Listen to Rachel tell you how she lost 12 pounds even while eating at the conference buffet!

Hi, this is Nagina Abdullah, and I am here to talk with Rachel today, who was a sister in Spice Yourself Skinny. Rachel, please say hello and let us know how much weight you lost and how you are feeling today.

Hi. Yeah, so I lost 12.2 pounds in spice yourself Skinny, and I am feeling pretty darn good, I have to say. Yeah, it's funny. Cause I was thinking about this conversation today and was getting ready, and I was, like, packing up my food for the day, and I'm just like, yeah, this is awesome. This works. This is good.

Yes. You're still like. Cause the program ended, so we're after the program, and you're still like. Just like. It's, like, natural that you're packing up your food and you know what to eat for the day still.

Yeah, yeah. It's funny. Cause I've actually. I found kind of like, I. I'm comfortable with a little bit of a rut, I guess I would say. But I found, like, the kinds of foods from Size Yourself Skinny that just work. So it's like. It just makes it. I don't have to think about it, which is awesome. So I have my snacks at work, I have my lunch, I had my breakfast, and I'm just like, okay, I'm ready to go. This is good. I don't have to think about it. And I'm taking care of myself and being healthy, so that's good.

Oh, my gosh. That's awesome. And so how do you, like, what are some things now that you feel like you can do or that you can wear that are different from before?

So the big thing for me, it sounds kind of silly, but I can button all of my pants. That was not a thing before. So. Before Special Skinny. I'm in a graduate program right now, and over the course of the last five years, I think I had gained close to 40 pounds. And I had lost some weight on my own, but I had started to gain it back. And that was when I joined Special Self Skinny, and I just hadn't bothered to buy new pants. So I was like. At one point, I was actually doing that, like, the thing that they joke with the pregnant ladies where they put the hair tie through the buttons. I was totally doing that all the time.

Oh, yes. You're putting, like, a tie between the two buttons to connect it so you don't have to buy new pants.

You just need to close it and wear longer shirts. Yeah. No, now I can wear all of my pants and including some pants that a friend of mine had passed on. To me, that were just a little bit. They were so tight, they were uncomfortable. And like now I'm wearing one today and it's like, it's loose. Awesome.

Oh my God, it feels so good when you're sitting down. You can like breeze, you know. I'm not gonna bust that rubber band thing on there.

Yeah, exactly, exactly.

Oh, my gosh. Okay, so tell me, so I'm interested. So like, you gained. Tell me a little bit about how you like where you were right before you joined Spice Yourself Skinny. Like, what state were you in? Like, what did happen? Like, why Kind of tell me a little bit about your weight gain and then why you were stopping in your weight loss.

Yeah, so basically I had. The only way that I knew how to lose weight before was essentially controlling my calories extraordinarily low or exercising like crazy or usually both. And that was just kind of miserable, to be honest. Like, I like, it's like I could do it for a short period of time, but then I would just end up hating it and I would just bounce back to like really bad eating habits and I just like. So, you know, I had lost some weight and then I had gained back about half of what I had lost and was still gaining when I was like, okay, I can't like, I need to find something that's sustainable. And that was like the big draw for me was myself skinny, was like that sustainable part. And then also just everything that you described seemed very, very healthy and like something that I could, could like live into, if that makes sense. And so that's really like what I was looking for because I was like, okay, like, I can't keep doing the up and down because also, just before Spice Yourself is getting started, I found out actually that both of my parents had started to test positive for like pre diabetic conditions with blood sugar. And I was like, I cannot go down that road. Like, I just, I was like, I refuse for that to be my life. So I really knew, if nothing else was just for my health. Looking good is awesome. Wearing pants is awesome. But I know that this is something that's healthy and that I can do long term. And that is the best part.

Yes. Oh my gosh. Okay. It's so good to look. We don't think about that far away because sometimes it's normal when you're younger, you're not thinking that that's gonna apply to you. You are thinking about your pants and you're thinking about maybe a bathing suit or you're think just really looking good. Is a big deal. And it is a big deal. But then there's also the health concerns that definitely do come. That it's like you don't want to get to that place. You can actually take care of it and be in a great place before you get older. So why not get. Why not look good and be healthy for later? You know?

Exactly.

It sounds easier than it is, though.

