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My "Trim Healthy Mama" Journey!

8/24/2014

 
WHAT'S THIS I HEAR?  YOU ARE A "TRIM HEALTHY MAMA"?!
Chances are, if you are a woman, you have likely LIVED one or more elements of my life, so some of the following may feel painful in its honesty.  That is OK, because my story ends with “Happily ever after” – and yours can too!
My first genuine recognition of “fat”?  Age 10.  My elementary school enrolled in a new program, emphasizing “physical fitness”. To track growth rates, the school nurse weighed and recorded each child's height and weight. An uneasy feeling came over me as the first of my young friends reported her weight at 77 pounds; my measurements were recorded next. The school nurse pulled me aside and expressed concern, stating my 96 pounds was “heavy” for my age and height. The vast implications were not clear to me, but I did understand that somehow I didn't quite “fit”. Anxiety turned to dread with each new announcement from my friends: weights were in the mid-80's.  That day seared into my psyche and, for the next 31 years, I knew myself to be “awkward”, “clumsy”, and “fat”.

Two years later, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and a thyroid nodule; I hated taking medication, so stopped soon after.  Of course, my weight continued a gradual, uphill trend.  As I matured through middle and high school, I was artsy, independent and had a healthy number of friends, but “chubby”, “plump”, and “thick” were my tags.  I played confident, but PE class seemed a nightmare for me.  The truth is, at that stage, I was probably only 10-15 pounds overweight... but my perceptions, like so many young women, were quite skewed.

Throughout high-school, I became more desperate – going rounds with bulimia and countless fad diets; always short-term success, followed by the inevitable weight-gain.  With my senior pictures looming, I spent two months eating only malt-o-meal with raisins for breakfast and dinner... 

A “fake-it-till-you-make-it” girl, I suppose I exuded a fair amount of confidence – but in all honesty, I wanted to crawl under a rock every time I passed by a mirror...

My early 20's brought marriage to my very best friend, and then our first son. With our new baby, I began to study natural-care and a “whole food” lifestyle... Wellness was the focus for my budding family, yet, even with “healthy” foods, my weight continued to steadily increase. Low-carb dieting helped, short-term, but was not sustainable.

By 2009, we had three beautiful, healthy children, but my weight and constant fatigue physically hindered my ability to enjoy my family.  The thyroid nodule diagnosed as a pre-teen was also now quite prominent, to the point it was affecting my voice and ability to swallow.  An exam led quickly to a biopsy; the day after my lab results came in, I was in the hospital, being prepped for surgery. After the cancer and half my thyroid was removed, the specialist put my on a “suppressive” dose of Levothyroxine. I was following a low-carb diet, and with excessive thyroid levels, my weight began to drop somewhat... I felt such HOPE!  Within two months, I was pregnant with baby number 4!

I had a rough pregnancy and the doctors had a difficult time regulating my thyroid levels.  After our little one was born, my weight began to climb quickly.  I had injured my back/hip during 4.5 days of labor, so exercise was excruciating… Aside from physical therapy, I gave up.  When I passed from “overweight” to “obese”, hope turned to despair.  I was embarrassed to go shopping and even to church; meeting new people was mortifying.

Desire to lose weight began to bud again and, out of sheer desperation, I started yet another new diet program… this time paying a substantial, quarterly fee for the “privilege”. After counting calories, carbs, and exercising daily, instead of losing big, turned out I was just a loser!

Completely despondent, I noticed an online friend's “update”.  (You may also know “Gwen” from Trim Healthy Mama’s Face Book group?) Months before, I had seen her post about some new weight-loss plan she was following... I shrugged… Until I saw her photos and read her review.

“Trim Healthy Mama” sounded promising... but could it possibly work? 

I have lost over 50 pounds, and have been able to easily maintain my loss.  This translates to going from a tight 18 stretch jeans to a comfortable size 6-8 Levis; a tight size 42 sport bra, to a comfortable 32; size XXL shirts, to comfortable small/mediums. 

As a 42 year old, previously obese, fatigued mama of 4 who couldn't walk, stand or sit without pain... I can hike up to 8 miles, cross-country, with a pack - and do so “pain-free”!  I am enjoying my family, friends, going to town, meeting new people.  I feel trim, healthy, and love eating healthfully – for the first time in my adult life! 

If you are reading this and are tired of the fight... BE OPTIMISTIC!  Trim Healthy Mama changed my life… and can change yours too! 

