Hello, beautiful soul! 

Let’s start here – weight loss doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, I firmly believe that God is not a god of confusion but a God of peace. Yet, so many of us get caught up in intricate diets, rigorous exercise routines, and time-consuming meal preps. We upend our lives trying to follow these complex regimens, only to find ourselves frustrated and burnt out.

I’ve seen it time and time again – these overly complicated approaches simply don’t work in the long run. They’re not sustainable, and they certainly don’t align with the peace that God intends for our lives. So, let’s take a step back and simplify.

Hunger: The Body’s Natural Signal

One of the fundamental principles I teach my clients is to respond to hunger as the primary signal for eating. It sounds simple, doesn’t it? But in reality, many of us eat for reasons that have nothing to do with physical hunger.

We eat because we’re celebrating, because we’re sad, because we’re bored, or stressed. Stress is a big one, isn’t it? We’ve learned to use food as a way to medicate our emotions. It’s not your fault – it’s a learned behavior. But the good news is, it’s a behavior we can change.

The 80% Full Concept: A Game-Changer

Now, let’s talk about the other side of the coin – knowing when to stop eating. This can be just as tricky as recognizing true hunger. Many of us are used to eating until we’re uncomfortably full, that “Thanksgiving stuffed turkey” feeling. You know, when you need to unbutton your pants and lie down on the couch? That shouldn’t be normal.

I want to introduce you to a concept that has been a game-changer for many of my clients – the idea of eating until you’re 80% full. This Japanese concept resonates well with those who like numbers or percentages. The idea is to stop eating when you feel good, comfortable, light, and energetic. You should be able to go for a walk after eating without feeling weighed down.

Think of your stomach like filling a bottle. You wouldn’t fill it to the brim, right? You’d leave a little space at the top. That’s exactly what we’re aiming for with our stomachs. Fill it about 80%, leaving a little room. You’re comfortably satisfied, not stuffed.

Implementing the 80% Full Concept

Here’s how you can put this into practice:

1. Listen to your body: Pay attention to that little voice in the back of your mind that says, “That’s enough.” Most of the time, we ignore it and keep eating to keep tasting the food. But our body doesn’t want or need more, our mouth does. Start tuning into that voice. That’s the Spirit talking to you…
2. Aim for ‘politely full’: This means you’re no longer hungry, but you’re not uncomfortably full either. You feel satisfied but not bloated or distended.
3. Leave room for dessert: If you want dessert, plan for it. Eat to about 70% full with your main meal, leaving room for a small dessert to bring you to that 80% mark.
4. Practice consistency: Do this meal after meal, day after day. It takes practice, but I promise you, your body will start to recognize this as the right level of fullness.

The Power of Simplicity

When you combine eating only when you’re truly hungry with stopping at 80% full, something magical happens. The weight starts to come off, almost effortlessly. You don’t need to change your entire life or follow complex food prep routines. These simple, small changes, when applied consistently, can lead to significant results.

I’ve seen it happen with my clients time and time again. The scale starts to creep down, and suddenly, sustainable weight loss doesn’t seem so impossible anymore.

Aligning Weight Loss with Faith

As women of faith, it’s crucial that we align our weight loss journey with our spiritual beliefs. Remember, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and caring for them is an act of worship. By simplifying our approach to weight loss and listening to the signals God has placed in our bodies, we’re honoring His creation.

I love to remember Ephesians 4:22-24: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

This scripture beautifully encapsulates our weight loss journey. We’re putting off our old habits – eating when we’re not hungry, eating for emotional reasons – and putting on a new self. We’re trusting that God put the signals for hunger and fullness in our bodies, and we’re learning to respond to those signals in a way that honors Him.

Overcoming Challenges

I won’t sugarcoat it – this journey isn’t always easy. Breaking old habits and forming new ones takes time and effort. You might have days where you struggle to recognize your hunger signals or stop at 80% full. That’s okay. Remember, progress, not perfection, is the goal.

One of the biggest challenges you might face is dealing with social situations or emotional triggers. We’ve been conditioned to eat in certain situations, regardless of hunger. Celebrations, social gatherings, or stressful times might tempt you to fall back into old patterns.

In these moments, I encourage you to pause and reconnect with your body and your faith. Ask yourself, “Am I truly hungry? Is this honoring the temple God has given me?” Sometimes, the answer might be yes to both, and that’s perfectly fine. Other times, you might realize you’re turning to food for comfort or out of habit.

The Journey Ahead

As you embark on this simplified approach to weight loss, remember that it’s a journey. You’re not just changing your eating habits; you’re transforming your relationship with food, your body, and with God.

Here are a few final tips to keep in mind:

1. Be patient with yourself: Change takes time. Celebrate small victories along the way.
2. Stay connected to your faith: Use prayer or meditation to strengthen your resolve and find peace in challenging moments.
3. Seek support: Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who support your journey. Consider joining a faith-based support group or working with a coach who understands your spiritual perspective.
4. Keep it simple: If you find yourself overcomplicating things, take a step back and remember the basics – eat when you’re hungry, stop at 80% full.
5. Trust the process: This approach works. I’ve seen it in my own life and in the lives of my clients. Trust that by honoring your body’s signals, you’re aligning with God’s design for your health.

Remember, you don’t have to do this alone. If you need more support or want to dive deeper into customizing this approach for your life, I’m here to help. You can find me at www.DrAndreaChristianParks.com, where you can schedule a free session to get started.

You’ve got this, beautiful! With faith, simplicity, and consistency, you can achieve lasting weight loss. Here’s to your health, your faith, and your journey to becoming the best version of yourself – just as God intended.