This blog started as a way to connect with my family when I lived out-of-state. In 2014, I was able to move back home and this little blog stalled out. I would post the occasional recipe or post some thoughts about life, but I lost my focus.
All that changed a few months ago. But first, a little background.
I am in my early 60s and have struggled with high cholesterol, a wonky thyroid, and despite all my considerable efforts, continued weight GAIN. Ugh. I’ve been seeing a lipid specialist (medical professional) who would tweak my meds and suggest doing paleo, gluten-free, food journals, Weight Watchers, the Military Diet, low carbs, low stress? ….you name it. The cholesterol went down briefly, and then shot back up. At my last appointment in January, I lost it. Seriously, how can I be working so hard and have backward results?
I went home furious and determined to take control. In the past two years I learned to really listen to my body- really listen- for the first time in my life. And boy howdy, my body was talking to me through misery-inducing continual hot flashes, joint pain, exhaustion, insomnia, and heart burn that I could NOT eat….
red meat,
anything high in fat,
refined carbs, including sugar,
butter (insert wailing and gnashing of teeth!),
wheat/gluten,
and milk products (damn you, lactose intolerance!)
And high cholesterol? Yes, part of that was the hypothyroidism, but what about my diet? I had been getting the Blue Zones newsletters and was intrigued. Research told me that refined carbs/sugar are a major contributor to high triglycerides and that for every 2 grams of fiber, cholesterol is lowered 1%. It hit me that maybe my solution was in a high fiber/low fat/mostly vegetarian diet. I mean, if it works for the centenarians in Blue Zones, why not give it a try?
I lost 10 pounds in the first month.
Yup. After meticulously tracking my paleo/low carb diet for two years with zero success, I switched to a whole foods plant-based diet and am finally getting results! Oh, and guess what? I am eating the SAME number of calories as before. (Thank you, MyFitnessPal!)
Nothing else has changed. I still sit in front of a computer all day for my job. I still eat roughly 1400 calories a day, only now the weight is FINALLY coming off. I honestly thought that given my age, it was hopeless. Thank goodness I found WFPB eating!
The first thing people ask me is what do I eat? What does a typical day of food look like? Does it taste good? Is it easy to fix?
So you don’t have to suffer like I did, I am switching this blog up to tell my story of learning to cook and eat a whole foods plant-based diet. Yes, I know there is a lot of information out there and I will post cookbook reviews, recipes, tips and tricks that help me and hopefully help you as well.
I am also going to post my failures, because learning new things means there will be mistakes. Heck, I’ve already had disaster eating days, but they taught me something about myself and what I can do to set myself up for success going forward.
To be honest, I’m kinda afraid to do this with everyone watching. And I’m really afraid to tell everyone what this old lady weighs. I’m terrified to tell the whole truth of navigating around my old enemy- the eating disorder- and am hoping you will be kind.
Here’s to teaching old dogs new tricks and not giving up!
PLEASE share any ideas you have with the rest of us. We can all learn from each other.
I am getting blood work done in the next few days and am excited to see if the WFPB diet is working. I’ll keep you posted!
Photo below was taken 2 months ago. This is 220 pounds looks like on a 5’1″ 61-year-old lady. I told you I was scared to do this! I’ll post another photo when I’m down to 200, which shouldn’t be too much longer. Fun times!
Never give up!