If you just found out you have insulin resistance—or you suspect you might - You're probably a little scared. Maybe overwhelmed. Possibly thinking, "Great, one more thing I have to deal with…
That's how I felt too when I first found out - I also thought that meant I was just destined to be overweight for the rest of my life.
But I need you to hear this: Finding out I was insulin resistant actually ended up being a blessing in disguise.
Read MoreIt's that time of year again—the holiday season is right around the corner. And if you're like most women trying to lose weight, you're probably feeling a mix of excitement and dread.
On one hand, you love the holidays. The gatherings, the traditions, the time with family and friends. But on the other hand? You're worried. Worried about gaining weight. Worried about losing the progress you've made. Worried about starting over AGAIN in January.
I get it. I've been there.
Read MoreI thought I was doing everything right…I really did…
When I decided to get serious about eating healthier, I switched to whole grain everything - bread, pasta, cereals. I bought the low fat versions of yogurt, cottage cheese, salad dressings…I drank the green juices and made protein smoothies. All my meals were based around grains and beans…
According to every article I read, I was eating perfectly. These were the foods nutritionists recommended, the ones featured in "healthy living" magazines, the ones my doctor suggested when she told me to "eat better."
Read MoreWhen you think of what a healthy breakfast should look like, that probably includes things like oatmeal, whole grains, and fruit - all the foods we've been told are good for us. But when you're insulin resistant, these 'healthy' foods might be the exact reason you feel like garbage every morning. The catch? These foods might be causing your blood sugar to spike and crash, which is why you feel so lousy afterward and not doing you any favors in terms of your insulin resistance.
Read MoreIf you've recently found out you're insulin resistant, you're probably feeling a mix of emotions right now. Maybe you're relieved to finally have an answer for why weight loss has felt impossible. Or maybe you're scared and wondering if you're destined to become diabetic or if you'll ever be able to lose weight.
I've been exactly where you are right now.
Read MoreTell me if this sounds familiar - you’re trying to lose weight (again…). You start out with the best intentions and you’re really motivated to actually do it this time. You’re counting every calorie, tracking every bite, getting your steps in, hitting the gym 5 days a week to “burn off” any extra calories. You know, “eating less and moving more” - just like we’re always told to do.
It seems like it would make sense, right? So why doesn't it always work that easily?
If you've been there – meticulously tracking every calorie, choosing salads over the pizza, and spending countless hours on the treadmill, only to step on the scale and that dang number just won’t budge – you're not alone. I’ve been there too - I was actually stuck there for about 20 years (argh!).
Read MoreWe spend so much time obsessing over calories when we want to lose weight. We track, we count, we try to eat less and exercise more… But what if I told you there are crucial pieces of the puzzle that have absolutely nothing to do with any of that?
After working with countless women (and experiencing my own frustrating weight loss journey), I’ve identified three key mindset shifts that are essential for lasting weight loss success. And the best part? You don’t need a calculator or a food scale for any of them.
Read MoreFor years, I struggled with my weight. I was always either depressed because of my weight, actively trying to lose weight, or working my butt off to keep the weight I had just lost off. It felt like I was constantly fighting my own body. My weight was always on my mind, one way or another, and it was absolutely exhausting.
The constant counting, tracking, and fighting cravings was a full-time job. I was always thinking about food: What should I eat? How many calories is this? Am I allowed to have that?...
Read MoreAre you stuck in the frustrating seemingly never ending diet cycle? You know the drill: cut calories, eat less, exercise more. It goes ok for a few days, maybe even a few weeks if you’re lucky…but then the hunger and cravings get stronger, you start to feel sore and exhausted and you find yourself having to white knuckle it through the day to stay on track.
And that's when, inevitably, it all starts to fall apart. You blame yourself, feeling like you just don’t have enough willpower… just aren't "strong enough."...or can “never stick to anything”...
The weight creeps back on, often with a little extra just to add salt to the wound, and the cycle of frustration continues.
Read MoreIf I hear "everything in moderation" one more time, I might just scream.
For so many of us, myself included, this well-meaning advice has actually been the reason we've felt stuck, frustrated, and even broken.
We tried it. We really did. Hell, we really want it to work because we don’t want to have to limit or give up our favorite foods…
But in a world overflowing with highly processed, hyper-palatable foods – literally engineered to make you crave more and more – "moderation" feels like an impossible, never-ending battle.
Read MoreFor many of us, the idea of completely giving up an occasional glass of wine or a refreshing cocktail can feel daunting when starting a new eating plan. For a lifestyle to truly be sustainable, it needs to accommodate some of our preferred indulgences, even if that may not always be an ideal choice.
