In my journey the last few months learning how to make the Skinny Gut Diet a permanent part of my routine, I learned that it’s not a diet, it’s a way of living. The book revealed to me the secret that has been holding me back from losing the last bit of weight I wanted to lose and it helped me lose 5 lbs. It has also helped me feel less bloated and I notice a lot more energy throughout the day.
The Skinny Gut Diet really has become second nature for me, and I no longer have to decide to eat a certain way, it’s just the way I eat. It’s no longer a conscious decision, it’s a habit.
Make it a Habit
They say it takes 21 days to create a habit. I think that’s true, but I also think that it’s very easy to derail that habit when life gets in the way. I think part of that is because we are too hard on ourselves. Sometimes you just have one of those days where you enjoy a piece of cake in spite of yourself. Don’t feel guilty. Don’t tell yourself you failed. Because you didn’t. You simply enjoyed a special treat. You lived your life to the fullest.
Oops, I Ate Cake
What I love about The Skinny Gut Diet is that it’s not really a means to an end, it’s a path, a journey, a set of guidelines that help you heal your gut so that you can lead a healthy lifestyle for the long term. Just like you know that staying up late and watching the end of that vampire movie will make you extra sleepy (and a bit paranoid) the next day, you know that a treat outside the plan may have consequences. So long as you accept the responsibility for your choice and get back to the plan the next day, that cake is actually a healthy part of your lifestyle. Because you showed yourself that you have emotional balance and are in control of your health.
Tools for Success
The Skinny Gut Diet is simple to understand, intuitive even, but there are some things that will help set you up for success.
Author Brenda Watson calls these things “power tools” and you can find them in chapter 10 of the book. I used all of these tools the last few months on my journey to a skinny gut, and all of them helped make it easier to make the changes necessary to heal my gut and achieve lasting results.
But I have another set of tools that I want to share with you, because I think it’s important to realize that success is not measured by the span of time you go without a “cheat”. These 5 little tips are sort of lifestyle tools to help define how you measure success.
- Don’t use the word “cheat” because it implies you are doing something wrong and will inspire negative feels about your commitment to your health. Simply own whatever choices you make and recognize that enjoying a treat now and again is part of a healthy attitude towards your health.
- Don’t use poor food choices as a reward for good ones.
- Don’t set a time limit on The Skinny Gut Diet, set health goals. A time limit implies a means to an end, goals with milestones imply a journey.
- Don’t isolate your family on your journey. Embrace The Skinny Gut Diet as a lifestyle for the whole family – you don’t have to call it a diet or even tell them you are doing anything beyond “eating right.”
- Don’t be afraid to ask what is used in recipes when dining out or at a friend’s house. It’s your right to know exactly what you are eating. Also don’t apologize, just tell them you are limiting certain ingredients in your diet and leave it at that.
When it comes to your health, success is not measured by how straight your path is. It’s measured by how committed you are to the journey.
I really believe that the Skinny Gut Diet is a sustainable and practical program for healing your gut and achieving long-term weight loss. It is a balanced plan that will have you eating delicious, satisfying and nutritious foods.
Keep following the hashtag #SkinnyGutDiet on social media for more inspiration on your journey to a skinny gut.
How do you handle the ups and downs of leading a healthy lifestyle?
Danielle says
March 28, 2015 at 9:46 amHuh, I have not heard of this one. I do love “diets” that are really just lifestyle changes though. Once you get in the habit of choosing healthier foods, it’s so much easier to keep up with.
Shannon Gurnee says
March 28, 2015 at 12:53 amThis sounds like a really interesting book! I’ll head over to check it out. Thanks for sharing.
Krystal says
March 27, 2015 at 8:06 amI would need to try this out for sure. It sounds like it be a great tool for healthy living.
Sara says
March 27, 2015 at 6:36 amI heard that about 21 days too – I am trying to think slimmer at the moment and not reach for the worst option at meal times. I think we need to be kinder to ourselves.
R U S S says
March 27, 2015 at 12:27 amI find your post inspiring, kind of what I need to hear right now. I like what you said about not setting time lines most especially if it’s a journey.
Tonya C says
March 26, 2015 at 3:37 pmThis reminds me I need to stick to my New Year’s resolution to eat better & healthier. Thanks for the reminder.
Beth says
March 26, 2015 at 10:16 amI’ve heard great things about this! Seems like a great read for those looking to finally lose weight.
Krysta says
March 26, 2015 at 8:48 amI couldn’t agree more! Dieting is only for a time but a LIFESTYLE is forever. Being healthy and active doesn’t have to seem like a chore once you make it part of your routine! Good luck!
Cherri Megasko says
March 26, 2015 at 8:06 amI think your second tip makes so much sense. “I did great at lunch so now I can splurge on dinner.” That’s such a self-defeating mindset.
Lynndee says
March 26, 2015 at 7:37 amMy mom is on a diet and I think that is a good book for her to have. I love the quote, by the way. 🙂
Life as a Convert says
March 25, 2015 at 10:59 pmFor me, leading a healthy lifestyle means planning. If I fail to plan, then I find myself failing more.
Ricci says
March 25, 2015 at 9:11 pmI need to read this book ASAP. I carry all my weight in my gut. Ugh.
Michelle @ Dishes and Dust Bunnies says
March 24, 2015 at 8:29 pmThis sounds like such a helpful book! I’ve lost weight before and unfortunately gained most of it back. I’m working on trying to get back into a healthy lifestyle now! 🙂
Christina Aliperti says
March 24, 2015 at 8:28 pmIts really time to get focused on my health again. Life has definitely derailed me a couple times but I know it’s so important to make it a lifestyle change.
