Four years ago on August 18, 2014, I started the Trim Healthy Mama plan. I’m not exaggerating when I say it changed my life – in more ways than just weight and food. I’ve known the joy of succecss on THM as well as the painful thud of falling off the wagon (and the struggle to climb and stay back on). This update bares it all – the good, the bad, and the ugly – about my THM journey (and the AMAZING). I hope it encourages you and I’d love to hear YOUR story so please leave a comment!
How I Found THM.
Four years ago I decided to go on an amazing adventure – a strenuous 21-day hiking and study tour around Israel and Jordan. But there was a problem – I was so not in shape for such a trip! I weighed over 200 pounds, way too much for my 5’1″ frame, my blood pressure and sugar were high and we’d lost our insurance when they “fixed” healthcare with Obamacare.
June, 2014 – about a month and a half before starting THM. I don’t know how much I weighed here exactly but I’m pretty sure it was close to 200 pounds. I think I guestimated 196.
I knew if I didn’t do something I’d never survive this trip. While going home to glory in the Promised Land may not be a bad thing, at 42 I wasn’t really ready to check out yet. So I did the only thing I knew to do.
I prayed.
Next thing I knew I was pulling a GINORMOUS book and a teeny tiny package of THM Pure Stevia Extract out of a mailer and wondering what in the world I had just gotten myself into. It was a little unnerving!
Diving right into the book I found myself saying “Yes, that is so me!” and “oh my word, that explains [something]”. Light bulb after light bulb began flickering then shining brightly as a whole new understanding of the relationship between food and my body opened up before my eyes.
Even though I made plenty of mistakes in the beginning while trying to figure out how S, E, and FP meals worked the weight began to slip away. Before long I was Freestyling away and loving my new found Food Freedom – self control, healthy choices, and delicious foods.
My blog even transformed from (what I believed were) healthy recipes to Trim Healthy Mama recipes. It was so exciting to experiment with this new way of cooking and eating and of course I had to share it with my readers!
I had set a goal of losing 50 pounds before my trip. That one little goal had a huge impact on me – physically, mentally, and emotionally. So here’s the good, the bad, and the ugly about those 50 little pounds and my THM journey…AND the AMAZING so be sure to read to the end!
Day 1 of THM!
The Good.
The obvious good was that I was losing weight. Significant weight, not just the odd 10 or 20 pounds I’d typically lose on a “diet” before giving up. Not just weight either – inches were also disappearing!
My blood pressure came down to normal without medication!
My blood sugar was better controlled – without medication!
Discovering that I’m not actually a carboholic like I’ve always said was a shocking insight. If I can’t have those carbs deep fried and smothered in cheese sauce I’m really not interested.
Another shocking insight was that I am actually the boss of me. I choose what I put into my body. My tongue is not in control of those decisions!
I’m still following THM! Trim Healthy Mama is a lifestyle, not just a diet. I’ve never stuck to ANY diet for more than a few months. Today is FOUR YEARS (and 16 days) of living the THM way. That. Is. Huge.
And, you absolutely do NOT need fancy special ingredients to be successful on THM! I started with a big, intimidating book and a tiny bag of stevia, long before revised plan books (much less intimidating) cookbooks, Baking Blend, and Gentle Sweet!
I also was able to do some tough hiking in the Holy Land. Which is entirely uphill, btw.
THM Lessons Learned
It was often frustrating that the scale didn’t move much but my pants were falling off. But it taught me that the scale is just one tool. That number does not define me! I can use it to help me determine if I’m on track or need to make adjustments but it doesn’t rule me.
You’re either feeding health or feeding disease with every bite you take. Choose life!
Perfectionism is a recipe for disaster. My all-or-nothing attitude…if I can’t do it perfectly I just won’t do it…had to change. THM has grace built in for a reason – despite all your best plans and intentions, life will happen. Start over in 3 hours and move on! Just don’t let it become a crutch or an excuse to cheat.
The Bad.
This section is tough…because I honestly can’t think of one bad thing about THM at all. What’s “bad” about a diet is sometimes relative (it’s not really bad that I shouldn’t eat cheeseburgers and fries from a fast food place but my Inner Toddler thinks it’s the end of the world). There are some diets out there that are very extreme and may be bad in the long run for your overall health. THM is a very balanced approach to nutrition and health and balance is a good thing!
The bad here for me deals mostly with me being my own worst enemy. Mindset is such a huge part of being successful on THM (and anything, really).