FOR MORE INFORMATION --  The original Trim Healthy Mama book or The Trim Healthy Mama Plan & Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook...  can be found linked in my THM Store.  For incredible support, you can join the Facebook forum for free:  Trim Healthy Mamas


Jaque...
The RunAmok Mama!

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Darcy
4/1/2014 06:27:13 am

What an awesome story, so happy for your success. I am just starting my journey, so it is great to read about yours.

Jaque
4/2/2014 05:24:57 am

Thank you! So glad you are getting started... THM is amazing!

Sarah B
4/1/2014 06:31:07 am

This made me cry !!! I have four children too and a hypothyroid - Hashimoto's. I'm on the THM journey too and hope to be where you are later this year. Thank you for the encouragement!

Jaque
4/2/2014 05:27:53 am

It has been such a long struggle for me... I can tell you that there IS hope! Each of us will respond differently to THM - some will lose quickly, some slowly -- but this journey is not just about weight-loss, it is about healing the body as well. <3

Jaque
4/2/2014 05:29:34 am

*I might also add... The "struggle" I mention is all BEFORE I started Trim Healthy Mama... I have had incredible success, just sticking with the book recipes until I became comfortable with S, E as my base, and using FP for snacks and very occasional meals. ;)

Tiffay
7/24/2016 03:24:37 pm

Me too...I have Hashimotos too and am so glad there is hope!

joleen marple
4/1/2014 06:34:01 am

All I can say is WOW MY SISTER IS AMAZING!!!!!

Jaque
4/2/2014 05:29:57 am

Awww. <3 Thank you!

Donna Hardin
4/1/2014 07:04:36 am

Loved your story...cute writer! I am having success with 15 stubborn pounds after the last baby who is 12! Thought I was going to have to settle on being pudgy and maybe fat when menopause arrived! But no...size 8 jeans on this 52 year old mom of 4...and 3 more pounds til goal!

Jaque
4/2/2014 05:31:10 am

Wooohooooo! Way to go!! Feels so good... <3

Donna Hardin
4/1/2014 07:05:45 am

Oops...forgot to mention...your lasagna recipe was awesome! Tx

Jaque
4/2/2014 05:32:14 am

Thank you! My crew sure loves it... I have to make two 9X13 to have leftovers here. ;)

Marilynn Simoneaux
4/1/2014 07:51:47 am

Congratulations on your successful journey as a THM. I began that journey a year ago this month and have lost close to 116 pounds. I still have a ways to go and have hit some bumps in the road, but I know all I have to do is keep on keeping on. I'm looking forward to reaching my goal and am thankful for the healthy lifestyle I've found.

Jaque
4/2/2014 05:33:22 am

Marilynn, That is so amazing... <3 The ups and downs are part of the process - but nothing beats the feeling of "healthy"!! So proud of you!!

Amanda link
4/1/2014 08:05:54 am

Wow! Great job! :) You look fantastic - and very fit!

Jaque
4/2/2014 05:34:37 am

Thank you! I stared at my before photos last night, shaking my head, wondering how I could have such a dramatic change. Truly, life-changing.

Bonnie Jae
4/1/2014 09:22:19 am

please include me in your group

Jaque
4/2/2014 05:36:47 am

Hi Bonnie Jae,
For the main Trim Healthy Mama group, you can join the following page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/trimhealthymamas/. It has, truly, impacted me, my family and friends! <3

Amanda E link
4/1/2014 09:33:43 am

WOW! I love this story. Thank you for sharing. You look amazing girl! So proud of you :)

Jaque
4/2/2014 05:38:02 am

Thank you so much... I didn't want to put up my pictures - but wasn't any other way to get the point across... TRIM HEALTHY MAMA works! <grin>

Gwen link
4/1/2014 10:17:52 am

You are SO awesome, Jaque! Gorgeous, and you're at such a beautiful place in your health journey. ♥

Jaque
4/2/2014 05:38:50 am

Well, you are pretty AWESOME yourself! ;) Thank you for all the encouragement... <3

Lori Guardia
4/1/2014 12:19:05 pm

Great job! Your story gives me hope.

Jaque
4/2/2014 05:40:39 am

Thank you, Lori! I KNOW there is hope... Have you joined Trim Healthy Mama's face book page? If not, I know you would find it very helpful and encouraging!

Danielle
6/16/2014 07:07:23 am

Hi there! As a new THM who is also struggling to find the right thyroid med/dosage I am wondering if you had to make any alterations to the plan. (Foods you found you needed to avoid, etc to keep the scale moving. For example did you enjoy some of the treats or find that they stalled your losses.) I'm still in my first week and have been eating mostly s meals but have enjoyed the MIM for breakfast etc and worry that it is to good to be true. Thanks and congratulations!

