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Coffee Talk 09.18.16

Coffee Talk with Jo-Lynne

Hello, friends! I hope everyone’s having a good weekend so far! It’s been beautiful here — cool enough to break out some lightweight fall clothes but still plenty warm enough to be comfortable outside without outerwear. I went to a movie yesterday afternoon with a girlfriend, and then after dinner, we hung out with friends on their patio. They had a fire going in the fire pit, the air temperature was mild, and aside from a few pesky mosquitos, it was absolute perfection.

I saw the new Bridget Jones movie. I had forgotten most of the storyline from the first one, so I was a little lost at the beginning, but it’s not like it was too hard to figure out. It was funny, but definitely raunchy in parts, so definitely take that into consideration if you’re thinking of going to see it. I know not everyone shares my convictions, but many of you do. I have a hard time overlooking the glorification of immorality to enjoy the humor.

Okay, now I sound like my grandmother. Ha! But she was a wise, godly woman. And she would have been horrified to see what is in theaters these days. For that matter, she would have been horrified when she was alive. I’m not sure she ever saw a movie. Any-who. That’s my 2 cents, for what it’s worth.

I’ve been wanting to give y’all an update on my “Whole 30” experiment. I need to stop calling it Whole 30 because I know the premise behind that is to go completely cold turkey and if you cheat even once, to start over. That was never my goal. What I wanted to do was instill some better eating habits that I can sustain for the long term, and I used their guidelines as a place to start and modified them a bit to work for me.

I’ve tried so many times to eat a low-carb, low-sugar, paleo-ish sort of way, and I always fall back into old habits. I don’t know what has made it different this time, but I’m really pleased with how well I’m sticking with it. I feel like it’s my new normal — sort of like when I went gluten-free, although I did eliminate that 100% because you pretty much have to if you’re going to see any results.

With this, my goal was to allow myself an occasional deviation from the eating plan so I don’t feel deprived, but not allow the exceptions to become the rule. That means being pretty strict with myself, especially at first, but without the mentality that this is a 30-day thing or a 21-day thing like I’ve done in the past. Because for me, when I set a time limit like that, when it’s over, I subconsciously feel like I’m free to indulge again, and the indulgences eventually become my normal again. This time I went into it with the attitude that it was a permanent lifestyle change, and while indulgences are allowed, they must be few and far between.

Several people have asked how I’m eating, what I’m eating, or what diet I’m on. I get it. It’s easier to communicate what you’re doing when you can put a label on it, but what I’m doing doesn’t really fall under a specific label that I know of. I think what I really should say when I describe my eating habits is that I’m trying to eat clean. I’ve heard Cyndi say that about the way she tries to eat, and I think that sums it up quite nicely.

I definitely wanted to eliminate added sugars, and make desserts a verrrry rare treat. I’ve stopped buying the gluten-free cookies that I used to keep around, although I admit that when I came across a macaron kiosk in the mall this week, I indulged. I brought home 6 and split them with my 2 girls so I only had 2 of them. They were good, but I didn’t feel like they made me want more sugar. It was nice to have a little treat and be satisfied.

I wanted to stop relying on granola bars and quick foods as meal replacements and I really wanted to get out my potato chip habit. (They’re my downfall — the Kettle chips, ohmyword, so good!) The granola bars were just out of necessity because I didn’t have anything healthy in the house, but the chips are my forbidden fruit. I can’t not eat them if they’re in the house, so keeping chips out of the house has been key. My husband is banned from bringing them home. It helps that he’s also trying to eat this way due to a recent report of high cholesterol.

But this is more about what I AM eating than what I’m NOT eating. I wanted to be purposeful about getting more vegetables and fruits into my diet and reduce the carbs/grains at meals. I don’t feel the need to eschew all grains and dairy, but I definitely wanted to reduce them. I used to always feel like a meal had to have a meat, a veggie, and a starch. I don’t love rice and potatoes, but if they’re on the table, I will eat them. Because I was using the Whole 30 guidelines as my guide, and they allow white potatoes, I decided to allow white potatoes. But I also try to make some meals with no starch at all. The best part of that is, the starch usually takes the longest time to cook, and it messes up another pan, so eliminating those from our meals has made meal prep quicker and clean up easier.

The biggest thing I’ve done that I think has really helped me stay on track overall is to try to eat vegetables at every meal. That means being very intentional about always having plenty in the house.

I almost always mix a leftover dinner veggie into my eggs for breakfast, or I will sauté some baby spinach before adding the eggs. Lunch is most often a salad with some type of protein on it. I try to eat more salad than protein, and I make my own dressing. At dinnertime, I’m trying to make sure to make dinners that do involve vegetables, rather than casseroles or tacos or things like that.

Eating this way is easier in the summertime because salads are more appealing in the warmer months, and I can throw a meat on the grill and sauté or steam a veggie and call it dinner. When it gets cold out, I am not sure what I’ll rely on — I am not a huge fan of soups, plus they require a lot of prep. And dinnertime will require a little more thoughtfulness too, but I’m determined to figure it out and stick with this.

