off or broke. I didn't want to go clothes shopping because I knew nothing would fit cause I was too fat. These thoughts would run through my head all the time and I let them. I was tearing myself down, being a bully to myself. No one likes a bully but that was exactly what I was doing. How many of you have found yourself being a bully to yourself? Have you wondered how to get out of that bully mode so you can have a renewed mind? Well I have some ways to help you, things I have learned to try and do on a daily basis.
 There is a change that happens when you lose weight, you do gain confidence but if you don't change your mindset it will affect you. Every time I had a negative thought about myself I would feel the need to eat. I wanted junk food, that so called comfort food. Sometimes I succumbed to these urges but the majority of the time I stuck to THM. When I would start to bully myself I would think of something nice that I liked about me. I would pray that God would help me. In the mornings I made sure to either dress nice or do my hair. Who doesn't feel pretty when you get dressed as if company was coming over. I read the Bible and found verses that would help me get my thoughts in control. Slowly but surely I saw a change in how I percieved myself. When I pass a mirror I smile at myself and congratulate myself on how far I have come. When my hubby tells me I am getting skinny inwardly I jump up and down with glee. My children get excited with me when I tell them I have lost weight. I have my own cheerleader section and I love it! Just as we control how we eat and exercise, we must control what and how we think. We are becoming Trim Healthy Mama's in every aspect of our lives. This includes having a trim, fit mind. We need a toned mind to match our toned bodies. A scripture that I use to help me is found in Philippians 4:8:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 
Every time you look in the mirror tell yourself that you are a beautiful Trim Healthy Mama no matter where you are in your journey.

THM Explained

E = Energizing (Low Fat)
5 grams of fat or less (Equivalent to 1 tsp, 2 at the most)
45g of carbs per meal max
Lean meats and legumes are recommended for this type of meal.

S = Satisfying (Low Carb)
5 grams of carbs or less (low starch veggies)
Plenty of good fats like real butter or coconut oil
Recommend fattier meats for this type of meal.


The basic are:
Eat every three hours (Very important to regulate insulin levels)
Wait at least three hours after an E meal to change to an S meal, and vice versa.
FP's(see below) can be used as an in between snack for either of the E and S meal types.

After a few months try:
FP= Fuel Pull (Low Fat & Low Carb)
Less than 5g of fat and less than 10g of carbs.
Mainly protein meals like lean meat or eggs.

Main rule:
Never include large amounts of fats and carbs in a single meal until your goal weight is reached.
Fats and carbs should be spaced out by at least three hours.
Highly potent carbs like bread and potatoes are to be avoided. Sweet potatoes, starchy vegetables, brown rice, quinoa and old fashioned oats are recommended instead because they have a less drastic effect on blood sugar and insulin production, very important. There will be more on insulin levels and weight gain in a later post.

For more information read Trim Healthy Mama.

Weight journey contined

 If someone had told me seven months ago that I would weigh 100lbs less than I did, I would have laughed. Fast forward seven months to the present and I am not laughing I am jumping for joy, which by the way is eaiser to do now. I am not at my goal weight but I am so much closer.

 

 

This has been an incredible journey that is still going on. See where I started. I love food and I don't feel deprived from it with THM which stands for Trim Healthy Mama, a new way to eat that yields wonderful results. When I look at the pictures above, I wonder how I let myself go that long. I was miserable, lacking energy, and even depressed. I needed a change and I found it with THM. If I can do this, then you can do this. It takes one good decision at a time. One nutritious meal, one satisfying snack, even one refreshing drink at a time and did I mention those can all be healthy too. We succumb to poor eating habits one choice at a time. We learn to overcome those habits one lesson at a time.

This is me 100lbs lighter!!!! I am happier, more energetic, and I am healthier. Many have asked me about food journals, I don't keep journals. The way I did this was by setting a timer, to eat every three hours. I start my day with an S breakfast, lunch normally is E, and dinner is whatever goes with the meat I am using. See THM Explained if you didn't understand that. Most of my snacks are Greek yogurt with Polanar jelly, celery with Laughing Cow Cheese (which my husband hates paying for), cheese sticks and pepperoni, and Fat Stripping Frappes (a THM recipe). I just started adding fuel pulls in my regiment, since I have S and E meals down. I don't stress over it, I follow the recipes, adapt my own and go with it. I don't have a secret way to lose weight. I just follow the plan. When I can't, like at some restaurants or church dinners I don't feel bad, I just get back on plan at the next meal.

The thing that helps me most is the wonderful THM community. The THM Facebook page has helped tremendously. The support, encouragement, recipes, and openness of all the ladies makes this journey easier. The days I get discouraged, I encourage myself with others' success. We are like a family supporting each other. 

