I’ve been following my diet for just over 6 months now, and I am almost at my goal of losing 50 pounds. When I signed up for the plan, I told myself I’d give it one year, so reaching my goal between 6 and 7 months is pretty great! I figured that now would be a good time to share about the diet and why it worked for me.
First, take a look at these before and after pictures.
Last Summer
January – Just before starting the diet
This summer
A closer look at the difference!
The diet I’m on is called Optavia. It focuses on living your optimal life and making a lifelong transformation. I have lost weight (20 pounds or so) in the past but I have always gained it back. The Optavia plan helps you transition to regular eating once you reach your optimal weight.
The plan I have been on since beginning the diet is called the Optimal Weight 5&1 Program. On this plan you eat 6 small meals per day – 5 of which are Optavia products known as fuelings and 1 of which you prepare on your own. Your total calorie and carbohydrate intake is low and your protein intake is high. You do have to purchase the fuelings from the program and they are not cheap. This worked for me because all but one meal per day was planned out for me! And while I was nervous about it, I learned to prepare my 6th meal, known as the lean and green, which is made up of protein and vegetables.
Fuelings are bars and shakes, but they are also meals like mashed potatoes, chili, and penne, desserts such as brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and soft serve ice cream, and breakfasts such as pancakes and oatmeal! You make them by mixing the packages with water and heating them in the microwave. The bars are great for on the go, but when I’m home I happily enjoy a warm breakfast, lunch, or dessert. Some people don’t like the taste of the fuelings, but I have been lucky in that I like almost all of them. They contain 24 Vitamins and Minerals, high quality, complete protein, GanedenBC30® patented probiotic, and no colors, flavors, or sweeteners from artificial sources. Plus, they are almost all kosher!
I did have to give up some things that I will be able to add back once I reach my goal and enter the maintenance phase of the plan, including fruit, starchy vegetables (I miss my chick peas!), grains, and sweets! I have been going to the gym for years, but I didn’t change my work outs at all, so the weight loss has come solely from the diet.
Like many other diets, you work with a health coach who supports you along the way. My coach is related to me by marriage – she is Dave’s sister’s niece on the other side of the family. We’ve known each other for years. If anyone is thinking of starting this plan, I would definitely refer you to her!
I believe in body positivity and I would never assume that losing weight is everyone’s goal, but for me, it was something I needed to do to gain back my confidence. I was very small as a child and up until I got married. When I finished grad school, I slowly started gaining weight, and after having my kids, I was much heavier than a person of my height (5’2) should be. On this diet, I’m finally under my pre-pregnancy weight. I have dropped at least 2 sizes and sometimes 3 sizes in both tops and bottoms. I found out the bra I was wearing was 3 band sizes too big. Clothes that were too tight on my last year are falling off of me now. I feel comfortable being in pictures now and will even take the occasional selfie! My word of the year is confidence and losing 50 pounds has really given me the self-confidence I wanted.
An even more recent photo from last week
Thank you for reading this and for the encouragement along the way!
