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Originally published 12/30/13
I started Trim Healthy Mama a little over 5 months ago; and at the risk of sounding cliché, it’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. I’ve learned so much through this lifestyle, and the lessons have not all been about food. I started THM to lose weight, but I’m continuing it because of how good I feel.
As of this morning, following the holidays and what-not, I’ve lost exactly 17 pounds and I’m about 5 pounds from my goal weight. In one of my other posts a couple of weeks ago, I said that I wanted to be at goal weight by Christmas. I got dead serious with the plan and exercised constantly-and I almost made it. I got to within about 2 pounds of my goal. But I got burned out in the process and learned some important lessons. One of which is that it shouldn’t be about the weight. So this weigh-every-day girl started going close to a week at a time without weighing in. She cheated some over Christmas-and enjoyed it. But she hopped right back on plan and is enjoying that even more.. 😉
But really, I struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which started to surface when I got so serious about losing weight. So I’m actually more proud of myself for cheating over Christmas than I would’ve been for staying completely on plan.  During being gone a week over Christmas, I gained back some of the weight I lost when I was super-serious; but you know what? I’m OK with that. I’m back on plan now, and I’ll get back to my exercising because I like exercise. I’m going to weigh at the end of this week, and then I’ll be going a month and a half without weighing because…
I’m going to Bible school!
Which is going to be very interesting as far as eating is concerned. I have a feeling I’ll be *below* goal weight by the time I get back. While at Bible school, I won’t have internet access unless I can go to a coffee shop or something. I’ll try to get on here once in awhile and give some updates as to how things are going, and then when I get back this blog will go back to regular programming (and I have a few new ideas “cooking” in my brain).
I’m very close to my goal weight, and I feel like I’m in great shape, and I’m enjoying life. All the glory goes to God. Eating THM makes me feel so good, and I’ve lost my desire for most “cheats.” I did eat half my weight in sugar-laden Christmas candy on Christmas Eve, and I enjoyed every bite, but I paid for it the rest of the evening. I felt so bloated and just had a stomachache (which wouldn’t have been so bad had I not completely *stuffed* myself…). So I am perfectly content to jump right back on plan.
And even though I’m not completely at goal weight, here are some progress pictures. The “before” pictures are from my graduation, which was in May (I actually gained about 5 pounds after these pictures were taken). I started THM in July, and the “after” pictures are from Christmas Day. I wouldn’t have thought 17 pounds could make such a difference.
(Before)
(After)
I realize that the difference may be hard to see here, but I feel totally different. I would highly recommend Trim Healthy Mama to anyone. It is completely doable even though it does seem overwhelming at first. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to comment here or message me.
As always, Katelyn Thomas gets credit for all these pictures (except the one taken at my graduation).
Mary says
Are you working on instant pot recipes!
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
No, not at the moment, but I’d like to in the future. 🙂
Deborah says
Hi Briana–I really enjoy your blogs, stories, answers to prayer, your THM information, and your recipes. I began THM JULY 2014 & have lost 50 lbs., so far. I never goofed off once until Friday following this past Thanksgiving Day. My choices went from slight to worse until New Years Day arrived & boy was I glad. I resolved I was back on track & was so happy about that. After all, we can have just about anything that we fall prey to just by tweaking it to be THM. I work with ladies in Daycare at our church, taking care of Infants & 1-yr olds. One person or another will bring “goodies” (or shall I say “baddies”) and put them in our break room for everyone to grab, so I ate some candy a couple of times. Then as I normally do, I made some THM Goodies & took them to work to share. I got a bad virus or 36-hr bug which was a “rough ride” TH through yesterday & all I could keep down was ginger ale my husband brought me to sip on (Iwas too sick to even walk into the kitchen to make anything THM to drink, except I did make some herbal tea, but couldn’t keep that down. Anyways, I am only at my 1/2-way mark of my weight loss goal, so I am working at getting back on track. I love doing THM & when I need a recipe, I go either to my Pinterest or to your site and then if I can’t find what I am searching for, I do a Search. I know your recipes are simple to follow & are always excellent. I make your Hot Chocolate recipe that calls for low-fat cottage cheese at least several times a week. It is so creamy & satisfying. I make extra when my daughter comes over & share it with her. My husband enjoys everything I make THM, though he eats whatever else he wants.
Thank you for everything, including being a shining light for Jesus & an excellent example of THM.
Briana Thomas says
Thanks for sharing your story, Deborah! It’s nice to “meet” you. 😉
Martha Mast says
I can see the before n after on your pic. keep keeping on great job , i to feel so muckh better The hard part for me is we are in the ministry n travel a lot n to be wise n to find the right foods that go together. I plan to try a few of you recipes , where do you live? We are in holmes county Millersburg n go to Faith Christian Am a grandma 28 times we had 6 chidren 3 boys n 3 girls one lives in haiti at Cam base n does med.s could i be on your list to get your e mail n recipes Found you on Mrs, criddles site
Briana Thomas says
Hi Martha! I live in Pickens, SC; but I have a summer job in Holmes County working at the Peach Barn between Berlin and Millersburg. My grandparents run the place. I plan to be there next summer again (I took a break this summer), so stop in and say hi! To be on my e-mail list, there is a subscribe button in the sidebar to the right.