I’ve lost 20 pounds and have dropped 3 sizes. Nothing fits anymore…I have definitely dropped my LDL numbers and brought up my HDL some more…It is not a diet to me; it’s just the way I eat now.

For the majority of my life (I’m 50) I’ve struggled with eating a balanced diet for many reasons.  Probably the biggest one is I’m a fussy eater, I admit it.  Couple that with long hours at work and lots of travel, and the end result has been that I’ve been up and down with my weight.  At least I thought that was the only consequence.  About five years ago I started the process of trying to get healthy.  I thought going to the gym would do it.  Well that helped for sure, but I didn’t really change how I was eating at the time.

Patti’s SANE Story: Do Away With Diets, 20lbs. of Fat, and Hunger

After a significant career change, move to a smaller city, a house renovation and the death of my Dad, with stress levels at an all-time high, I decided to go to the doctor for a checkup.  Big wake up call, my cholesterol was at unhealthy levels.  My doctor gave me 6 months to get it under control through my diet.  I started out trying to add in more fiber, eat more veggies etc. but something still hadn’t clicked for me until my girlfriend asked me to participate with a group of ladies who were going to follow the SANE way of eating.  Great incentive for me.  I read the book and it all made sense.  We met weekly and exchanged stories and recipes.  It was great to have the support and I started trying to be more SANE.

At the end of the 6 weeks it was also the end of my 6 months and it was time for me to go back to the doctor to check on my cholesterol.  I wasn’t where I needed to be, but my doctor liked the direction my diet was taking and gave me another 4 months to get my health back on track.  In an effort to assist me, my doctor gave me a bunch of samples of All Bran Cereal.  Those went to the back of my pantry as I now know that starch is NOT a good source of fiber.  I did want to make my doctor proud though, so with support from my friends and guidance from Jonathan I was determined to get serious about what Jonathan said was the single most important aspect of going SANE: consuming 10+ servings of non-starchy veggies per day.  Okay seemed simple enough, but oh my goodness, I felt like I was chewing food all the time eating all the vegetables I needed.

Lucky for me Costco was demonstrating Vitamix blenders at the time.  Best investment I have ever made!!  I started making a veggie, fruit, flax and protein powder smoothie every morning and sometimes in the afternoon too.  I continue to go to the gym twice a week because I love to do that.   I have not looked back since.  I’ve lost 20 pounds and have dropped 3 sizes in my clothes.  Nothing fits anymore!

Patti’s SANE Story & Weight Loss Journey

So it was back to the doctor for me at the end of June to check on my blood results.  Success!  I have definitely dropped my LDL numbers and brought up my HDL some more.  Will continue on this journey as I feel great and look good too!! (at least I think so :)) – well my doc said so too :). It is not a diet to me, it’s just the way I eat now.  And with so many fringe benefits!!!

My advice to others looking to start the SANE lifestyle:

• More fruits and veggies!  Find a way to incorporate these into your diet.  The Vitamix blender worked for me because you can put any fruit or veggie in it and come up with a great smoothie.
• Strive for small changes and celebrate your success.  If you totally change how you are eating day 1, it may be too big of an adjustment.  Jonathan’s 5 week plan is perfect.
• Don’t stress if you have a meal that isn’t totally SANE.  If you are eating SANEly most of the time, it’ll be okay.
• Eat lots of small meals and prepare stuff ahead of time, this makes it easy to choose the right option.  I found I don’t like to fuss, so it has to be easy for me.
• Search for recipes, there are lots out there that make SANE eating a treat! Who knew you could do so much with Cauliflower!
• Keep active, exercise eccentrically not excessively!

– Patti Skogg

* Testimonial Disclaimer: All of the testimonials were written by actual members of SANE Solution. Individual Results may vary. Please consult a physician before beginning any exercise or diet program.