20 Meal to Success! / Mindful Eating Testimonial
Over the last 8 month or so my weight has stayed consistent with minor fluctuation of 2 to 5 pounds. I didn’t give it much concern. Why should I? I had been overweight for quite some time and I was enjoying being a size 10/8, I started at a size 24. I was aware that I could lose more weight but I was enjoying where I currently was. I knew that I was eating more than I should, but didn’t give it much concern. I would eat a huge salad for lunch while either reading, being on the computer, paying bills or whatever I needed to get done. I knew I needed to focus on my food, eat without distractions but I told myself I just didn’t have the time. I had previously watched PD-Ed lessons on eating only when hungry, stopping when full and eat without distractions. I was just not ready to make that change.
While watching PD-Ed #92 lesson on Plant Based Sustainability and Meal Satisfaction (FREE Class), I finally decided to make some changes and focus on the things I learned from class #92 and previous classes. (contains affiliate links) Just as I started to do this on my own, a challenge was given by Julie Marie on the Protective Diet Living Facebook Group of 20 Meals to Success. This challenge come at a perfect time. There were many students that took on this challenge. Having the group participation and support was motivating and inspiring. After the 20 days I decided to continue practicing what I called mindful eating for the entire month. I wanted to break old habits and form new ones. I decided to record my Mindful Eating 30 days journey.
During the challenge I had good days and bad. I did not always eat with out distractions but I did try to focus on how much I was eating and to stop before stuffing myself. I was also more mindful of what I was putting into my mouth. While baking, did I need to lick the bowl at the end? Was it necessary to constantly taste what I was cooking? When I was under stress, was I eating because I was hungry or because it was soothing the feeling? Many question came to mind that helped me to focus on mindful eating.
Things I noticed and learned while participating in the 20 meals to success challenge:
- I was not taking time out of my day to really focus on myself, what and how much I was eating.
- Eating way to fast.
- Overeating without really noticing.
- Eating while cooking really adds up.
- I usually overeat after dinner while cleaning up the kitchen and putting things away.
- My body will let me know if I overeaten. It was not always an immediate response, but it definitely lets me know.
- The more I focused on eating slower the easier it became to listen to my body
- It really doesn’t take much food too become full.
- Reduced the time spent in the kitchen.
- Portion size naturally decreased.
- Meals stretched further.
- Did not feel stuffed (as long as I remembered to apply the principles).
- The longer I practiced mindful eating the easier it was.
- When you are truly hungry your food taste even better than when you are not hungry.
- I was more aware of how much I was eating.
- Realized It’s okay to leave food on the plate
I realized that I was eating because it was time to eat instead of eating because I was hungry. The more I practiced mindful eating the more aware I became of what my body was telling me. I enjoyed my food even more when I sat down to eat.
Today, is day 30 of the 20 meal to success challenge. I have lost a total 12 pounds this month. I now fit comfortable into a size 8 and just put on my first size 6 pants. Weight loss was not my intended goal but it was something I experienced. More importantly my focus has changed and desire to overcome bad habits and start forming new health habits has become a reality. My plan is to continuing to apply the things I have learned.
Protective Diet: Guide to Optimal Health
Protective Diet Newsletter: Health Food Satisfaction and Sustainability
Complimentary PD-Ed Class #92 Food Anxiety
This post contains affiliate links.
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