As for exercise, I HATE it. I would rather take a nice walk, or work in the yard, or do 30 minutes of housework than exercise. I started doing, “Classical Stretch” which keeps me vertical for 30 minutes and actually helps me from feeling stiff. But all this extreme stuff ,,, forget it! Thanks for sharing this. Already bought the book!!

I definitely agree with you Maxine! I know that I have to aim for 100% compliance. Nowadays my “cheats” are whole fruits, dried apples or date & coconut rolls (I am following the Paleo Auto Immune Protocol for my rheumatoid arthritis). Even then I have to watch myself; I just ate a 1/2 pint of raspberries!

What type of exercise are you doing?

I need a mommy easy diet. Just to get new ideas. I’m always searching for how I can make myself healthier and therefore incorporate healthy food choices into my family as well.

One of the sites I recently stumbled across was:
Iquitsugar.com

Though it does promote a 8wk course of detoxing from fructose sugar. And has a lot of articles and recipes on making healthier choices, including natural sugar alternatives. I think between this site and that I will get a lot of ideas. I just wanna share with you or anyone else who’s looking for change.

Thanks again!

I have found my bosom buddy. I too have been left severely overweight (70 lbs.) after 6 c-sections. Homeschool, too, which means I sit most of the day. I’m a diet dodo. Gained 12 lbs. while ON my last diet and was ready to call it quits. Then I foud George Cruise’s book “Eight Minutes in the Morning for Those Who Have More Than 30 Pounds to Lose”. His plan is simple, too. Half the plate veggies, a quarter meat or protein, and a quarter grain or high carb such as potato. It took a week or so to catch on. I had to adjust. But I can still have my pancakes AND bacon as long as I have a whole grapefruit to go with it. The exercises are for those who hate exercise – quick, easy, and no equipment. Do I like to exercise now? No. But I can do this. And I’m feeling better so I’m not asking the kids to be my gopher so much. Added exercise I don’t mind. Discloser: I’m only down 8 pounds (3 weeks) but in the past I’ve never lost more than 4. I’ve now doubled that!

We support you! The stress of having four kids and dealing with hormonal shifts as we age leaves us at a big disadvantage.

What’s worked for me is the start off the day with a spinach and protein powder smoothie. Then, if I do nothing else right that day, I know I fed my cells which reduced my sugar cravings and have “squeezed in more green.”

Then I try to drink lots of water, sweat 4x a week, and get enough sleep. The rest is gravy. I can’t worry about my self worth being tied to momentary willpower lapses, so I stopped. I just squeeze in more greens and leave less room for the crap.

Diets leave us feeling like we have one more thing to do before we get to be acceptable and then we rebel and sabotage. Eff that! Water, sleep, cardio, and greens will have it off in no time. Fully enjoy whatever treat you’re having and stop eating before it moves from pleasure to shame. Keep it positive because we deserve to feel good!

I love Wellness Mama! I have an anxiety/depression/mood blog focused on feeling good called gethealthysexyhappy.com. Wellness Mama has been doing a lot of good for a lot of people for a long time. Keep building this fabulous community!

philosophy on health and weight loss, I’ve followed your blog for years and learned so much. But my weight is a constant problem as both of my parents have diabetes and I’m scared that both myself and my eldest daughter 13, are in line to get it too. She has always been on the chubby side, from birth. Could you please give me some suggestions for both myself and my 13 year old? Thank you, love Kellie

The amazing part was that after awhile, I just didn’t want to overindulge on cheat days anymore. They made me feel gross and bloated and irritable. And now (3 years later granted) I don’t even have cheat days, but I still make room for the occasional ben and jerry’s or margarita. However, I do give the cheat days a lot of credit for easing me into this lifestyle!

My diet nowadays consists on eating very heathy and wholesome foods 5 times a day. I eat a LOT in the morning, a very nice-sized lunch, and a smaller dinner… I eat healthy snacks like fruits and nuts between these three meals. It is VERY satisfying… I am never REALLY HUNGRY!
I lost all of the “baby fat” I had packed-up while trying every meat possible and imaginable for these 8 months.

A healthy diet is the way to go! It is way better than going on a diet and shock your body!
If you want to lose weigh: Do it for your health, don’t do it because summer is coming and your best friend’s pool party is around the corner next month! It’s a little stupid!
Just be healthy and STAY healthy! That is the best diet you can do for you, your body, and your soul!