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I am going to bare my heart in this post and be vulnerable with you, my reader. I believe we are here to support each other - and I receive encouragement from my readers - yes, you!! So are you ready? (Gulp . . . )
I have been following the Trim Healthy Mama Plan pretty steady for a little over 2 years - after playing with it off and on for a couple of years before that.
I KNOW THM works, and I love it! When I am completely on plan, I never feel deprived because I can “THM-ify” most anything I am craving. But for some reason I have struggled to stay on plan recently!
I know, I know, I blog Trim Healthy Mama recipes - I should have it all together, right? I recently made a post in one of the THM Facebook groups about how I have been struggling to stay on plan. I was met with many comments such as, “ we sometimes think bloggers have it all together,” and it is good for us “mere mortals” to know that you struggle too. I know as humans it is easy to put people on a pedestal, or think that they are above average.
First of all, I want to clarify - I am most definitely MORTAL! I promise you - I am a normal person who puts my clothes on the same way you do! I am not famous, or any more special than you! It just so happens that I blog healthy recipes and the Lord has blessed my efforts. Nothing of me!
But more importantly, I want you to know that I struggle just the same as anyone else. Earlier this year, I followed along for a 100 day no-cheat challenge. I made it all the way to day 74, then gave in and ate something off plan. That was in maybe October? And I have struggled ever since then to get fully back on plan.
And here is the other thing - I have hated myself for it ever since. How could I go for over 70 days and do so well, then not be able to stay on plan for more than 2 days straight? I didn’t understand, and it just fed my shame and defeat.
Because, I did feel defeated and discouraged, even as my clothes began to get tighter, and my double chin became more pronounced, and my addiction to sugar resurfaced. I hated myself for it, which would then lead me to eat more off-plan foods. Lets just be honest, I feel dreadful when I eat sugar (SO tired, grumpy, irritable, weepy), but it still tastes good!
I just needed to get my “head back in the game.” One day about a week ago, I had a revelation while showering. It was only about 7:30 in the morning, and I had already indulged in homemade pumpkin bread (that someone had given us) and (gulp) Dr. Pepper. The phrase “You’re only 3 hours away from your next slimming meal” kept repeating over and over and over in my head. This is a key component of Trim Healthy Mama. It is OKAY if you eat off-plan, just jump back on 3 hours later. This is the GRACE component of the plan. But my problem is that I let my one off-plan choice turn into a whole day, then a whole week, then a whole lot of weeks! It was time to make a good choice!
So, instead of turning to the pumpkin bread again for the rest of my breakfast (which was my original plan), I pulled out the vegetables rotting in the bottom of my refrigerator and sauteed them with some butter. I paired them with a smoothie, and I had a delicious, filling, slimming meal.
Since then, we have been away from home for Christmas - and I have not made the perfect choice every time. BUT, I know that when my choice is not the best (or there are no good choices), I am only 3 hours away from my next choice! I have not let it spiral out of control like before.
Then, today Pearl (one of the THM authors) posted in the THM Facebook group that she herself had eaten off plan the day before (Christmas day). But she of course didn’t let it derail her, but simply returned to on-plan eating today! More importantly, she didn’t feel any guilt for it!
Wow, that hit me like a ton of bricks. NO GUILT! I think the shame was part of what was driving me to wrong choices over and over. I would feel defeated and discouraged, so what was the point? I threw up my hands. But I don’t need to do that! Sometimes life gets in the way and we don’t make a perfect choice. But don’t beat yourself up over it. Accept it (maybe even ENJOY it once in a while), then go on! And no more guilt or shame!
I’m sure the shame and defeat are difficult on us, just like the sugar and wrong food choices!
So there, I’ve unburdened my heart. Please understand that I am a very normal person - just like you!! Saying all of that, I would like to introduce you to 2 books that have made a big difference in my food journey! (The Trim Healthy Mama books are also SO helpful - they are at the bottom of this post). The first book is “Made to Crave” by Lysa TerKeurst.
