Healthy Living... 

What is healthy mean to you? Think about that for a minute! Has your mind changed as you have gotten older? Are you a hypocrite when it comes to healthy living? Do you live a healthy lifestyle? Is it important to you?  What will it take for you to make some healthy lifestyle changes? 

These are all questions I asked myself and knew that if I WANTED to make a change I had to actually walk the walk. I have worked here at Innovative Aesthetics for almost 7 years and it has been a roller coaster of a ride. Personally my views on healthy living has changed drastically! Originally, I was very vein about what healthy living was. I made lots of judgments of health on how someone looked or how I felt others may see me. I was honestly living a lie, almost 2 different lifestyles. I painted a very pretty picture. Behind closed doors I was fueling my body with unhealthy foods and beverages. 
I was put in my place by someone near and dear to my heart and I'm very thankful. I woke up one day and adjusted my priorities and haven't looked back. 
Now, healthy living to me involves healthy nutrients, physical activity, laughter, yoga, meditation, faith, family, balance, sleep and enjoying EVERY day I have here on earth. 
I challenge you to take a step back and do a little self reflection and see if how your living is what you really want? If it is great, if not, make a change. The choice is yours! 

~Dusty Swehla

I'm a FOOD ADDICT

I am a Christian, I am a mother, ​I am an Ideal Protein coach, I am an elite athlete, I am a food addict!

I think that people assume things about others.  Yes, I am an ideal protein coach and I workout daily, sometimes twice a day.  I love being healthy and I love eating.  Everyday is a struggle to make good choices.  I used to be the person that would hide food.  I would buy it and eat it in the car or sneak it into my room.  I took the back stairs out of the kitchen if I heard someone coming down the front stairs or from the living room.  I would order food at work and justify it by explaining that my job was stressful and I went to the gym this morning.  I spent at least 50% of my day living in secret and feeling guilt.  My social life seemed great and I would meet friends for drinks and appetizers weekly.  I can't remember most of what we discussed because it was really all about what I was ordering and where did the server go, my drink is empty, I need more ranch.  This is normal, right??? There is nothing wrong with me, everyone eats in secret??? NO!

I know how to lose weight.  It is all about what you put in your mouth.  I have done a ton of diets and meal planning and exercise programs.  I have lost about 400 pounds in my adult life.  It was just the same 40 over and over again.  The bottom line is, I AM A FOOD ADDICT and I always let the food win! I feel that this addiction is a unique struggle because you MUST eat to live.  Other addictions can be eliminated (I am not minimizing the struggle of any addiction) from a person completely.  For instance, if I were addicted  to cocaine and attended a treatment program, I never need cocaine again to live my life.  But food is necessary for life and our society revolves around eating.  "Hey, its your birthday, lets eat and drink."  "Hey, you got a new job, lets eat and drink."  "Hey, I had a horrible week, lets eat and drink."  AND healthy food is expensive.

So how does a food addict overcome?????

1. Find your WHY!  Why is it important for you to be healthy? As a mom I have always put my child's needs above my own.  I run around wondering and worrying if he has what he needs and can he get to where he needs to go.  I spend my evenings in bleachers eating popcorn, hamburgers, nachos, and always a diet soda.  There is nothing I enjoy more than my son.  

Then why have I let him down by not taking care of my health?  He is my why!  I want to always be able to be an active participant in his life.  I want to be able and active when he is married and has his own children. I want him to model my healthy life.  

2. Be ACCOUNTABLE!  Ideal Protein at Innovative Aesthetics was my accountability.  I was/am extremely independent and controlling.  When I stepped out and asked for help from my coach I was forced to let go of some control.  IT FELT AMAZING!  I wasn't alone.  There are others with my struggle and they overcame it, so can I.  We are here for you for the rest of your life!  That's a long time and got even longer since I lost 75 pounds and am living a healthy lifestyle.  

3. SHIFT your mind!  I eat out all the time.  I still have social outings with friends but now they are about the friends.  I know more about their jobs and families.  I order healthy options and I am not afraid to ask for something made special.  Lets face it, I am paying for it and I deserve special treatment.  I also tip big!  I actually went through Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, The Superbowl, and Easter on phase 1.  I can honestly say that I enjoyed my family more this past year then I ever have in the past.  It was not about stuffing my face with as much food as possible.  I absorbed the time and really enjoyed the socialization.  It felt amazing!

4.CELEBRATE YOUR VICTORIES!  No not by eating and drinking.  Go to the store and try on smaller clothes.  I was so ecstatic the first time I went shopping and did not have to go into the PLUS section.  I sometimes just try on certain sizes because I can, and it feels good.  Trying on the clothes made it real for me.  I really am in that size... OMG!  Go get a massage or take an sunny afternoon off work and spend it outside fishing or walking. 

TIPS FOR A RECOVERING FOOD ADDICT

When you are in maintenance you can enjoy some of your favorites again, but eat for enjoyment and NEVER emotion.  If you are thinking about eating for emotion, go for a walk or do something else physical.  If you can slip away from people spend five minutes in silence thinking about your WHY!​

If I am at a party and there is cake I eat my piece right before I'm ready to leave, then I can't go back for more. If it doesn't taste as good as I thought it would, I immediately throw it away.  DON'T finish it just to be polite! It is not rude to value your health.  Your friends are not going to be there tomorrow when you feel like crap because you ate it anyway. 

When eating out be prepared.  Look up the menu before you go and decide what to eat.  Don't let the server give you and menu and order first.  then you can't change your mind because something looked good or someone else ordered something that sounds good.  ENJOY the company!

I will struggle with food addiction for the rest of my life BUT it will no longer win!

My Ideal Protein Story

 

 

I first started the Ideal Protein protocol in December of 2014. People thought I was crazy to start such a restricted plan right before the holidays, but I was mentally ready.  My clothes weren't fitting.  I wasn't comfortable in my skin.  One day, I was out shopping and I saw myself in a window.  I had to stop and do a double take. I thought, "That's me?!?" My husband was skeptical because I had tried many "diets" in the past, but I needed to do this for me.  

My eating habits before Ideal Protein were TERRIBLE. I was an equal opportunity carb-eater.  I loved all carbs, sweet, salty, it did't matter what it was.  I remember during my senior year in high school, I would have a Mountain Dew and a pack of Suzy Q's every morning during study hall.  If I was still hungry after that, I would eat a bag of doritos (not Dorados! :)  ). 

My first few days on plan were rough.  I had a horrible headache and felt sick to my stomach.  I wasn't much of a caffeine drinker, so my headache was sugar detox!  Dusty had warned me that this could happen, and since she told me that it would be temporary, I was able to push through.  By 2pm on day 4 I was feeling great!  I lost 7.2 pounds my first week.  So exciting!!  I got through Christmas, New Years Eve, and Super bowl party with no cheats! I reached my goal weight in March.  I was very proud of myself and felt so much better!  My clothes were fitting again, and my confidence was back!

I have been able to maintain since March of 2015.  I have had some struggles.  My weight has gone up a few times, but it's nice to know that I can go back to Phase 1 when I need to take a few pounds off.  I do phase one every few months for a week or 2 so that I can cleanse.  I am also much more careful about what I eat, because I know that if I go back to my old habits, I will not be able to maintain my healthy weight. 

Amy Carey

Ideal Protein Consultant

Innovative Aesthetics