With healthy eating and few simple lifestyle changes, I healed my body and lost 110 pounds. How I lost 100+ pounds with healthy eating? Read on... here’s my story!
All my life I lived an unhealthy lifestyle and struggled with excess weight. After my child's birth, I started to gain weight even faster. My stressful job, unhealthy lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits led me to total disaster. In summer 2014 I was literally on an edge. At that point, I weight 264 pounds, and I started to feel physically sick. I started to experience back pain and knees pain. I got shortness of breath and trouble with walking. My blood pressure and heart rate was high. I had zero energy. I was terribly depressed and very unhappy with my life. I was obese, unhappy and physically sick. I needed to change my life FAST or I knew I’ll end up in a hospital.
THE CHANGE
That summer I realized I need to change my life, but I didn't know exactly how to start. I've already experienced the agony of various diets. None of them worked. Tasteless diet food, rigorous plans which I had to follow and then disappointment. I didn't want to go through that again. Diets are the temporary solution, and this time, I wanted a permanent change of my lifestyle. I wanted to get my life back, to enjoy my life healthy and happy.
So I started to learn about healthy food and experimenting with healing spices. I’ve started eating REAL FOOD - fruits and veggies, and give up all the processed meat, added unhealthy refined sugars, store-bought food and anything processed. It was pretty drastic change for me at that time but it was the only way to get my life back. Also I started WALKING, doing yoga, and lead more active lifestyle.
THE RESULT
In just six months, I restored back my energy and I started to feel amazing. Also, I’ve started losing weight which restored back my confidence. In year and half I’ve lost 110 POUNDS (50 kg). Yes it’s pretty amazing, but for me the biggest accomplishment is my complete lifestyle change. I’m HEALTHIER and HAPPIER person today. I feel great! This new healthy lifestyle really healed me.
Left: 11/2014. Right: 08/2016
Healthy eating is not just some short term diet - IT'S A LIFESTYLE. There's no particular diet plan you have to stick with. No boring, tasteless food.
Healthy eating means eating natural fresh food, foods that are nutritionally rich and feeds your body, giving the body necessary energy. It also means eating food that cleanses the body and protects it. Healthy eating also implies to eat in moderation with intention - mindful.
If you take care of your body and keep it healthy, it will surely give you great things in return. I like to say that the "side effect" of a healthy lifestyle is losing weight and overall feeling better, so watch out... Soon you may find yourself feeling great and good about yourself, feeling full of energy and look stunning!
People started to get interested in my weight lose story. They wanted to know how I managed to improve my life in such a way. Since I know how difficult it is to start, especially when you don't know where to begin, I started to write this blog. I wanted to share everything I've learned on my weight loss journey towards healthier and happier me.
This is not just another blog with recipes. On this blog I also share all my experience, tips and guidelines on how to eat healthy and feel awesome. I hope my story has motivated and encouraged some of you. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Love to hear from you in comments too. :)
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If you feel like you need some motivation, check out my MOTIVATION posts. Every Monday I motivate and encourage my readers with QUOTES ... and you get to read about my "behind the blog" story.
If you're looking for some TASTY healthy eats, get inspired with my healthy RECIPES. All my recipes are REFINED SUGAR-FREE, WHOLE GRAIN and NOURISHING for the body.
If you looking for ways to change your lifestyle but not sure where to start, feel free to read these posts:
5 Simple Diet Tweaks That Will Improve Your Health
How To Stop Sugar Cravings For Good
5 Weight Loss Tips That Really Works
Walking For Weight Loss And Better Health
Ways To Live Healthy With A Busy Schedule
Xoxo, Natalie
Vincenzo says
Such great tips! So important to stay healthy
Natalie says
Thanks. Glad we both agree :)
DianneGI says
Wow! Inspiring! and yes its possible that you can eat what you like while losing weight. Actually, Ive tried this one also and its proven!
Natalie says
Thanks Dianne. Glad you find it inspiring!
Kristen says
Hi !! I am very nervous on starting a new way to eat !! How should I start ?
Natalie says
Hi Kristen. I'm so glad to hear you're thinking of getting healthy. That's first and most important step - to WANT to change something. You don't have to be nervous, just relax. It's not a race and there's no winning nor losing scenarios. You have time and take that time to learn and rediscover healthy food and eating right.
You can start by stop drinking ALL sugary drinks - store-bought juices, diet drinks, etc... These drinks are full of unnecessary sugar that's just unhealthy for your body. Replace it with drinking plain water, soda water (you can add slice of lime or lemon or other fruits into it), herbal teas (use little unrefined sugar to sweet it out) or homemade juices made with fresh fruits.
Limit yourself to desserts only on weekends and replace unhealthy refined sugars with healthier ones - maple syrup or honey, in everyday cooking and eating.
And that's a GOOD start. Getting off refined sugars is most important thing when you're starting healthy lifestyle. It's the first thing that I did.
You can read how to get off sugar in my post here >> http://www.natalieshealth.com/2017/07/stop-sugar-cravings/
Chris Gulden says
Dear Natalie-Hello my name is Chris an I'm at the heaviest I've ever been in my life,an it scares me,I'm trying so hard to eat healthier,for my family,an myself.Im really trying hard to do more exercise,I run after kindergartners all day,an have active 6 yr old son I need to keep up with.Im at 280 an I'm not happy.Help Natalie.
