So many of us are acutely aware of our health these days, especially considering our current climate over the past 1 1/2 years. (Has it really been that long??).
And many of us have succumbed to stressful situations with less-than-ideal actions (like me in last week’s article!).
However, there is a way to give you the ability to attain your health goals or releasing some excess weight or whatever you want to achieve. But sometimes we feel like we are stuck or trapped and can’t get out of our old ways to do what we have to do to finally feel good… and be free.
You see, being stuck, or trapped can make you feel like you are in shackles. How many of you feel that way right now?
I know that for me, last week I could have really spiraled. I’ve done it before.
Have I ever told you that I used to weigh 50 pounds more than I do today? Yeah, I did. I was miserable and honestly hated even looking in the mirror.
I was a binger. A secret one. I would sneak out and buy a bag of cookies and lock myself in the bathroom and down them in one sitting. But my brilliant idea to make those cookies “not count” was to simply “bring them back up.” Yup-easy peazy. Sit on the toilet while I ate and kneel down in front of the toilet to purge them.
Seemed like a good idea but it didn’t work. In fact, it made me gain even more weight as I thought I could eat more because “didn’t count.” We sure can convince ourselves of anything.
Then, I went away to college, and it was way too tricky to do my routine in a public bathroom. Plus, it was co-ed! So that definitely was not going to work. So, I eventually gave that up.
But what was interesting was that I “discovered” vegetables in college. I know…really?? Who eats better in college than at home? For me, in my warped brain, I thought everyone was looking at everything I ate and would judge the fat girl for eating food that was fattening. So, I HAD to eat a little healthier.
I started enjoying all the different types of vegetables that we never had at home. Now, I’m not criticizing at all. I know my mom always did her best trying to make home-cooked meals for 4 kids and my dad while driving all the carpools and all the cleaning and laundry, etc. Making home-cooked meals was the big victory which was still considered “more” healthy than not.
But the only vegetables we had growing up was iceberg lettuce. Maybe she added some tomatoes if she had time to cut them up and add to the salad, and then occasionally canned green beans or corn. That was it.
So, getting back to college, I found that I enjoyed vegetables and found myself leaning towards a salad for lunch and at least one vegetable with dinner. Keep in mind, I didn’t turn into a veggie queen or even anywhere close to where I am today, it was just a gradual shift.
But then, without even realizing it, the weight started to release! Down 10 pounds, then 20, then 30…
A few years later, I discovered another new thing–the stairmaster! Now, I was the girl that never exercised. Part of me was embarrassed (so sad–the crazy amount of time I thought other people were laughing at me…) and the other part was that none of my friends worked out.
My boyfriend at the time (my now incredible husband of 30 years!) got me into going to the gym. And that was a game-changer. In a short amount of time, I was able to release 15 more pounds.
Then, when my daughter got so sick from an autoimmune disease back in 2005, we healed her with the power of REAL food so that her body could go back to balance naturally. So, of course we learned how to make new AND delicious food that nourished our bodies. Without even trying, I released that final 5 which takes me to where I am today.
I may go up and down 5 pounds here or there (or even over 10 pounds back in. the Spring of 2019!), but generally I’ve been able to maintain my body’s optimal weight for years using this “Secret” that I didn’t even know was a secret.
This secret gave me that FREEDOM that I craved so much. The freedom of feeling good about myself and being OK to look at myself in the mirror and to even feel confident. This was HUGE for me. Maybe you feel the same way.
But it was also the freedom to not always obsess so much and think about everything I put in my mouth. The freedom to get where I was finally consistent and comfortable and NOT think about it so much.
My mentor, James Wedmore put it into words what I had done, the Big Secret.
“Structure is what gives you freedom.”
Think about this for a minute. It may seeeeem counterintuitive. Because structure to some may feel even more constricting. But it’s not. When you have steadfast rules, things are more black and white. and then it’s easier to follow.
For example, once I started eating vegetables, I felt better and made sure I ate them every day. Then, when I started working out, I started to make rules to myself that I would work out 5 days a week.
These then eventually turned into HABITS that I don’t even think about now.
This structure that I set up unknowingly was what really saved me from spiraling last week, too. My black and whites or food structure that I have for myself is that I never eat gluten or cow’s dairy. Never.
While I may have sweeter things infrequently, it is usually home-made and with healthier ingredients. My rule is that I would never buy any processed food with questionable ingredients.
Some may look at this as restrictive. But I look at it as a way to make my life easier! There is no questioning whether or not to eat something. Either I eat it or I don’t. I know what makes me feel lousy and drained and choose my black and whites that make me feel good and energized. Plus, I now have some darn good recipes than I can swap for so many of my previous vices.
The best part is that when you practice these black and whites for a while, it simply becomes habit without even realizing. It becomes easy.
So, I invite you to add structure to your life to give yourself the freedom that you’ve been craving.
Any health journey starts with food as foundation.
The first type of food is for your brain. You need a powerful reason to make any type of change and I’m hoping that I made my case for you here. Then, we get to the food or fuel (yes, everything you eat is either fuel or does not serve you…) that will nourish your body back to balance.
Add at least one new type of REAL food that will improve your health or help you get to your optimal weight. Maybe you don’t eat enough vegetables and know you should. That’s where I started.
Commit to making a black and white non-negotiable of eating at least 1 additional serving of vegetables a day. But seek to prepare them in a way that you will enjoy them more. I love sauteeing my veggies and adding olive oil, salt and pepper. Maybe you would prefer to add my fave clean dressing, Green Goddess by Trader Joe’s (soooooo good!)–whatever it takes so you can enjoy them more.
Then, think about the foods that are blocking you from getting to your goals. I know that for my clients, once people free themselves of gluten and dairy, the floodgates open, and they start to look and feel amazing. Yes, sugar, too, but let’s START with these. Or just start with what you think will work for you.
The trick is to begin with at least ONE thing that you know will improve your health. It’s not that hard. We all pretty much know what helps our bodies and what hurts our bodies if we’re honest with ourselves.
What will your STRUCTURE be to give you that FREEDOM you crave?
PERHAPS YOU NEED A PROVEN STRUCTURE TO GET STARTED.
For anyone who wants really solid structure with a proven program to help finally release that weight so many of us seemed to add over the past year and a half, I invite you to join Reboot with Real Food. Just under 1,000 others have had amazing success at releasing weight quickly, in just 14 days!
I decided to have a summer flash sale for those who are struggling and are ready to feel more confident and get started NOW. We begin next Thursday, August 19th.
Now I know many of you are thinking that the summer is the worst time. But the truth is that there is never the perfect time. There are always things that come up and then we never end up acting on that one thing that is holding us back from so many other things in our lives.
Plus, even if you are only able to follow, say, 80% of the program…you will still get 80% more of a benefit with what you did follow! And that’s a lot further than where you are today:).
As a special gift, I am offering you 30% off our regular price. That NEVER happens, so you may want to take advantage now for this once-a-year gift. Use promo code Reboot30.
So, please join the group that starts next Thursday, August 19th. If you have any questions, click below to schedule a quick call with me.
Let's Chat!
“It is our choices that show what we truly are far more than our abilities.”
Live well and love more,
Jill Gordon
CHHC, HHC, CNHP, Digestive Health Specialist
www.JilltheHealthCoach.com
All material in this newsletter is provided for information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this publication; instead, readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information provided has not been approved the Food & Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness or disease.
