Deciding is the most important step!

I had been on a quest to improve my overall health for a number of years and as a result had developed an interest in nutrition and healthy eating.

I had already eliminated several food groups in my efforts to reduce inflammation, sinus and increase my energy levels. I had cut out sugar and refined carbs; wheat; as well as dairy – and while I did feel some benefits from significantly reducing all these food groups – my energy levels remained low and … the weight refused to move.

I had got to the point where I felt there must be a missing link somewhere, and that if I could find out what it was, I was sure that I would be able to lose weight.

I had tried so many approaches to healthier eating – and even although my health improved – the weight did not budge…

Quite simply, I was tired of all the guesswork.

I kept on researching, and after reading about DNAlysis online, I decided that I was going to invest in my health and get my weight sorted out once and for all.

Why working with a dietitian is a good idea.

I put a request out on Facebook asking for recommendations of dietitians who were accredited to work with DNAlysis results. Someone tagged Monique Piderit  from Nutritional Solutions in that post, and Monique reached out and offered to assist me on my weight loss journey!

What I really loved about working with Monique was the holistic way in which she approached this ‘project’.

While we waited for the DNAlysis results, we had an in-depth consultation about relationships with food, family and friends. We also spoke about lifestyle too.

Monique found out which foods I liked and which I didn’t. We did a comprehensive set of blood tests and adjusted my supplement intake.

By the time we had the DNAlysis results, we had a sound scientific platform from which to work.

The test results showed that my body does not metabolize fat well.  So, I went onto a low-fat eating plan. When I received my eating plan from Monique, it was scientifically worked out; there was nothing on it that I didn’t like and so it all felt pretty normal and do-able.

I now knew, that if I put fat (good or bad) into my mouth, it wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon! I drastically reduced my red meat and chicken intake.

I had to learn to use different sources of protein, and also had to make decisions to reduce foods I had always viewed as ‘healthy’, but that were high in fat such as peanut butter, almonds and avocados.

No more guesswork – we had an informed strategy! Having the scientific knowledge has really helped me to rationalise making the right choices.

I really recommend working with a dietician. Healthy living and good nutrition is a science. You need someone with the knowledge and skills to assist you – and it’s a real plus to find someone who is your champion as well.

The success story

In a relatively short time (8 months) and with what felt like minimal effort I lost 20kg.

My waist and hips reduced by 14cm each.

I also reduced my insulin by half and reduced my cholesterol count.

My energy levels have also increased.

I went to see a biokineticist to get the appropriate exercises to tone and strengthen my muscles. My fitness is the next leg of the journey that I need to work on. Before losing weight, I wouldn’t have been able to complete even half of the exercises, but after the weight loss, I was able to complete all the sets of repetitions, albeit slowly.

When I first picked up the 2 x 2kg weights, I could hardly lift the 4kg.

It was a shock to realise that I had been carrying five times that weight all day and everyday. No wonder I had no energy!

The tough parts of the journey

It is not always easy embarking on a project such as this – especially when there have been failed attempts before.

Being a people pleaser, it was often hard for me to say no when being offered well-intentioned albeit wrong food choices.

I had to become firm in making decisions to decline food without being apologetic and having to explain myself to others.

Drinking enough water is always a challenge. And of course, who wants to offend a Lindt chocolate on offer?

My top tips

Be pedantic about portion sizes. Have a good food scale and measuring cups to make sure you stick to your portion sizes. If it’s 80g of chicken, then it’s 80g,  and not 95 or 100g!

Split portions to allow for variety and texture. Instead of a full starch portion of mealies – have half mealies, half couscous. This helps to make food interesting – with a variety of colour and texture. The minute food becomes boring, you are sabotaging yourself; and it’s easy to feel hard done by.

Embrace the new normal. I only told a few people about my weight loss journey while I was in the trenches. Those I knew would support me. I did not want people watching me, watching what I was eating and passing judgement.

There will always pessimists and naysayers. Limit your exposure to them.

It was a personal journey and I just wanted to get on with it. Sometimes the downside of setting a goal is thinking that when you’ve reached it, the journey is over. Embracing the new normal means exactly that. When you’ve reached your goal weight, your healthy lifestyle continues. Set new goals.

Celebrate a range of milestones. It’s not just about the weight. Celebrate reducing your insulin or cm’s lost. I celebrated cleansing my wardrobe and adopting a minimalistic capsule wardrobe approach. It’s not about buying things to reward yourself necessarily. You are making a conscious lifestyle change – so why do you need to be rewarded for that?

Celebrate mindshifts and lifestyle choices. They are rewards in themselves.

There’s been so much more to this journey than just losing the weight. Feel feel to drop me any questions you might have, and I’ll address them in future posts.

This post is also available on the ADSA NutritionConfidence Blog under Success Stories, Weight loss – a journey, not a destination.