I have been following the Trim Healthy Mama way of eating now for a year and seven months. I thought I would write out my journey here before I forget it!!
It actually began in January of 2013 when I ordered the book. When it arrived, I was a bit intimidated by it's size. Over 600 pages long. Although much of it is filled with recipes. I read the sisters stories, which is toward the back of the book. I thought, no way. This is too complicated for me. I will never learn this. I closed the book, and it sat on my bedroom floor for seven months.
In July of 2013, on my birthday, we decided we would bomb the house as we were having an issue with fleas. We made it a fun tactical game. I was texting with a friend and said we were going to go eat. my friend said, "Happy eating!" Oh my. that set off an avalanche of thoughts. Since when was eating happy? I know we are to do everything to the glory of God, but I could not recall the last time eating was something fun, joyous, or to God's glory. I was miserable. The longer things went, the worse things got. So much so, that towards the end of August, I was so scared.
Not only was I so scared, I was filled with fear. One day, I was hungry at some point, but so scared to go into the kitchen, afraid I would over eat yet again. I locked myself in the bathroom and was just sobbing. Scared, filled with fear, and at the end of me. I texted five people I respected and trusted and asked for prayer. I felt like I was on total self destruct with food, filled with fear, and didn't know what else to do. They all agreed to pray. Also, sometime before this I think. I forget the timing, but on this preacher guy's site that I love, he asked if we would be brave and say a dream we had, and he would pray for us. To me, the most outlandish, impossible dream I could imagine, was to lose 100 pounds.
Nothing changed after I texted my friends. At least not immediately. However, within a week, I saw on the author page of Trim Healthy Mama, on facebook, a testimony. I don't recall what it said exactly, or who it even was, but it gave me hope for the first time in a long time. And, I thought, I have the book, maybe I can do this.
So I picked up the book off my bedroom floor and went to the chapter about getting started, and read that, and looked at some of the recipes, and ordered a few things to make one of the shakes. The fat stripping frappa. And just began. I did not change everything right away, but began to learn this whole new language and way of eating.
Within the first month I lost ten pounds! WOW. I did not feel deprived at all. The second month, twelve pounds. Then it tapered off, to within five months, I lost 37 pounds. Then over the course of the next thirteen months, I lost and gained and lost the same seven pounds. At one point I sensed God asking me, if I never lost another pound, would I still serve Him? Oh my goodness. I admit to having a little temper tantrum and eating cake for four days. Then fell to my knees, and said, Yes Lord. Even if I never lose another pound, I will serve You. There is no other God besides You.
I did go through some times of being discouraged. Especially when I compared my story to so many others I saw on the Trim Healthy Mama pages. However, I know that God's Word says if we compare ourselves to one another, we are not being wise. I know I need to look to my Heavenly Father as my source through all this journey.
Anyhow, in the book, it talks about having stubborn donkey weight. Yes!! I can relate! One of the things the book recommends is to do what is called a fuel cycle every other month to cajole this weight off and begin to rev our metabolism. I had done several of those with no changes. UNTIL, March of this year, and I now have lost an additional few pounds with a total of 41 pounds gone.
I am eternally grateful to God for leading me to this plan. The sisters who wrote the book. My dear friends I texted that day when in despair and feeling like I had no hope. My friend's blog that challenged me to dream. My family! Oh my goodness. My family have all been so supportive.
And to all the ladies who are on the Trim Healthy Mama pages who make wonderful recipes and share them with all of us. There are a few who have inspired me greatly. I know I am leaving people out, but to all my friends and family, thank you for your prayers, and loving me right where I am. I love you too. I have more to say, but for now this is enough. God bless you!
