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I love food freedom. It’s great, and I’m not knocking it at all. Not having to count calories, or eliminate food groups, or beat myself up for one little cheat here or there…I totally choose that.
In the Trim Healthy Mama community, a lot of emphasis is put on the women who come from a background of dangerous food choices that border on or become disorders. I get that. There are many, many people out there who have a hard time believing that they don’t have to keep track of every single thing they put into their mouths. We need to convince them that food is not to be feared; it is given to us by God and should be enjoyed.
However, today I would like to address the other side of the coin, which is where I find myself.
My family has always eaten well. We rarely eat out and make most things from scratch. We have never excluded any food groups. We grow a lot of vegetables in our garden every summer and have over 20 blueberry bushes. We don’t eat organic, we don’t worry about GMOs, we’ve always been healthy people for the most part…we ate normally. Trim Healthy Mama fits into that lifestyle very well, I think. Although the price of the flours and sweeteners makes me gulp (hence why you rarely see almond flour in my recipes), it can be doable and there are things that have been at least partially cut out of our grocery lists that help make up the difference.
I started Trim Healthy Mama because I had a little extra weight that I wanted to get rid of. It worked well and I feel great. I started my blog because I enjoyed cooking and thought that sharing recipes in blog format would be a cool creative outlet. The longer I go in Trim Healthy Mama, the more I see it as something to do for life. I put my scales away because it no longer mattered to me and I kept tripping over it in the bathroom. I continued eating, and testing recipes for my blog, and eating, and eating…
And then I woke up to the fact that while I was mostly eating on-plan, I was gaining some weight. I knew why: I was totally over-doing my portions. Food freedom, right? And while Trim Healthy Mama gets your metabolism going but good, even it cannot make up for just plain gluttony. And gluttony is sin.
Waking up to that was the first step in my recovery.
(This post obviously needs pictures of some sort, and since I only decided yesterday to post this, I didn’t have time to take very good ones. This is why you get some selfies taken with a 35mm prime lens. I.e. it doesn’t zoom out.)
It’s been about 2 months since my “revelation,” and since then I’ve been working at reducing my portions to a normal amount. It’s definitely a work in progress…I mean, food is so good! I don’t like to tell myself, “no.” Few people do, in any area of life, but it’s a good exercise.
“No, I will not eat that extra slice of toast with my serving of oatmeal.”
“No, I will not eat three on-plan cookies.”
“No, I will not eat half the can of peanuts.”
I’d like to offer some suggestions for those struggling with the same issue I am:
1) When you’ve had what your brain tells you is a normal-sized helping yet you’re still craving more, just STOP. Get up and leave the table and do the dishes. If that would be rude and you want to participate in dinner conversation, make yourself a mug of hot tea. I do this at least once a day at lunch or supper, and sometimes both.
2) Cut out some of the extra richness from your diet. We Trim Healthy Mamas love our S meals, don’t we? It’s the license to eat all the fats we want! *buzzer* WRONG. Have you ever noticed how often in the book Serene and Pearl talk about consuming needless calories? Especially from things like peanut butter and cream? Try to keep most of your richness in the form of coconut oil, butter, eggs, and richer meats like beef. Not only will that help you keep your portions in check (because for some reason it’s not as tempting to eat too much steak as it is to have three slices of cheesecake), but it’s a different kind of fat that I find digests better for some reason and doesn’t leave me so over-satiated. Don’t get me wrong: I love peanut butter and I will continue eating it. But I don’t need to consume 1/4 cup per meal. I’ll give you a hint: doing a Fuel Cycle will help you remind your body of what the good fats are, because that’s what Deep S days are all about.
3) Don’t reward yourself with food. I like to give myself excuses like, “I rode three horses today in the cold and I am exhausted. I deserve an extra cookie.” Nope. Can’t do that. That’s how I gained weight – by thinking I was burning off things that I wasn’t.
4) Try to do something in the form of exercise every day. Even if you have an active job. I train horses, but doing 15 minutes of intense exercise (sit-ups, push-ups, kettle-bells, jumping rope, leg lifts, squats, and other such painful things-sprint intervals are great, too) not only helps me tone muscles I wouldn’t otherwise but also gets me into a “fit” mindset which then helps me make the right eating choices. It really is psychological.
5) Do not pass go, do not eat at night. This issue is covered quite well in the book, but for some reason I always forget. When I start snacking at night, I gain weight.
