I vulnerably share my story of health transformation in hopes that you will be encouraged and inspired to take your own health back! And/or, if you know someone who struggles with food addiction; would you please consider sharing my story too? I know what it feels like to be hopeless and depressed; my story may help them? I have not "arrived" but as the saying goes, "you've come a long way baby!" Thank you kindly, Dr. Carol
This month, I am celebrating a long-time goal of reaching my wedding weight of 19 years ago by continuing my #Shred10 journey of FOUR years! I didn't do it perfectly, but I never gave up!! No crash or fad diets, no surgery, no starvation, just good whole food nutrition and a few lifestyle changes to shred toxins, fat/pounds, negative thoughts and habits that weren't serving me.
April 15th, 2018 was my 4 year Anniversary and I am humbled and grateful for all the love and support from my Healthy Living Revolution Community!! I not only lost 75 pounds that first year (2014-2015) but I also gained vitality, mobility, and confidence while shredding bad habits, toxins, hormonal migraines, hot flashes and insomnia, low stamina, shortness of breath, swelling in ankles and SO much more! Four years later now and I not only maintained (within a few pounds) but I lost another 15# for a total weight loss of 90 pounds (and several sizes)!!! I went shopping today for some new clothes and I was SHOCKED! I am the smallest I have EVER been since high school!! Not that I am thin or skinny by any means, but for me, a size 16 IS "small!" After 40+ years of living around size 24 and up!!! And may I say, I FEEL GREAT!
I have been honored to support and encourage countless others along my journey and my intention is to continue to not only make self-care a priority but also to serve as an inspiration and a "frontlight" for others, leading the way! I give God the glory for it is Christ in me who gave me the HOPE and desire to care for this temple He gave me stewardship over so that I may better serve His purposes. Friends, there is NOTHING I could do to make God love me anymore and there is NOTHING I could do to make Him love me any less. My worthiness is found in Him and He loves me (and you) regardless of our size, our level of health/fitness, or success! I want to make this perfectly clear! God's love for us is unconditional regardless of our size but I believe He wants us to be in peak health so we can better serve Kingdom purposes! This was a big part of my motivation to take charge of my health. I felt I was not only robbing myself, but others, of experiencing me at my fullest potential by being and doing all God has called me to be!!
So, I am almost 60 y/o (turn the big "6-0" in September) and I want you to know that I have struggled with food addiction since the age of 3 YET I am the most hopeful I have been in years that the best is yet to come!
My keys to success are:
🙏God (hope and trust in Him)
💖Concentrated powder produce capsules to detoxify and rebuild my health at the cellular level (www.drcarolwatson.com)
💪2 plant protein shakes per day to reduce cravings (learn more at www.Shred10.com)
🚶♀️Daily movement (walking for me, track my steps)
🤩Gluten and dairy free (most of the time)
🥦Eating mostly plants, and lots of them
👭AND YOU all, my friends, whom I desire to inspire and encourage along the way!
"God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us." Ephesians 3:20 (The Message)
Plants, not drugs, saved my life. At one point in time in my journey, I weighed over 400 pounds and was dependent on many medications! Over the years, I continue on my journey to take my health back with good whole food nutrition, retraining my brain to remove toxic thoughts, movement (walking and T'ai Chi, and daily surrender to God)! It just makes sense!
~Dr. Carol