If you’re stuck in the cycle of losing and regaining the same pounds or contemplating drastic measures like bariatric surgery (or even Ozempic) to shed weight, let’s talk.
With countless inquiries landing in my inbox about weight loss woes — from breaking diet “rules” to managing weight post-bariatric surgery — I’ve seen it all. And it’s high time we address these concerns head-on, focusing on sustainable solutions rather than fleeting fixes.
Why Not Diet?
Forget the word “diet” and its short-lived promises.
Change comes from your daily actions and lifestyle, not crash-diets for the next big event on your calendar. If you’re part of the club that’s lost the same 10 pounds over and over (trust me, I’ve been there!) you know what I’m talking about. You lose the weight for the wedding, and then gain it all back the next month.
If you’re looking to break the weight-gain merry-go-round, the key is changing the habits that got us here in the first place.
Shifting Our Food Focus
Losing weight isn’t about ruthlessly cutting calories, it’s about making better choices. Not all calories are created equal, after all!
Ditch the Sugar & Embrace Whole Foods: Cutting out sugar goes beyond skipping desserts. It’s about identifying hidden sugars and realizing not all “keto-approved” foods are healthy. Make reading the ingredient label a habit…or better yet, stick to whole, unprocessed foods that don’t need an ingredient label. Vegetables, lean meat, nuts, legumes, etc: all provide the body with a vast variety of nutrients, while keeping you full and satisfied far longer than packaged alternatives.
Rethink Your Eating Strategy: The idea that eating more frequently boosts metabolism is a myth. In reality, it can cause insulin spikes, counteracting weight loss efforts by making you give in to cravings. By adopting rotational eating, you can stabilize insulin levels, ensuring your metabolism works efficiently to burn fat, not just process sugar. This approach avoids deprivation, focusing on timing and quality of meals for optimal health.
Navigating Through Plateaus and Beyond
Hitting a plateau? It happens to the best of us, and it doesn’t mean what you’re doing isn’t making great results.
Plateaus commonly occur when your body transitions from losing water weight to burning actual fat. While the scale might not budge, your body is reshaping itself, inch by inch.
However, there is a real danger of a rebound-effect. The fat in our bodies also serves as a storage for common toxins in the foods we eat. As we burn that fat, the toxins are released, so without a proper focus on detoxification, those toxins find their way right back into our systems, sabotaging our efforts.
This is why staying properly hydrated during weight loss is critical. Flushing out these toxins before they take root again is the only way to get rid of them for good. As well, be sure to stay topped up on essential electrolytes that can bind to these molecules and help remove them from your system!
Sorry, No Quick Fixes
Bariatric Surgery
Undergoing surgery doesn’t let you off the hook from making healthy choices. It’s a tool, not a cure-all. You still need to focus on quality foods, nutrients, and, yes, changing those lifelong habits.
Generally, unless recommended by your doctor, I would take the natural approach to weight loss first. It may be slower to start, but those are habits you have to build to keep the weight off, anyway.
Ozempic
While this so-called ‘wonder-drug’ has swept the media, its effects are far from wonderful. Placing you at risk of a myriad of side effects from migraines to stomach ulcers, or even permanent damage to your metabolism in the long run. This quick-fix solution is far from the miracle it’s often touted as, and it’s definitely not a replacement for an overall healthy lifestyle.
In Conclusion: It’s a Lifestyle, Not a Diet
If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this, it’s that lasting weight loss isn’t about restrictions; it’s about making informed, healthy choices that become part of your daily life. It’s about shifting your mindset from “dieting” to living well every day.
Remember, I’m here to guide you through this journey with tips, strategies, and a community that supports each other in pursuit of better health. Want to dive deeper? Check out my free book and join us in the challenge. Together, we can make the change that lasts a lifetime.