Carb fears – thanks to doing the Atkins diet years ago (like 12 years ago!) I had deeply ingrained fears regarding carby foods. So THM E (Energizing) meals were a real struggle. I mostly ate S (in all its glorious, Satisfying forms) and the occasional Fuel Pull. About 4 months in my weight loss really slowed to a crawl. But because I had that “carbs are the devil, carbs make you fat” dialogue going through my head I did not eat them often.
Comparison trap – in the beginning the weight was just melting off! It was amazing and wonderful and awesome! Then when things really slowed down (see above paragraph) I started getting kind of discouraged.
I’d see those awesome posts in the Facebook group about how so-and-so was only on plan 75% and has reached her goal weight in just 3 months! My mother in law, who started THM way after I did, got to her goal weight in under a year and I was still struggling along.
So. Not. Fair.
I was so focused on my unmet expectations I did not notice this!
THM Lessons Learned
Changing my mindset on comfort foods really helped! What defines comfort food anyway? Does it really comfort you when it packs on the pounds? Read about The Comfort Food Myth and redefining what comfort food means.
Carbs in moderation, prepared in healthy ways, are good for you! See how I finally conquered my carb fears here. And here are my top tips for E meals that I learned through the challenge.
I am me, not that lady on Facebook. Not my mother in law. I have my own unique make up and challenges. So I came up with a THM Creed for when I feel like it’s just not fair.
The Ugly.
Oh the ugly. I don’t want to go there. But since I put “keepin it real” in the title then I must.
Remember those 50 pounds I mentioned earlier? The goal I wanted to hit before leaving for my hiking trip? I didn’t quite make it. I lost 40 – the most weight I’d ever lost at one time in my life! That is an amazing accomplishment!
Surely I’d lose those last 10 pounds hiking around the Middle East for almost 3 weeks, right?
You’d think so. It would be a logical assumption. But the ugly fact was that I didn’t lose one inch or one ounce on that trip. I was so disappointed that I didn’t even see that not gaining was still a success!
I let that ONE disappointment sink deep down inside my headspace. You know the place…the one where all the You’ll Never’s and You’re Such A Failure’s and Why Do You Bother’s all hang out and whoop it up. Sometimes they get so loud it drowns out the truths you learned along the way.
A back injury 2 years ago didn’t help either. I had started running (that right there is a miracle, I really don’t like exercise) but after hurting my back and about 6 months to heal completely there was no exercise happening – running or otherwise!
I may have pouted and sulked a bit. I definitely was eating my emotions.
Over the course of 3 years I slowly gained back weight (and the corresponding blood pressure and blood sugar issues). All but 10 pounds – a miracle, really, that I didn’t gain it all back and then some. But YHWH was working on an amazing plan for me. I just had no idea.
A year ago, August 18. A super fun meetup with Wardee from Traditional Cooking School, Lindsey from All the Nourishing Things, and my bestie Heather from The Homesteading Hippy (and Easy Keto Dishes). These ladies have encouraged and inspired me so much over the last few years!
THM Lessons Learned
My head, if allowed, will work against me. I’ve never really liked myself all that much and “failures” like this just reinforced what I believed. I had to change what I believed. I had to look for the successes and not focus on what I did wrong.
Emotional eating is destructive! If you don’t know what fuels it you can’t do much to change it. A $2 thrift store bowl helped me understand that liberating truth. Read more in What’s In Your Bowl {and Does it Fuel Your Emotional Eating?}.
THM works! It works best when you’re 100% on plan but some change is better than no change. I never 100% abandoned THM but had seasons where I was well under 50% on plan. Can’t blame the plan when I’m not doing it 100%! I know THM works, the issue was 100% me and not any fault in the plan.
If you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired, do something about it. I found myself back in that place again…feeling awful, no energy, hating myself for giving in to cravings and not caring what I ate. If you keep doing the same things over and over expecting different results what does that make you? A little crazy, right? When you finally get to that place of being truly tired of where you are you have 2 choices – do something different or keep doing what makes you miserable.
The Amazing!
If you’re still with me, bless you! There’s just no way to talk about 4 years of THM living in 500 words, well at least not for ME 😉
At one point this year I was feeling very low about THM. On the verge of giving up. In January I challenged myself to eat an E meal or snack every day for a week and conquered my carb fears. I was slowly slimming down again and feeling much better.
Then, the dumb time change came again.
I absolutely positively loathe Spring Forward with all of my being. It messes me up so badly! It’s not just an hour of lost sleep for me, it really affects me physically. For weeks and weeks I struggled, as usual, and this year I almost just threw in the towel on THM. The past 3 years have been such a struggle for me and I was, frankly, just tired of beating myself up and failing.
