Testimony: Paul & Stephanie Edwards
Food has been my drug of choice for any emotional issue. A “friend” that robbed me of my life! I was morbidly obese, and I knew I worshiped food more than God!
My Trim Healthy Mama journey started with research. My goal was to learn about the plan before I began. I wanted any plan I chose to honor God and His design for eating. Trim Healthy Mama, I believe, was the answer to my prayer.
My lowest point was Halloween of 2018. We had a 5-pound bag of chocolate candy in our house and I ate half the bag in less than a week, by myself. That was my wakeup call! I started THM the next day! I did it by myself with the help of Jesus. I love to cook and so I embraced the adventure of learning how to create healthier meals for my family and me. The weight started coming off even through the holidays. I gave myself grace for events and special occasions then went right back on plan.
After seeing how successful I had been, my husband joined me on THM in the spring of 2019 during Lent. Paul lost a total of 60 pounds while on plan in 6 months. He exercises 6 times a week so the weight just fell off him. He needed mostly crossover meals due to his physical activity. He has said more than once he never thought he would enjoy whole, roasted okra as much as he does!
Because of THM, both Paul and I have lost over 170 lbs together! That is more weight lost than I weigh now! I have been on plan for 18 months and have lost 113 pounds. My size changed from a 24 to 12. I wish I had recorded measurements, because I lost so many inches. Due to my weight loss, my thyroid medications for Hashimoto’s was reduced 3 times and I no longer need a C-PAP machine for my sleep apnea.
My daughters (11 & 15) have enjoyed the plan and benefitted from weight loss as they have embraced THM with us. Their school lunches are usually on-plan sandwiches and leftover THM meals. While they are not always 100% on plan, they have learned to see food as a choice to fuel their bodies well.
The pictures of Paul and I are 4 years apart, 2016 & 2020. The family photos are 1 year apart, 2019-2020.
Trim Healthy Mama helped me find a place of knowledge and control of my cravings through the foods I get to enjoy on plan. Some our favorite THM recipes are Cowboy Grub, Sloppy Joes, Bust-A-Myth Cake, Trimtastic Chocolate Cake, Crunchy Granola, and Shepherd’s Pie. My girls love the Two-Minute Truffles. The girls and I also love the Brownie Batter in a Mug.
My biggest advice for anyone starting this journey is first to pray. This journey is just as much a spiritual journey toward obedience to God as it is a journey to obey by eating on plan. Next, give yourself grace for life to happen. As the sisters say, you can start again in 3 hours! Failure occurs when you give up, not when you eat off plan for one meal or snack. Lastly, you do not gain your weight overnight. Do not expect it to come off overnight, either. This is a lifestyle of healthy choices: a marathon, not a sprint.
I am thankful to my Savior who has redeemed me but has also taken my heart of stone and given me a heart of obedience. To Him be the glory!!
