Guest Blog Series: Summer's Journey, Chapter 2

New year, new me?

No. Resolutions and reset are the theme of the new year, every year. TV commercials glamorize a skinny waistline found simply by drinking shakes; a washboard stomach by enrolling at a new gym or finding happiness by joining a weight loss program. I’ve done some of these things but I know, logically, what works is moving my body more often and choosing real food.

Despite logic, the tidal wave of pressure to be skinny got the best of me this year. I started a juice fast on January 1st thinking… knowing that drinking only juiced vegetables and fruits will cause weight loss. But, is it healthy?

More importantly, is it sustainable?

I still opted to wake up that morning and begin with at least 10 days of juice only.

Day 1: I was freezing cold, have a headache and my body ached. Which, I tell myself, are all “normal” feelings for fasting.

Day 2: My body is fatigued, I slept horribly and am nauseous. I choose to force myself through a run. By the end of the day, I am vomiting. Still, my broken thoughts try to appease my hunger by telling me it is just a part of the process.

I wake up on Day 3 with clarity. Juice fasting leads to weight loss, yes.

Once I begin eating food again though, most of the weight returns. In addition, the way I am treating my body is as if something is wrong. Nothing is wrong with my body!

I want it to change but how can I accomplish that lovingly? How can I show myself compassion instead of painfully forcing it to comply?

I am working with Crystal, the nutrition goddess from Experience Momentum and in every session we discuss my internal dialogue and self-talk. I heard her voice in my head asking “are you being kind to yourself by juice fasting?” I wasn’t, so I made the choice to stop. I want a quick loss of weight so stopping the fast felt really scary. I took myself back to the grocery store and restocked our pantry and fridge of healthy foods. I threw away candy gifted to me at Christmas because I know after a hard day at work, I choose candy. I made a plan for meals that are fulfilling, healthy, include fresh and whole foods. I bought a new lunch box for work because a cute bag makes it all better, right?

As I focus this year on achieving my goal of reaching a total of 100 pounds lost ( 6 pounds to go!) I am sure to have another moment of panic like I did on day one of 2019 but I know what to do. I hope sharing my story and trusting the process will lead to my success. In the course of these past four years of losing weight I have found some amazing recipes (and some… not! Just ask Dean) .

The first recipe I went back to was homemade turkey burgers. Yum!