Jaque
6/16/2014 08:10:16 am

Hi Danielle,

It *will* help once your thyroid levels have stabilized - but I was successful with THM before my levels were adequately under control - so eating properly can make a difference either way. :)

Not knowing your history, you may have other issues at play here, so it is important to remember that we are all individuals, and the time it takes to lose will vary.

I would recommend you review chapter 11, where it pulls the information from the previous chapters together and wraps it up in "practical application". Eating "mostly S meals" will only sabotage you, because it takes BOTH S & E meals (and for me, throwing in some FP snacks) to nourish the body while providing the appropriate protein, fats and carbs for fueling.

If you do not provide clear S and E fuelings, you will not be implementing THM correctly... and it will hinder your ability to become healthy.

Hope this helps!
Jaque

Danielle
6/16/2014 08:31:21 am

Thanks so much for your reply. It is hard, after failing so many times, to trust the process. I will start mixing my meal types tomorrow. It is inspiring to see others with challenges to have such success and I appreciate your advice.

Jaque
6/27/2014 02:19:41 pm

Danielle ~ I know it is hard to really believe you can stick to it and that it will work. I tried SO MANY diets before, and always failed... I was petrified this wouldn't really work for me... but then... I realized that, regardless of weight, this made HEALTHY sense... and I would be "good" with eating healthy, delicious food which supported my body versus destroying it...

Of course, this encouraged me to dig in, whole-heartedly and follow the program as the book was written... I can't believe I have been able to lose 50+ pounds and maintain, easily.

The best part is that I am not alone. There are thousands and thousands and thousands who are discovering the same benefits. Trim & Healthy is worth sticking to!!

kim
6/27/2014 03:27:52 am

I have always been skinny until I hit 48. Now I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and I'm on levothyroxine. hard to get Use to this large plump body.i am to tired to exercise and half the time don't want to go out to socialize. Iam really praying that this diet will work. Iam tired of people making promises and giving false hope to desperate people. Maybe this will be my blessing and saving grace.

Jaque
6/27/2014 02:14:27 pm

Hi Kim,

I know how hard it is to be overweight... and fatigue is so awful. I used to feel exhausted just brushing my own hair, and could hardly face meeting new people...

I have seen, over and over, people in the same situation achieve results with this -- The key is taking time to learning the basics. Really read the beginning chapters, even if you feel like just skimming. Don't be allow yourself to be tempted to rush through the book either - Learning the "WHY" our bodies are storing fat is so important to reversing the process.

For myself, I couldn't do this "half-way". I know a lot of people like to "try" this a few meals per day, and then cheat as well. That approach would NEVER have worked for me - I knew I had to do this whole-heartedly. I knew I had to see results... so "cheating" was not an option for me.

I am so glad I stuck with it. I am easily maintaining a comfortable weight - I have TONS of energy... Truly changed my life. <3

Steph
8/24/2014 01:33:02 pm

Thank you so much for being so open and sharing your heart! Your journey is truly inspiring! :-)

Jaque
1/10/2015 08:01:52 am

Hi Steph,

I am so glad you found it encouraging! <3

Joy
12/27/2014 04:08:23 am

Thank you so much for sharing your story! I can relate to so much of it. I'm starting this lifestyle change soon, but I'm scared I will fail again. But I'm still going to try. I hope to share my story and pics soon.

Jaque
1/10/2015 08:07:50 am

Hi Joy!

Don't be scared! I "failed" so many "diets"... but this ISN'T another "diet".

As you start reading the book, it can feel overwhelming at first (there is a LOT of information to be found there!) but the foundational truths are simple. The PLAN, itself, is simple!

Fuel your body the way it is designed to work efficiently and the rest falls into place... :)

Harsha link
4/8/2015 03:47:55 pm

awesome. really enjoyed reading...

SHEILA HEBERT
6/28/2015 06:34:43 am

Awesome. .thank you. I needed encouraging.

Tara
8/27/2016 07:32:33 pm

Hello - I have Hashi's as well and am wondering if you had to go dairy free, grain free and gluten free while on THM? This is what my holistic Doctor recommends but it seems it will be challenging on THM to do


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    RUNAMOK MAMA

    Precision-run households may find my title, "RunAmok Mama" to feel a tad alarming, so I'd like to offer a quick assurance that my life is more an exercise of controlled chaos than sheer pandemonium!



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  • HOME
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