Because feeling good about YOU matters!

25 miles on the Appalachian Trail & why you should come and join the free Trim Healthy Mama meetings!

This 45-year-old, mama of 5, just backpacked 25 miles on the Appalachian Trail (AT) for the first time. It was actually my first time backpacking. My husband is an avid backpacker with dreams to one day hike the entire AT. This year I wondered if backpacking might be something I could do. So, I talked to my husband and four weeks later, we were on the trail in the back country.

If you had asked me years ago if I would do this, my answer would be NO WAY! I enjoy hiking, but not carrying close to 40lbs of weight on my back. And 8 ½ years ago, I couldn’t have physically done it either.

However, 9 years ago I was introduced to a healthy life style plan that has changed me inside out. It is Trim Healthy Mama (THM). THM is a biblically mindful plan that teaches healthy eating along with encouraging whole body health and mindsets. I had a heart's desire to eat and live life in a way that lines up with the bible and I was overjoyed to find THM. There are books, cookbooks, podcasts and teachings that encompass whole health from a biblical perspective. All of these are available to help you along the way. (You don’t have to be a believer to enjoy the benefits of Trim Healthy Mama!)

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:31

This plan also focuses on helping you find your own way to do THM because we are all so different. Our needs are unique, our lifestyles and seasons are varied, and THM takes that all into account letting you be you. There are a few guidelines when it comes to eating for you to follow and THM teaches how to make that work for you.

Are you curious about the eating guidelines? Here they are in a nut shell.

* No sugar or white flour. (You can use healthy substitutes to sweeten such as stevia or Erythritol...want to learn more, come join us.)

“It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.” ~ Proverbs 25:27

* THM accentuates eating healthy, whole foods that nourish and give life to your body. This is a plan for everyone; women, men, pregnant and nursing women, teenagers, children, and people with specific eating needs (such as diabetics, gluten/dairy allergies, vegetarians/vegans...) Are you thinking this might be for you? Come meet with us!

“That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” ~ Ecclesiastes 3:13

* If you want to lose weight you do not mix carbohydrates with fats for meals or snacks. You keep them separate. (For example: Oatmeal, no cream or butter. Steak, no baked potatoes.) If you want to switch up fats with carbohydrates, just wait 2 ½-3 hours between meals and snacks. Want to learn more? Come.

““I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.” ~1 Corinthians 6:12

It’s not a hard plan, but the hard part to any new lifestyle change is sticking with it. Do you need accountability? Do you want to learn how to incorporate THM into your own lifestyle? Would you like to try some fun life-giving foods? Then come and join me for free THM meetings at the Bethel-Tulpehocken Public Library. These are held monthly, every 3rd Saturday at 10:00am. It is a group of people that come along side each other on their THM journey. (If you can’t make these meetings, you can always reach out to me for private life coaching and we can work one on one, even if you live far away.)

I’m so glad that I chose to try THM all of those years ago. I want to be proud of me. I want my husband and children to be proud of me. I want to be able to do things for and with my family for years to come. I can’t wait to play hard with my grandbabies one day. And, because I’m healthy, trim and full of life... I bring that to others. I serve better, I work better, I love better and I can do things I never dreamed I could... like backpacking 25 miles on the AT! (Plus, I’m passing this knowledge on to my children, husband and others. Come join the movement.)

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” ~1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I can't think of a better way of glorifying God with your body then by taking care of it.

Blooming challenge: Go do something that brings life and glorifies God... what a great way to live!!