Before my son was born, I was an avid reader. Diet books, fiction, non-fiction, the sprouted bread package… anything that stood still long enough was “reading material”. Although I still try to read, it isn’t nearly as much as it was formerly… and it (sadly) will probably be awhile before that changes.
There are little bits of time throughout each day that I am able to read, but obviously not for hours on end anymore.
So… Diet Books, Huh?
Although I’ve been following Trim Healthy Mama for about 4-5 years at this point, I still read *other* diet/lifestyle books. It doesn’t change my loyalty to Trim Healthy Mama… but it DOES change my perspective.
Reading a diet type book gives me a new surge of motivation (nothing like new reading material to give you a boost) which I apply to the Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle. But beyond that, there are often takeaways from each book that work with THM.
After one diet book in particular, I drank warm lemon water every morning for a few months. Now, that particular habit didn’t last (I wasn’t keen on it), but I still learn each time, and get new ideas to “freshen up” what could become a stale lifestyle (with my tendency towards repetition).
Freshening Up
There’s only so much of the same material you can read before your eyes glaze over and you skim half of it. That’s another reason I visit the plan book as needed (I did a giant read through when I started the plan) but otherwise “supplement” with other books.
I love that Trim Healthy Mama is always growing and changing (like the stance on potatoes) unlike other diets, but that doesn’t mean other diets have nothing to offer.
Take “keto” for example.
Ketogenic meals are often a THM heavy S meal. And although you don’t want constant heavy S meals on rotation, it’s nice to spoil yourself a bit sometimes and (carefully) indulge. But if I completely ignored all of those other diet books (keto included) I might miss out on some delicious recipes along with the little tidbits of information I can take and apply to my THM journey.
Speaking of Keto, these THM S fathead pigs in a blanket are a delicious indulgent breakfast for occasional enjoyment (we make them every year for Christmas morning)… a great way to dip your toes in the water with THM if you haven’t already, or if you are already “on-plan”, it’s an easy, delicious recipe.
Key Take Away(s)
Reading material that isn’t in alignment with THM isn’t a crime, and it isn’t cheating on the THM lifestyle. In fact, doing your own “research” can help you recommit to THM and help you with fresh ideas and a new perspective.
Are you “loyal” to THM lifestyle books alone, or do you read other books in the “diet and lifestyle” genre as well? Let me know in the comments below. I read every comment!
Christian, wife, “hybrid” mama, I run the site All Behind A Smile to help others like me.
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