One year later…

It’s been a year since Mary Welch and I connected to chat about weight loss. To date, I have released 53 pounds (ca. 24 kg) and Laith 30 pounds (ca. 14 kg). We have made significant changes over the past year, but not all at once. Here are some of the things we learned in no particular order:

• We didn’t change our diet; we changed our lifestyle.
  

• There is no magic pill. We do the work; we realize results.
  

• Weight loss does not come without significant changes to how, when, and what we eat. We identified what worked for us, so we can do it daily and enjoy it.
  

• Mindset and a strong reason, a “why,” are necessary to stay motivated.
  

• Fasting is a game-changer for us (both intermittent and prolonged.)
  

• We had to remove most sugar and carbs from our daily food choices.
  

• We eat no more than 2 meals a day, often just one meal a day.
  

• We don't snack at all. If we want a treat, we have it after our meal.
  

• Exercise is necessary, a body in motion stays in motion.
  

• Yoga has become part of our lifestyle. It’s our daily physical therapy.
  

• We made small changes until they became habits.
  

• There are days we'd rather not, but we do it anyway.
  

• It's ok if we take a break from exercise or eat off-plan occasionally, as long as the next choice is one aligned with our goals.
  

• We found ways to combine keto and Mediterranean foods that provide lots of variety and that include foods we enjoy.
  

• We got creative with treats by using non-sugar sweeteners. Not only that, but we enjoy keto ice cream and brownies.
  

• Doing it together as a couple makes it easier and improves our chances of success.
  

• We give ourselves permission to eat “naughty” on special occasions, always the exception, not the rule.
  

• Old mindsets had to be dismantled, this was done by educating ourselves on how our body works and the role nutrition plays in preventing chronic metabolic disease.
  

• We had to do a deep dive into things we didn't know before, like insulin resistance, inflammation, and autophagy.
  

• Once we experienced health improvements, the desire to continue on the lifestyle track became easier until it became our nature.

Seeing our bodies change to show muscle definition, being able to fit into more petite clothing, and looking younger is definitely worth the effort.

I’m so thankful to have finally figured out how the body works, the role nutrition plays, and that I have more control over the choices I make. It all started with a phone call. My journey is not over. In fact, it will never be over because what, when, and how I eat is something I do every day.

In finding the motivation to continue our wellness lifestyle every day, we often remind ourselves how we would like to live 5, 10, or 20+ years from now. Laith and I want to be active, travel, and enjoy a life full of healthy choices into our old age.

We believe that what we do today will impact our future health. Cheers for good health!