I started out by counting calories and eating low-fat processed foods. I bought a lot of boxedmeals and snacks and counted every stinkin’ calorie that went in my mouth. Obviously, this is what most people do and it certainly is what I was encouraged to do, although of course I see now that this is sooo not the way to go. But hey, even though it wasn’t perfect it got me started on the weight loss road and that was the push I needed, and I’m thankful for what I learned during that time.

I finally developed some self-control as before then I had none! I also grew to love the discipline of exercise. I always thought I didn’t have time or I couldn’t do it and once I set my mind to it, I got my butt to that gym and eventually made it a habit. I counted calories using an online calorie counting tool and exercised at my local gym. It was definitely the game of trying to eat as much as I could with as little calories in them as possible and then spending an hour on the elliptical machine to then cover an overage of calories. I was very much attached to my phone with entering in calories and exercise and calculating, calculating, calculating. I couldn’t wait to wake up in the morning to weigh myself and see it go down by a few ounces daily and head to the gym again. Very hamster-on-a-wheel but I will say that I very much appreciate the knowledge it did give me on serving sizes and the food/exercise relationship.

Somehow my wheel work did pay off, I got the ball got rolling and I lost 37 pounds.

Until I hit a plateau. I was smaller thankfully, but not fit. I would say I was skinny fat. What that means is I was smaller but not strong. I am all for being small, but healthy! Skinny is not my goal, strong and healthy is.

So what did I do? I started eating paleo and the last 20 pounds fell off QUICKLY. But… I was still counting calories WHICH IS REALLY REALLY BAD! You cannot eat paleo and count calories and my friend had been telling me for months. I finally listened and I feel FREE!

I got on a Whole30 and did not once count calories, I ate more than I have ever eaten before, I feel better than ever and I DIDN’T GAIN OR LOSE A POUND. I say that in bold because there are many of us who would be worried about not counting calories and then gaining, or even losing, weight.  Let me tell you:  THIS WORKS. Obviously you guys see what we eat, and we eat A LOT and A LOT of fat.

Instead of the low-fat processed foods, I now eat whole, clean, healthy foods. We eat at home a lot more and have become very creative with new ideas and recipes for getting in all the vitamins and nutrients we need. We eat grass-fed meats, we shop at our local farmers market, we make desserts full of whole foods, and we sometimes go without. I love where I am and where my family is now.

My weight does not fluctuate, which confirms to me that this is where my body wants to be. I truly believe that by eating paleo and whole30 your body finds where it WANTS to be and finally is able to be there. This is where I was MEANT to be and I love it! So obviously, these whole30′s are not intended for me to lose weight any longer, but to feel better along with my whole family. And I do!

I also was recently diagnosed with a gluten-sensitivity so eating paleo is really the only way to go for me. I have made a personal decision to not eat processed “gluten-free” foods just because they’re gluten free. I have chosen to eat foods that are naturally gluten free, which for me means: I eat paleo. And my insides are thankful for it.

I actually only figured out I had a gluten issue, and was later diagnosed by a doctor, because of changing my eating habits. When I stopped eating wheat I felt great not realizing I used to feel bad. It was something I had lived with for so long I didn’t realize I was living with constant stomach pain. When I ate, even a small amount, of wheat I FELT AWFUL.