Yona Williams says
March 24, 2015 at 4:51 pmThere are so many different ways to lose weight and get healthy, it feels so good when you find something that works for you. For me, cutting out wheat and sugar from my diet has made a profound difference.
Cara (@StylishGeek) says
March 24, 2015 at 4:22 pmI seriously need to read this book! I like what you say that it takes 21 days to create a habit, and then hopefully after that it becomes a lifestyle. I’ll be looking into this new read!
Jeanine says
March 24, 2015 at 2:57 pmI try to eat as best I can but sometimes I slip! It’s hard to manage but we generally try to eat super healthy anyways so it’s never too bad!
Courtney says
March 24, 2015 at 2:56 pmMY moms whole side of her family swear by this diet!!! They all look pretty fabulous these days so something is definitely working 😉
Roselynn says
March 24, 2015 at 2:29 pmI always think to myself about the whole 21 days to become a habit thing in order to push myself to do something. I will definitely want to read this book for more tips like that, I need all the help I can get when it comes to cutting back on eating badly.
Ann Bacciaglia says
March 24, 2015 at 1:20 pmI have been trying to eat better this year. The hardest part for me is the cravings at night for sweets. I will have to take a look at this book.
lisa says
March 24, 2015 at 12:38 pmThis year I have been so good about eating right and making better food choices. My kids and husband see this and they are also more inclined to choose healthy alternatives (especially since I buy healthier items now too)!!
Kori says
March 24, 2015 at 11:06 amAside from your posts, I still don’t know that much about the Skinny Gut diet but I am very curious. I’ll have to look into it more.
Erin says
March 24, 2015 at 9:58 amThank you for this post, I really needed this right now!
Mhie Lee says
March 24, 2015 at 9:11 amConsistent and discipline is very important to have a healthy lifestyle. For me,I love going outdoor during cool season and everything slow down at my end during winter.
michele d says
March 24, 2015 at 8:38 amThese are great tips for those who diet. When I do , I always feel guilty when I cheat. Thanks for sharing!
Joseph says
March 24, 2015 at 7:18 amThis books looks like it has some really good tips that we all could use to keep our weight in check!
lisa @bitesforbabies says
March 24, 2015 at 6:07 amI have never heard of this book or diet but it sounds very interested! I am very committed to healthy eating…rather than follow fad diets, I make it a way of life…much life what this book suggest you to do!
Pauline C. says
March 24, 2015 at 3:03 amI really envy people who are committed to their healthy diet programs. Of course, for me, health always comes first too!
Lauren says
March 24, 2015 at 2:14 amI love this post! I am trying to lose weight and this is what I needed!
HilLesha says
March 24, 2015 at 1:53 amMy way of eating has drastically improved over the years, but I definitely wouldn’t mind reading this book. There still a few lingering pounds that I’d love to get rid of, no matter how much I exercise or how well I eat.
Terri Ramsey says
March 24, 2015 at 1:46 amThis is gonna be great! I wish I’ll be success to my diet at all time lol.
Elizabeth O. says
March 24, 2015 at 12:34 amAh now I really wish I can follow this diet! It looks better and easier…
celebbabylaundry says
March 24, 2015 at 12:19 amAmazing tips, I totally agree with for that skinny gut goal!
Liz Mays says
March 23, 2015 at 10:51 pmThose five tips are great pieces of advice. It’s so easy to reward your good food choices with bad ones.
Rosey says
March 23, 2015 at 9:12 pmIt’s definitely okay to ask what’s in food, I agree. The only place I’d have a hard time w/that is my in-laws. My MIL gets highly offended if people don’t eat her food… and it’s not worth the hassle most times to protest, so I just take wee bitty portions. 😉
Bonnie @ wemake7 says
March 23, 2015 at 8:54 pmI don’t really handle it to well actually. I wonder If I should follow this diet as well.
Grace Hodgin says
March 23, 2015 at 8:35 pmThis does sound like a great book and you have a great mind set. Once things are a habit I think the greatest challenge has been met. I enjoyed reading what you had to say about it.
Chubskulit Rose says
March 23, 2015 at 8:32 pmThank you for these pointers. I love that quote that you shared by Kimberly Grabinski. I agree that skinny gut diet is doable. I am far from achieving it but I am making progress.
Treats by Tanya says
March 23, 2015 at 6:58 pmI’ve heard of this book before but never did get to read it. For the past couple months I’ve been on a clean eating journey with my family, we all have IBS issues – I’m going to have to snag this book soon. Thanks for sharing!
Olivia Schwab says
March 23, 2015 at 6:08 pmI’ve never heard of this diet before but it is definitely interesting me. I’m going to have to look into this more. Thanks for showing it to me!
Alli says
March 23, 2015 at 5:14 pmI need to read this book. I always beat myself up when I stray one little bit. I have to remember that it’s a journey and not all or nothing.
Ashley says
March 23, 2015 at 4:13 pmI love that you focused on the word “cheat” and how saying that you cheated on a diet can negatively impact your health journey. It is not a marathon! In my personal opinion, I think almost all diets can work as long as you stick to it and implement it into a lifestyle change. Thank you so much for sharing!
Terry says
March 23, 2015 at 3:44 pmI made a lifestyle change years ago. Not to lose weight but to be healthy. My Hubs has now changed his way of eating when he seen how well it worked for me.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
March 23, 2015 at 3:28 pmThe Skinny Gut diet is very intriguing. It makes sense that it would work though. It works from the inside out, which is always the best way.
Nancy says
March 23, 2015 at 3:26 pmI am forever always off and back on the healthy-eating wagon. I’ve been off it for a few months 🙁 My pants are ill fitting once again.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
March 23, 2015 at 3:17 pmI think setting time limits is where people go wrong. You’re right, there is no set amount of time 😉