By Deb Powell, Healthy Planet Columnist
Health is a goal! Weight is a side effect!
I have been eating a plant based diet for 25 yrs, preparing 95% of my food, and make mostly healthy choices. I don’t eat fast or fried food and very little processed. I don’t eat meat or dairy, and prefer salt over sugar. Don’t get me wrong, I can eat anything without issues, I just choose not to.
I am a very upbeat and happy person. I am an encourager. I like positivity but also truth and I’ve believed in having a good mindset for over 40 years. I am confident and look after myself the best I can in spite of the fact I had a very hard life and had been abused and traumatized since I was two.
My problem is I am an emotional eater. I like to snack and especially on salty foods. Unfortunately I will eat out of boredom, loneliness, frustration, sadness, anger, guilt, shame, and for energy when I’m tired.
A couple of months ago my eating habits finally caught up with me! BIG TIME!
We all know how hard the last 3 years have been, being locked up in the house with lots of food! Aaaaah! I gained weight even though I was trying to lose some, and I got really angry with myself. Then I realized I hated myself. I hated how I looked, how I felt, how I moved, or didn’t (like I used to). I knew I couldn’t go on like this. I had to change something or I would gain more weight. That scared me, and made me angrier. I had to do something now!
Then, I had a complete mind shift! I decided “I WANTED to lose weight more than ANYTHING!”
So, on May 22, 2023, here’s what I did: I cut out coffee, all sugars, chocolate (even my homemade healthy stuff), bread/crackers, and my weakness – chips. I started eating slowly, one small bite at a time, and only what I thought I needed to sustain myself. The results were miraculous! My appetite went down immediately. I felt better the first day, and after a few days I was more energetic, less bloated, not as stiff, and I felt very happy! Win, Win!!!
So, can we control our health? You bet we can!
I’ve listened to motivational speakers for years and they’ve encouraged me many times, and now, again, they are my inspiration and support. I knew I could do this with the right environment so I revived the power I have within myself. I lost 14 pounds in the first two and a half weeks. But amazingly, it felt like 25! I felt SO GOOD!
I have been downsizing ‘stuff’ for about 20 years so getting rid of the extra weight just seemed to fit… life is getting lighter and brighter all the time. ☺
I want to be HEALTHY, and that is my mindset, motivation, and goal now. I am choosing to eat only real foods I know are good for me. Think: How did people in the beginning eat and live… lots of walking and probably nibbled on bits of fresh berries, fruits, and greens all day long. This has changed my mindset to ‘I now feel safe and good about what I eat’, and I don’t have in the back of my mind ‘I know this is slowly destroying my health but I will eat it anyways’… what a scary way to think. Our bodies also react to our subconscious minds.
It’s so awesome to see how my health is changing. I’m watching it improve daily! What a high! ☺
My new philosophy is this: If it doesn’t make you feel fabulous; don’t do it, don’t buy it, don’t wear it, don’t eat it, don’t keep it! Amen!
If I do eat something I shouldn’t or I eat too much… I don’t beat myself up anymore either. I do it with a clear conscience. Guilt and shame can be two of our biggest success killers…
When I see others eating unhealthy food, I feel proud because I know I can choose not to. We have been so brainwashed by consumerism and the media. ☺
So if you have a hard time reaching your goals, tune into some motivational speakers, their words will inspire and encourage you to be strong, and learn of the power and determination you’ve got inside you. Decisions plus faith are powerful!
Join me next month for more inspiration, and updates on my journey. Anyone want to join me? ☺
For questions and feedback email me at debmag04@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you!