This is the book I read 2 years ago that convinced me to jump whole-heartedly into THM! If you have not read it, I would highly recommend it - there are even devotional books and study guides to go with the original book!
The other book is “Full: Food, Jesus, and the Battle for Satisfaction” by Asheritah Ciuciu.
I am still in the process of reading this book, but it has already been such a help to me. One of the phrases that stuck out in this book was “Jesus satisfies - and I need Him.” That is so basic, but TRUE! Food does not satisfy - only Jesus does. Yes, food satisfies my stomach when it is rumbling, but not the emotional issues that drive me to food to fill my longing. Only Jesus can do that. And I need Him!
So now I am ready to commit again and do my best to stay on-plan. (But if I do go off-plan for a meal, I’m not going to beat myself up. I will give grace, but not so much grace that I go off-plan for weeks on end! (wink, wink!)
I will be running another 2 week no-cheat challenge beginning January first. This challenge will be run through Facebook messenger, where I will be sharing recipes, recipe roundups, tips, and ideas. Maybe even a menu plan or two! You will have the option of receiving messages every day or every other day (and you can always unsubscribe at any time). If you are interested in joining my challenge - just enter via the widget below! I can’t wait to see you on the other side!
Lori Wear
Thank you for being real!! I too have been struggling so very much sticking to plan as I let the smallest things derail me. I started reading "Made to Crave" today and can't wait to discover all God wants to show me through it. I'm joining the 2 week challenge with you even though Jan 1 is my birthday and I would totally use that as an excuse to eat off plan!
Julie Rowland
I’m in!
Kim
Thanks for sharing this! I have been struggling all fall and have gained 10 pounds! I felt so great when I was really staying on plan! I’m jumping back in full fledge in January!! Thanks for the encouragement! Love following your blog!!
Colleen
A day of freedom for me was when I realized my own standards are not higher than the Lord’s. I am going to fall because that is in my (our) human nature. THM takes a lesson from Scripture - liberty and freedom. If this was a walk down the street and we fell, would we just lie there heaping condemnation on ourselves? Not likely. Our ego may be bruised and we are disappointed with ourselves, but condemnation for what is inevitably going to happen at some point, that’s not freedom, liberty or grace, it is legalism, a sort of performance based worth. For some, falling off plan may be a sin worthy of heaps of condemnation and reproof, and if that is the case we have ventured away from freedom and crossed over into legalism. Scripture and THM both convey freedom especially regarding the things we eat. It is as you say, it is about grace. We are going to trip up, we’re human and that’s what we do and when we fall we learn, because God teaches us. I love that you shared your heart, Sarah, and now you have something more in your repertoire to help others even more on their journey of faith and THM. God Bless you sister. Love and hugs!
Denise
I love the "walking down the street" comparison! We wouldn't just lay there in a heap, we'd get up, dust ourselves off and keep going! I've been stumbling for over a year. Time to walk again! ❤️
Glenda Groff
Thank you for the very timely post. We are so human and need God's grace. I have lost 40 pounds and want to get about 10 more off. Maybe with the New Year I can finally do that. Blessings!
Jacqueline
Thank you for sharing your heart. I've struggled with self-medicating myself using food for a lot of my life. I know God has brought THM to me, but I am not enjoying a place of freedom yet. My self and two other moms are beginning
Lysa TerKeurst's book, doing the study and videos with it. I'm so thankful to have this to look forward to, for us to support one another and pray. I love your blog and your recipes!! Keep it up dear mama! You are helping others so much and it is deeply appreciated!
Traci
I would love to join! I am in the same boat can't seem to get it together ?
Bernadette
It is so good to hear a veteran THM admit that she is mortal and makes the same mistakes the rest of us do. When I go off plan and start feeling miserable, Romans 7:15 comes to mind, immediately followed by 2 Corinthians 12:9(a), “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you ...”
Jufy
I would love to join you!! I do not do face book but i enjoy the emails and recipes you send out. I will begin with you all. God is our strength!!!
