“Create a business plan for your life and you’ll find a clear direction on your path.”
Your New Beginning
I know what you're thinking - "Uh-oh, here's Michael with all of his words again. Words, words, words, etc., etc, nutrition this, nutrition that." Believe it or not, this email is really meant as a quick reference guide. Most important, it will steer our next sets of activities to rewire a new optimal you! Please review it with a careful eye, and then we'll discuss it. If you need motivation, check out The Evolution of My Personal Diet! Don't forget to review the quick resource guide at the bottom!
A sidenote: A diet full of vegetables has evolved from the typical side dish of asparagus next to your piece of Midwestern steak and the salad that was served in the local diner before the main course. Any pivot out of your status quo/routine may feel uncomfortable and you may also feel a bit of uncertainty and frustration. As a former player in the restaurant industry and a long-time food and drink enthusiast, I assure you that the plant options are now overwhelming with flavor and bursting with creativity. I'm not asking you to jump in 100% for the sake of your health. A pivot of 20% may offer incredible dividends, too. Be a researcher and seek out the best of what's out there (just as you may have done with your traditional meat preparations, soups, and stews).
PART 1: ESTABLISH THE WEIGHT LOSS GAME PLAN
Here's our adaptable game plan for your diet over the next 4 weeks. Please note that many of the phases will overlap.
PHASE 1: Assessing the trends and patterns of you (Week 1)
-Complete the 3-day diet log
-Experiment with several quick and easy dietary changes/pivots
-Complete the taste and texture profile
-Complete the emotional association assessment
-Complete the situational assessment of food choices (e.g. social settings versus when stressed)
PHASE 2: Laying the foundation of eating (Weeks 1/2)
-Establish the dietary anchors based on your "needs" (the "wants" come later)
-Introduce the principles of diet and the science behind digestion and absorption as well as your biological clock and circadian rhythm
-Highlight Fuhrman concepts and principles that relate to your dietary approach.
PHASE 3: Testing (Weeks 2/3)
-Reframe anchors into a pyramid (not your parent's food pyramid)
-Introduction of the 10 phases of dietary change and reassess every 2 weeks (or sooner) based on progress
-Introduction of self-assessment/fostering dietary awareness
-Introduction of several meal plans
PHASE 4: Creating a new normal (Weeks 3/4)
-Create a base meal plan from our observations, tests, books, and many, many resources
-Assess the meal plan every 2 weeks
Time to plant the seed for a new approach to weight loss. // Photo by Ella Olsson
PART 2: IMMERSE YOURSELF
We're building a new normal, and its time to pull from multiple resources and hold ourselves accountable. Joining vegan, plant-based, and fitness-related social media groups have added another layer of motivation and accountability, though. I'm more likely to choose a healthier plate because I take a photo and share it with the world.
I'm also more likely to maintain a healthier mindset when I'm consistently reading self-improvement and nutrition books. At times, these books are feeding me new information, but the real value is the reminder and the mental structure I maintain while digging in daily. My crazy mind, when tamed, is an incredible force that amplifies the enjoyment of experiences. It drives my endeavors. It could also be a wild beast if not contained. Think about how you want to tame your inner beast.
RESOURCES TO CREATE AN IMMERSIVE DIETARY EXPERIENCE
Indulge in these resources. You're more likely to stick to your path if you immerse yourself with the content and lifestyle!
* Cooking Websites: Cookie and Kate, The Minimalist Baker, Rainbow Plant Life
* The Elements of Being Instagram Page: Check the recipes that Sammy and I have made over the last 12 months!
* Eat for Life book: If you need science to back up alllllllllllllllll of my thoughts on nutrition.
* End of Dieting book: Breakdown on nutrition and meal plans and recipes in the back.
* Tools of Titans book: If you want to learn about the habits of successful people from different industries. Might help to see what other habits people wire to reach their goals.
* Redefine Yourself book: Hahahahahaha.....how did this get on the list? It's a simple guide to help you steer reflection and refine your cycle of awareness, acceptance, and adaptation. That's why!
* Listen to "The Elements of Being" podcast episode #10 with Dr. Fuhrman: If you find yourself saying, "Hogwash," you may want to explore the reasons. Do you wish to change or do want to continue your same habits because it's familiar and easier, though less comfortable?
* Cookie and Kate Cookbook (vegan and vegetarian options)
* The Minimalist Baker Cookbook (vegan and vegetarian options)
* The Game Changers documentary: The documentary dispels the common misconceptions about nutrition through the lens of the active person. I must emphasize an important point here: The principles apply to males and FEMALES.
* What the Health documentary: An excellent documentary that demonstrates the compromised nutritional influences on our life and the power of a plant-based approach.
* Whole-Food-Plant-Based-Diet.com Facebook Group: People posting food pictures, recipes, and inspirational stories.
* Chicago Vegans Facebook Group: Annnnnnnnd more people posting food pictures, recipes, and inspirational stories.
* Train with Michael Moody Fitness!!! Another shameful plug, yes.
Time to plant the seed for a new approach to weight loss. // Photo by Ella Olsson
