Prevent-Short for Diabetes Prevention Program (and A List of Firsts)
DH and I have the good fortune to have access to the amazing benefits employees of Costco receive. One of those benefits is a program called Prevent. It lasts for 16 weeks and focuses on food education, making healthy lifestyle changes and doing it all with an online group of team members who are striving for the same goals. It began as a prevention program for those bordering a life with Type 2 Diabetes. The program worked so well, they opened it up to those who are at risk for any weight related diseases.
The best part is the focus really is on health. No counting calories or need for a cheat day-because you can eat what you want. The goal of the program is to match you up with a coach who can teach you how to make small but lasting changes to promote health in your everyday life. No starving, no cutting out any one food group, just a little makeover so-to-speak.
Taking a good close look at what you are really eating is an eye opener. I have been very good at convincing myself in the past that I was at least sometimes choosing healthy options. But what I've come to find out,is that I was eating foods that pretends to be healthy! words like Whole Grain (I honestly never knew what an intact grain was until now), Fat Free/Sugar Free, Vinaigrette (Makes it sound like it's made out of vinegar-but oil is the main ingredient). We are having fun learning about whole foods and how to make them enjoyable by cooking at home and tasting actual food instead of salt and sugar.
When we went on vacation I knew eating right was going to be a challenge. But my coach was there in the back of my mind. Also, it doesn't hurt that we step on a wireless scale every day that immediately reports our weight to the program (that kind of accountability will work wonders). We track our food on an online app with pictures and talk with our group members about our mutual short comings.
The benefits of our journey have far outweighed the benefits I used to receive from turning to Junk food for comfort. We have more energy, we are spending less on food, weight loss is an added side effect as well as clear skin and better sleep at night.. the list goes on.
Here is a list of firsts from the last few weeks:
I went to a buffet and walked out not feeling miserable-I made one round. I got 2 small plates so I could see everything I planned to eat right in front of me and was in complete control. That feeling of control was so rewarding! More exciting than the weight loss is the feeling that I'm no longer slave to salt, sugar and fat.
I lost weight while on vacation-That feels like a miracle in itself! Cooking our own meals in the cabin was a successful strategy.
I learned to know when I feel full-taking the time to enjoy my food helps too. If I feel like I want more I just wait until I feel full. I really don't have to feel miserable to decide I'm done. Also, I'm pretty sure my stomach is shrinking!
I left food on my plate-Clearing my plate is something I have always done. Whether it be an ingrained thing from not knowing when I'd get more, or the starving kids in Africa mantra we all heard. Teaching yourself to leave food on our plate takes a conscious effort but it feels like a small victory every time I do it. If I'm full-I Stop Eating. Sounds easier than it is!
I went to the movies and resisted the giant tub of butter soaked popcorn-That was a challenge. It was worth fighting that tiny-or in some cases BOOMING-voice in my head saying, "You need it", "You want it", "You have to have it!" I felt so proud walking out with a bounce in my step instead of feeling bloated and over full with a Giant tub's worth of salt and butter. Not to mention the enormo soda that would have inevitably joined it in my Tummy.
Great Movie by the way- Kingsman!
The best part is the focus really is on health. No counting calories or need for a cheat day-because you can eat what you want. The goal of the program is to match you up with a coach who can teach you how to make small but lasting changes to promote health in your everyday life. No starving, no cutting out any one food group, just a little makeover so-to-speak.
Taking a good close look at what you are really eating is an eye opener. I have been very good at convincing myself in the past that I was at least sometimes choosing healthy options. But what I've come to find out,is that I was eating foods that pretends to be healthy! words like Whole Grain (I honestly never knew what an intact grain was until now), Fat Free/Sugar Free, Vinaigrette (Makes it sound like it's made out of vinegar-but oil is the main ingredient). We are having fun learning about whole foods and how to make them enjoyable by cooking at home and tasting actual food instead of salt and sugar.
When we went on vacation I knew eating right was going to be a challenge. But my coach was there in the back of my mind. Also, it doesn't hurt that we step on a wireless scale every day that immediately reports our weight to the program (that kind of accountability will work wonders). We track our food on an online app with pictures and talk with our group members about our mutual short comings.
The benefits of our journey have far outweighed the benefits I used to receive from turning to Junk food for comfort. We have more energy, we are spending less on food, weight loss is an added side effect as well as clear skin and better sleep at night.. the list goes on.
Here is a list of firsts from the last few weeks:
I went to a buffet and walked out not feeling miserable-I made one round. I got 2 small plates so I could see everything I planned to eat right in front of me and was in complete control. That feeling of control was so rewarding! More exciting than the weight loss is the feeling that I'm no longer slave to salt, sugar and fat.
I lost weight while on vacation-That feels like a miracle in itself! Cooking our own meals in the cabin was a successful strategy.
I learned to know when I feel full-taking the time to enjoy my food helps too. If I feel like I want more I just wait until I feel full. I really don't have to feel miserable to decide I'm done. Also, I'm pretty sure my stomach is shrinking!
I left food on my plate-Clearing my plate is something I have always done. Whether it be an ingrained thing from not knowing when I'd get more, or the starving kids in Africa mantra we all heard. Teaching yourself to leave food on our plate takes a conscious effort but it feels like a small victory every time I do it. If I'm full-I Stop Eating. Sounds easier than it is!
I went to the movies and resisted the giant tub of butter soaked popcorn-That was a challenge. It was worth fighting that tiny-or in some cases BOOMING-voice in my head saying, "You need it", "You want it", "You have to have it!" I felt so proud walking out with a bounce in my step instead of feeling bloated and over full with a Giant tub's worth of salt and butter. Not to mention the enormo soda that would have inevitably joined it in my Tummy.
Great Movie by the way- Kingsman!
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