Judy
Tammy
Thank you!!!
I, too, derailed in October. It has been a slow downward spiral since.
However, yesterday, I got out my thm books, made my menu and grocery list. Having this post in the inbox this morning was a hug from above. I love how God orchestrates all the little details I need, before I even know I need them.
I am in!!! And looking forward to it!!
Judy
I would love to join you!! I do not do face book but i enjoy the emails and recipes you send out. I will begin with you all. God is our strength!!!
Judy
kristi
please include me
Susan
I truly do not like this time of year. From the middle of November until after Feb. 10th I suffer with depression and look for anything to comfort me. I am one person who wishes I could just skip Christmas all together. Winter doesn't make it any better. While my goal has been to stay positive, it is really hard through the Holidays.
Gretchen Bates
I'm in but don't see the send button...
Sherry Griffin
I completely echo all the comments from the other ladies!! I am also in that same boat. I am looking forward to any challenge you put out there! Together we can do it. Here's to a great 2018!
Deborah Dykeman
Thank you for sharing this post. It is an encouragement. I'm following the Candida Diet right now...no flours, sugars, fruits, or peanuts. Very restrictive, but I have felt so much better! I still use the shrinker recipes, and those recipes that I can. And when I have finished this protocol, I will be going to the THM way of eating. I began the first of October, made it through our anniversary, several birthdays and Thanksgiving. But, this past week has been difficult...even though I did much better than in years past. I think I'm mostly just aggravated with myself and lack of motivation...even when I'm wearing a smaller size, sleeping better, and feel tons better. Like you said...we are human!
Tanya
I'm in. My problem is portion control, so even though I NEVER go off plan, sometimes I'll eat an entire chocolate bar dipped in almond butter or instead of 2 pieces of on plan fudge I'll eat 5-6...it just tastes sooo good!
Terry
I’m in! Did 20 Days last time! Will do it again!
Penny Hawkins-Jackson
I am so happy I found your blog! I have started THM about 1 month ago, with the support of my daughter who began her journey about 3 months a go. I have trouble, being an older Mama (65), which makes it difficult to keep all of the rules straight in my head. I also beat myself up a lot for making wrong choices. Your blog is very encouraging (and so is my daughter who has been very patient with me). God bless you!
Alana
Hi Sarah, Thanks for sharing! I'm learning that God loves us no matter what we do, (as we do our own children) and we need to love ourselves and forgive ourselves as He does. We just need to get the strength from Him to make the right choices. (I'm sure you know all of this, but wanted to remind you.) Blessings!
Savvy
Thank you, I'm in the same boat.. I have given myself permission to not always thm this December because I have seen myself restraine then completely derail later at home so I alow myself to "cheat" I guess during those functions or outings then I don't get those feelings but there has just been so many church potlucks, company dinners, family gatherings ect.. I need to get back in the thm mode of things. The cravings, sleepless nights, tired and crankiness is back. I also don't loss weight unless I do alternating e and s days.. which makes things harder.. I'm planning on doing it even though I don't do Facebook.
Faye
Thank you
Mrs L
I don't do Facebook but I'm joining the challenge. I've been trying THM for 6 months and have had good results. Lately not so many lbs have been leaving and then I began cheating more, when really I ought to have hung in there just a little longer! This is just the inspiration I needed!
Susan D
Yes I would like to join and any tips and tricks are greatly appreciated. I also appreciate you being so vunerable and real. I work full time plus extra call hours. Getting on plan and staying on plan is a huge struggle for me. I'm a complete drive thur sue and i can hardly see my way to eat every 2 hours and food choices planning is extremely difficult.
Rachel
Thank you so much for your honesty and encouragement. I've struggled with being on plan for about the last year, using pregnancy and nursing as an excuse (hey, I'm sick, hey, I'm not supposed to lose weight while pregnant or nursing, etc.). I've loved how I felt when I was on plan but can't seem to control my sugar cravings. Thanks for the nudge, and the words about guilt. So timely!