And this one isn’t really about gluttony, but it’s just a general weight-loss trick I’ve found to be really important (but then I usually forget again): EAT YOUR COCONUT OIL. It does amazing things. I quit eating coconut oil for awhile (instead I was eating peanut butter and cream cheese) and I actually lost my taste for Skinny Chocolate. I never thought that would happen, but it did, and even now I can’t quite stomach it without peanut butter on it. But I’m forcing myself to down a small piece every day to try to regain my love for it because coconut oil helps so much. I guess I should use it to cook with more, too. Sneak it in wherever you can.
So what am I eating these days? Well, here’s what a typical day looks like for me:
8:00 AM – chocolate oatmeal of some sort, either overnight or just a quick microwave version if I forgot to make it the night before (I used to add a piece of toast to this too but have now started eating some cottage cheese to help fill me up instead) or sweetened and flavored Greek yogurt with a slice of toast (or two)
12:00-1:00 PM – leftovers or a cold sandwich on half a Joseph’s pita or flatbread; celery with peanut butter or some sliced apple, depending on what kind of meal I’m eating; a piece or two of dessert of some sort, depending what it is; this is often where I’ll pull the hot tea out to curb my cravings. Overall I’ve just decreased my portions at lunch, keeping my sides to smaller portions, declining seconds, and not taking thirds on dessert.
3:30 PM – snack of some sort; leftovers I pull out of the fridge, a piece of whatever blog stuff I’m testing, some Greek yogurt, etc. I try to keep this pretty small instead of another full meal, and I try to keep it fairly close to Fuel Pull. I had been totally over-doing my snacks, both in quantity and quality.
6:30ish PM – supper, usually consisting of some sort of meat, some sort of vegetable or two, a piece or two of dessert, and maybe another mug of tea (usually mint, this late at night, since Oolong is caffeinated) if I’m really craving things – again, I’ve just been trying to control going back for second helpings
9:30-10 PM – the snack bug usually bites but more and more I am able to either squash it, just drink a mug of tea instead, or stick with just a tiny snack – previously I was not eating tiny snacks. Hello, half-empty can of peanuts…or worse yet, sugar-laden ice cream out of the freezer….
So I’ve changed my eating habits. Am still changing my eating habits. What are the results? I don’t feel so heavy and over-satiated. I have lost a few pounds, even without a lot of extra exercise (those 15 minutes I recommended – mostly I don’t get around to that, but it does help when I do). My face, which was filling out again, is returning back to its normal shape. It’s definitely a journey. Gluttony is definitely something that I am prone to. But with God’s help, it’s also something that is fixable.
Here is another photo of my silly self. Please grandly ignore the alien invasion on my forehead. No doubt it was caused by the sugary dessert I had on Sunday.
Elayna says
That you so much for your article! It was a wake up call for me and my gluttony struggles.
Jan says
You have know idea what a God send you are to me! Your journey sounds like what I have been battling! Over indulging! I have been a THM for about 3 years and have noticed a weight shift! It comes from that over eating. I knew it but needed to hear it from someone else! PTL you are helping others from your journey and putting it out there. Keep the faith and continue to follow Him and THM which also has been a God send! I was on WW for ever and now the freedom is so great. So I need to get back to portion sizes!
Thank you so very much for being to transparent!
Blessings in Christ
Jan
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
Thank you, Jan! I’m so glad it was helpful for you! Praise the Lord.
Linda says
Thanks for sharing this. I’m just getting started and this helps me know I can overcome gluttony which is how I got here in the first place!! 💚
Renee Tavares says
This really helped me today, thanks for posting 🙂 God Bless 🙂
Angela says
Thanks!! I needed this reminder ?
Shawna says
I’m so glad you wrote about this! I have the same problem! 🙁 I’m so glad to have good food that’s good for me that I just. Can’t. Stop. Eating! :O It’s time to add some Willpower to my diet. Even the THM diet! Thanks, again.
Briana Thomas says
Yep, sounds like you know the right balance!
Anna Sahi says
I am a vegetarian but I eat eggs. Do you think THM will work for me. I need to loose about 40 lbs.
Briana Thomas says
You’ll need to get creative with recipes and protein sources, but the core principles of THM will definitely work for you. 🙂 I believe there’s a THM Facebook group for vegetarians…maybe you’d like to check that out for ideas and support?