The results are I’ve lost 5 pounds and kept it off. It feels soooo good. That’s all I needed for my clothes to fit well again, and I can really see the difference in my arms and mid-section. I feel less gassy and bloated overall, and I never have that icky-full feeling or that icky-I-ate-too-much-junk feeling anymore.

I also don’t really get hungry. Two eggs scrambled with veggies at 7am will hold me over till well after noon. I grab a salad or leftover dinner at 1 or 2, and by dinnertime I’m not hungry but ready to eat. I don’t tend to overeat at dinner anymore because the type of food I’m serving isn’t the type of food that begs you to overindulge. It is good and satisfying, but I’m not tempted to go back for seconds that way I am with comfort foods or heavily sauced meals.

My biggest indulgence — and my potato chip replacement (because I love a salty, crunchy snack in the late afternoon) — is this sea salt popcorn I get at my health food store. The calories are very low, there’s no extra butter or oil, and it just hits the spot. I think it helps to have something allowable that feels snacky and “normal” because eating this way all the time does get kind of boring.

Oh, one other thing I’m doing is trying to eat more fruit. I don’t usually eat much fruit, but I know the fiber is good for me, and it also satisfies my sweet tooth. I used to crave something sweet after a savory meal, and I would eat a GF cookie or some chocolate, but now I try to keep berries or apples in the house to follow up a meal and cleanse my palate, and that usually satisfies my sweet craving. The challenge is keeping them around because my kids usually devour them and leave none for me!

Sorry that got so long, but I’ve had several people ask for a followup on my diet, and I wanted to share how pleased I am with how well it’s going! And by “my diet” I mean it in the traditional sense — as in, what I eat, not in a temporary weight-loss plan. I always hesitate to use that word because it has such negative connotations these days, and I definitely don’t look at this as a diet. It’s just the way I eat, and I just hope I can stay motivated to do the work required to keep up with it.

I’m headed out to church in a bit, and we’re planning to visit the in-laws this afternoon. Then I have to get some work done because we shot four new looks this weekend. I’m excited about the outfits I have to share with you this week, but it always takes a while to edit the pictures and put my posts together. Fortunately, that’s the part of my job I enjoy most. I don’t love the photo shoots and coming up with new outfits. It’s tiring and messy, and I feel awkward posing in public, but when they come together in a way that pleases me, it’s worth it. And I really enjoy sharing about the process in my blog posts. I don’t know, maybe that makes me way self-absorbed, ha! But I hope they provide you with some fun fall style inspiration.

Have a beautiful Sunday!

Join The Conversation

38 Responses

  1. Thank you Jo-Lynne! Larry & I recently learned that we are pre diabetic, so we definitely have to make some lifestyle changes in regards wo what we eat. The doctor said that he knows we are in the process of moving, and that the city house we are spending most of our time in is empty, thus every meal has to be eaten out. He’s giving us three months to show signs of improvement. I am happy to say that we are making better choices, even though we still have to eat out; no fries, etc. My hardest part is the sweets because I grew up eating them. My friend that is a diabetic said to keep apples or bananas around, and they should help satisfy my sweet tooth. I sure hope so! I want the pounds off and I don’t want to become a full fledge diabetic.

    Have a blessed Sunday!

      1. Thanks! I saw a quote this morning that I really like and am going to do my best to remember: Healthy eating is showing respect for your self!

  2. Hi Jo-Lynne,
    I was wondering how the food lifestyle change was going. I’m glad to hear it is successful, you do look fabulous! I am learning that what I put in (and on) my body really effects how I look and feel.

  3. Happy Sunday to you, too, Jo-Lynne! We also eat clean and feel so much better. We follow the Autoimmune Paleo diet. Be proud of what you are modeling for your children.

  4. Thanks for sharing your healthy lifestyle update. Isn’t it amazing how just losing 5 pounds makes such a difference? I need to clean up my eating and I am starting this week. It’s crazy that I know how much better I feel when I eat better but yet show me the chips, guacamole, and sangria and I’m all like, “What healthy eating?” Ugh. Anyway, thanks for the reminder and inspiration!

    1. Yes! It really makes such a difference in overall well being, but sometimes it is so easy to give in and indulge. I’m hoping I can stick with this for the long term. I figure, every time I turn over a new leaf and try to eat better, some parts of it stick, even if I do end up backsliding a bit. I figure if I keep at it, and keep trying, in the end I have to be better off than if I weren’t trying at all.

  5. I love your comments on movies. I SO agree!! I find some of the content actually embarrassing to watch! Thanks for helping me to know I’m not the only one who shares those ideas! Now when my 20-something kids are talking about a movie or tv show I ask them, “Is this one appropriate for me?”!!!! ????

        1. Hi Sarah! Thanks for your comment(s). 🙂 Awaiting moderation means that your comment was waiting to be put through on my end. My blog moderates first time comments in an effort to avoid spam from coming through.

  6. I agree with your comments about movies today. Kids-in-mind.com is an awesome website that I often refer to for advice. My adult children still roll their eyes when they recall not being able to attend a movie because ” mom looked it up”. haha

  7. Thank you for this update Jolynne! I have been curious to know how it’s been going for you. Two years ago you inspired me to reduce my sugar intake and it was so helpful to me.

