Today I’m thrilled to share an inspiring dialog with Jennie, a devoted Sugar Free Mom Tribe member who went from 196 kilos to 148 kilos and dropped from a dimension 16 to a dimension 8. Not solely has she reached her objectives, however she’s efficiently maintained them. Her story is proof that lasting success is feasible when you’ve the correct instruments, mindset, and assist.
Can you begin by telling us just a little bit about your self—the place you’re from, what introduced you to the tribe, and what your life regarded like earlier than this journey started?
My Name is Jennie Walker I’m 53 years outdated. I stay in Michigan with my husband Matt of 33 years. I’ve two boys. Trent is 30 and Brendan is 26. I even have two miniature Schnauzers, Monty and Lewy.
My journey into my sugar free world began on March 11, 2024.
The November earlier than I did an Amazon order for Christmas and I bear in mind the 30- Day Sugar Elimination Book however didn’t understand I put it in my cart. So, once I obtained my order the guide got here with it. I did take into consideration returning however as a substitute I began studying it.
Then on March 9, 2024, I requested my husband if he needed to do that Sugar Free weight-reduction plan with me and use this cool guide that tells us what to eat and why we’re consuming it. He agreed and we began on March 11, 2024.
After 30 days and finishing the guide, we actually knew what to do to proceed. I used to be down 17 kilos, and he was down 21.
Being a former Weight Watcher buyer and chief I used to be petrified to not have assist.
Once I acquired to the again of the guide and discovered Brenda had a Tribe I instantly went and
talked to my physician. She didn’t care what I used to be doing, simply glad I used to be doing it and wrote me a letter to offer to my HSA in order that they might cowl the price of being within the Tribe.
I’ve been a member since and I’m formally in Maintenance. I Started at 196 and acquired to my aim of 148.
My Husband Matt began at 297 and now weighs 213. I can say that this can be a lifetime change for us we’ll by no means return. Read more here on their personal weight loss.
How many instances have you ever tried weight reduction up to now, and what would you say made these makes an attempt fall quick when it comes to upkeep?
It actually has been on and off once more my entire life. I’ve exercised I imply actually alot of train for years. Exercise at all times dictated how and what I might eat. I’ve at all times been a part of Weight Watchers.
I used to be a Lifetime member and a Leader at one level. The purpose why I couldn’t maintain onto my weight reduction is as a result of Weight Watchers by no means defined why they did what they did.
You simply adopted it and hoped for the very best. Brenda defined the science behind why it really works and the way it works in her books. This gave me extra religion in believing what I used to be doing this time
round would actually work.
What was your largest worry about upkeep earlier than becoming a member of the SFM Tribe?
My largest worry is that I might lose it!!!!! It is really easy to occur. You don’t get the joy about shedding weight any longer.
Bad habits are straightforward to fall again into since you are the place you need to be and you recognize it gained’t damage you. I’m simply so afraid that can occur.
I simply don’t need to get up each day ever once more and never have the sensation I’ve when I’m placing what serves me greatest into my physique.
What shifted for you on this program that helped you lastly keep as a substitute of beginning over once more?
On the day that I might go into my closet and choose issues out that I had not worn in years (THEY FIT). The vitality I had each day.
The sleep good god I sleep so goooooood! The factor is we realized that we actually loved consuming like this and the way it made me really feel. I’ve by no means been on every other weight-reduction plan the place I felt nearly as good as I did.
How did the tribe assist your mindset and habits throughout the transition from weight reduction to upkeep?
The greatest a part of the Tribe is that you’ve entry to so many individuals which are going via the identical factor you’re.
The Facebook web page, the separate chats in messenger and the conferences we’ve got each week actually present assist. The largest factor are the challenges that Brenda does each month.
This helps me keep in examine and jogs my memory what I need to do to remain in Maintenance. It makes me accountable to myself. When folks in our group inform me how good I’m doing I can’t allow them to down.
Were there particular instruments, routines, or mindset shifts that made the most important distinction for you throughout upkeep?
I take advantage of the Carb Manager and Eato App to trace my meals energy and macros. I can inform you my 30-day Sugar Elimination book has been cherished so much. I take advantage of it nearly each day.
I needed to substitute the routines that didn’t work for me. Every day once I would come house from work I’m going into the pantry, seize a bag of chips and eat the entire bag.
Now once I come house from work I instantly stroll out to my backyard or water my flowers. I discover some exercise till time for dinner then I make a dinner that can serve me and never hurt me.
I by no means considered what I used to be placing into my physique. Once I understood what was in processed meals and the way I felt when I didn’t eat it any longer is once I knew I might do that.
People say it’s not possible to take sugar, gluten and processed meals out of your weight-reduction plan, however we did it and if you know the way that makes you’re feeling there is no such thing as a going again to it.
Was there a second you realized, “I’m actually maintaining!”? What did that really feel like?
I bear in mind once I did the primary month-to-month problem after I hit my aim, and I stayed the identical or misplaced 1 pound that’s once I knew I used to be Maintaining.
How do you outline success now, in comparison with while you have been centered solely on shedding weight?
When you go and get your blood work performed and your physician tells you that you’re the definition of excellent well being.
