When You’ve Already Tried Everything — And It Doesn’t Work!
If you’ve ever struggled with overweight, you know that getting down to your optimal weight can be a lot easier said than done. From health conditions that make it difficult to exercise to family and friends who constantly offer you foods that are less-than-ideal, to stress eating, food cravings, and hormone imbalance, there can be a number of obstacles to overcome in getting down to our ideal weight!
When I was in 6th grade, I was the chunky girl who completed the mile run in P.E. next to last — only after the really fat kid! There were definitely times in my life where I felt frustrated watching some people eat a lot more food than me, and staying a lot skinnier.
At various times in my life I have been concerned not only about my weight — but more importantly –my health. A 6-year bout with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and fibromyalgia that left me unable to work full-time led me to make some drastic changes in my diet. For 2 years I went vegan, and ate a lot of raw foods too. I completely went off sugar and refined carbohydrates. I dropped 20 lbs in the process, getting down to a size 6 even though that wasn’t my main goal.
I have learned through my experience, as well as research, that some of the main diet ideas foisted upon us are a total crock. Here are a few of the the top diet fallacies that you must be aware of for your health and weight’s sake. You may have tried some or all of these fallacies and gotten frustrated in the process –
Common Diet Fallacies in Today’s Society
- Low-fat or fat-free foods are good for you and will help you lose weight.
- Diet foods with Nutra-Sweet or Splenda are good for you and will help you lose weight. Sugar substitutes are great because they are calorie-free.
- It’s a good idea to consume soy for health and weight loss.
- Whole grains are great for you, and consuming them will help you lose weight.
The low-fat lifestyle promoted in Western society over the past 3+ years has been a total failure. The truth is that we need saturated fats for optimal health. The two types of fat we should avoid like the plague, however, are hydrogenated oils and soybean, canola, and cottonseed oils found in most processed foods. These oils are usually genetically-modified and potentially toxic. But as for me, I consume ample amounts of butter, coconut oil, and olive oil. When I eat dairy foods, which is only small amounts, I get organic and full-fat.
And please don’t get me started on artificial sweeteners — feel free to watch the documentary Sweet Misery to get the scoop on the hazards associated with them. Not only can they cause a number of health problems including insomnia, anxiety, neuropathy, restless leg syndrome, and many more, but studies show that people who eat “diet” foods with artificial sweeteners may actually be heavier than those who don’t! If you ever consume artificial sweeteners, even in small amounts, I urge you to stop now!
Soy products should be consumed in moderation, and then only fermented soy such as miso, tempeh, and tamari. Soy milk, tofu, and soy “meats” should be avoided as they can mess with the hormones and contribute to or cause fatigue and even weight gain, especially in individuals who have low thyroid function.
Whole grains harvested the old-school way are just fine for the individual with healthy gut flora, but can cause a multitude of problems for the person who has been consuming the Standard American Diet their entire life –including weight gain.
Over the years I even discovered that the vegan and raw foods diet, that was so great for me in the short-term by helping to deeply cleanse my body of toxins, was not a good long-term lifestyle option for me. I did need some animal products in my diet for optimal health.
In subsequent years I have not only incorporated some animal products in my diet, but over the past few years I have also eaten more and more sugar and refined carbohydrates. I have paid for it not only in terms of my health as these types of foods make me feel sluggish, but in weight gain as well — going back up to a size 10.
After all the experience and research I’ve done, I have found a few principles for health that can not only help just about anyone lose their extra weight, but also undo most all health problems common to our society. The two systems that I’ve seen that incorporate both of these principles and have each helped thousands of people heal from digestive disease, autoimmune problems, blood sugar issues, depression and other brain issues (even including schizophren, bi-polar, and AUTISM), and much more, are the GAPS Diet and Body Ecology Diet. Here are those principles –
Key Principles for Weight Loss and Renewed Health
- Consume homemade fermented foods daily, preferably with every meal, including homemade yogurt, kefir, coconut water kefir, and fermented vegetables such as kimchi or sauerkraut.
- Consume homemade meat and bone broths frequently — perhaps daily and with every meal (ideally those made with animals raised without antibiotics or added hormones).
- Go off sugar, sweeteners, and (most) grains for a while — or reduce them greatly.
- Eat a variety of fresh vegetables, preferably organic.
If you suffer from just about any health condition and understand that lifestyle is the foundation of our health, then I encourage you to try either the GAPS Diet or Body Ecology Diet for 3-6 months to see what it will do for you. If you are relatively healthy but want to be even healthier (and skinnier with younger-looking skin), then I encourage you to join me in incorporating principles from these systems into your life! Of course, adequate physical activity is also a part of a healthy lifestyle, and the extra energy you’ll get with these shifts in diet will make that easier!
Other Ideas for Weight Release, Energy, & Health
Recently, I launched a brand new product for weight release — the Mini Essential Oil Weight Release Kit. I have created a protocol for using the 5 essential oils in this kit to release weight. I’ve been using the oils consistently for about a week, I no longer have the desire to overeat, and I have lost 4-5 lbs so far without feeling deprived in the least! This kit will be available for the month of January or while supplies last. If you follow my protocol with this kit strictly for at least 10 days, it comes with a money-back guarantee!
