BAHAHAHAHA – don’t be crazy! 😉

But in all seriousness things are going really well. I’m now on day 4 of Phase 2 and I’m down 1.8kg on my starting weight! Not bad since I gained 1kg in Phase 1. I know this sounds super exciting but I just want to touch base with you all on why I am doing this & how important it is to be ready, not just do it “because XYZ  lost 20kgs…” that sounds wonderful but if its your main motivation then this is probably not the program for you.

My Reasons

1. Metabolism Reset (Gain leptin sensitivity)
2. Trialing of the food groups
3. Weight

So lets go through them…

1. I have always struggled with what I thought was a sluggish metabolism, however body scans etc show that I have a great metabolism, I just excel at gaining fat instead of burning it (especially when I eat the wrong foods or junk). So I have become Leptin Resistant (I will explain). That is why this protocol interests me, it helps the body to become Leptin Sensitive once again. What is Leptin? Very simply, Leptin is a master hormone released by our fat cells to signal the brain that we have enough fuel in the tank, so the brain turns off the hunger signal. We can become Leptin Resistant for a number of reasons, some of which are; Stress, Consumption of refined foods full of additives and preservatives, High insulin levels, Lack of quality sleep, Exercising too much, especially if your hormones are already damaged, GMO and non-organic, gluten containing grain consumption, Disordered eating habits & Chemicals best explained HERE.  This becomes a catch 22 as even though we have enough fuel, the brain is not getting the message & we are still feeling hungry & continue to consume more.The 4 Phase Fat loss Protocol aids the body in returning to a leptin sensitive state.
2. Re-testing of foods, several years ago I cut out some food groups, with amazing results, I felt a massive improvement in my health & shed over 20kgs without even thinking about it!  These were sugar, gluten & dairy… Some people find this daunting, but I did it steadily and as a whole family we changed the way we eat to be more whole foods based, we all enjoyed it and benefited, I began to enjoy & explore whole new foods & cooking styles. So what went wrong? Well as mentioned in my earlier blog, I was knocked a little off kilter, emotionally,  which allowed me to become slack… I started to listen to everyone (pretty much everyone) telling me, “a little won’t hurt” or “it’s all about balance” or “everything in moderation” well NO, quite simply there are some foods that just do not suit my body! I lost the confidence to put my health first and I have paid the consequences. Not only that, once I started to let junk foods back in, the cravings & the addictive behaviour returned – that is hard to break! So Phase 4 to me is going to be exciting, I will get to trial food groups again to see which ones agree with me and which ones don’t, I have a pretty good idea which foods won’t be suited, but you just never know… at the end of Phase 4, I will have a lost of my personal safe foods – AWESOME! This will be my guide to taking care of my body & feeling it on what it needs! It’s a good reminder that I don’t need the approval of others to take care of myself – I deserve it! I just need to get through Phases 2 & 3 first…
3. Lastly – WEIGHT!!! I’m not ignorant, yes weight is an issue, it’s not my core reason for doing this, but it is a reason. Weight is more like the visual indicator that my health is declining – you know, because as humans we ignore all the other signs, like aches and pains, moodiness, insatiable hunger when you are full as a goog, irregular sleep patterns, mental health, not being able to bend easily, clothes not fitting the list goes on…. I know that if I returned to the way I was eating when I was on track my weigh would slowly decline over time, but I was at the point where I really needed a shake up, to break the bad habits & sugar addiction. I need a re-education on what my body runs well on and some leptin sensitivity. Being strictly guided at first was why I said I would never do this program, but as I looked into it more I like that behind all the structure is great science & results to back it up. Every phase has a reason & purpose.  The support system has been great & necessary! The structure also means that it is easy to stick to, I know what I can choose from to eat  & when to eat it.

Lets be brutally honest – most diets SUCK!!! Big time. Most are just about deprivation & weight loss, I personally feel that that is an unhealthy way to try to get healthy & causes long term emotional issues with food. When you take on a protocol like this, it needs to be for all the right reasons, you need to have your health & a wellness lifestyle in mind for your future, not just a quick fix.  If you want to  loose weight and then return to all your bad habits, then welcome to yoyo dieting!  There are no good quick fixes in life! This is a protocol where you learn & implement good habits for life. Most of them we have in place in our home already, I just needed a good reminder on why we do what we do, that way I can break my addictive behaviours & not let what others think I should be eating or feeding my family influence me. I will have my food mojo back!!!

I just love this quote from Cyndi about the protocol “ This is not about obsession for perfect weight this is about  finding peace with your plate and knowing that the foods to consume to enhance your  health and keep your weight within a comfortable range for you to enable leptin sensitivity and to live a healthy happy life.” – Cyndi O’Meara

Isn’t that what we all want? A Happy, Healthy Life 🙂 

For more information on this protocol & other great stuff you can visit the Changing Habits website.

This is my idea of a HAPPY, HEALTHY LIFE & Family.

Alicen xxx