    I just have to say women’s bodies can be so finicky! I’ve come to the conclusion that very low carb lifestyles are not good for most younger women, but the older we get, especially as we head towards menopause, it becomes really important to reduce carbs and sugar as we become much more prone to developing diabetes.

    As a final stage to battling breast cancer I am in drug induced menopause at age 38. The lack of hormones has drastically changed my metabolism in a very short time! Suddenly I need far fewer calories than ever before in my life and I’m very very sensitive to the effects of carbs and sugar. So I eat very similarly to you now and plan to for the rest of my life. The good news is that it’s been a pretty easy transition for me. Previously, whenever I tried to eat low carb I felt awful and hangry. But now I feel pretty terrible if I eat a lot of carbs and sugar is the worst, it makes me feel hung over. The change has been dramatic and very interesting.

    All of that to say that while sugar is bad for everyone, no matter their age or sex, I think healthy carbs are a necessity for most young women to maintain healthy hormone levels. But as we age and our hormones change our metabolisms change too and we have less need for them. I wish there was more research on this.

    Okay that was one looooong comment! You are one of my favorite bloggers, I really appreciate your honesty and transparency. Keep up the good work!

    1. That is all very interesting. And I agree that when we are younger, we seem to need more carbs. My kids eat tons of carbs, and I don’t deny them. I just keep the good stuff around too and hope they get enough. 🙂 I hope one day research will help us understand why it’s that way.

  8. I was wondering how the clean eating was going. Thanks for the update. I eat mostly clean but my indulgences are getting too frequent. I need to “tighten the belt” but I keep indulging! ???? Thanks for the inspitation. I’ve put on nearly 5 pounds! I so want to loose them!

  9. I really enjoyed this post. I was always the skinny girl that could eat anything…until my late 30’s when my metabolism decided to go on strike. It’s been so difficult to gain weight and seem to have no control. I’ve tried various exercise programs (some extreme) with no positive results. Just recently though I started the 21 Day Fix (eating program only) along with Hard Corps workout. What I learned is that even though I was eating healthy foods, I was eating too much. This program has shown me healthy portions. I’ve also seen that I didn’t eat enough veges. I initially thought I would starve! lol! But, guess what? I’m still okay. One tip was to drink more water when I feel hungry. This really does work! I found out that I should be drinking about 78oz of water/day. This has helped tremendously with my cravings. Anyway, all of this to say that the first week I lost 3lbs! This is huge to me! I’m glad I didn’t give up before finding this program. It just shows that it takes different things for different people. Congrats on your accomplishments too!

  10. Oh Jolynn, well said. Hubby and I just said this morn back on same life style of clean eating cause we have been feeling bad. We really do feel so much better doing what your doing. Thx for sharing. Belinda

  11. No, you are not self-absorbed at all! Your efforts on the blog save me soooo much time. I can see exactly what’s in style, go right for that when I do have to shop, and already know how it’s going to look, etc. My teens always comment on how fashionable I look when we go out. Thanks to you, there are no mom- jeans going on here! 🙂
    Keep up the great work!

  12. Your eating plan is great! I was doing 21 day fix but still had the on and off mentality. Now we are working towards this style of eating too. Do you get sick of eggs? I like the idea of veggies in them so will try that. Also, do you do all organic?

  13. I would recommend taking Icelandic Kelp from the vitamin store because it regulates your thyroid. I went to a natural vitamin store here in Phoenix when my hair wasn’t growing as fast as I thought it should, and the lady suggested the kelp. Well, it’s worked wonders!! Blood tests say my thyroid is fine, but that little supplement really works! It might help with weight issues, too. Wishing you all the best!!

  14. Hi Jolynne. Loved reading your update on your eating plan. It’s very inspiring to hear you are sticking to it. I used to enjoy your updates with the sugar detox, but I found that way too challenging. I am looking into the whole 30 now, and will see where I will modify (including wine for example!) to be able to embark on it.
    I’m with you on the word diet.

  15. I was also wondering how things were going in the kitchen. Although I do remember you saying you were about 5 pounds down. I really want to do something similar in the vein of eating more cleanly. I am not overweight, but, like you, would feel so much better with 5 pounds off. The clothes I have would fit better and I’m sure I’d feel better too. My weaknesses are wine and ice cream. Unfortunately, when I drink wine, it convinces me I can have ice cream “just this once”, which turns into almost an every-day occurrence! And all of a sudden the splurge is the regular routine. Seeing that I will be turning 49 in November, there’s no time like the present to clean up my act!! Wish me luck!

    1. I hear ya!!! I had to get the stuff out that tempts me – for me, it was the chips. Exactly what you say happens to me when I drink wine – I want a bowl of chips, and it turns into a bag, and then it starts happening almost every day… and I’d eat dinner on top of that and have seconds because my guard was down. So again, only having low-carb, high veggie dinners that don’t tempt me to go back for 2nds helps too.

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