It seems like the older I get, the faster the years go by! And now another calendar year is behind us. January usually is the busiest month at gyms, workout classes and diet programs. We all seem to get motivated…a new year just seems to be a fresh start.
Last fall, Laurel and I got motivated to lose some weight. We had both thoroughly enjoyed the food during our trip to Italy in the summer and we both affectionately had called our added pounds our ” summer baby” (thanks to our friend Sarah R. for coining the term). I had even named mine “Anita”, as in, ” I-need-ta lose this weight!” I have to admit, I was not feeling the best physically. We both decided to join Simple Body.* Laurel’s hubby Scott was also motivated to join. I convinced Jason to join too, knowing that it would be so much easier for cooking, going out, and keeping each other accountable if we all did it. Over the course of approximately 8 weeks, we collectively lost 110 pounds….we lost a person!! We are not sure who, but we lost someone!
Here’s a pic of the four of us pre-Christmas and holiday indulgence!
In a nutshell, Simple Body is a high protein, low fat, low to no carb, no sugar eating plan. Scott, Laurel, Jason and I all have very different body types and carry our weight in different areas, but it worked equally well for all of us…that’s saying something! I have to say that I feel SO much better after shaving the pounds off. It wasn’t always easy, but it was helpful having a great support group around me. I also learned a few great habits that I can take with me the rest of my life.
- Eat clean – stay away from anything processed or white (flour or sugar).
- Cook veggies in just a bit of good quality olive oil. Use sea salt and freshly ground pepper and fresh herbs and garlic if you like. You will actually start to taste the food for what it is.
- Protein – can you have quite a bit of protein. Just watch how you cook it. Grilling is great. Stay away from heavy sauces.
- Drink your coffee black – I seriously didn’t think I could do it. I remember my grandmother being horrified at the amount of cream that I put in my coffee. Now I order an Americano, straight up….I actually taste the coffee. Here’s another tip….beware of lattes and specialty coffee drinks…you’d be shocked at the calories, the fat and the carbs. Sorry folks, but I’d rather eat my calories! (And this is coming from a Starbucks junkie!)
I will tell you that I did and still do spend a ton of time in the kitchen chopping veggies, but besides that, dinners are pretty quick and easy. Grill some steak (or chicken or fish) and saute up some veggies….no time spent making heavy sauces or casseroles.
One of my favorite things that I ate while on the plan and that I still eat is sauteed cauliflowers (click here for recipe). It’s low in fat and tastes amazing drizzled with just a bit of truffle olive oil.
If we can do it, seriously you can too!! You will feel better and this type of eating is so much better for you!! Don’t worry so much about the pounds….be more concerned about how you feel. You are worth putting good, healthy and yummy food into your body! And if you have kids, you will be teaching them healthy eating habits that they will carry on throughout their lives. In fact, my kids never complained about any of the meals I put on the table while I was on the diet.
During Christmas and our subsequent holiday, all four of us enjoyed our food…it was a bit of an extended indulgence. So, TODAY, yes today, all four of us are getting back on the programme for about two weeks. That’s the great thing about this programme…we know it works and what we need to do once in a while to get back to where we want to be.
And here’s some really great news for our local followers… Simple Body is offering Sugar Plum Sisters’ readers 200 free points when signing up from today until January 31, 2013 (please contact Simple Body consultant for details and restrictions). Call 1-800-805-3715 and tell them the Sugar Plum Sisters sent you!
So, here’s to a new year and an even better you! However you choose to get healthier this year, find a friend to join you…it’s way more fun to do it together and so much easier. Cheers!
*Please note that you should always consult your physician before starting this or any other diet.
