Hello and Welcome! I am so excited to get the opportunity to share with you today. These are very real and very authentic tips that I learned while I was in the trenches of self transformation with 100+ daunting pounds of fat to burn ahead of me.
As you read in the title, this is a unique list. It takes into account more than just calories in/calories out. Because here at The Purple Potato, we don't diet. We live, and we live with holistic vibrancy. This list is a large portion of what got me through the first 86lbs and it is what is taking me fearlessly and confidently through the last 20lbs.
LEFT: September 2017 - Just 2 weeks before beginning my journey to a healthier me.
RIGHT: February 2020 - Two years and 4 months into my life long pursuit of health and self love.
What could two years of following these tips do for you?
Do All Things With Kindness - Odd first tip right? No, and here is why. Remember earlier when I said I had 100+ lbs to lose? That wasn't the only weight I needed to drop. I also needed to drop the weight of negative self talk and several other heavy and damaging habits I had. I needed to get stronger to be able to carry and manage the things I couldn't drop (bipolar disorder for instance). This process required that I approach my journey with a compassionate curiosity.
Eat nothing that comes from an Animal source. Hear me out. Although I am vegan, this is NOT going to be a paragraph aimed at "guilting" you into submission. Humans are Animals. We are all here existing together. Being vegan to me means I am kind towards, and look out for all animals - humans included. See that "do all things with kindness" bit shining through? That is the point. When we change our priorities our behavior changes naturally. Our inner dialogue in regards to ourselves and others changes. But at the beginning of my journey I didn't know how to show true compassion to myself. I felt like I didn't belong anywhere. Start with the smallest creature you can find and show them compassion. Make it a priority. Eventually it WILL change the way you treat yourself. There are DOZENS of health benefits for you, the planet, and the animals not being eaten, made possible by a plant based diet. Especially a Whole Food Plant Based Low to No Oil Lifestyle. Like I said I am here for Human Rights as much as for anything else, and you have the right to make informed decisions about your health.
Ditch the Oil - We won't be debating if x type of oil is good or bad. If you are trying to lose weight, ditch the oil. Ditch all processed foods containing oil. You don't need it. Trust me. You can roast veggies without it, you can saute without it, you can even bake without it. Check out my website, or my Instagram to see how I do just that. Along with the oil, reduce high fat plant foods such as nuts, seeds, avocado, and olives. If you are really struggling to lose, don't be afraid to completely eliminate these while you are losing. Have some ground flax here and there or consider taking a vegan omega supplement if you want. You are far less likely to over eat on those sources.
Eat TONS of real, whole, plant foods! Eat them. Never be hungry. I know many people, myself included, who used to be afraid of legumes because of their calorie load. But in all reality, beans are phenomenal for weight loss and weight management. So are potatoes! Carbs are friends...AND food! Stay away from junk foods. They are just that, junk. If you find you are dying to try out that epic plant based but high fat mac n cheese though? Go ahead, just be sure that you are compliant with your goals at least 90% of the week and follow tip number 5.
Whatever you eat, be sure that by Visual Volume 50% of your meal is non starchy food and the other 50% is a starch based option. So half a plate of fries, and half a plate of salad. Or Half a plate of roasted teriyaki veggies and half a plate of rice. Or half a plate of a more indulgent recipe and half a plate of raspberries or a spinach salad. My one exception with this is dessert. I typically enjoy fruit or banana nice cream for desserts and I do not have a spinach salad with it, although I hope I am that much of an adult someday. Google "The Starch Solution" if you are curious about this method.
So there you have it! My 5 Tips. I hope that you can implement one or all of these things. I know for a fact that when all 5 are implemented that the weight couldn't stay on even if it wanted to. Ya know those ads that say "take this pill and watch the fat melt off your body!"? Yeah well this is free and the real deal.
If you are interested in switching over to eating more plants, please check out my article
How to go Plant Based in 3 Steps. Be sure to stay on the look out for new recipes and articles here on The Purple Potato, and come on over to my Instagram so we can chat and support one another!
Have an absolutely beautiful day,
- Mary Renee
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