Something amazing happened yesterday, something that anyone of my family or friends would have LOVED to happen to them! This was a really big deal!
I stepped on the scale and saw the lowest number in the last 10 years! (Haha yes I checked for errors, and double checked đ The most amazing thing about this whole event was that I was totally surprised. I hadnât been slaving away in the gym, and I had kept up my running patterns but didn’t made any crazy changes. And as far as eating goes, I didnât feel restricted at all, I had been making my meals (and they werenât all salads).
So what was the catalyst for this amazing event? Nothing immediately came to mind, so I sat down to take inventory on what had been going on in my life over the past couple months. What had changed since years ago when I was obsessed with losing weight? How was I able to do this without counting calories, restricting myself from certain foods, and going crazy in the process? How did I weigh less than when I had been running every day, training for a marathon? Well the answer is… a combination of things really.
FIRST– I did a lot of work to reduce the unnecessary stressors in my life. This helped me to calm down, a lot. I have historically been an anxious person who thinks about the things that can go wrong, more than what can go right. This change in mindset took some work and happened over a period of time. I reflected on what agitated me and learned (with some help) that I tend to put way more pressure on myself than necessary. By easing up I was able to reduce my anxiety and be more present, more in the moment. I havenât mastered this yet, itâs a process, but Iâm in a much better place now than a few years ago.
SECOND– I switched my focus from deprivation to enjoyment. This strategy was also a bit difficult to fully incorporate, but as I continue it gets easier and easier. When you stop focusing on what you donât have or canât have, you stop wasting thought energy and stop testing your own willpower. This idea is best explained by Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit, âWillpower isnât just a skill. Itâs a muscle, like the muscles in your arms or legs, and it gets tired as it works harder, so thereâs less power left over for other things.â So when I focus on what I have + what I enjoy, I give my “willpower muscle” a rest and am a more relaxed person.
THIRD– Over 90% of the foods I eat are prepared in my own kitchen. This was actually one of the easiest things to change about my life, making this a habit. Now the shopping, rinsing, chopping and storing of my groceries are all part of my weekly routine. For me, planning my meals for the week is like making a selection from a restaurant menu- itâs exciting! I feel accomplished when my fridge & freezer are stocked with options, and a lot less anxious about feeling the need to âeat healthy.â Check out my latest favorite recipe for Texas Tuna Burgers (below)- they are delicious and SO easy to make! With only 7 ingredients, the first time I made them I already had all the ingredients on hand! Bring on the summer BBQs!
So what does all of this mean for you? Well my life is not a phenomenon, and I believe that switching YOUR mindset and focus will help YOUÂ gravitate towards your ideal weight, naturally and with a LOT less effort than dieting. Making your own food, using whole food ingredients will speed up the process. All the energy we expend fighting cravings and punishing ourselves for veering off the dieting course could be put towards something you actually enjoy. And with summer in full swing, we can all think of a million other things that we’d rather do!
Texas Tuna Burgers   (yields 5 burgers)
Ingredients:
(2) 5 oz. cans tuna in water, drained
3 eggs, beaten
1 carrot, scraped and finely grated/julienned
Œ cup panko breadcrumbs
1 green onion, finely sliced
Œ tsp. Texas chili powder
2 Tbsp. EVOO
Directions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the tuna, eggs, carrot, breadcrumbs, onion, and chili powder.
- Shape mixture into 5 patties.
- In a large skillet, heat EVOO over medium heat.
- SautĂ© tuna patties for 4-5 minutes on each side. Use a spatula to turn patty so it doesnât break apart.
- Serve atop a hamburger bun or sprouted bread (better when toasted) with your favorite fixings (lettuce, onion, tomato, Dijon mustard, hummus, etc.)
Are you satisfied with your weight? If not, youâre not alone! Approximately 91% of women are unhappy with their bodies and resort to dieting (and we all know how that ends, or rather continues round and round). Your life doesn’t have to be this way. Â You can create habits so health comes naturally.
If you could use a little help in effortlessly getting to YOUR ideal weight, email us at info@wholefoodlove.com. We’d love to hear from YOU! Â You can also schedule a complimentary call here. Start making positive changes and stop exhausting your willpower muscle!
Live your WHOLE life,
Shannon + Meg