Many times over the years, I’ve been invited to do detox program with friends, but it was never something the interested me. I was lucky enough to be born with a slim figure and have never really needed to diet or work out to maintain it. I enjoyed eating whatever I wanted and thought it would always be that way. Even after giving birth to my second 9+ lb baby, I was back in my pre-pregnancy jeans within 6 weeks. Back then I lived in San Diego and I was outside all the time. I walked the boardwalk in Carlsbad almost daily and pushed a double stroller through my hilly neighbourhood. I was active, but not sporty. I enjoyed the healthy SoCal lifestyle, drinking green smoothies and grilling fresh fish.
When we moved to Germany that all changed. There were no more all-you-can-eat salad joints for lunch or healthy vegetarian smoothie and snack bars to grab something on the go. The fast options switched to french fries drenched in mayo, bratwursts, pizza or McDonald’s, none of which were part of my diet in California.
The unhealthy eating options, gloomy weather, and home sickness hurled me into a depression that lasted about 3 years. I ate too much. I drank too much. And I did absolutely no physical activity. I searched for a gym with childcare so I could at least do some yoga or boxing but that doesn’t exist where I live, because apparently providing childcare so mothers can work out just isn’t important.
After going back to the States for Christmas in 2018, I saw the number on the scale that was my Red Flag. I knew I had to do something. The trip home was good for me, I was able to do some soul searching and pulled myself out of the depression. I was ready to start working on my health again. I started touring gyms and calling Yoga Studios. The kids were both in school and I finally had time! Two months later I began having excruciating knee pain. After three months of PT, Cryotherapy, ultrasound therapy, I was diagnosed with Plica and Arthritis. I had knee surgery and then could barely walk again for almost a year. Once I was sure that my knee was strong enough and I was ready to get back to the gym again, COVID-19 hit Germany. We went into Lockdown and all gyms closed. We ate what was easy to make with ingredients that we could store in our basement.
Fast forward one year and here we are today. I have been going to the gym twice a week for 6 months and had been doing Yoga prior to Lockdown #2, but my weight is still the same. I’ve actually gained 13 lbs since the day I saw my Red Flag number on the scale. After talking to my husband, we decided that we need to change the way we eat, and since I am doing all the cooking, I guess it’s up to me.
Last week a friend of mine who regularly does these cleanses posted that she had lost 20 lbs by doing this program. She has been posting pictures of the meals she was making (which surprised me) and I decided to take the plunge. I’m not sure how my journey will end up as I am only on Day 2, but I am excited to see if the “pounds melt away”.
Stay Tuned!
Unfiltered Mommy 
❤❤❤