If you landed on this page, you’ve probably heard me talk about my healthy eating goals and the books I’ve found helpful. After many years of deprivation diets and yo-yo dieting, I finally found a plan that has helped me lose weight and feel satisfied (and not deprived).
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Let me first say, I’ve always been a relatively active person. But, in 2010, (when I embarked on this blogging journey) I found myself sitting behind the computer for longer periods of time. I struggled to maintain my weight, even though I rebuilt our kitchen by myself and kept myself busy with other DIY projects.
One of my unhealthy pictures taken July 2014.
I embraced my curves, but inside I longed to be thin and find clothing that fit me both on top and bottom. One day I stumbled upon a PBS special called Eat Fat Get Thin. I recorded the program and forgot about it. A week later, I found it on my DVR and sat down to watch it. What I learned from the documentary made me angry! For years our government led us to believe that fats were bad for us and we need to eat low fat to get thin. After watching the program I immediately bought the book with the same title. This is the first book I read that made sense to me and that helped me effortlessly lose 15 lbs. in 2016. I kept the weight off for almost a year.
Eat Fat Get Thin by Dr. Mark Hyman (former Cleveland Clinic Director and founder of the UltraWellness Center)
To help get a jump start, I also ordered this cookbook:
June 2016, after losing 15 lbs.
While I was on this healthy eating plan, I shed pounds easily. I didn’t crave sugar. I had loads of energy and remarkably my hips and back no longer pained me. I could walk up stairs without effort. I felt great and had dropped two jean sizes.
Then I slacked off and suddenly sugar and carbs crept back into my diet. I gained all the weight back and more.
At the beginning of January of 2018, I decided I needed to get back on track. The first week I lost 3 lbs. (probably sheer bloat and inflammation.) Amazingly my hips stopped hurting after two weeks. By the third week, the brain fog had begun to lift. I still have a ways to go, but I am glad to be back on the path to wellness.
If you want a jumpstart toward eating healthy. I’ve pinned a variety of Gluten Free and Paleo recipes in my Pinterest Recipe Board (some recipes may not meet these guidelines, but I easily made substitutes to make them fit my diet.) And I have a dedicated Gluten Free Pinterest Board where you can find loads of gluten free recipes.
This past year my Mom bought me this Instant Pot, and after a month of using it, I found it to be the fastest way to get a healthy meal on the table after a busy day.
After embracing my Instant Pot as my new go to kitchen appliance, I purchased this cookbook:
Paleo Cooking with Your Instant Pot by Jennifer Robins
Jennifer has some wonderful recipes and each one is broken down into simple steps that are easy to follow.
Finally, I was super excited to finally receive my copy of Craveable Keto by Kyndra Holley. Her book is filled with beautiful photos and recipes. She has a large collection of bread and wheat substitutes for those of us that miss rolls and crusts. But, best of all, her book is filled with her own personal story of struggling with weight loss. If you only purchase one book this year in an effort to try to change your diet, let it be this one. You can thank me later.
I am determined to stick to a healthier lifestyle, I have too many reasons to stay healthy and in top physical form. Do you want to join me?
I’d love to hear your story, your favorite cookbooks, or recipe suggestions in the comments. Let’s help each other have a healthier lifestyle.
P.s. That salad pictured at the top of this page is one of my favorite recipes I whipped up.
