Several people have asked for another before and after with an update on my weight loss pictures. Because I love you, I am posting this, but be careful what you wish for, people. 🙂 I will deliver. And it might not be pretty
I’m posting these pictures because you asked for them…not because I’m proud. I’ve let my weight creep back up, but it’s not due to a THM failure. Nope. It’s due to a failure on my part to do THM. 🙂 Can anyone else relate?
Six months ago, my weight was starting to creep back up, even while being (mostly) on THM. But the most concerning thing was the troubling health issues which I wrote about here and here. About mid 2014, I had hit a low with how I was feeling, and a high with my weight since reaching my goal weight 18 months prior. Due to my mental state, I was at a dead end with personal research or with knowing how to self-treat, so I bit the bullet and sought help from a naturally minded holistic Dr. I’m SO glad I did.
(p.s. sorry about the obnoxious watermark…my photos were being ripped off and fraudulently used to sell other diet products & plans.)
For the past 6 months, I’ve been working SO hard on getting my health back, and was eating a super restrictive plan to help clear my liver and get things back on the right track. My weight dropped off, and I was feeling great. And I’m STILL feeling great!
And then Thanksgiving.
And my anniversary.
And Christmas.
And then the New Year, which was closely followed by 4 birthdays in my house that fall between January 1st and the end of February.
And then Valentines Day…because I am already counting up excuses reasons for cheating in the future. Sometimes before and after isn’t a clean, straight shot. Sometimes it’s a little bumpy and lumpy.
All that to say, I’m about 10 pounds over my low. Darn all of that scrumptious holiday food and birthday cake! I’m still muffin topping it in my size 8 jeans, and I went full time back on plan this week. So I should be waving goodbye to the muffin tops soon enough. I know what to do to get my weight back down.
It was actually therapeutic to dig these old saggy baggy before jeans out and try them on. I’m still swimming in them even with a little weight back on. It’s good to remember how far I’ve come!
So there is my 2 year before and after update in all it’s gory glory. If you’re disappointed in me, get in line behind my Grandmother. I’m going to be honest: [bctt tweet=”Weight is not at the top of my list for what makes a person good and special. #THM #GwensNest #beforeafter “] My problem is that I have food pretty high up in the category of what makes life special and good. Can I get an Amen?
I know I’m not the only one battling a little holiday fluff. This is real life, you know? Sometimes you’ve got to celebrate. And sometimes I’m naughty. Now you know. And now we can all get on with life and celebrating it in ways that are good for us!
For those of you who were rockin’ and rollin’ through the holidays with your healthy selves, don’t be like me. [bctt tweet=”Let this be a little early Valentines warning to you: don’t cheat and muffin top out of your jeans. #THM #GwensNest before/after weight loss photos- “] For those of you who have the muffins to remember the holidays by, I send you sisterly greetings. Let’s get on track! We can do better than this.
So glad to be back to blogging and back to life! What did I miss? Got any *MUST* try recipes for me this week? How can we make Valentines special and less fluffy pants? I need to know these things.
Follow me on Pinterest and never miss a recipe!
To Pin!
Follow Gwen’s Nest’s board Gwen’s Nest Healthy Recipes on Pinterest.
Anita says
February 10, 2015 at 2:43 PMI appreciate your honesty! I admit I’ve been with you on the slide, but getting back on the THM track as well.
Michael Ann says
February 10, 2015 at 4:18 PMI’m totally with you, Gwen! I got off track a year ago, and I’m now back on board with THM and eager to reclaim lost ground. I admire your honesty, and I continue to admire and USE your great recipes all the time! Thank you for taking the time to create them share them with us.
Gwen Brown says
February 10, 2015 at 4:20 PM♥ Thank you! I *knew* I wasn’t the only one. 😉
Hope Perry says
February 10, 2015 at 4:45 PMLove, love LOVE! your honest, candid writings! You go girl in living life and not getting hung up on perfection on the scale. To tweek, to adjust, to keep trying and to laugh is the way! (Because life’s so much more than going muffin topless – sorry had to say it!)
Hope Perry says
February 10, 2015 at 4:52 PMBy the way, I lost 17 lbs. with THM then traded the plan for junk – gaining those pounds ALL back. Today I’ve lost 10 again! In the process I learned a few things about my health and why I am doing this. So NOT starting over, but CONTINUING my journey.
Aleah says
February 10, 2015 at 4:52 PM<3 🙂
Melissa says
February 10, 2015 at 5:29 PMThank you so much for your honesty and courage in sharing for the whole world to see. 🙂 You’re a great example to all of us who are on this journey. You have your priorities in order and you’re looking great. Keep up the great work and you’ll be back to where you want to be soon. I’m loving the new look of your site. Blessings!