Then I decided to do something crazy and take my daughter to London. She’s my first baby, she’s done with school, and turned 18 in July so I thought why not? Why not step out of my comfort zone and do something just wild and nuts?
Another overseas trip. Another reason to get back on the THM wagon and rock it like I did 4 years ago. I found some motivation again (because somehow getting trim and healthy for myself and my family isn’t enough motivation).
This trip overseas I was 20 pounds heavier than the last time I journeyed abroad. It’s disappointing on one hand, on the other I think it’s a testimony that this Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle works, even when you’re struggling. I could have very easily gained back the 40 pounds I lost (and then some) had I not continued following THM.
And then a few weeks ago I got an email about the THM Coaching Program finally launching! As I first read the email something in my heart just leaped. I knew with all of my being that this is what I am meant to do. When I read that the Coaching program had been in development for 3 years, suddenly everything made sense to me.
Those 3 years of struggles? Preparation for this moment. How can I connect with other THMs and help them if I have no understanding of how they’re struggling? If I know where you’re at (and what you’re thinking) I can help you overcome those struggles and obstacles.
Well played, YHWH. Well played. How many times in our lives do we question our circumstances because we see no purpose in them? How many times do we get mad at our Creator because it seems He has abandoned us in our time of need?
Perspective. It changes everything.
If you’re feeling sullen, sad, mad, neglected, abandoned, hopeless or otherwise a victim of your circumstances I challenge you to take off those lenses you’re wearing and put on some new ones. Look at your situation from another angle. If you can’t, find a friend who can help you see things in a new light.
Then, you have a choice to make. Accept that the truth might be different than what you believe or continue to wallow where you’re at. No one can make you get out of that pit but you. Others can reach down and help pull you out but if you’re not willing to grab their hand…there you will stay. It’s up to you.
Harsh, I know. But sometimes truth is hard to swallow. Sometimes it needs to be that way.
#timeflieswhenyouthm
So now I’m celebrating over 4 years of THM living! I’ve lost 10 pounds in the last few weeks (as of when I wrote this before leaving for England). I’m rocking those E meals again. What the scale says doesn’t stress me out. I’m giving myself grace when I need it. And I’m regaining my self-control (#butlondon 😉 ).
I’m pushing 50 now and that means different challenges as my hormones change. That means stretching, growing, and learning how to best fuel my body at this stage of life.
My main goal in our homeschool has always been to instill a love of learning in my kiddos. I love to learn too and thankfully they have caught that same passion. Sister said just today “just because I’m done with school doesn’t mean I quit learning, mom.” That’s my girl! And as science and experience reveal more things about these amazing bodies of ours sometimes that means we need to adapt a bit.
For me, that means cutting back on dairy, eating more E meals, and keeping my S meals on the lighter side. Guess what? When I eat like that, I feel better. Those Heavy S meals I used to adore so? Not so much.
Most of all I’m excited about this new season in my THM life. I don’t know what this Coaching business will look like yet (the plan I get, the business part is a challenge for sure) but I trust that YHWH will bring people to me that I can help. There’s nothing like doing what you’re passionate about – for me, it’s helping others succeed on the THM plan (because it will truly change your life – if you’re ready to change).
**UPDATE** I intended to schedule this to post while I was in England then decided I wanted to add photos. Can you believe I didn’t get any photos of me on my actual Trimmiversary day?? We were still very jet laggy that day and it didn’t even occur to me that it was that day! I’ll be sharing a post soon about our trip and whether it was easy or hard to stay on plan while traveling.
What is YOUR THM Story? Please Leave a Comment Below, I’d Love to Hear! Your Story May Inspire Someone Else So Don’t Be Afraid To Share Your Good, Bad, and Ugly on THM!
If you found this post encouraging, inspiring, or helpful in anyway would you please share on your social media channels? You can easily pin the image below to your THM Lifestyle Board on Pinterest, too. Thank you!
Beth says
You are an inspiration, my friend!
I began dipping my toe into the THM lifestyle in Nov, 2017 at which time I joined the FB community. Yours was one of the first posts I saw and I immediately felt a kindered spirit with you. I have been following you ever since and have learned this plan by your side.
It’s amazing to be witness to your journey – in all of its vulnerability and success.
Keep rockin’ our THM world – You are making a difference to me.
Beth (Canada)
Dawn Yoder says
Thank you so much for your kind words Beth, that means so much to me. I’m glad you’ve felt a connection with me and that I’ve been able to encourage and inspire you and make a difference in your life. That’s why I do what I do! I may never be a Briana Thomas in the blogging world but as long as I can make a difference in people’s lives that’s what matters.
And if you ever get the chance to meet Briana, she is just the sweetest thing!
