Bloom. 3 Years Later

 

 

    Celebrating my three year anniversary of not being pre-diabetic anymore and major lifestyle change. 3 years, wow!! I know some of you are having the same issues as me, so I thought I would share. In the past three years I have lost at least 54 pounds. The even better news is I am keeping it off! My number one goal has always been to maintain what I have lost. And to be able to maintain that weight loss, well ... that feels like the biggest success to me.

    My second goal was to drop under 200 and stay there. I can say I have been able to maintain that goal for 7 months now. I am not sure what my next goal is, but honestly I am just happy with what I have obtained so far. I still eat a very low-carb version of Paleo. I still struggle with eating enough veggies. My goal is to make 70% of my daily diet low-carb veggies. I do it, but still have lazy days. I exercise once a week for 1 ½ hours (hard) and "try" to work out another day for 40 minutes, but I do not beat myself up if it does not happen.

Really I have only made 2 changes this past year.

1. I use to walk 3 miles. Now I work on strength training and build muscle, plus walking. When you lose so much weight you end up with lotsss of sagging skin. It's kind of scary :-O Plus I am not sure I had any muscles in my body to begin with ;-) I could barely workout with 2 ½ # weights for 3 minutes, 2 years ago. So building muscles and working on my core strength has been my focus and boy can I see a difference. I have slimmed my arms and stomach, been focusing on my gluts lately and am in a size 12 jeans (I was an 20 before). I still have a longggg ways to go. But it is amazing to be able to focus on a part of your body and know with hard work you can make changes.

 

2. I drink vinegar water and kombucha every day. I drink water all day and always add a TBL of raw apple cider vinegar to my water. I started off with less but got use to the taste and now can add more. Also now I drink glass of kombucha everyday too. Both really help regulate my blood sugar, help with my digestion and gut health. Gut health is everything. If you have not read Brain Maker I highly recommend it. Everyone should read it. Last Christmas I gained weight, this Christmas I did not gain any weight. I think the kombucha is helping my body to heal and therefore I am staying in my zone better, even though I did not work out and ate treats.

 

    So adding weight training and drinking kombucha is really the only changes I have made this year. If you are interested in reading about what I have been doing, read my Bloom series. Really I am just doing what I have been doing the past three years and it works for me. I have had people argue with me that eat fat is unhealthy and low-carb is a fad. All I can say after three years, my body would disagree with you. I listen to my body, it very clearly tells me what it needs and what is does not. So I would encourage you to do the same. Listen to your body, do what works for you and be positive. This is a lifestyle change, that means you will be spending the rest of your life taking care of yourself. That is a journey and journeys never end!

 

PS. The top photo I took at Bittersweet Apothecary in Liberty Missouri. A charming shop full off goodies!!

 

 

Comments

[Children of Eve]

Congratulations Clarice, you are an inspiration to so many people. You did it! And even better than that, you did it tasty and beautiful!!

[Tracy A.]

Good for you Clarice! Three years ago I dropped quite a bit of weight - today it's almost all back. You inspire me to try again!

[Marqueta]

Dear Clarice,

You are such an inspiration! I'm still trying to get my diabetic husband to eat more veggies and get more exercise. I know how hard you've worked, and how hard it is to stay motivated, but look what you've accomplished! Such a great example to follow.

Love,

Marqueta

[Lynn]

Clarice, you look wonderful! You look beautiful and healthy! I am so happy for you and proud of you. I need to do better lately. I am neglecting exercise right now. I can totally see the results of that as well. I am going to do my best to get walking and some weights back into my routine!
xoxo
Lynn

[Deanna Rabe]

You look amazing and you are right being healthy and maintaining is key! I agree about the healthy fats and low carb way to eat! Sugar is the bad guy, not fats.

[Jody]

Looking Good, Clarice!! It's awesome what you are accomplishing to make a healthier lifestyle. And the best part is how you feel. So happy for you!!!!

[Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti]

Congratulations, Clarice! You look fabulous and even better than that you are now healthier and I'm sure happier with the way you feel.

[LINDA COLANTINO]

Congrats Clarice. You have done such a great job. I know how hard this is. I have a few harder issues with the low sodium ( I really miss cheese) and comadin restrictions, but it can be done. I am learning to be patient and learning how to cook very differently. Meal planning is a must for me and helps me keep on track. It's great to have Pinterest to find recipes. Now that they solved my painful foot, I can start finding someways to exercise. I haven't really solved that yet, but I will.
Again, a job well done!

[Lorrie]

Congratulations, Clarice! You've worked hard and done so very well. You're an inspiration!