Gwen Brown says
February 10, 2015 at 5:57 PMThank you, Melissa! ♥
shannon fox says
February 10, 2015 at 5:47 PMGwen is a REAL human being! Thank goodness… we can still be friends 😉 <3
Gwen Brown says
February 10, 2015 at 5:59 PMYep! I’m a real person. I guess you can’t take that for granted on the interwebs. Stay tuned for a post about THAT fun topic. 😉
WasAtGoal says
February 10, 2015 at 6:45 PMGREAT JOB GWEN! Do you have any advice for getting back on plan? I lost about 20lbs on THM and hit goal. I fell off the wagon a year ago. Stopping and starting is a weekly occurrence. I’ve gained 25lbs. I feel hopeless. I’m bigger than I ever was.
Gwen Brown says
February 10, 2015 at 7:02 PMMy plan:
Tackle snacks first- make them ahead of time (see my yogurt recipe I posted today). Schedule and shop for on plan dinners and use leftovers for lunch, alternating E and S. Then fold in simple breakfasts that are on plan. And make 1 or 2 dessert items per week that I can enjoy in the evenings after dinner. The 4:00 afternoon and after dinner snackies are what’s killing me. 🙂
Katherine says
February 11, 2015 at 2:03 PMGreat plan and advice Gwen. I too need to get on track. I am about 80% on plan and typically have had a “cheat” DAILY! No more! Sounds like there are several of us in the same boat. We can do this together!
Michelle says
February 10, 2015 at 9:07 PMHere here Gwen!
Life is to short to sometimes not enjoy a piece of cake,
Thanks for being so “real”!
Amy says
February 10, 2015 at 9:50 PMim so glad you got my message about the pictures on the other website! I wasn’t sure if you were still reading messages from your blog.
Glad to see you back in my RSS feed!
Gwen Brown says
February 11, 2015 at 12:32 PMSeveral readers have been kind enough to send me links, but I haven’t published the links because I don’t want to send traffic to her scammy, spammy site. 🙂 Thanks to all who sent me a heads up on this!
Cassie Finley says
February 11, 2015 at 8:44 AMSkinny Chocolate covered strawberries for valentine’s day, Gwen! 😉 Or a yummy chocolate cake with strawberries and homemade Whipped cream.
Thank you for keeping it real! I too sadly fell halfway off THM this past summet/fall do to a move and life getting in the way. Sadly I gained 25 pounds back that I had lost prior….but I’m fully back on plan now and I’m celebrating the freedom and food of THM and I’m not addicted to the scale this go around….a very glorious NSV for this Mama!
Blessings to you Gwen!
Jill says
February 11, 2015 at 1:57 PMGwen, I love your blog and so appreciate your honesty. I am a THMer, but cannot get through my last 10 pounds. I am stuck! BUT when I considered a fuel cycle I read the chapter about it and I was good on all but nuts and cheese. Um so I guess you aren’t supposed to eat a few handfuls of nuts with every S meal and lather on the cheese for every sandwich, burger, omelette, quesadillas, fried cheese chips anyone?? LOL. So I know what I need to do as the program works, now just do it. I am so appreciative of the recipes you share, what a great wealth of info. Thanks for the time you take to post. You are loved and I can’t wait to see your next AFTER photo. 🙂 We’ve got this.
Patricia says
February 11, 2015 at 2:13 PMThanks for your honesty. I can so relate to what you’re saying. I’ve fallen off program and struggling to get back. Thank goodness we have a God who allows “do-overs.”
Everyday is a new day!! Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Jan says
February 11, 2015 at 4:50 PMAnother reason I adore you Gwen…your sincerity and honesty! You’re real and live in the real world like the rest of us. Let’s all keep on keeping on!
Kellie says
February 12, 2015 at 5:59 PMSo glad you’re back Gwen! You really helped me get started last year in March. I started March 23rd and did really good up until about October. I have been back on plan about 90% since the day after Christmas. I’m starting to feel a lot better and am trying my hardest not to cheat! Good luck to you! Love reading your blog!
Gwen Brown says
February 13, 2015 at 11:08 AMWe can do it, Kellie! I’ve got a Valentines party for my kids today, so planning a lunch and snack that are not cheats. 🙂 Baby steps!