This guide is for the woman who wants to enjoy a drink from time to time while still prioritizing her health and weight loss goals. We'll explore better options and strategies to minimize the impact, but it's important to start with a crucial caveat.
Read MoreDo you feel guilty when you take time to take care of yourself? If so, you are definitely not alone. When talking to women, one of the biggest barriers to practicing self-care is guilt. We, as women, often feel incredibly guilty for tending to our own needs.
That's why I want to talk about the importance of self-care and why it's not just a luxury but a necessity. Taking time just for you isn't easy for everyone. It can bring up many feelings, including guilt or the belief that you don't deserve to take that time for yourself. If you feel this way, I hope to offer some food for thought and some suggestions to make this easier.
Read MoreHave you ever gotten to a point in your weight loss journey when things seem to be going smoothly, you’ve lost some weight and maybe you’re even getting close to reaching your goals, and then BAM! All of a sudden you find yourself off the rails...again?
Often it starts with something that seems small or a perfectly innocent thought like “I’ve been really good all day, I deserve to have a scoop of ice cream…” only to find a little bit later you’ve polished off the whole pint.” Or having that piece of a brownie that someone left in the lunchroom and then that turns into... “Well, I’ve already screwed up today I might as well eat what I want and get back on track tomorrow…” but then tomorrow just continues the downward spiral.
Read More"Just try a little bit!" "C'mon, a few bites won't hurt!" "Everything in moderation!” “Live a little!"...
We've all heard those words – heck, we may have even said them. But when you have health or weight loss goals, navigating social situations where someone tries to encourage you to eat something you don't really want can be tricky. So lets talk about why people feel the need to push food, and some tips and strategies you can use if or when this happens to you.
We often refer to these people as "Food Pushers." They usually mean well; most often, they just don't want you to feel left out. Most have the best of intentions, but their persistence can stir up a lot of discomfort or awkwardness.
Read MoreAre you staring at your pantry, feeling like eating healthy and losing weight means spending half your free time in the kitchen meal prepping and slew of complicated recipes with weird ingredients you’ve never heard of (let alone knowing where to get them)? If the thought of meal planning for a low-carb lifestyle feels stressful and overwhelming, you are absolutely not alone.
I hear you. The good news? It doesn't have to be that complicated! Trust me - I don’t do complicated ;)
Read MoreIf you’ve recently found out that you're insulin resistant or prediabetic you might be feeling frustrated and defeated and you probably have a ton of questions.
I know I did.
Does this mean I'm going to become diabetic?
Am I going to have to start taking medications?
Does this mean I'm never going to be able to lose weight?
What does this mean for my health?
If you're anything like I was, you might also be feeling overwhelmed by all the changes you imagine you'll have to make, and worried about giving up all your favorite foods. It's a stressful and confusing place to be.
Read MoreAre you doing all the things to lose weight? Dieting, counting calories, tracking every bite that goes into your mouth, "eating clean," hitting your step goal, pushing through workouts, chugging water… but the scale just won’t budge? If this sounds familiar you're definitely not alone. If you're feeling frustrated, defeated, and on the verge of throwing in the towel, thinking that maybe you're just destined to be overweight, please hear this - there is hope, and it might be simpler than you think.
That's exactly where I was too until I found out I was insulin resistant.
Read MoreThis is for you if this sounds familiar: You started strong doing all the things - food was on point, you were drinking your water, getting your steps in, the scale was moving, you were feeling pretty dang good…
Then all of a sudden it’s like you hit a brick wall and now that scale just won’t budge no matter what you do <argh!!>
It's soooo frustrating when you inevitably hit that weight loss stall.
Read MoreHave you ever thought weight loss would be so much easier if you weren’t so dang hungry all the time? I always used to say that - constantly trying to ignore the fact that I was hungry was one of my biggest downfalls when trying to lose weight.
I was usually fine the first few days - you know when you’re still super motivated and it's new so you feel extra determined - ‘I’m gonna do it this time’...
But after a few days…maybe a couple weeks if I was really lucky… of trying to white knuckle it through the cravings it got harder and harder not to give in….
Read MoreTell me if you can relate? I struggled to lose weight for a long time. I dieted, counted calories, drank my water, got my steps in…I thought I was doing everything right so I just couldn’t understand why the weight wouldn’t budge!
I had no idea that some of what I was doing was actually causing me to store more fat…(argh!!)
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