Christina says
Thank you for your transparency here. This has been a struggle for me, pre and since starting THM. Your ‘typical day’ helps a lot. I do have a question. You said you curb cravings with tea. What about some of the THM drinks, such as a shrinker, fat stripping frappe, or something like that? Are these helpers, or unnecessary calories? I had been eating around every 3 hours, because I thought that kept your metabolism working. I noticed you have a larger gap than that between breakfast and lunch though. Am I wrong about this theory of keeping the metabolism revved by snacking every few hours?
Briana Thomas says
Hi Christina! I personally don’t usually make sippers like the Shrinker or GGMS because I don’t feel like going to the effort. Those are fine to sip on throughout the day and don’t really have any calories you need to worry about. Fuel Pull shakes like the Fat Stripping Frappa make great light snacks (such as in the afternoon)! A shake like the FFF is not a sipper and should be used as (or with) a meal or snack and not sipped on throughout the day. THM recommends eating every 3-4 hours. Sometimes I go a little over 4 hours between breakfast and lunch, but I don’t have a wide enough gap to insert a snack in the middle, and it’s either that or eat lunch really late (or eat much earlier in the day), so I just try to eat enough at breakfast to hold me over until lunch. 🙂
Tina Cleary says
I always enjoy reading your latest posts. I am a (slowly retiring) horse trainer and actually used to jockey. I had a lot of trouble with my weight after I quit jockeying because I thought I “deserved” to eat after starving for so long. It didn’t take long for me to get to my highest weight ever, and it was depressing! Now that I have a “normal people job”, away from the farm, my muscles are turning to flab and I recently noticed the upper arm swag! UGH! I used to be so fit and strong. I need to get serious. I want to look at food as God intended it, to nourish my body, not as something pleasurable but it’s SO hard!
Rosie says
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this post. I am new to the whole Trim Healthy Mama plan so any advice you give is treasured! I love all of your recipes, in fact I’ve made quite a bunch of them and am truly grateful for all that you do to help all of us newbies. I hope you have a terrific week!
Cindy says
I’m years late on reading this but just came across it last night… Ok, I’m totally on board with you. I have too large of potions too or just take more than I need telling myself – there’s no sugar in this, or its healthy for me, or other excuses ( like reading at the table while eating +and eating+ popcorn). But sometimes, like this afternoon, I had a large lunch after church, than around 5 I ate a snack of 2 of your ‘Briana house choc chip cookies’ ( SO yummy by the way!!). After reading your gluttony post I determined to not ” eat that 3rd on -plan cookie” . I was still very hungry so I ate an apple with maybe a tablespoon of peanut butter. I was still hungry. I ate slowly to give my brain time to catch up to my eating so it could tell my belly I was full but it didn’t. I felt totally ravenously hungry. I told my husband about it and he said eat more. I said no, that’s gluttony and showed him your post. I went away from the kitchen for over a half hr but my hunger followed me. I gave in and ate 2 more cookies. I’m STILL hungry. I’m wondering when is a good thing to do in a case like this??? I left the house this time to do evening chores ( and to get away from those cookies!!) Maybe I waited too long for a snack and I actually need a meal???
Briana Thomas says
Hi Cindy! In that case, I’d say you need some protein to help fill you up (the cookies don’t have a lot on their own). 🙂 2 cookies and a scoop of cottage cheese would help you feel full without overloading on the calories. 🙂
Mel says
I know this is post is old, but I just wanted to say thank you for writing it! I’ve been on plan for 28 days with no cheats and wasn’t stuffing myself but the scales were only inching down very slowly if at all. I read this two days ago and instantly made up a batch of skinny chocolate and cut out my morning snack as well as changing my other snacks to fuel pulls or the skinny chocolate. I’ve already dropped a whole kilo (2 lbs)! So thank you for being real and honest. It really helped.
Briana Thomas says
I’m so glad it was helpful, Mel!
Betsy says
Amen Sister! Thanks for sharing your insights.
oxox’s
Diana Hewitt says
You are awesome! Your really a good writer and very motivating. Thank you!
Dirinda Westfall Lacen says
And I’m with you on that almond flour! Whew-EE! It is SO expensive!
Dirinda Westfall Lacen says
You are such a sweet girl, Briana! This was an enjoyable post! 🙂
Hannah Bouwmeester says
Briana, Wow, this is exactly what the Lord has been convicting me of as well!!! I have been doing a bible study called The Lord’s Table. It is so wonderful and it is about overcoming the sin of gluttony by learning to turn to Jesus. While I think the suggestions you made in your blog are good, they are still missing the most important key. Only Jesus can free us from turning to food in an unrighteous manner. We can only be free by learning how to turn from food and to Jesus. So many of us try and distract ourselves or be strong, but these will not last. If we do not learn to fill our cravings with the One we were made to crave, we will eventually go back to food. The bible study is free for anyone at http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com or if you like having a workbook to write in like I do, you can purchase it at http://www.amazon.com. Please post this information for others to have.
