5 Healthy Ways to Lose Weight

Health is more than the number on the scale, but if you want to make a change here are 5 healthy ways to lose weight.

 

Hey! I see you over there, wondering why you landed on a blog about clothing and colors and find a post talking about ways to lose weight. Well, it’s related. The body goes in the clothes, so we can talk about that too!

First, I just want to get on my soapbox about weight and health. The number on the scale actually says NOTHING about your health status. Neither does the size on your clothing. Health is a matter of how your body is functioning and moving. So please don’t think I’m advocating weight loss as the answer to life’s happiness. <–That is also a totally separate issue.

There are about a million ways to lose weight, but realistically they all boil down to calories in versus calories out. So these are all FOOD programs as ways to lose weight.

I decided to review some programs I’ve actually tried throughout the years, giving pros and cons, and some of the perks of each. Why am I talking about this? Well, because honestly I’ve reached a place where my diet is out of control, I’ve plateaued postpartum well above my pre-pregnancy weight, and I’m ready to shed the pounds. One of the reasons I love wearing dresses is because they are so forgiving postpartum, but they also tend to hide any weight gain for that same fact.

Looking for a supportive style group of women? Join the Radiantly Dressed Facebook Group.

I have a lot of food intolerances and sensitivities, and also some autoimmune symptoms, so all of these programs aren’t a good fit for me. But they’re all good in their own way, and I hope that if you’re looking for ways to lose weight you find one here you love.

Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers was a success for me in 2007 and I lost 36 pounds following the program. I found it really easy to use and there was a ton of support. I went to meetings once a week, weighed in, listened to a teacher/coach/mentor talk about tips and tricks, and was able to buy any WW products I liked. I loved the accountability, and I only quit going when I reached maintenance. I maintained a healthy weight after following weight watchers for 5 years before experiencing some health issues and medication that led to a rapid gain.

One of the features of weight watchers is that there is no food restriction. You can truly eat whatever you want, as long as its within your points. The points system has changed over the years, but I remember saving up my bonus points to splurge on goodies. Another bonus is that they have adaptations for women who are breastfeeding. In reviewing their current website, it seems that they’ve significantly upgraded their virtual options.

If you want the full package with tons of support, ease of use, a giant product offering, and the freedom to still eat cake, then this is the program for you.

 

Cost: $172-662/year depending on plan

Trim Healthy Mama

Trim Healthy Mama will also allow you to eat cake. You just won’t eat any real sugar! I love Trim Healthy Mama (or THM as its known in the cult circles). Developed by sisters Serene and Pearl, its a grassroots program whose main premise is separating fats and carbs. But, don’t let that simplistic statement fool you. The most common complaint for new people is the learning curve. I promise it DOES get easier.

THM promotes food freedom by providing a diet that is a lifestyle change, substituting stevia blends and healthier flours for many recipes. Their philosophy spans both health food and quick eating, depending on what the person needs. Every person can do this, no matter where they are in their journey.

I lost 40 pounds with THM in 2015 after I had my second child. This was before my food sensitivities got really bad, and I enjoyed cakes for breakfast, rich smoothies with cream cheese, and loads of healthy dinners.

There is a huge support network on facebook, and you can utilize a coach now if you need individualized attention. They also specifically address eating this way during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Cost: $45 for the books, coaching fees are hard to find and not standardized

Whole30

Ah Whole30. You can do anything for 30 days. This is a very restrictive program, but a short commitment at only 30 days! At the end of those days you will probably have a much different perspective on food. I lost 16 inches doing a Whole30 in 2018. I got pregnant towards the end and stretched it to 45 days before nausea got the best of me. Turns out I had undiagnosed Hashimoto’s disease and really feel like these dietary changes were what I needed to get pregnant that time.

So, what is whole30? No dairy, no grains, no sugar for 30 days. No fake baking of foods with approved ingredients like almond flour. No fake sweeteners. Meat, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds. The end. Its like paleo on steroids.

Because of the nature of this plan, its actually quite possible to still overeat. It is very common for people to lose weight if they follow the guidelines specifically. But eating too much fruit, or too many fatty meats will definitely increase caloric intake.

Also, this plan should be undertaken cautiously for anyone breastfeeding. Reducing calories at this level prior to 6 months of established nursing usually results in a drop in supply.

However, if you want to completely revamp your thoughts about food, find any hidden sensitivities, improve your gut health, and experience amazing wellness, this is definitely the plan to try!

Cost: FREE,  $15 for book, with paid coaching options

Wahl’s Protocol

This is another very restrictive plan, and the goal is not losing weight. The goal here, is to cure your body from illness and disease. But you might lose weight in the process!

In 2019 after my fourth child, I started experiencing a strange set of symptoms. Hippocrates is credited for saying “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food” and I am 100% a believer in that philosophy. So my first step to solving my problems was to search for way to change my lifestyle.

Dr. Terry Wahls is the creator of this protocol, which proscribes what you SHOULD eat first, and what you shouldn’t eat second. Essential nutrients come from 9 cups of vegetables a day, including greens, sulphur rich vegetables, and brightly colored vegetables. I’m here to tell you, that’s a LOT of veggies.

There are 3 levels to choose, all restrict gluten, dairy, and sugar.

Dr. Wahls has multiple sclerosis, and developed the plan when she found herself in a wheelchair after conventional treatments. By changing her lifestyle (including this diet) she was able to regain function and improve her quality of life.

This is the plan I recommend if you have significant health issues you want to address, while at the same time finding a healthy weight.

Cost: $15 for the book

Bright Line Eating

The last plan I’m featuring is another with restrictions. Bright Line is the one I’ve been following for the last week with a four pound loss so far. I strongly recommend that you read this book in the order it’s written. No sugar and no flours of ANY kind, even gluten free and paleo friendly. Yup, you read it correctly. When I hit chapter 5 and read that I probably would have closed the book if I hadn’t read the previous four chapters.

The premise of this plan is based on food addiction, and it borrows from 12 step programs that treat those behaviors. The first four chapters go into great detail about the way our brain convinces us to eat unhealthy foods, or too much food, or to make bad choices. It assumes that each individual has different levels of weakness to these disordered thoughts.

Have you ever told yourself, “I deserve {insert food} because of [xyz reason].”? I surely have. After a bad day with the kids, or a rough bedtime, I’ve been known to walk into the kitchen and treat myself to whatever because I “deserve” it. And while we all deserve a medal for parenting some days, maybe gorging on tons of peanut butter M&M’s isn’t the answer.

I really love this also because it tells you EXACTLY what to eat, down to the ounce. I found a great food scale for $10 and it’s doing the job, so no need to spend a lot to get started.

This plan is great for those that need to be told exactly what to do, and those that struggle with an unhealthy relationship with food.

Cost: $15 for the book, boot camp $500

 

Final Thoughts on Weight Loss

If you’ve read all this way and you’re thinking about losing weight anytime soon, I just want to give you a big hug! Sometimes the struggle is enormous! So many factors can make shedding pounds an enormous endeavor. I know that 15 years ago I could drop 20-30 pounds like it was nothing, and now even a two pound drop is reason to celebrate.

Remember that you’re a beautiful person inside and out, created in the image of the Most High, and your outward appearance is secondary.

Want to dig into color analysis and learn how best to dress the body you have now?

But if you want to get healthy, form a better relationship with food, eat lots of earth grown produce, and reduce your sugar consumption, any of these programs would be a great place to start!

Have you tried any of these programs? Do you have a favorite that I’ve missed? Tell me about it in the comments!

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If you want to feel better in your clothes, here are 5 healthy ways to lose weight that focus on improving overall health.