Sherry says
Thank you soooo much! That was a wonderful post!!! It was just what I needed!
My THM journey began in September 2015 when my DIL bought me the original THM book as a birthday present. I was about 278 lbs at that time, down from 289 at my highest. I did pretty good until the early part of 2016 when I fell off the wagon (actually, I bailed off) and couldn’t get my head back in the game for nearly 6 months. In August of 2016 I decided it was time to get serious with THM. I did really well and got down to 224 lbs by March of the following year (my lowest in 5 years), but like an idiot, I bailed off the wagon AGAIN and quickly regained 15 lbs. It’s been on again/off again ever since and I still have 10 lbs to go to be back down where I was in March 2017. I fully believe in THM and I KNOW it works. My problem has always been ME. I don’t plan ahead like I should and that gets me in trouble every time. With the past in mind, I am beginning September 2018 with a different mindset–I WILL PLAN AHEAD. Feeling confident and excited!
Thank you again for your inspiring post.
Dawn Yoder says
Hi Sherry!
Thanks so much for sharing your story! I so know what you mean, I do pretty well most of the time freestyling but not planning ahead definitely gets me far too often! Here’s to planning ahead this month – I am working a long day today and packed a mason jar salad (S), a turkey breast sandwich on sprouted bread (E), green peppers, and strawberries to take along. I’m working at a local flea market and there’s lots of temptations there!
Now, I believe you will be successful because you have acknowledged what the problem is and you know how to solve it! Remember to look back on the success you’ve had and let that encourage you that you can indeed do this. If you start thinking about the “failures” stop yourself and remember they’re part of the process that brought you to where you are now – helping you recognize that you need to plan ahead 😉
Alice says
Thanks for sharing your story, Dawn! I started THM almost exactly the same time as you did. I had been told about it (and invited to try it) several times by different people but turned them both down with a resounding “NO”. I had begun praying each day that God would heal the things in me that needed healing…no matter what it was. Then I saw a picture of myself at my grandson’s graduation and thought, “I don’t want to look like that!”. I began reading my daughter’s plan book while I was visiting and later that summer bought my own book and began as best I could. By early Oct I had lost 15 lbs and my CPAP machine was blowing too hard and I had to have the pressure adjusted – doc reduced the pressure by 40%. I found that I was able to just walk past those “eats and treats” that used to call to me, and when I tasted them after being on THM for a while, I found that they just didn’t taste good to me anymore. I’m not going to give you the whole story, but while I lost over 50lbs, (High of 240 before starting THM, started THM at about 235 – now in the lower 180’s) I haven’t lost a pound in over 2 years. Still, my body has continued to change shape. I’ve had some ups and downs with life but have tried to do my best to remain “faithful” to the THM principles. I know that sometimes I accidentally crossover, and I eat too many nuts and too much cheese, but there are veggies and foods that in the past I turned my nose up at…and they taste good to me now. I’m in this by myself…my hubby isn’t the least bit interested, even though he could use it. He’s retired so cooks for himself…potatoes, pasta, and considers corn a veggie. So when he cooks a steak on the grill, I make myself something other than a potato to go with it. I feel better overall and plan to eat this way for the rest of my life. I give myself grace when it’s needed and make the best choices I can when partaking of food that someone has prepared for me. I’m thankful to God for changing my heart and my mind and healing many things that needed to be healed. THM for life…to God’s glory.
Dawn Yoder says
Thank you Alice for sharing your story! You’ve done an amazing job and should feel very proud. It’s not easy being the only one in the house who eats like this, I know that as well. What a wonderful testimony you have to share! Keep doing what is working for you, and if something isn’t working don’t be afraid to ask questions or try a new approach. I adore cheese and cream so cutting back on dairy isn’t so fun but I feel better so it’s worth it! And yes, to YHWH be the glory for healing and changing what needs changed!
Tammy says
Thank you for sharing. I’ve been struggling for two years and just can’t seem to grasp it. I’ve lost 10 whole pounds in that 3 years. I get confused and mess up all the tine then get upset and throw my hands up only to try again later. I’m a DTS and cooking is stressful for me but I have to keep meals on hand or I will grab and go. I also hate excel use. I am 60 and can see the results of my body abuse over the years with the yo yo. Your story is so near to myself. I would like for you to be my coach. What do I need to do to have you as my coach.
Dawn Yoder says
Hi Tammy!
I’m sorry you’re struggling so much. I know how frustrating that is! But good for you for not giving up completely, that is a success no matter how small 😉 I will email you about coaching.
carmen says
You have done an amazing job losing weight.
Dawn Yoder says
Thank you Carmen!