I simply had mine performed and he informed me that he doesn’t fairly often have outcomes the place he doesn’t see something unsuitable and that every thing was inside a traditional degree. I by no means realized how excited that made me.
At 53 years outdated my physician informed me I’m the definition of excellent well being. What!!!!!!!!!!!
How do you deal with fluctuations on the dimensions now versus earlier than?
I’m very used to going up a number of kilos then happening a number of kilos. Someone as soon as informed me that for folks in upkeep that is regular.
So, I give myself grace with 5 kilos. I by no means stress if I’m going up or down 5 kilos. It actually has turn into second hand for me now. I like it! The indisputable fact that Brenda additionally addresses and explains why you could stall or discover fluctuations was additionally very useful.
What beliefs about meals, your physique, or weight have modified essentially the most since sustaining?
Thanks to Brenda I’ve a full understanding of what Sugar Gluten and Processed meals does to me due to that I’ve by no means felt so decided to maintain the muck out of my physique. I went from 196 to 148 as a result of I hold it out of my physique. I went from a dimension 16 to and eight and I put on medium shirts.
Not to say folks inform me I glow, my pores and skin seems to be a lot more healthy, and my hair has modified a lot no extra shedding. It is completely true what my grandma at all times informed me you really are what you eat!
How has your day-to-day life modified now that you’re in upkeep?
It actually has not modified in any respect. I used to be afraid to alter something. Change could be very unsettling to me. I didn’t need slip again into outdated habits.
We nonetheless comply with what the 30- day sugar elimination book taught us. We plan out what we eat each day to ensure what we eat serves us greatest. The better part is that my husband and I are accountable to one another.
I don’t need to let him down and he doesn’t need to let me down. I simply suppose it helps your marriage as properly it’s a good factor to really feel good in your individual pores and skin. It creates confidence.
What does you’re consuming and motion routine appear to be now? Is it completely different than throughout weight reduction?
My consuming routine and motion haven’t modified. After a 12 months in a half, we’re nonetheless sugar free and I be sure that I get motion each day, I do combine it up although I both run, do Zumba or trip my bike. Or merely go for a stroll.
Every day my aim is to burn 500 energy. I additionally be sure that I get 20 minutes of sunshine. Vitamin D does superb issues for me.
Are there meals or habits you’ve discovered to incorporate sustainably as a substitute of feeling such as you’re “on or off” one thing?
I’ve added fruits again into my weight-reduction plan. But I hardly ever go outdoors of what I usually do. If I do I be sure that to examine what it’s doing to my blood sugar if it spikes it I do know that’s one factor I can’t add in.
Like Watermelon, I like it and I actually suppose it has by no means made anybody fats however once I eat it, I really feel horrible. You get that sugar excessive then you definitely crash.
What was essentially the most shocking problem throughout upkeep, and the way did you overcome it?
Dealing with not having the joy of shedding weight. You will discover that different issues like physician experiences objectives you set for your self is what makes you content. And the most important was getting via particular events.
For me this tough as a result of if you’re in upkeep at some point out of the month is just not going to harm you. So, I’ve been engaged on that for positive particularly this summer time with all of the holidays. I’ve set a aim to not indulge throughout particular events.
What do you do while you discover outdated habits making an attempt to sneak again in?
I personal it! We aren’t good! I simply remind myself of how I really feel once I keep on my plan and do higher.
Old Habits are arduous to cease good lord everyone knows that, however I make it my aim to not return to them. It actually helps that I don’t convey something that can tempt me into my home.
If you can return and speak to your previous self, the one who at all times regained the
weight—what would you say?
You are an fool to maintain making an attempt these diets that don’t work. I imply is it okay to eat thirty oreos and hit your twenty-three factors and be performed for the day Weight Watchers says its okay properly no it’s not.
I knew how taking sugar gluten and processed meals out of my physique did for me. If I might bottle that up and promote it, I might be wealthy. I simply strive to consider how I felt once I was so unhealthy and that’s all I want.
What would you say to a tribe member who’s afraid of upkeep or doubts that they’ll do it too?
I might say that they simply want to remain within the lane they’re in, and upkeep is just not that onerous.
I definitely thought it was, however you have to simply make it your life-style and to have a look at it like I’ve been doing this the entire time to get right here why not simply hold doing what acquired you there so you may keep there.
What is one factor that you just suppose everybody wants to grasp about upkeep that nobody actually talks about?
Yes, you’ll not have that pleasure round shedding weight any longer however so many different occasions will show that being in upkeep is thrilling.
That journey to the physician yearly is large for me simply to see the look on his face. The garments you may put on. The manner your husband seems to be at you. Trust me, it’s great.
Is there a private mantra or perception that has helped you retain going, even when issues felt arduous?
This is for me, I need to be round for my household and the best way my husband tells me I look, my goodness I can stay off that.
What is subsequent for you on this journey—objectives, mindset, or in any other case?
My aim is to be the very best I could be. I’m so grateful that I discovered Brenda, Angie, and this Tribe. This is one thing I’ll by no means NOT be a part of.
My aim is to make upkeep be simply what I do and never one thing I wrestle with, and I’m successful at that for positive. I’ve discovered one thing that works and is sustainable.
