My Secrets to Losing Weight in a HEALTHY Way

One of the main reasons I felt so motivated to start Chef Theory Health was to help guide people through all of the conflicting information out there.  After having success with my own weight loss journey, losing 70 lbs and becoming a certified nutritionist, I also learned how BIG of a role nutrition and lifestyle can play in reducing your risk of all of the chronic diseases we fear: Cancer, Cardiovascular & Neurocognitive Diseases. I found that the Restrictive approach of most common diet theories often don't work for many people and aren't healthy for the long term.  Leaving them often frustrated with regaining any weight lost and resulting in a negative relationship with food. 

As a chef and food lover this makes me sad, and inspires me to help people build a more positive relationship with food while also losing weight AND reducing their risks of all chronic disease.  I put together a program that shows clients how this can be done without cutting carbs, counting calories, fearing fat or exercising 5 days a week. I pack the program with healthy recipes that also taste delicious, support clients with coaching sessions and video cooking demos. I thought it would be helpful to share the fundamentals of this program because I really believe that there are no "secrets" of weight loss and health.  In fact whenever I see anybody promote "secrets" that they won't share with you until you buy their product I know to avoid them.  My program is more about teaching, supporting and holding accountability while my clients build these fundamentals into routines and habits.  So, with all that being said, here are My Secrets!

 1) Do Calories Matter?

This is one of the most common questions when people are trying to lose weight.  The answer is absolutely yes, BUTTTT - I find that it often leads to poor decision making for health and also instills a negative relationship with food, leading people to view food/calories as "bad".  I spend the first week of my program teaching clients how to build a healthy plate without having to count calories.  If there was one simple rule of everything I do, it's Limit Processed Foods and Focus on a VARIETY of Whole Foods - That's It! The Biggest Secret really is that simple - But in our current culture, it's not always easy and that's where I offer support.

2) Prioritize Protein

How much protein should I be eating? Another frequent question.  The answer to that question is highly individual and dependent on many factors such as: age, weight, sex and activity level.  But I often say that 100 grams per day from a VARIETY of sources is a good starting point for many people.  Protein, more specifically amino acids, are the building block of every cell in our body, as well as hormones, neurotransmitters and enzymes.  I spend the second week of my program teaching clients how prioritizing protein is key for not only losing weight, but health of the entire body!

3) Don't Fear Fat - But Respect It!!

Fat is not all bad, in fact there are certain essential fats that you MUST get through your diet for proper health and disease prevention.  Navigating what fats are good and bad is the focus of Week 3 of my program.  Avoiding processed seed oils and embracing more naturally occurring fats is the key here.  I also teach clients how healthy fats actually play a key role in balancing cholesterol, a very misunderstood health issue.

4) Carbs are Not a Villain

Another hot topic of health and weight loss are carbs.  Just like fat, carbohydrates are neither good nor bad.  Sticking to my rule of embracing whole foods carbs and limiting highly processed carbs is the key here.  Week 4 of my program we dive into what this means and why carbs are actually very important for maintaining a healthy Microbiome and digestive system, which affects health throughout the entire body.

5) Eat the Rainbow!

Nutrition plays a key role in detoxification, and eating colorful plant foods while limiting our toxic burden is key to weight loss and health. I fill my weekly meal planners with a variety of colorful plant foods to support our detoxification pathways, which is key for disease prevention, hormone balance and proper weight management.  Week 5 of my program really dives deep into these topics

6) Micronutrients & Supplements

The last week of my 6-Week Program discusses my "super foods", supplements I recommend and micronutrients that play key roles in health that many people are deficient in.  I leave this topic for last, because if we stick to my previous 5 tenants of health, than most people don't need to worry too much about this.  However, I find many people start here, which is a mistake.  When you find a health guru using supplements, super foods & that "one secret thing" as a foundation of their teachings, avoid them.  These should be treated as icing on the cake that helps fill in a few gaps, not as the foundation of health.  I discuss protein powders, fish oil, glycine, zinc, magnesium, sulphorophane and more during this final week.

7) Where to Go From Here?

So rounding back to my original statement:  Focusing on a Wide Variety of Whole Foods while Limiting Processed Foods really is my secret for weight loss, health and disease prevention!  I find that many people need help and support navigating that path, so that is why I created my Nutrition Fundamentals Program, as well as my CTH Membership, which provides weekly menu planners full of tasty recipes that live by the fundamentals outlined above.  It also provides a community of support with other members as well as group coaching sessions and discounted private sessions with myself.  

If you're interested in a FREE call to discuss questions about health and weight loss, meal planners and/or my programs click on the orange "Book a Call Now" button.