Tabitha’s Weight Loss Success Story
Tabitha has been up and down the scale, as many of the rest of us have, and found the Eat Like a Bear group in February of 2020 when she was down about 50 pounds. She has since worked off another 25 pounds and captured our hearts in one of our compilation videos, one about fashion, at the 4 minute 50 second mark and again at the 10 minute 40 second mark (displayed at the bottom of this post).This is Tabitha’s weight loss success story.
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Tabitha’s Weight-Loss Motivation
My motivation was to get healthy! I knew keto was the right kind way of eating for me, due to having a neurological disorder that we are still getting down to finding a diagnosis of. I have an autoimmune disease as well. I have rheumatism, lupus, dystonia, non-epileptic seizure disorder, degenerative disc disease, Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, PCOS, and have had multiple surgeries ranging from back surgery to a total hysterectomy.
Diets of the Past
With past diets, I would always end up with strong cravings and then impulsively eat sweet junk. I don’t do that with Eat Like a Bear. The group has been the emotional support missing from my past attempts.
Eating Like a Bear not only implements the importance of low carb, it also stresses the importance of fasting and autophagy for healing the body. So this whole plan just made sense for me and my health needs. Needless to say, this way of eating has improved my health to where most days the pain is barely noticeable.
The Eat Like a Bear Approach was Different
I decided to try the Eat Like a Bear approach when my cousin posted on her personal page her success so far. I was like, “If she can do this, I have to give it a go!”
I eat a ridiculously big salad a few times a week and cook keto meals the other days. Sometimes I do a charred romaine Caesar-style salad (ridiculously big salad size). I sometimes struggle with digestive issues, so cooked veggies tend to be better for me.
I have stuck with a 20-hour intermittent fast with a four-hour eating window, alternating with a 23:1 schedule. I mainly eat at 5:00 pm. Recently, I’ve changed to a 2:00 pm eating start time. I think I prefer eating in the earlier afternoon so my body has digested the food before I get to bed around 9:00 pm.
With the Eat Like a Bear approach, I found that I was being more relaxed with my meal planning. I wasn’t hung up on counting calories or macros. When I was able to take that stress out of the diet scenario, this new way of eating/life was just natural.
Seeing Results
The third day of this way of eating, I felt terrific! The second week, I completed an extended fast! By the fourth week, I was fitting back into some of my favorite clothes again! But it was the first week being on the plan and in the group that I noticed this was working.
Now that I’ve lost weight, I can balance on one leg! I can jump rope again – not perfectly, but I can! I can bend over without feeling like I’m going to pass out! I can enjoy wearing a swimsuit! I sleep better now too! Shopping for clothes is not as stressful, and I can be braver with trying new styles. 😁
Tips for Newcomers
Be patient with yourself. Stay active in the group. Reach out for extra support as needed – you’ll get it from the amazing fellow Bears! Read up on all the info. Be creative with your salads and meals. Share your thoughts, and talk to yourself daily about how amazing and worth it you are!
These ladies are me. I have been on the roller coaster for years. Fighting with my weight and trying to get down to as one lady said average. It is a constant struggle and this forced confinement by the government has made it worse. I have gained 6 lbs and could easily have been up by 20 or 30.
This may be God’s gift because I was praying for healing and strength and a way to reach my goals.
I need this to work!
Your transformation is amazing. You changed SO much!! Have some of your problems gone away? You look amazingly healthy and so much younger!! Hope all is well!