Of course it is. It is. But like, it's. Yeah. I mean, it isn't a distance though, because I feel like. Yeah, the sisterhood, like talking on Facebook and things like that. Because there are days where especially even during the program, there were days where I was. Because I have a pattern, I guess, of emotional eating, like stress and things like that. And I'm finishing up my graduate program right now. So basically that means I am have a lot of. There's a lot of stress. There's a lot of opportunity for that if I wanted to go that way. And having that support was really helpful, you know, in terms of like. Like recentering, like, why am I doing this? And stuff like that. And you're right. Like, it's. It's like it's now and it's also like the future. It's, you know, it's both.

Yes. Oh, my gosh. So tell me a little bit about why you. Like, what. What was different about Spice Yourself Skinny actually being in the program. Like, I'm hoping that you were not feeling like controlling your calories and because we don't talk about that at all. Like, we don't even go there. We don't count. We don't count anything. You just gotta know what you're. We just do the recipes, like you can do. You'll just learn some recipes. But why do you think Spice Yourself Skinny, you know, worked for you?

So a couple things. So one is so not having to think about what to make. You know, like, you have like such an. There's such an abundance of like, recipes and special stuff's Ginny. And I know that like the first week that we did it, I ended up having so much leftover food because I didn't realize the portions that were cooking for like, more than one person. So I was like, how are people eating all this food? I have so much in my fridge. I was like, oh, it's because I'm not cooking for two. And so. But it actually turned out really well because I started kind of taking those extra parts, putting it in the paper and using it. But it's just like having, you know, here are recipes they're not hard, you know, like, I can do that, and I can do that. And a lot of them, like, you have some of the ones where it's like, I can cook it on Sunday, or I can cook it, like, Monday night or put it in a crock pot, and then it's there and it's done, and I freeze, like, portions, and I can bring those throughout the week. And it's just like, that part is so straightforward that it was very kind of easy to follow. And then the other part, I think, for me was just like, you know, you have. You've got great resources for, like, the frequently asked questions in terms of, like, okay, you know, I went and worked out this morning, and now I'm feeling kind of lightheaded. Like, what do I do? And, you know, here's the. You have, like, all the different snack options and kind of, like, ways to incorporate that. And it just. It made it fit so it didn't feel like there was no deprivation involved. Like, it was very much like. Like, oh, like, these are all the options. Like, I don't have to be hungry. Everything is delicious. Like, it was just straightforward. And the planning ahead, I think. Cause I know you. I feel like that was in, like, every single, like, week that we got was like, do your prep work. It's really important. And I was like, I've started realizing, like, yeah, yeah, it really, really is. I had a couple weeks where I, like, I ran out of time or, like, just didn't get it done in time. And then I was. Those are the only weeks that it was even remotely stressful. But then I would just, like, make time in an evening, do all my prep work, and then I'd be fine, you know, so.

So. So it would leave you less stressed. When you did some. A little bit of prep, you would feel less stressed for the week.

Absolutely. Absolutely.

Okay. Awesome. Oh, my God. Well, that is so good to hear. I mean, yeah, definitely doing some things ahead of time, kind of knowing what to do. That makes a big difference. And I am so glad that you were not deprived and that you felt full, because that is, like, the minimum. Like, if you feel deprived or you feel like you're hungry, then there's no way that you can stick to it for a long time. And once you find the foods that can actually satisfy you and that you actually like eating, you're not, like, forcing yourself just to lose the next five pounds, you know, when you actually like it, that's when things start shifting and you're like, okay, I Could keep doing this, you know, I mean, it makes a difference when you like what you're doing.

Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. And, yeah, with that. It's funny because there was a week during the program where I was actually, like, at a conference the whole week. And, like, the guidelines that you provided, by that point, it was towards the end, so you have, like, we had, like, the guidelines on how to, you know, how to put the food together. And so I could go through, like, a buffet line at a conference and. And totally stay with the sys. Principles. And I was fine, and I was really healthy, and I actually lost two pounds that week. Yes, I remember. Oh, my gosh.

That's like. Oh, my gosh. Because when you go to those conferences, it's like, they have everything that will put on weight. That's it. And then you're. And you're just listening. And the thing is, like, when you eat kind of, like the foods that they put first that they. Like, when you load up on those unhealthier foods, you end up not even being able to stay awake for the conference, so.

True.

