As an all or nothing type person, when I wrote a review of the Trim Healthy Mama (THM) plan book back in October of 2016, I had no idea that I would identify as a Trim Healthy Mama over five years later… and still be mostly sugar free (completely sugar free is still a goal, but I’m human and “fall off the wagon”).
So much has happened these past five years; we’ve moved multiple times, taken several road trips, and even started a family (we now have two handsome young boys). Jobs have changed, and the people who live with us has also changed. Most recently, my diet has changed, too – not away from Trim Healthy Mama, but more restricted within THM (due to health issues).
Learning about Myself Through THM
These past years I’ve learned a lot about Trim Healthy Mama, but also about myself…
- It is possible to ignore, deny, or soothe my cravings (stronger than I knew)
- Eating off plan hurts me physically AND mentally (because our physical health has an impact on our mental health, as does how we feel about our looks)
- When my children look to me, I want them to see someone who practices what she preaches (not eating sugar – integrity is important!)
- My children want what I eat (so if I eat sugar, they tend to do so, as well). Following THM is helpful for myself AND for them (Keeping my kids healthy is important, but also, integrity again!)
- I am CAPABLE of change and STICKING WITH change (Standard American Diet -> Low Glycemic Lifestyle i.e. THM. I am still a Trim Healthy Mama over five years later!!!)
Trim Healthy Mama Over Five Years Later
Over five years down the road and I’m comfortable with the ingredients (that was a hurdle). There have been two gestational diabetes pregnancies so far to learn how to navigate on plan. Now, with my added dietary restrictions (limited to no dairy), it’s a path to learning a different way to be a Trim Healthy Mama.
- I’ve learned that this plan can grow and evolve as the authors (and we, as well) learn new information and how different foods impact our bodies
- Even with a plan like THM, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. We are each different and unique
- This plan adapts to each individual season or time, such as pregnancy, nursing, menstruation, even menopause (I’ll learn more about that adaptation someday) … but it’s not just for women (men and children benefit from healthy eating, too)
- Even when we fall off the wagon and sugar passes our lips (or unhealthy carbs; whatever your “not on plan” craving is) we are still part of the “Trim Collective” (as my husband calls us). We don’t have to have perfect bodies, or look like models. We don’t have to be on plan 100% of the time… in fact, I wrote about why I’m only 80% on Plan with THM!! Vitamin “P” for Pleasure is a part of our vocabulary, we just learn how to enjoy our “vitamins” in moderation.
THM over five years later looks like community. It looks like flexibility and change. And most of all, it looks like acknowledging that I can be a Trim Healthy Mama for literal years and still not be at my “queen weight”.
Are you a Trim Healthy Mama? What does that look like for you? Let me know in the comments below!
Christian, wife, “hybrid” mama, I run the site All Behind A Smile to help others like me.
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