So it's a new year and you have goals. Usually eating better & getting in shape is a main goal for most people. I know it is for me, ahem. BUT after 25+ years of trying every fad diet/food plan out there, I am drawn back to the one that seems the most sound, balanced, and just has plain ol' common sense in my humble opinion: clean, healthy, balanced eating.
Also....cutting out sugar. *sigh* That stinkin' modern sugar has wrecked our health. Sugar causes inflammation in the body (among other things) and inflammation is the root cause of disease. So it'd be wise to cut down and/or cut it out of your diet. If it's too overwhelming, then baby steps will work. But it's definitely something to work on.
Just in case you aren't aware, there is no magic pill, quick fix, or formula to lose weight/get healthy. It's all about consistency, creating new habits, and making changes - one bite at a time. Trust me on this. I have personally tried diet pills, Atkins, Paleo, Keto, green smoothies, vegan, carnivore, low fat, high fat, no carb, SlimFast, "herbal" supplements, juicing, the works.
Now, there are benefits to certain diets, but taking away entire food groups is not the answer. Want to know why carnivore may work at first? Because most of us are not eating enough protein, healthy fats, and iron rich foods. Want to know why vegan may work at first? Because most of us are not eating enough veggies and clean food. Same goes with keto - you lose weight and do great at first, but then you run into other issues because the truth is, your brain and metabolism need carbs to function.
All diets and the latest eating plans will work at first because you are basically getting off of the standard American diet of heavily processed foods, fillers, sugar, depleted, fake, GMO filled "franken foods". And please, please, PLEASE do not go by the FDA approved food pyramid. That thing is a literal joke. The pharmaceutical industry is a trillion dollar market - they get rich when you follow their diet "guidelines" because you get fat and sick. Then the weight loss industry swoops in with their billion dollar market to offer you fake hope. Let's get off the hamster wheel, shall we?
So clean eating - back to the most natural state - of all food groups is the best option we have. There are loads of recipes, menus, tips & tricks for specific areas you need help with, advice, etc.....all online.
There are a couple of homeschooling mamas that I've followed online for years (and went to their mom's retreats years ago) that compiled a book to help other mamas out with food freedom. Well, it took off and God grew it into an entire business. God has led me back to it for this year, to get all the way healthy again. They have loads of info in their book, podcasts (video & audio), and website. I've learned that now that I'm in my 40's, the reason why I can't lose weight like I did in my 20s is because of:
hormones
not enough protein & working the muscles (over 30, we lose muscle mass)
not enough sleep (adults need 7-9 hours each night)
metabolism (tanked from unhealthy diets/sugar)
spiritual issues (believe it or not, this can hinder physical weight loss)
So I just wanted to share with you that there IS hope, there IS food freedom, and there IS a chance to get healthy no matter what your age is, my sweet friends. Stay out of the comparison game, everyone's journey is unique. Don't indulge on social media posts that get your attention off of your own race that you are running. Tell the devil to shut up and ship out when he comes at you with LIES like these:
you're too old to ____
face reality, you'll always look like this/be like this
this is what happens when you age, just accept it
you can't change because it's how your mom/grandma was (inherited)
you don't have enough willpower
No, no, NO. You have a mandate from God to take care of your body! It houses the Holy Spirit. Just as we take care of ourselves spiritually, we need to also take care of ourselves physically. Time for a mind reset!
First things first, take every thought captive, according to 2 Corinthians 10:5. We are to do this in order to pull down strongholds (verse 4), which are first established in the mind. The enemy tries to get at us with lies, so instead of believing it & creating those strongholds, we are to cast them down if they don't line up with the Word of God. Anything based out of fear, depression, worry, giving up, negativity, is not of God. Period.
Know your identity as a beloved child of the Most High God. Read the Bible and let the truth wash over you, cleansing you from all former lies & preconceived ideas about yourself. You are beautifully and wonderfully made. God has a plan and a purpose for you, a hope for your future. Life abundantly. Read Song of Songs....YOU are the Shulamite.
Make small changes every day towards health. You CAN do it, and Jesus will help you every step of the way - so let Him. Get enough sleep, limit time on your phone, read your Bible, dance & have fun with your kids, enjoy nature, go on walks, drink more water, cut out sugar, eat balanced healthy whole foods, limit processed food, eat healthy fats, lift some weights, get a workout partner, have an accountability friend, don't get lured into the whole fad diet thing.
Phew! I know that was a lot, so thank you for sticking with me this far. If you're still needing some direction, here's a free pdf from those mamas I like:
Trim Healthy Start - Say Hello to Hope - Welcome to a life of food sanity and freedom.
They also have a youtube workout membership, free devotionals, and an encouraging video here:
Reboot - new year, new mind, new body
Okay, let's make this year better than last year and walk in obedience to what God is calling us to do. Let's get healthy & strong!
