If I can do it, anyone can!
 

Hi everyone!

I was a 3FC member in 2009. I used the South Beach diet then, and lost 70 lbs. that year. I used to participate here in the South Beach section, including the exercise thread. :)

Unfortunately, once I got into maintenance...well, it didn't work, and I gained 60 of those 70 lbs. back by 2012. I was a hot mess at that time. (aged 61.)

1/1/13, I followed the Wheat Belly plan, then primal. I stopped grains, sugar, and processed foods. I got so passionate about eating only healthy, natural foods...grain and sugar free as much as possible, that I not only had lost 66 lbs. by September 2013 (and reached 'maintenance'), but here on 1/10/15 I am still in maintenance at only 132 lbs.

I'm here to tell you/anyone that will listen that it IS possible to break free of all the cravings and addictions to grains, sugar, processed foods. It might be hard the first couple of weeks, but then you start to feel so good that ...wow! I'm 63, and live it every day. Maintenance is easier because I don't allow the brain-chemistry-changing, craving-inducing wheat or sugar back into my life, except for a little Ranch dressing or BBQ sauce.

I came back to 3FC to 'pay it forward.' I used to be one who would loudly proclaim that I could NEVER EVER give up 2-3 warm buttered rolls at every dinner, hot garlic bread, bagels, donuts, muffins, crackers, pizza crust. EVER.

But I did. I haven't had ANY of those in 2 years, and I don't miss it. I also don't miss the 65 pounds I've lost since I stopped eating that crap...and continue to keep off.

If this old broad (LOL) can do it, so can ANYONE. You just have to study, read the latest medical research, be willing to question everyone (including your own physician)...trust the process, and become passionate about your health. Truly!

Good luck everyone! I'll mosey on down to the low carb section, since I don't see one for 'eating primary foods' or primal diets. :)

Thanks for sharing and congrats on your achievement.

Thanks so much, Satin. I hope to 'pay it forward' here, if I can. Or at least be a resource. :)

That's amazing! I am having a hard time letting go of my stubbornness (I am stubborn in EVERY aspect). I don't like being told "no" or "never." And I don't want to be the "i will never again..." because I've done that before and set myself up to fail. I want to be the "sure, but once a GREAT while" kind of person. Does that make sense? I work well that way with shopping, so maybe I can get control in the food aspect. I can't go to the expensive stores all the time, but once or twice a year I'll treat myself. Ha ha!

Yes, it makes sense. I'm there. I love bbq sauce and Ranch dressing. So whatever sugar, grains, processed crap is in them, I still consume. Will I never have a flute of champagne again? Chocolate? I'm sure I will...but it will be exceptionally rare. The thing is though, when you firmly and passionately believe that these items are unhealthy for you, the desire is pretty much gone.

Amazing, thanks for taking the time to share - I am sure those of us that use the goals board for inspiration would appreciate seeing this too.

I really think your statement about the mindset is a great tip - I am really hoping to retrain my brain to actually care about what I put in my body rather than knowing something is bad for me but consuming it anyway.

Congrats with your achievement. :)
Thanks for sharing.

Congratulations! Thanks for being such an inspiration!

I went gluten free a little over a month ago and started losing weight with very little effort. It's incredible (and awful) what wheat can do to some people's bodies.