Natalie says
Hi Chris. I know how scared you are. I've been there. When I was at my 260+ and when I realized I actually NEED to do something about my weight I was so scared. I was literally in panic because I knew I need to do something but didn't believe I can actually do it. That was SO WRONG, to not believe in myself. We are capable of achieving so many things. Don't let fear freeze you.
My advice is to just relax. Getting healthy and losing weight is a process and it will take you time. DON'T rush anything. You need to start loving your body and your life. You need to start leading this new healthier lifestyle because you really want to... not because you have to. Realize that food is our fuel. Food can heal us. Food is amazing and so good. Start loving healthy fresh ingredients, and the feeling when you put something healthy in your body. Body will reward you believe me. As soon as you start eating healthy you will start to feel sooo much better. And just when you fall in love with you new healthier way of life your pounds will start to melt. Literally.
Believe in process and yourself. Stop focusing on how much pounds you have to lose. Focus on learning about healthy food, healthy cooking, and all the healing spices that will help your body be healthy.
Jorie says
Hello!!
I read through each of your comments and your long one about different things you do as far as eating. I have lost some weight, but I'd like to lose some more. About how long did it take you to lose at least 30-40 pounds?
Also, your story is absolutely amazing!!
Alexis says
Im currently 254 pounds after having my second child. I am not used to being this big and I really want to lose this weight and eat better. Can you give me an example of some healthy meals because im not sure where to start.. Also did you work out at all?
Natalie says
Hi Alexis,
I'll tell you few things I've changed that helped me with my weight loss. Today:
I eat minimally processed foods - I don't eat store bought stuff like dips, dressings, microwave dinners, cake mixes, etc. I make everything I can HOMEMADE. That way I control ingredients I use.
I eat lots of fruits (1-2 portions daily) and vegetables (minimum 2 portions daily), I eat seasonally and I shop locally grown food as much as I can.
I consume only healthy fats - extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, etc.
I don’t eat processed meats (salami, store bought sausages, pâté, etc.).
I don’t consume refined sugars and white flour produce (EVER).
I eat high-quality lean protein (chicken, turkey meat, tuna, etc.) and watch the intake of unnecessary fats (for example, I drink low-fat cow's milk, I eat cottage cheese, I remove chicken skin etc.).
I eat whole wheat produce that is full of fibers and enriched with other nutrients (whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta...)
I prepare my own meals. That way I control what I put in my body.
I use a lot of spices that contribute to my health – ginger, turmeric, ceylon cinnamon, etc.
I don’t drink store bought soda drinks and juices (EVER).
I eat healthy homemade snacks (energy balls, trail mixes..).
I prepare my own desserts made from healthy ingredients (whole wheat flour, healthy coconut oil instead of margarine or butter, honey or syrup instead of white refined sugar). You can check DESSERTS section on my blog HERE >> http://www.natalieshealth.com/category/recipes/desserts/
I eat several smaller but well-balanced meals a day.
I eat mindfully.
I’m more active. I do a lot of walking. I practice yoga and I run.
Just remember, it's a process. It takes time. Following this healthy lifestyle is pretty easy you just need to make all this a HABIT.
It's VERY important that you incorporate ONE healthy change at the time, not trying to do all at once. Start with replacing refined all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour in everyday cooking. Try drinking water, unsweetened teas and coffee instead sodas. Try using honey and healthier sugar alternatives instead refined white sugar. Try with 5-6 smaller meals during the day and fill your plate with veggies in every meal.
And most important DON'T give up when time gets hard. Be persistent. Set a goal - to be HEALTHIER, to FEEL BETTER!
If you have any health problems or condition, PLEASE consider talking to your doctor first :)
Hope this helps.
Tanya says
Amazing! I am trying to lose weight myself and I have been struggling a lot lately. Eating healthy is not the problem for me, I do eat healthy meals and I love them. The problem is not eating the bad foods as well... How did you manage to stay away from those? I mean, as much as I love a good healthy meal, I still have my chocolate cravings!
Natalie says
Thank you Tanya :)
Well, the first three months were the hardest. I was like an addict going trough cold-turkey phase. In that time, when I had cravings for certain food, like chocolate, I just prepared myself some healthy replacement - - a healthy food swap - like the chocolate avocado mousse with unsweetened defatted cocoa with a bit of honey. I satisfied my craving for chocolate, and I give my body a healthy stuff too - like healthy fats from avo, honey for immunity... ;) That worked for me.
After 3 months, addiction has passed. Now I don't even notice chocolate in the store anymore :D If I eat some unhealthy stuff, I get physically sick (I spend like a half day in the bathroom :/ ) so I say "thank you but no thanks" to unhealthy processed full of refined sugar food.
Just stick to healthy food, be persistent and do healthy replacement - healthy food swap. And yes, try to be moderate ;) I'll write more about that in my future posts :)
Tanya says
Thanks so much for your reply. So you actually ate chocolate, but in a healthier form? Hmm.. I could try that. Thanks! I hope I'll be where you are someday. ?
Natalie says
Yes, I use unsweetened defatted cocoa. You can make all sorts of healthy desserts with it ;)