Charis says
Briana – I am coming to love your site (and ha, I do love finding recipes that don’t use almond flour – I love almond flour but as a newly wed on a tight budget, I need ideas 🙂 ) and I’m new to the whole actually doing THM. I feel overwhelmed and really desire to have a wholesome view on things. (I tend to not do balance very well.) Thank you for sharing and for your ideas! blessings!
Briana Thomas says
Thank you for the sweet comment. 🙂 If I can be of any help to you, feel free to contact me.
Melissa says
Briana, this post was SPOT ON! No, we shouldn’t get caught up in the legalism of any certain “diet”, but we should also be very careful not to think it’s just a free for all either — just because it’s “on plan”. That’s not God’s best for us. I love seeing what a typical day looks like in another THM-ers world. Thank you for that sneak peek and keep up the good work, girl. Your first selfie in this post — how cool is the reflection of your camera and outstretched arm?!? 🙂 You are quite an insightful and beautiful young woman. Keep up the good work! You are definitely my favorite THM blogger.
Briana Thomas says
Thank you so much, Melissa!
Beckie says
BRIANA! 🙂
I LOVE THM!!! Truly…I can’t get over the real-ness of ALL these women (and men too). Gluttony. Eating. Emotions. Lord. Heart. ALL of these are tied together, and I see THM as the body of Christ, encouraging, supporting, loving, sharing, etc. with each other. This is an area of our lives that has been pushed aside, or not dealt with, and for most of us, we internalize it and bear the burden alone! THIS is why I love THM! Blogs like yours (and many others) share the REAL-ness of this burden so many of us carry, all with different degrees of course. THM has opened the door…that all the sudden it is okay for us to share our struggles, and to OVERCOME them!! To experience this freedom with so many others that have carried this burden alone! So, this article you wrote nailed it on the head…AGAIN! (like so many other articles) You nailed on the head how we can STILL be in ‘bondage’ by food because we don’t have moderation. Well said!!
Also, want to say THANK you for all your work and efforts to experiment with recipes! I LOVE THEM! And to have people like you that are SO willing to do the work, and then share them…free…is a huge blessing! For years, I have wondered why communities that are willing to help people get healthy are SO expensive. They charge left and right for this and that, and THM…its the book…and ingredients. That’s it…because people like YOU share what you learn…with others! So, thank YOU!!! I know I benefit and enjoy your recipes!
Well, this is long enough…and I am SO thankful that I could go on and on…but I will end!
Blessings to you! AND the many THMers out there! What a JOY to be on this journey with each of you!!
Beckie
Briana Thomas says
Thank you, Beckie. Getting feedback like that definitely makes things worthwhile. 🙂
Amanda says
Brianna my dear, you are absolutely lovely! And I really loved (and NEEDED to read) this post. Thank you for speaking truth, being honest and transparent. Good stuff right here, sister.
Julia says
Brianna, this just spoke to me so much! I am guilty of this very thing and I believe it is why I have not been able to lose those last few pounds. Thanks so much for the encouragement!
~Julia
Alicia says
You’re totally on the nose! Gluttony is so easy for some of us! I’m 6 months pregnant, so gluttony is definitely easy for me. I always have to ask myself “do I really need this to nourish myself and my unborn baby?” and “will this really help me stay healthy?” Thank you for this blog! It has helped a bunch 😀
Charlee R says
My daughter turned me on to all your clever recipes. To be honest, I usually skim the “blog” part and try to get right to the business of finding the recipe. Yours is the exception! I LOVE your fun tone, and beautiful photos, so I ALWAYS read your words about the recipe or how/why it was created. Thanks for your honesty today. I am impressed by your 18yo wisdom! Keep it coming!
Briana Thomas says
Wow, that means a lot to me because I do the exact.same.thing. Haha.. Thanks for reading and I’m so glad you enjoy it!
Karen F. says
….another thought that I was chewing on last night-in general, no church that I know of doesn’t really doesn’t preach on the sin of gluttony. My son is a pastor, I think we’ll have to discuss this!
Jan says
This was exactly what I needed today as well. My problem is snacking at night (I relate to the peanuts) and portion sizes in general. I jave gained. 10 lbs since Easter and having a hard time grasping how others are losing weight so quickly and efficiently. I have come to the conclusion that I CAN’T eat everything I want just because it’s on plan …you have confirmed that. Thank you!!