You're, like, taking the cookies and everything, and then you're just like, what's the point of me being here? Because I need to go take a nap. So that's so great that you, you know, you knew what to eat. You lost two pounds.

That's awesome.

And then did you feel, like, more energy? Did you feel more, like, more awake during the conference, too?

Yeah, yeah, I definitely did. I think, for me, as well, you know, like, it was just. I mean, it was. It was kind of an intense conference. So, like, I was. I think normally at conferences, like, mainlining coffee is something that people do. And I. By that point, I was not even drinking coffee, so. Wow. There we go. That's pretty much it right there. Yeah, that's huge. Oh, my gosh. Wow.

Rachel, do you. Tell me about your diet. Like, do you eat. Are you. Do you eat mainly vegetarian foods or, like, tell me about that.

Like, do you eat meat or not? So, yeah, so I don't. I don't eat meat at all. So the only things that I eat are. So I guess technically I'm called, like, they call it, like, ovo lacto. So, like, I'm fine with cheese and dairy, and I'm fine with eggs, and then I don't. I just don't eat, like, I don't know, flesh, to put it, weirdly. I don't know, weird way to put it, but that kind of meat. So, yeah, so, yeah, that's My diet, I eat those. I don't have any other, like, allergies or restrictions like that, other than that. And so, I mean, do you want me to talk a little bit about, like, how that was or. Yeah, yeah.

I would love to see, like, if you can share like, that, you know, just the fact that you. You know, if you were able to follow the program and how it was being, you know.

Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. I think for me, it took me a little bit to kind of find, like, a rhythm in, like, the different foods, because I know, like, I think the first week I ended up eating tofu, like, every day, and then I saw you were like, maybe that's not such a good idea. And I was like, okay, let me back off. But I found it's totally doable. It's completely doable on a vegetarian diet. And honestly, I could even see it on a vegan diet, frankly, because of the way that you use the beans and the hummus and stuff like that. I could see that totally working as well for me. I have a protein powder that I like that's a vegetarian protein powder. It's actually vegan, even. I just happen to like it. So I use that in my morning shakes for breakfast. I'm like, I like morning shakes. I do those pretty much all the time at this point. And, you know, I'll make the egg dishes. Like, baking the eggs was, like, the best thing. Like that is, like, I had never done that before. Exactly, exactly. It's like, I'm getting ready in the morning, and, like, even if I have a shake that I'm gonna have for, like, that day, if I don't have lunch or I want to, like, have eggs for lunch, I can just bake the eggs while I'm, like, putting on my makeup or, like, getting dressed, and then I come out and it's done. I put it in a thing and I take it to work. It's, like, so easy.

Yeah. So, like, you're not standing there and stirring and just, like, spending your time, like, no one wants to do that, especially in the morning when you just have to go, you know.

Exactly, exactly. Yeah. And it's also, like, the flavorful aspect of it is really good, because I know sometimes vegetarian food, especially, like, diet vegetarian food, is just like, what the hell am I eating? Or, what am I eating? Excuse me. You know, it's so boring. But this is. It's really good, like, with the spices and even with the eggs, like, best eggs. Awesome. I like that a lot.

And you told me a story about how you had a class at your house. Like, I think it was a meditation class and you made them. Well, tell me what you made because it sounded great.

It was awesome. So I took. It was actually one of the recipes from week one. It was the broccoli and the lentils and the peas in soup. And what I did was I cooked it in a crock pot during the day and then I just used a little hand blender to kind of blend it together a little bit. And I made that as the meal because I have a women's circle meditation group that comes to my house about once a month and we always share food. And so I was like, okay, I'm going to make something healthy so that I can stay on track. And it's a beautiful thing to offer. And so I made that and I had it and literally everyone was just, just, wow, this is like the best soup. This is so good. Like, how did you make this? Where is this from? Like, oh, well, you should check out this lady's website. Awesome. Wow. Oh my gosh.

That's the thing. It's like, that's like so for spice yourself skinny. The thing that even for me, like, because I ate the same recipes, you know, for me to lose £40 and it's like, it's not that kind of typical food that helps you lose weight where you have to eat it by yourself and like you never want to share it with anyone.

Yeah.

It's like you can actually make it for people. You can make a lot of the recipes for people and they are surprised. Sometimes you can't believe that it's healthy because it has all the flavor and it has all the taste. Yes. I love how you made that. I loved how you use the crock pot because it makes it so much easier too. It's like another method that saves time, you know?

