Meet Alice!
Throughout her time following the Always Hungry program, Alice has enjoyed reduced sugar cravings and better fitting clothes. More importantly though, she has adapted the program to fit her life. This is a great story for those of you who wish to build your own meals, enjoy time at restaurants, and generally craft the program to fit your lifestyle. That is our ultimate goal!
Tell us a little about your progress following the AH program.
It has not gone as rapidly as I would like—totally my fault! During phase 1, I chose not to reduce my 3 times per week weight lifting class, because I didn’t find the effects of the sugar detox to be tiring. I joined AH after 47 years on Weight Watchers. I was an at-goal lifetime member, but hooked on sugar, and finding it harder to maintain my weight.
After I finished Phase 1 of the Always Hungry Program, my sugar cravings were totally gone, but I found an new indulgence —nuts. Dr Ludwig was very clear about paying attention to portion sizes of trigger foods (foods that throw you off or that you tend to overeat or eat out of emotional/habitual hunger), but after so many years without nuts (too many points on WW), I went cuckoo for them. That, coupled with not coming to grips with portion sizes that were correct for my body, caused me to gain 8 pounds. I was miserable. I knew the science in the program was correct, but my behavior was not.
What advice would you give to others just starting out?
While I have great admiration for Dawn Ludwig and her culinary expertise, all that cooking is not my lifestyle. I make a few of the recipes like Eggplant Parmesan, but I eat out a lot at restaurants or my health club, which is fabulous in terms of AH compliant menu. This is not a diet, it is a lifestyle to be maintained for the long run. You really need to figure out what works with your lifestyle for long term results.
What challenges have you faced along the way?
Portion control! I was ordering and consuming an entire Cobb Salad without evaluating to see if I was actually hungry for the entire thing. I was able to lose the 8 lbs I had gained by eating 1/2 the salad and taking the other half home for another meal. (More economical, too!)
Since nuts are a real trigger for me, I stay away from them. Except occasional slivered almonds that come in a salad—that type of interaction is OK for me. Dawn Ludwig helped me break out of my weight gain negative spiral by suggesting I move from Phase 1.5 to Phase 2. I had been resisting Phase 2, thinking it would exacerbate my weight gain problem. Wrong! Switching to Phase 2 is what enabled me to lose the 8 pounds. Now I have steel cuts oats with turkey bacon for breakfast. I also add 1/2 cup quinoa to salads, even to Eggplant Parmesan!
What’s your favorite part of the program?
Ditching sugar and embracing fat. I also love the increased awareness of what is in foods and checking labels. The Facebook group is great and I have learned a lot from them. Some of the members are really knowledgeable!! Great recipe and meal ideas. I am blessed with good health, but in addition to that, I feel great!!
Easy, Elegant Chocolate Dipped Fruit
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Throughout her time following the Always Hungry program, Alice has enjoyed reduced sugar cravings and better fitting clothes. More importantly though, she has adapted the program to fit her life. This is a great story for those of you who wish to build your own meals, enjoy time at restaurants, and generally craft the program to fit your lifestyle. That is our ultimate goal!
Tell us a little about your progress following the AH program.
It has not gone as rapidly as I would like—totally my fault! During phase 1, I chose not to reduce my 3 times per week weight lifting class, because I didn’t find the effects of the sugar detox to be tiring. I joined AH after 47 years on Weight Watchers. I was an at-goal lifetime member, but hooked on sugar, and finding it harder to maintain my weight.
After I finished Phase 1 of the Always Hungry Program, my sugar cravings were totally gone, but I found an new indulgence —nuts. Dr Ludwig was very clear about paying attention to portion sizes of trigger foods (foods that throw you off or that you tend to overeat or eat out of emotional/habitual hunger), but after so many years without nuts (too many points on WW), I went cuckoo for them. That, coupled with not coming to grips with portion sizes that were correct for my body, caused me to gain 8 pounds. I was miserable. I knew the science in the program was correct, but my behavior was not.
What advice would you give to others just starting out?
While I have great admiration for Dawn Ludwig and her culinary expertise, all that cooking is not my lifestyle. I make a few of the recipes like Eggplant Parmesan, but I eat out a lot at restaurants or my health club, which is fabulous in terms of AH compliant menu. This is not a diet, it is a lifestyle to be maintained for the long run. You really need to figure out what works with your lifestyle for long term results.
What challenges have you faced along the way?
Portion control! I was ordering and consuming an entire Cobb Salad without evaluating to see if I was actually hungry for the entire thing. I was able to lose the 8 lbs I had gained by eating 1/2 the salad and taking the other half home for another meal. (More economical, too!)
Since nuts are a real trigger for me, I stay away from them. Except occasional slivered almonds that come in a salad—that type of interaction is OK for me. Dawn Ludwig helped me break out of my weight gain negative spiral by suggesting I move from Phase 1.5 to Phase 2. I had been resisting Phase 2, thinking it would exacerbate my weight gain problem. Wrong! Switching to Phase 2 is what enabled me to lose the 8 pounds. Now I have steel cuts oats with turkey bacon for breakfast. I also add 1/2 cup quinoa to salads, even to Eggplant Parmesan!
What’s your favorite part of the program?
Ditching sugar and embracing fat. I also love the increased awareness of what is in foods and checking labels. The Facebook group is great and I have learned a lot from them. Some of the members are really knowledgeable!! Great recipe and meal ideas. I am blessed with good health, but in addition to that, I feel great!!