Terri has been a The Best You member for 327 days! She initially joined TBY after struggling with depression and weight gain after the death of her mother. Terri was also concerned that she might suffer a heart attack like her father and brother. She knew that she needed to get a grip on her health and the way she was eating. Read more of Terri's story below...
I have been a yo-yo dieter my whole life (65 years) struggling to maintain any weight loss that I achieved. When my mother passed away in 2015, I became depressed and quickly ate through my grief so that my weight went up to the highest in my life.
How did you learn about The Best You? I had recently started following Tracey’s Facebook painting page, Tracey’s Fancy. I saw her live video testimony about her personal journey to renewed health after her liver diagnosis. Her new, private group for health and wellness support sounded like something that could help me. I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Her success through clean eating and her recovery motivated me to give her private group a try. When did you join The Best You? What is your #number(days AIP / age)? October 2018 #327/65 Share your successes!! Although I joined The Best You in October 2018, I had started back on the Paleo-style of eating, July 1, 2018. With the addition of the AIP plan and the support of The Best You family, I have lost 38lbs. Have you re-introduced any foods yet? If yes, what and what were the results? Following the AIP lifestyle, I have learned that I have a food sensitivity to nightshades, which includes all peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, and many more things. Now, I can make better choices to avoid the foods that caused me painful digestive issues. What tricks/tips made this life easier? The Best You provides recipes for smoothies, as well as breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The members share their own recipes in our group, so there are always ideas on what to eat.
I have learned about so many organic, healthy, AIP food products that I enjoy eating, rather than falling back into my old, unhealthy, processed food choices.
To me, the most important tip is staying engaged in the group. The Best You is a safe, private space where we share our struggles and our successes. Staying accountable to myself through the group has allowed me to reach my goal.
List your top AIP go-to meals.
No-Oatmeal (shown in the photo above)
All of Tracey’s stir fry recipes, especially the one with pear, roast chicken, sweet potato and broccoli.
List your favorite AIP snacks.
Natural Delights Date Rolls (every flavor), Tracey's Chocolate-Cherry Smoothie, Guacamole with carrots, plantain chips, or roasted sweet potato slices.
How do you stay AIP compliant outside your home (work, social gatherings, traveling, etc)? If I am planning to go out to a restaurant, I look for their menu online ahead of time and decide what I will eat before I leave the house.
I eat something, like an apple or a smoothie, before I go to social gatherings.
When I travel to see my children and grandchildren, I plan ahead and cook meals to take. I use small plastic containers so I have individual meals ready to go. I take whatever I need in a cooler.
What other lifestyle implements have helped with your success (sleep, stress management, exercise)? I have lived in my house since 1985. I had been an avid walker in my neighborhood.
For many years, I gave it up when I was at my heaviest weight. I did not have the energy or motivation to do it.
Just recently, in March, I decided to try again. Now, I am walking for an hour almost every day.
You have to be patient with yourself because changes in your body happen slowly.
My most important advice, though, is to take advantage of the support from the group. Speak up, share your thoughts, and comment on the posts of others. When you reach out, many hands reach back to lift you up. You are never alone on your journey to better health and wellness.
If you are inspired by Terri and want to learn more about The Best You, click HERE to learn more and join our group!