Exactly.

Awesome. Awesome. So tell me, what are some things now that you can do or that you can wear that are that you know, you weren't wearing before? And I mean, you did send me some incredible pictures which I'm going to be showing so that we already going to see you. But tell me a little bit about like your closet, how it's shifted, how it's changed.

Yeah, yeah.

So.

Let me see here. So form fitting dresses. I love dresses that are kind of like, like sleek, like form fitting. And I can totally wear those now. I was very shy about those for a while because when I, for me, I feel like when I've gained weight, it's often just been in my Stomach. So I'm kind of like, I look like I should be wearing maternity clothes. Like, that's how I felt. I was like, I felt like that and I just was not comfortable in a lot of the clothes. And I think even the four picture that I sent you where I'm wearing like a red dress, like that dress, it was so tight, you can't see the back of it, but it's like it had like a lace back. And that lace is like stretched. And now I can wear that dress like regularly. But I also like, I can wear the form fitting dresses that I think those are so elegant. And the same with shirts. You know, I have some sweaters that just like, you know, they're just, they're very feminine and I feel very beautiful when I wear them. And now like, I feel like I can wear them very easily. You know, it gets like I find myself kind of like sashaying a little bit, you know. Nice.

You're like, I can walk however I want to walk right now.

Exactly, exactly. Yeah. So good.

So you can wear those form turning. Yeah, it's like, gosh, it's like they are feminine, they're sexy. And when you put them on you, you don't like, like sometimes you, like before, if you're not at the weight that you're happy with, you end up like trying to hide your body and things like that. I mean, not saying that's right or wrong. It's just what it is, you know, it's just what we end up doing. But when you lose it, then you can just throw it on and Yes, I can see you totally can sashay. And just because, you know nothing's sticking out, you know you feel good.

Yeah. And confident. And like yesterday I was wearing a dress that I had actually gotten when I was really heavy because it doesn't have a lot of shape to it. But what I did is now I put a belt around it and I'm like, I belted it at the waist and it looks so good. And I was looking in the mirror and I'm just like, that's me. Like, I look awesome.

Yes. When you can put a belt around your waist, that's like, okay, now we're talking. Like.

Yeah, it's like I'm gonna highlight this like, gorgeous, like, skinny figure of mine and like. Yes.

Oh, my gosh. Yeah. And you look so good. Oh, my God. So good. Thank you. So okay, so one final thing I want to ask you is what surprised you about Spice yourself Skinny Going through it now that you're on the other side of it. What surprised you about it so honestly?

So the two things that come to mind is one, just how straightforward it was and how easy it was. I think initially I was kind of like, the grocery list was a little intimidating the first week, but then I kind of got a handle of it and I was like, oh, okay, this is not hard. I can do this. And now I have like all the spices, like in my cupboard. And I know what I use, I know what I like. As they're right there, I can grab them. That part it's very. It was easy. Like a lot more easy than I expected. And also, just like, honestly, I think I was surprised how much weight that I lost because I didn't feel it most of the time. You know, like, I have a lab mate who is like an aerobics person. She's like, teaches those crazy 5am in the morning aerobics classes, like in her spare time. And she was saying something about like, I was talking to her after sys years. She was like, yeah, no, that's like a healthy way to lose weight when you're losing incrementally a little bit here and there. Because I lost a huge amount in the first week. I think I had just. I had no idea how much kind of like bloat, like weight I was carrying. I lost like eight pounds in the first week. I was really surprised. And a lot of that was water. But then I kept losing like a half a pound to a pound and a half each week beyond that. And I just like. And it's sort of like I got to the end and I turned around and was like, oh, wow. Like, I lost so much weight and I look so different. And it's just like, it didn't feel like what I thought weight loss was supposed to feel like. You know, there was no like, trauma or drama about it. It was just straightforward. So those are the two things that things surprised me, I think. Also, weird side benefit that I love is I have developed like a serious love for spicy food. Like, I know you have. Some of the recipes are like, more like you can add like the cayenne pepper or the pepper flakes. And so I was doing that and I found that I like, I really like it. And I feel like I remember you had said at one point that, like, the pepper, it's like you're burning calories with the spiciness of it. And I was sort of not sure how I was going to be able to handle that, but I ended up like, really Enjoying it. And also I think, yeah, just the flavor is really good. Like, just really, really good. So yeah, just kind of all around. But the spiciness especially, I was surprised by that. I was like, oh, I really like this. This is awesome.

