…2014…
New year resolutions came knocking almost before I got done with the spotlight that came with family reunions over festivities.I felt enabled, enlightened yet there was that side of me that felt like I hadn’t yet known how far my body could go. Therefore I went online to learn more as I hit a plateau and the gym became to expensive for this student . Then the storms began and it felt like I went into one storm from another or while in another, if that made sense. The stress that came with had me getting smaller and I just felt like a dark cloud was constantly hovering above me. Then I landed onto raw living and I jumped onto that bandwagon as quick as I could. I felt better and more energetic,I ate as much as I needed to get to my fill. My bedsitter looked like a fruit market and I received immense support from my mum. My skin was glowing ,my clothes got really loose and I wasn’t stressing over how much food I’m having therefore this girlie was at peace. However, as I basked in the glory of all this it became really expensive and I slowly got off the bandwagon. Reduced the fruit intake to twice a day and one cooked meal, that’s where raw till four came in. I set up an account and followed all these people whom I happened to notice that were on the same lifestyle. I picked everything from everyone and in no time the cravings came in full force and it became unsustainable ,a good number of raw veggies’ taste were unbearable, I felt lost. I needed guidance and nobody around me seemed aware of the vegan lifestyle. I was surrounded by people who didn’t understand why I ate how I did. Half of the time there was always someone around me trying to entice me with some well cooked meat, from arguments such as ” white meat is good for you” to “you need iron in your body” . So I slipped back to it, more of I dived head fast into it without shame. My body felt sluggish ,the energy was gone, insomnia hit me hard like never before and by the time I was celebrating Christmas 2014 my old eating habits had crept up and I wasn’t feeling so good about myself.
2015 this is it!! Or so I thought /o\.
By the time I was dressing up as a bridesmaid, I had almost gone back to my initial size and I saw it in their faces the comments that were left unsaid. For some reason, I no longer had the will-strength to go back to the gym. I felt helpless and these storms kept getting more intense. I was worn out and nobody seemed to pick it up as well as, I didn’t want to sound like an ungrateful brat. I desired to get my life on track, to dare to live and change, I was tired of all the negative emotions that seemed to have engulfed me. Therefore, I filtered the choice of content that I followed on social media and stuck to the basics on a vegan lifestyle. I decided to live within my means and learnt a few tricks on fruit shopping that I will share with you as I go ahead. I slowly transitioned(still am) to veganism as I was out for wholesomeness and stability. I slowly cut out the meat(never a big fan) and by this time my parents understood what I was doing . It was humbling to realize that I motivated my dad to make better food and lifestyle choices. Knowing somebody was watching was more than enough motivation to keep me going. I had my graduation coming up and it was time to silence them up. I had had enough of it.
Honestly, this time round, the transitioning had me gaining a little lot more before I got to the weight loss bit. IT pushed me to hit the gym hard and it totally paid off. I had grown my resilience and discipline as in my choices with regards to what was good for my body. Fish was the last thing on my exit lane, good old tilapia. This was a total struggle to let go of and dragged out longer than anticipated.
Was it easy breaking through lifetime habits to strive for my body’s well-being? well, no. Far from it. However, I did take that first step into it, learnt to make it work for me. I simplified it for this lass and worked with what was available. I tossed out the scale and worked with how my clothes felt. Totally cleaned out my old closet and maintained my fitting clothes or those that I was working to fit into. I took it a day at a time. My, oh my! The joy!
So why highcarbliving?
- It liberated me from extreme calorie restriction and learnt to blend in better choices with moderation.
- My energy levels shot up \o/. I would liken it to being an energizer bunny most of the times.
- It freed me from the workout guilt of needing to spend hours at the gym to stay active.
- It became a lifestyle rather than a weight-loss program.
- It is a constant reminder of God’s goodness over my life. How intentional He is in having this child thrive.
I am letting you know that it can be done. Tears may be shed. Difficult decisions will be made. Nevertheless, you will be grateful that you chose your health over self-deprecating patterns and misery.
See you soon!
Hugs and kisses.
HIGHCARBLIVING 