How You Actually Lose Weight

When it comes to losing weight we want to hear the fast, winning stories that actually work. We want that fix to this problem that is preventing our jeans from zipping smoothly and being able to breathe afterwards. We want to not look at the scale and see the number go up after a week of starving ourselves silly.

Despite all the diet plans, meal programs and trendy diet lifestyle products we still struggle to win against the bulge. Giving up carbs, limiting portions and depriving ourselves hasn’t equated to reaching that magical goal weight much less keeping it off long term. The sad fact is we are getting fatter and sicker as a society. Even children are now experiencing obesity, thyroid problems, nervous health and digestive problems at a young age.

So what exactly is the secret to losing weight?

It won’t be popular what I’m about to share because it is neither glamourous or fast. It is also not likely to make you much money which as a natural health practitioner means I’m sharing with you information freely and without profit. Yet it is the formula of success many simply have tuned out.

First of all the calories in/calories out thinking is antiquated and does not work either. We need calories and burning out more than you take in falls in line with the diet mentality. It also is not sustainable long term.

I do not subscribe to the deprivation mentality to losing weight. In my own struggles with dieting and weight management I know how hard it can be to shed pounds. When I became a holistic health practitioner I learned where the dots connected on losing weight and just how drastically different it is from all the lies we are told commercially for how to lose weight from the manufacturers and marketers of diet programs.

Before I share this rather boring tale of how to achieve weight loss it bears setting the ground rules that make it all work.

• You have to break up with diet thinking for good. If it deprives you, limits you and makes you feel bad or guilty for cheating on it, that is diet thinking. The problem with this mentality is not only do we not lose weight but it sets up our mental health for depression, anxiety and guilt that wears on our being able to love who we are where we are

• The goal of weight loss has to be bigger than a number. If you’re only focused on losing weight because you think it will get you a job, relationship or make problems go away. Think again. The reason to lose weight is to be good to you. To love the journey you are on in this life and what that means to you. Problems will always be there no matter what size you are.

• Do not spend one more hot dime on a health coach that is not professionally trained in nutrition and health. “Coach” is a very trendy label these days so you have to beware as a consumer what you are getting. Many coaches are simply trying to sell you products or they are trained in only one type of program that is aligned in traditional diet thinking. That’s not for you… anymore.

• If food comes in a package with ingredients you cannot pronounce its likely manufactured and will not result in helping you long term lose weight or maintain it. You have to change how you think about food in terms of where it comes from, how it is made and what you are going to do with it in your body.

• Your taste will change. We have been overwhelmed with flavors and ingredients that are not natural. This has transformed our taste buds to not only have cravings but it is single handedly responsible for breaking us up from nature and how we were designed to eat. You may need to do some pre-work to detox your body, mind and heart so you can adequately absorb nutrients. Amazingly, we can be overweight and starved for vitamins, minerals and nutrients we need to function well.

• When you embark on a weight loss journey, it is about your physical body AND your heart and mind. All of you has to be ready for this experience and understand what that means to you as a whole being. If you only treat it as a physical problem you will experience just another diet.

It’s important to implement these ground rules before going any further. Without the commitment to yourself on these elements you’ll find the rest of the steps challenging. To me, these ground rules represent more than just a quick ok too. Giving them the time to intentional shape and form in your mind and heart are highly recommended.

Now, with that covered here’s what I tell clients. Please note that each client is individual and their needs are unique. Yours are too. That is why I cannot give you specific personal guidance in this format. What I am providing is general and good basic information to help you start. I recommend working with a professional holistic health practitioner like myself for customization that aligns to your specific health needs and goals.

• Drink good quality water every single day. I recommend distilled or reverse osmosis. Build up to consistently drink 50% of your body weight in water daily

• Reduce plastic. The toxins from plastic end up in your body. All forms of plastic. This contributes to toxic load in the body and prevents optimal health from emerging.

• Organic is more than fancy labeling. Real nutrition from food comes from foods that is minimally processed, has not been exposed to chemicals, pesticides, antibiotics or any of the numerous toxic waste that gets applied to foods. This changes how we shop, where we get food and what it comes in. This takes times to implement too so I advise clients to pick some foods to start with and gradually over time swap over to as much organic as you can get. Look at farmer’s markets, direct farm relationships and locally owned butcher shops for best deals and quality.

• Raw vegetables are essential. Every day have a raw vegetable. It doesn’t matter what kind but aim for at least one every day.

• Eliminate canned foods. Even cans that are BPA friendly contain chemicals that make that BPA possible. This contaminates foods and puts toxins in your body. Opt for fresh or frozen varieties.

• Change your salt. Table salt is a manmade product. We need salt in our diet so opt for pink Himalayan or Celtic

• Fat, fiber, protein, carbs, vitamins, minerals are all vital in your diet. This is where breaking up with the diet mentality will be demonstrated (and challenged). The American Heart Diet, Low-Fat Diet and more are not good diets for your health.

• Mitigate stress. It is amazing what a little stress reduction does to the waistline.

• Sleep. If you are getting less than 7 hours of sleep per night you are sleep deprived and your body is not getting adequate time to do necessary repairs.

• Apple cider vinegar. A tablespoon before each meal is very helpful in managing glucose spikes and supporting digestive functions

• Digestive enzymes and probiotics are essential. Due to the lack of food quality and how we eat our digestive system is often lacking in necessary enzymes to break down food and absorb nutrients

• Movement. Exercise does not need to be brutal to be effective. Several small movements during the day is best. Stretching and walking are the two best movements everyone can benefit from

Beyond this list I recommend personalization of a plan that is specific to your health needs and goals. Again, working with a professional is where you will see the difference and avoid falling into diet mentality.

To work with me, schedule a consultation at dragonspitapothecary.com