{"id":45729,"date":"2023-06-20T05:33:20","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T12:33:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cleanfoodcrush.com\/?p=45729"},"modified":"2023-06-20T13:41:32","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T20:41:32","slug":"anne-brett-transformation-cleanfoodcrush","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cleanfoodcrush.com\/anne-brett-transformation-cleanfoodcrush\/","title":{"rendered":"Anne and Brett Getting Healthier with CleanFoodCrush"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n\"\"\/\n<\/div>\n\n

<\/h1>\n

Anne and Brett Getting Healthier with CleanFoodCrush<\/h1>\n

Meet Anne (and her husband Brett) – a retired teacher who’s feeling healthier with each bite! Together they have lost 42 lbs<\/h3>\n

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Hi Everyone!\u00a0 I\u2019m Anne.\u00a0 I\u2019m 58 and just completed my first full year of retirement from teaching. <\/span><\/h3>\n

My husband and I sold our home of 30 years last fall and moved from metro Detroit to rural Michigan.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

Though he is still teaching, we consider my husband in semi-retirement anyway!\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

We have 3 daughters and two sons-in-law who no longer live near us.\u00a0 So we miss them a lot! <\/span>We love to travel, especially to visit friends, historic places, and national parks.\u00a0 A relative asked what we wanted to do in retirement.\u00a0 It took me a bit to realize I hadn\u2019t really thought about that.\u00a0 But we realized we love to travel, camp, and kayak.\u00a0 So begin our retirement plans!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

I\u2019ve struggled with my weight since my mid 40s.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h2>\n

\u27a1\ufe0fOnce that metabolism slows down it begins to be really hard.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

\u27a1\ufe0fI had my gall bladder removed and then a hysterectomy.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

\u27a1\ufe0fAt one point I couldn\u2019t sleep through the night.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u27a1\ufe0fThen all I wanted to do was take naps.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

\u27a1\ufe0fMy legs would swell so bad by the end of a school day I could hardly walk down the hall to the bathroom.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

Teaching is so demanding that we\u2019d opt for eating out or quick meals like burgers, hot dogs, or casseroles filled<\/span>\u00a0with pasta.\u00a0 I decided my health needed to be addressed and thus retired June 2022.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Even after cutbacks on portions for 2 years with no weight loss, I gave up on purposely trying to lose weight.<\/strong>\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

My last year of teaching was so busy that I\u2019d skip lunch, or not have time to eat much of it.\u00a0 As a result I lost about 15 lbs.\u00a0 A trip to the doctor on May 1, 2023 showed I\u2019d gained 13 lbs. of that back.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

I knew I\u2019d gained weight.\u00a0 All my pants were tight again.\u00a0<\/strong> <\/span><\/h3>\n

I felt awful\u2013shaky, bloated, tired, sore.\u00a0 Maybe having all my time available at home every day wasn\u2019t good for me.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

I needed a schedule, or a purpose, every day so that my mind was occupied by something.\u00a0 I tried a part-time job but after years of teaching I wasn\u2019t ready for more stress.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The winter was horrible. <\/strong><\/span>I baked cookies, brownies, and cakes\u2013anything sweet.<\/h3>\n

I could actually munch on just about anything that was around.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

I\u2019d try to get my mind off food by shoveling the deck or sweeping snow off the porch.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

I read dozens of books!\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

It Still didn\u2019t help.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/h2>\n

I knew that day I had to do something.\u00a0<\/strong> <\/span><\/h2>\n

So, on my drive home from that doctor appointment on May 1st, I made up my mind to join The CleanFoodCrush 30 Day Clean Eating Challenge<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

I\u2019d been following the healthier recipes on Facebook for a couple of years.\u00a0 We\u2019d tried a few and liked them!\u00a0 I was encouraged by the testimony of others that this was not just weight loss but healthy eating.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

I just had to convince my husband to do this because I wasn\u2019t going to prepare separate meals!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Through my years as an educator I learned not to reinvent the wheel.\u00a0 Investing in this program offered planned meals as well as shopping lists and an online support group!\u00a0 That was not only an incentive, but a requirement for me!\u00a0 Most importantly, I knew we needed to eat healthier. \u00a0 AND, my husband was on board!<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Our first trip to the grocery store was an eye opener.\u00a0 Since we\u2019d recently moved to rural Michigan, we found that not every Meijer or Walmart carried some of the more natural items.\u00a0 We began to really read labels and found alternatives.\u00a0 Yay!\u00a0 Chips were no longer on the list.\u00a0 Cookies were no longer on the list.\u00a0 Nor was the frozen pie or<\/span>\u00a0ice cream.<\/span><\/h3>\n

<\/h2>\n

Week 1 was a struggle.\u00a0<\/strong> A real struggle.<\/strong>\u00a0 <\/span><\/h2>\n

\ud83d\udeabNo gluten<\/span><\/h3>\n

\ud83d\udeab dairy<\/span><\/h3>\n

\ud83d\udeabsugar<\/span><\/h3>\n

\ud83d\udeabor salt.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

I never drank water during the day as a teacher because I couldn\u2019t leave the room to use the bathroom.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

Now I was supposed to drink how much!!!??!!!!\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n

We didn\u2019t cheat; preparing food from scratch took longer than I liked, and I just wasn’t excited about the limited menu.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

I discovered that I overcooked my chicken and venison.\u00a0 Sometimes the meat was so tough I didn\u2019t even want to eat it.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