Waffle Tacos THM

Taco Bell has come out with the waffle taco, and it looks so good. I don't eat at Taco Bell, its on the bottom of my list of fast food, but I want a waffle taco! What is a girl to do? Its not worth it to cheat, but I can't get them out of my mind, not to mention how many times I see the picture of it on my Facebook news feed. Well I decided to THMify it, if you don't know what THM is its Trim Healthy Mama, its not a diet it is a lifestyle. I have been doing THM since August with fabulous results.
These waffle tacos can be made as an E or an S meal. For more information on the THM lingo like "E" and "S" see THM Explained. The THM book has a recipe for E pancakes. The authors have asked that some recipes not be shared. So, I found a substitute that will work. Both recipes make 9 pancakes or 8 waffles.

E version from Protein Pancakes without Protein Powder
1 cup egg whites
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 cup fat-free cottage cheese
Cinnamon
Truvia or stevia
Mix in blender, cook on griddle or waffle iron.
Fill the waffle taco with scrambled egg whites, turkey bacon and top with sugar free syrup. Yum yum.

S version from Gwen's Low Carb Pancakes
1 egg
¼ c. Ricotta Cheese -full or low fat
2 Tbl Flax Seed Meal
½ tsp. Baking Powder
dash of salt
sweetener to taste -You can use 2-3 dashes of Stevia Powder
optional: 1 t. cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg
½ t. vanilla extract
Mix in blender, cook on griddle or waffle iron.
Fill the waffle taco with bacon or sausage, whole scrambled eggs, and top with sugar free syrup.

Tip for pancakes: Cook slowly until they are firm before flipping.

Now my craving is satisfied and I don't have to eat at Taco Bell. Stay tuned for more updates on my progress and maybe a recipe or two.

My "Weight " Journey

  As long as I can remember I have always been big. I am big boned so I figured I would be big my whole life. There was no need to watch my food intake or exercise that much. Well I was wrong, it is important. If I want to live to see my children grow up I better fix my thinking. I did, and started many different diets. They worked a little bit but as soon as I quit the weight came back and then some.  So I got discouraged and gave up. I wasn't happy with how I was, embarrassed to be in public, and hated clothes shopping.
  Well I thought I was doomed but I heard about Trim Healthy Mama. A friend was doing it and her results amazed and inspired me. I jumped on board and guess what, it works. I eat better, exercise more, and my energy is back. I feel like a new person.
  I am sure someone who is reading is thinking, yeah works for you not me. Well no it won't if you don't try. This was very hard at first. It overwhelmed me, but I started with one meal at a time. I did a little exercise at a time. Nothing happens overnight, it takes time. You didn't gain your weight overnight, so don't expect to lose it overnight.
  Do you need some proof? Here are my pictures, first one is in August 2013 when I started. Second is in October 2013, and the most recent is December 2013. I have lost 75lbs. I am not at my goal weight but I am getting there. I am 25lbs from my first goal to lose 100lbs. This is a journey that I will be on the rest of my life. I will no longer let food rule me, I have a better understanding of my body. I am happy, healthy and getting trim to be a better wife, mother, and keeper of my home.
Check out the book.
Trim Healthy Mama.

Perfection

 Have you ever met a perfectionist? Perhaps you're a perfectionist. What is a perfectionist? According to Webster its

 a disposition to regard anything short of perfection as unacceptable; especially : the setting of unrealistically demanding goals accompanied by a disposition to regard failure to achieve them as unacceptable and a sign of personal worthlessness.

Wow, is this how you feel or perceive yourself? How do you respond when your well planned plans go awry? Do you take your frustrations out on those closest to you, or do you just go with the flow, being flexible.

  I don't know what you do, but I know what I do. I am not a perfectionist but at times my actions say I am. You know the saying "action speak louder than words." I love having every detail laid out just so and everything go according to my plans. I do get frustrated when things don't go right. Sometimes I take it out on those close to me. I will even go so far as to put myself down. I let these things rule my life and my attitude. Is this pleasing to God? No its not in any way and He is showing me this. 
  What does God say about Perfection? We know we are to be perfect even as God is (Matt 5:48). I found 121 verses in the Bible that mentions the word perfect. Majority of the verses talked about God's perfection, which is complete. One verse stuck out at me though, its 2 Samuel 22:33 God is my strength and power:and he maketh my way perfect. Oh my word, this verse hits me right in the heart. I try to be perfect in my own strength and power which normally ends up leaving me frustrated and feeling worthless. We are to strive for perfection but with God's strength and power we achieve it. He can make our way perfect and he usually does.
   As I continue to let God perfect my way my plans don't seem so demanding. If you are a perfectionist and struggle with the letdowns and frustrations give it to God. He will perfect your way.