Two Truths + A Lie

A few days ago, I posted the following on my FB profile:

Two Truths and a Lie Challenge-

Step 1: Guess my lie

Step 2: Create your own and let me know so I can guess

Step 3: Check out my FB page for the next month as I share #atruthadayfor30days

Optional Step 4: Tell 30 truths of your own. Anyone who does gets something special from me (so let me know if you’re considering it)

My Truths + A Lie:

A: I never wear anything on my wrists (no bracelets, no watches, no tight sleeves)

B: I have never done the 30 Days to Healthy Living program as intended and I don’t ever plan to

C: I feel daily challenges in regards to addictive behaviors.

Nearly everyone who guessed (and there were quite a few) assumed that B was one of my truths. Most people know that I am brand-specific when it comes to the products I use, so it's a normal assumption that I would also be partial to the signature programs of said brands.

The truth, not so much.

With that being said, here is my question to you:

How do you feel about diets and diet culture? This is not a leading question. I truly want to know.

I have never completed The 30 Days to Healthy Living program as it is intended and I never plan to.

This is NOT because 30 days to healthy living is a diet. In fact, it’s as far from that culture as any organized program I’ve ever seen.

Here is why it doesn’t align for me. I hope you’ll keep reading.

I don’t like being told what I should be doing. That’s the bottom line. I have spent most of my life up to this point listening to other people’s idea of what will work for me, and not enough of it listening to my own intuition.

It took me a long time to get to the point where I could truly trust my body and what it needs. Our bodies are constantly speaking to us. It’s up to us to listen.

There are programs and practices out there like Whole 30 and keto and weight watchers, and the list goes on and on… that have done great things for people… BUT (and this is a bit BUT)…

They only work for people who are already in tune with their own needs. Without that internal compass guiding you, programs are meaningful in the moment and become meaningless and even harmful when they are done.

It’s about having a sustainable lifestyle.

There are things in the 30 days to healthy living that are in total alignment for me:

1. Mindfulness daily

2. Personal development daily

3. Eating anti-inflammatory foods

4. Cleansing potential triggers from our lives so we can have a clear palate for informed choices

5. Drinking lots of fluids/water

6. Developing a sustainable lifestyle with food and movement choices that align with your personal needs

7. Movement

8. ACCOUNTABILITY

But for me, there are things that I don’t want to give up. I have given them up in the past in order to find out what works for me and what doesn’t, and I did that work long before Arbonne came into my life.

When I was brought into this community and its products, I found things that I can use to sustain a lifestyle I had already developed through years of self-exploration, often with guides.

On a daily basis, I use protein shake (in ways that allow me to eat my food, rather than drink it), fizz, herbal tea, vegan collagen booster, and most importantly, the best probiotic I’ve ever tried. (These can all be a part of 30 Days to Healthy Living).

So I live the lifestyle in a way that makes sense for me. Because you know what? It’s about me… or more importantly, it’s about YOU.

Here is what I will say, and I’ll say it bluntly.

Do not do any program with the mindset of dieting… not even 30 Days.

You might lose weight, but you’ll almost certainly gain it back…

Unless…

You work with professionals on figuring out what makes sense for you.

Nutritionists, fitness coaches, mindset mentors, psychologists.

I have a wide variety of wellness professionals I can refer you to. They (and I) will help you integrate your needs into a lifestyle that makes sense for you.

In fact, I’m working with some right now on my own goals and I would love to shine their light on you.

The real bottom line—

Diets suck.

Diet culture sucks.

Wellness does not.

Wellness is wholeistic.

Wellness is about you, not about anyone else.

If you want to discuss this more, I am here.