Kelly @ Leafy Not Beefy says
February 12, 2015 at 6:27 PMThanks for being real! I think you’re awesome! 🙂 Weight wise, I have def. been struggling – not in really gaining, but in not losing. But I guess not gaining is a plus on it’s own. Since November of ’13 through around July of ’14, I lost about 20 pounds. From July through December, I gained a few back (maybe about 4 lbs or so) and that’s where I’m at still now. So I try to now just weigh myself once a month, and I’m trying to measure every 2 weeks. For me, right now because my body is so slow at losing actual pounds, I’m going to be more motivated in seeing the measurements shrink. Anyways, I really appreciate all the help your blog has been for me and countless others on this journey!!
Gwen Brown says
February 13, 2015 at 11:07 AMThank you, Kelly! I got up and went for a brisk walk this morning…I’m hoping that will help pick up my metabolism and get things rolling again. 🙂 I’ve been on my bum too much with the blogging!
heather wilson says
February 12, 2015 at 8:03 PMThank you so much for this. I was feeling like I was the only one who backslid. Hitting 40 seems to have messed with my body that I thought I knew. I have been trying to get myself back on plan but I am really struggling. Especially with the sweets because I finally about 6 months ago ran out of my good NuNaturals. I am having a hard time getting the sweetness I was used to in recipes with the new THM stevia. Keeping at it.
Andrea says
February 13, 2015 at 6:13 PMI know exactly how you feel. I did the same thing after being strict THM for over three months. I have stopped THM which is silly because it is easy. Luckily I still haven’t gained back all the weight I lost in those three months. Getting back on track to THM too. Thank you for your story.
Cathy says
February 15, 2015 at 3:53 PMThank you so much! I really needed to hear this. 🙂 I have felt terrible for sliding in the wrong direction, but you said something very important: those of us who have been on THM know how to get back on plan. I love your website!
Gwen Brown says
February 15, 2015 at 6:57 PMThank you, Cathy! I’m so glad you’re encouraged. 🙂 We can do it!
Marisa says
February 15, 2015 at 5:46 PMHi Gwen! Glad to hear an update! Love your updated look! I am with you on holidays and just enjoying life sometimes. I gained some of what I lost back, too. It is coming back off though. I learned so much when I started THM and I do love it. My new plan is to do breakfast and lunch and snacks on plan and just eat dinner normal. I only need to lose maybe 8 pounds. Just bought a mountain bike and excited to get in some fun exercise. Love your greek spice mix and your bread for pizza dough! Happy for you to be back at blogging! I started blogging in October and have enjoyed following you. Blessings!
Gwen Brown says
February 15, 2015 at 6:54 PMThank you for your words of encouragement! ♥ I need to get my bike out again too!
Laurie says
February 16, 2015 at 7:36 AMYou are not alone! Jumping back on the THM wagon with you! 🙂
Jennifer D says
March 14, 2015 at 5:19 AMThanks so much for sharing a peek at your journey!
Julie C says
July 11, 2015 at 10:25 PMAny 6 month updates from here? Watching with interest!
Gwen Brown says
July 11, 2015 at 10:40 PMHi Julie!
I had another health setback (which we’re handling) and put on more weight using sugar to just get through the days. BUT, I am feeling lots better now and have been sugar free for 2 weeks, and have lost about 6 pounds again just doing THM. 🙂 Thanks for checking on me! I’m not a poster child for perfection. <3
Kelli V. says
July 19, 2016 at 5:08 PMThank you for your site and your generosity of time in creating and maintaining it to help others. It has been a huge help and blessing to me as I start THM. Especially the condiments for me, a mayo & buttah lovah!
Veronica Canfield says
October 16, 2016 at 2:18 PMYou wrote:
“To be honest, if I had tried any other diet out there, I know where I’d be right now. I’d be in my size 16 jeans. Again. I’d have lost 15 to 20 pounds, squeezed into a size 12, and called it ‘good enough’. I would have returned to my former ways of eating, and gained it all back. And I’d be squeezing myself into the same swimsuits that I wore last year, and blaming my age, my lack of self control, and Krispy Kremes for my flabby body.”
Wow. You nailed it. That sounds like my life, minus the successful maintenance. And I’m only 5’0, so I’d have to change it to size 10 jeans, squeezing into a size 6 and call it good enough. Your description of having control over your cravings is like a dream come true. But I also enjoyed how you shared your slight stumble and your plan to go back on THM without making it seem like torture to do so. I bought the book 6 months ago with the thought of “someday”. That was 10 pounds (less) ago. I think it’s time. Thanks for sharing your journey. Yours story has convinced me to really take the plunge.