Sherry Lost 18 Pounds and Found a Plan That Works!

Hello, I’m Sherry, 62 years young. I have three grown children and have been married 38 years. I teach preschool, spend lots of time creating activities and games, enjoy playing with my Corgi, and relax by watching HGTV and Food Network.

I first joined Clean Food Love (CFC) in 2016 and lost 18 pounds, but at the time I didn’t keep a yearly membership because I didn’t want the expense. I often wished I could rejoin as a new member and pay month to month. Recently that option became available, so I rejoined on March 1, 2022, under the new yearly-member format that allows me to pay month by month.

Before I started clean eating, I was addicted to sugar

I thought I was eating healthy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but I snacked on sweets all day. I tried other diets—low carb, Jenny Craig—and even worked with a dietician, but by late afternoon I would get ravenous and binge. I felt sluggish constantly, would reach for carbs for a quick boost, and then feel worse. My digestive system was unhappy every day.

Last year I saw a dietician who charged $150 an hour. Her guidance was based on balancing proteins, carbs, and fats per meal, similar in concept to CFC. However, she allowed processed foods as long as portions matched an exchange list and offered no recipes. Planning a week’s menu under her plan took me three hours because most of my recipes didn’t match the exchange balance she recommended.

The dietician’s plan didn’t keep me satisfied, and I quickly grew bored with the limited options. She suggested my symptoms pointed to low blood sugar, and while her structure aimed to steady sugar levels, allowing both simple and complex carbs undermined it. I learned the hard way that eating a full serving of oatmeal without protein left me with low blood sugar an hour later. After losing 15 pounds with her plan, I became so hungry that I binged and regained the weight over nine months.

I rejoined CFC on March 1. The first time I joined, I lost 18 pounds and had huge energy gains. I maintained for a year but gradually started gaining weight again, thinking I was still eating clean. I relied more on whole wheat pastas and some breads, which I thought were “clean,” and that likely led to creeping weight gain and renewed cravings. This time, CFC provided clearer guidance on exchanges and portion sizes starting in week two, which helped me stay on track.

My favorite recipes are the famous banana pancake waffles. My brain still wants to treat them like a starchy carb, but they’re different. My whole family loves the tangy chicken, and I’m trying new vegetables like Brussels sprouts—my husband, who normally eats very few vegetables, has even asked for more. The recipes are simple to follow, and everything I’ve made for my family has been a hit.

I Am In A Groove Now

CFC’s structure, portion guidance, and focus on high-value foods fit my body’s needs. I no longer experience cravings, jitters, or mid-meal hunger. Meal planning is much faster with the program’s wealth of recipes, and I don’t waste time wondering whether a recipe fits my plan. Since restarting, my energy has returned and my digestive issues have resolved. I lost 9 pounds during the 30-Day Challenge and a total of 18 pounds so far.

The Challenge team offers excellent support. I’d tried to restart week one on my own several times and never made it past day four. Being part of the group made all the difference and helped me succeed.

If you want more energy, to feel younger, lose weight, and enjoy delicious meals, consider giving this approach a try. You have nothing to lose except weight.

– Sherry