The portions were almost too much to eat.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Our sugar cravings were real\u2013every day.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I had nausea no matter how much I did, or didn\u2019t, eat or drink.\u00a0 However, after the third day I noticed some real changes.\u00a0 I awoke on the 4th morning without pain in my wrists or elbows.\u00a0 (I\u2019d been dealing with wrist and elbow pain for a year.)\u00a0 \u00a0 I\u2019ve been dealing with something intestinal for a few years.\u00a0 Lying in bed would give me cramping on the right side.\u00a0 Scans showed nothing.\u00a0 I realized this 4th morning that the intestinal issue wasn\u2019t bothering me.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

By the end of the first week not only was that pain greatly reduced, but the bloating was gone and I could get my wedding ring easily on and off.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

Weight loss? Yes!! 5.5 lbs.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Though I thought I should have dropped much more than that, I was happy.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Weeks 2-3 were still a struggle but I loved the fact that the menu choices opened up more alternatives.<\/span><\/h3>\n

I discovered I\u2019m not a smoothie person.\u00a0 I have never liked fish.\u00a0 I tried the Applegate ham, but it was quite salty.\u00a0 I\u2019m no longer cooking chicken and venison to death.\u00a0 But, by the end of the 3rd week I\u2019d only lost 3 more pounds.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

I was discouraged, but thanks to the CleanFoodCrush<\/a> team, I was encouraged to log my food consumption and keep on with the program.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think I\u2019d have eaten differently, but I was able to see what I ate each day.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

Come to Week 4.\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

At this point, I\u2019ve been watching my wonderful husband, Brett, drop pounds double what I did.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

I\u2019m not going to lie, I was a bit jealous; yet I was so happy for him because he needed to drop the weight and eat healthier too. <\/span><\/h3>\n

He was certainly my daily rock to persevere.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

As I read a few posts in the Challenge<\/a> Facebook group, I was also encouraged.\u00a0 A few people mentioned ways they spiced up the meals.\u00a0 I used those ideas!\u00a0 Stepping on the scale after Week 4 showed that I\u2019d lost another 4.5 lbs. \u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

That meant that the 13 lbs. I\u2019d gained before were now gone!\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

I am no longer craving naps.\u00a0 I may not sleep through the night like I want.\u00a0 I still struggle drinking more water because of bathroom trips and my daughters are happy with our healthier eating habits.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

I need to add\u00a0 that I have always hated deliberate exercising.\u00a0 I think it’s because I have always gotten winded so easily–even when I was a kid.\u00a0 The only exercising I’m getting is some walking around the fields and the outings we have hiking or kayaking.<\/span><\/h3>\n

That brings us to this current week.\u00a0 We chose not to pay for the continued support but see what we could do on our own.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

\ud83c\udf1fOur grocery lists consist of ingredients, not food<\/strong>.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

\ud83c\udf1fWe put more time into meal and portion planning.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\ud83c\udf1fWe think HEALTHY!\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

\ud83c\udf1fGluten and dairy are nearly non-existent with the exception of the bread we found for the french toast recipe and Greek yogurt as a topping.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

\ud83c\udf1fSweetener remains as honey, maple syrup, or the occasional pinch of stevia per the recipes.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

\ud83c\udf1fSalt is minimal. (However, I\u2019ve noticed I can\u2019t get my rings off if I\u2019ve had salt. )<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

Most breakfasts options are back to the Week 1 suggestions with a sprinkling of banana oat muffins or the overnight almond oatmeal bake.\u00a0 Lunch always includes salad components.\u00a0 We are still trying out new recipes for dinner but really like the honey sesame chicken lettuce wraps and crockpot burrito bowl. <\/span><\/h3>\n

Training to measure the portions on a food scale was important!\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

A bonus?\u00a0 When my husband says, \u201cThis recipe is a keeper!\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

As we head into summer vacation the plans have begun for travel menus and meals to share with company.\u00a0 Thoughts of family reunions and choices we\u2019ll make are certainly going to be considered.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

Our diet-restricted daughter will visit at the end of June.\u00a0 I\u2019m so happy we\u2019ll be eating the same things as she is!\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

I\u2019m truly appreciative of the online support for new ideas and the encouragement to keep going.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

All through my teaching career I was more than just a teacher.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

I was also a cheerleader.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

When it came to losing weight and eating healthy, I needed someone to be my cheerleader.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf1fCleanFoodCrush<\/a> was just that for me.<\/strong>\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

\ud83c\udf1fAnyone who knows they need to stop the cravings and lose weight needs to give this program<\/a> a shot.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n

\ud83c\udf1fAnyone looking for healthier habits needs to try it.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

I denied wanting to change my habits until it hit me in the face at that doctor appointment.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

\ud83c\udf1fWe had tried other programs, but CleanFoodCrush offered the most diversity AND amazing support.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

\u2013Anne\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Retired teacher<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Ready to Get the Tools and Support That Helped Anne and Brett Succeed? Come and Join the Challenge<\/a>!<\/h3>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Anne and Brett Getting Healthier with CleanFoodCrush Meet Anne (and her husband Brett) – a retired teacher who’s feeling healthier with each bite! Together they have lost 42 lbs Hi Everyone!\u00a0 I\u2019m Anne.\u00a0 I\u2019m 58 and just completed my first full year of retirement from teaching. My husband and I sold our home of 30 Read More! <\/strong> <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":45753,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[932,21],"tags":[],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleanfoodcrush.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45729"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleanfoodcrush.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleanfoodcrush.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanfoodcrush.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanfoodcrush.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45729"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/cleanfoodcrush.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45729\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45805,"href":"https:\/\/cleanfoodcrush.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45729\/revisions\/45805"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanfoodcrush.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45753"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleanfoodcrush.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45729"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanfoodcrush.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45729"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanfoodcrush.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}