Emily says
Oh, thank you for your honesty!! I don’t want to admit it, but I think this is one of the big reasons I don’t see the loss I think I should (“but I’m eating on plan, why am I not losing like everyone else?”). As I read this, I was eating 2 slices of quiche. Ouch. Iced coffees with cream – meant to be a weekly treat – have turned into a daily habit. I have learned I canNOT buy peanuts!! I even tried the book tip of buying them shelled because it takes longer therefore you don’t eat as many. Wrong!! I can easily eat 3-4 CUPS in one sitting.
Stacey says
Mine’s not the gluttony of being able to overeat. My problem is just making sure I eat at all most days. Of course, when you skip breakfast for three or four cups of coffee, you leave yourself open to those late night munchies….which usually means whatever gets yanked out of the fridge or pantry.
I got almost off-plan for the last two months, but I think I needed the break. I am actually looking forward to the challenge of getting through the holidays mostly on-plan. I think it’s the shake-up I need to get refocused. But I am very thankful for your reminder not to over-do, no matter how good it tastes…and especially not at 8:30 at night!
Autumn says
a million times thank u!!!
Karen F. says
OH my word…I was meant to read this tonight! In my first 4 months of THm, I thought I’d overcome my weakness, my sin, but it’s rearing it’s ugly head. Gluttony and emotional eating is not something that is going to just disappear- at least not for me, not just yet. You are right, it is a journey, and I’m learning. Blessings!
Marie says
This was “right oN time” for me! Thanks for your help and encouragement!!!
Lynn says
I love your honesty. I’ve been bummed about not losing the last month and a half. I think my portions are too big and I’m a night snacker too since I go to bed around midnight. I’ve lost 47# but want to do another 25-50 more. It’s taken me 10 months for those 47 and sometimes I wish it came off faster. I keep reminding myself that God’s in control and at least I haven’t gained 10# this year 🙂 I’m definitely ready to watch portion sizes, fuel types and timing. Thanks for the focus on gluttony since its in most of us.
Gail says
I’m doing that exact thing! Love this post. What a wake up call. I’m currently doing a protein shake in the morning (cream cheese, cottage cheese, almond milk…) Dinner is usually S chicken with dark meat and skin. Lunch is usually left over dinner from the night before. This post really was an eye opener. Pretty close to quit this plan but now I think I’ll give it another shot. Thanks 🙂
Briana Thomas says
No problem! I’m glad it was a help. And definitely don’t forget to eat some E meals – they’re just as important as S meals!
Mary Groff says
Thanks for this blog! Lately I’ve been trying to cut back on cheeses, cream cheese and the like. I guess you can have too much of a good thing and I love my cheese! Mary Groff
Sarina Coffin says
What a great blog post! Just because it is good for you, does not mean it is a free for all! I am really trying to cut my portions back to and this post came at the perfect time. Of course I enjoy the ice cream posts much better but I know I need to read these reminders to! haha 😉 I had no idea until posted on the main THM page that these utterly fantastic recipes were created by an 18 year old!!!! You are seriously amazing!! Good for you Briana and you look gorgeous! Keep up the great blog posts and recipes, I love them!
Amanda says
Thank you for this- I haven’t been doing great with portion control this week- some of it was due to my TOM but this is a great reminder. Thankfully most of my gluttony was confined to skinny chocolate and too much olive oil but I need to watch my portions! Thanks again!
Heidi Toole says
Thank you so much for sharing. This is exactly my issue. I feel good about how and what I am eating but struggle with portion control. Gluttony is a sin and I was ignoring that fact. I pray I will continue to renounce it and the control I have allowed it to have on my life and to give it to God. I know it will not be easy but one step at a time every day. Thank you for your honesty. Blessings.
Carol Beasley says
Your blog today was so timely ….I definitly have an eating disorder and was real uncomfortable with the comments on THM such as “eat the whole thing”. Use cream, et. Etc…there is no way you can loose weight by eating the whole thing whatever it is….portion control is important even eating healthy…
Briana Thomas says
That all depends what your definition of “the whole thing” is. Use moderation and you should be fine, but if you ever have any questions about appropriate serving size suggestions, ask a moderator or someone who has been doing the plan for awhile and has a good grip on it. Don’t be scared to eat a good amount, but don’t go overboard either, especially on the not-so-pure fats.