Another product I am excited about for releasing weight is Slique Tea from Young Living Essential Oils. The initial guinea pig for the tea, Young Living’s Director of Product Development Marc Schreuder, lost 45 lbs in 6 months using this tea daily! It was sold out for months, and just came back in stock!
Both the GAPS Diet and Body Ecology Diets recommend the daily consumption of fermented foods to repopulate the gut with beneficial bacteria essential for health. Young Living’s probiotic supplement Life 5 is one of the highest-quality supplements I have encountered on the market over the last decade. One of my clients noticed his belly shrinking after using it for just a week!
A lot of my female clients interested in weight release have mentioned menopause or imbalances in hormones as one of the obstacles they have encountered for weight release. I recommend the Progessence Plus Serum for women and teenage girls wishing to have balanced female hormones. For more information, read here.
Low thyroid function is a problem for millions of Americans, and contributes to the weight gain of very many. I recommend Thyromin and EndoFlex essential oil for thyroid problems. Read more here.
For low adrenal function, drink a glass of room temperature water with a large pinch of sea salt first thing in the morning. Nutmeg oil can help boost adrenal function, as well as EndoFlex essential oil.
To jump-start weight release before embarking on a lifestyle change, do the Master Cleanse for 10 days first. Doing the Master Cleanse and then radically altering my diet was how I lost 20 lbs in a couple of months back in 2005. Caution — do NOT do the cleanse and go back to your previous diet unless you want to gain all the weight back!
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Testimonials –
“All our symptoms have improved, even in just a few days of doing the intro [GAPS] diet. I wish I’d taken “before” pictures, because we wake up every morning feeling and looking better.
What’s blowing us away is how our bodies are changing. We didn’t start the GAPS diet to lose weight, but both of us have. What’s fascinating is that we’re not “deflating” as is common with many diets. Instead, our bodies are morphing into their ideal shapes.
My waist, which hasn’t been the same since having my babies, is back. My stomach is flat. My hips and butt are still full, and my muscle tone seems to improve every day. I haven’t looked like this since I was in college.
My husband carries his weight in his belly and thighs, and previous attempts at losing weight tended to ignore these stubborn areas. Since we started GAPS, though, those are the first places that are shrinking. His shoulders are getting broader, and the muscles in his chest and upper arms are getting stronger, even though he’s not working out any more than usual.
My son who hasn’t gained weight normally is starting to round out and feel solid. He hasn’t had a real growth spurt yet, but from the looks of it, it seems like it will only be a matter of time.
Dr. Campbell-McBride, who developed the GAPS diet, says that the protocol helps normalize the hormones in the body that have been ravaged by processed foods and medications, and helps return bodies to the natural male and female shapes that we find beautiful and ideal.”
- MamaEve.com
“I had suffered from several, intestinal and heart, diseases, for years, until, recently, when I changed my diet to ‘gluten free’ and ‘organic’. A friend introduced me to your ‘Body Ecology‘ page and I, literally, took notes. I experienced positive results, almost, immediately~! The intestinal diseases, Crohn’s, IBD, Colitis, etc., had me in such pain that the mere act of walking was excruciating~! I, now, not only, have lost weight, eliminated the ‘bloat’ and other aches and pains, but, have resumed my exercise regime and am able to enjoy my life, ‘healthy’, once again~! Thanks for all your help~!”
- Julie W.
“I am grateful for Donna Gates and her wisdom [in creating the Body Ecology Diet], I have lost 50 lbs. I have what is called a synovial cyst in my s2. So the doctors kept saying to me lose the weight, which will alleviate the pressure and take away a lot of the pain. Your diet has improved my quality of life. I compliment your diet with monthly colonics. Much love to you Donna Gates for creating such an amazing way of living.♥”
- Aimee M.
“I cannot live without [Slique] tea! [It] has transformed my mind and body and amplified my energy beyond my expectations.”
- Marc Schreuder, Director of Product Development with Young Living, lost 45 lbs in 6 months with Slique Tea
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Articles to Read –
Healthy Weight Loss with Essential Oils
Super-Charge Your Health — Our Ideas for Cleansing
Avoid Uncontrollable Cravings & the Blood Sugar Roller-Coaster
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Julie Behling-Hovdal is a reflexologist/holistic healer and founder of Essential Survival where she teaches people how to prepare for the #1 cause of death in the event of an economic collapse — lack of access to medicines. In 2005 Julie was able to get off 4 prescription drugs and heal from a 6-year stint of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and fibromyalgia with products from Young Living Essential Oils. Get a free copy of her report “Fast Track Survival Medicines” at http://essentialsurvival.org/fast-track-survival-medicines/.
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Statements made about the essential oils that come in the Essential Oil Survival Kit and all products offered by Essential Survival have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Anyone suffering from disease or injury should consult with a physician.
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