Wow. And so you didn't really eat spicy food before, right? Like you ate food with flavor, but like not with spices. Not with spicy spices, but you just tried it out and then, wow, it's like you got used to it. And I see when you start, when you open yourself up to that, it's like really exciting. Spicy food can be so exciting.

You know, it is. It totally is. And like, I've actually found myself on occasion being like, you know, this could use some red pepper flakes. Like, totally.

And it's so easy. You just like sprinkle the flakes on them.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Oh my gosh. Well, that. Oh, that's so good. I'm so. It's like, it's just. I'm so happy it was straightforward for you. Cause it's like you have a busy schedule. You are in school. School you have. And you were able to fit this in into your life and do that. And then I love how you're still packing things even today, like you're still getting things ready. And so now moving forward, is this something that you can see as a lifestyle? Is it something that you can see yourself continuing to follow?

Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. So for me, it's like one, my life is so much easier when I don't have to think about cooking every day. So the prep is like, it's. It adds a benefit beyond just the healthiness of it. It's like it just makes my day to day life so much easier. So now, last week, actually over the weekend, I made a giant double sized pot of the chili. I forget what week it was in, but there's a chili one week. And so I made a huge pot of it and I froze it in individual serving sizes. So now it's like I brought that for lunch today. And I found on really busy weeks I have a couple of snacks that I just go to that I know, like the cottage cheese with the applesauce and the hummus with either the celery or the carrots. So I have a stash of that in the refrigerator in my office area so that I can just. I know I'm not going to get caught out being hungry in the middle of the day. And sometimes I work really late, so that fits as well. But yeah, it's good. And I just feel A lot better when I'm eating this way. And the other thing, I guess this would go in the surprise quantity, but I found that even on days that are, like, cheat days or if I'm having, like, we have a lot of celebrations in my work group. They love to celebrate. So we have lots of, like, cake and people bringing donuts and, you know, chocolate. So there's a lot of opportunity for me to just completely fall off the bandwagon. But I find that, like, I don't even have, like, the appetite for it that I used to, you know, like, if I'm going to eat, like, a piece of cake or something, like, I just. Like, I don't even. Like, I can't. I literally just. Like, it would make me feel sick to eat the way that I used to. And so that's a really, really good thing for me because I feel like, okay, like, not only am I losing the weight, but, like, my body's adjusting to, like, this more healthy lifestyle, so I definitely want to keep it up. And so, you know, that's kind of how I'm doing it right now, is I'm just trying to prep, like, a couple big dishes every week, and that just makes my life so much easier. I know what snacks are good and work, and I love the protein shakes for breakfast. So it's just. It's becoming a thing. So it's. Yes.

Oh, my God. I totally know what you mean. It's like, you don't have to think about it, you know, you don't have to think, what am I going to eat tomorrow? Or, what am I going to eat today? Like, I'm hungry right now. What do I do? Is there a vending machine you're buying?

Exactly.

And then you don't even feel satisfied, and you just ate, like, 200 calories that you're like, oh, gosh. So that's, like, pretty amazing. So people bring, like, people will bring donuts. Is this to your office or to your school?

Yeah. So in my grad program, like, I basically, I'm doing research all the time, so I work in a lab. And so I'm just, you know, I'm in the lab all the time, and my lab loves celebrations and loves sugar. So, like, there are weeks, like, so even just this last week. So last Monday, I actually made Monday my cheat day because I knew we were going to go for a lab lunch. So we all went for this huge lunch, and then we come back, and then another day that week, this other lab gave us all a cake. So we had an entire cake in our lab for the entire day. And then twice in the last seven days, people brought in a dozen or more donuts and just left them sitting out. That happens all the time where I work, so it's like, there's a lot of opportunity to go off the bandwagon.

Like, I said, yes, absolutely. And that's, like, a huge transformation that you actually don't want to eat those. You know, I mean, and you have a cheat day where you can. But, like, it's like, you start to know how it makes your body feel, and you don't want to feel like that, you know, so. Oh, my God, that's awesome. Wow.

That's, like, really big of that.

And that's. That's, like, a major reason this really will continue for you, because you're going to. You're aware of how food is making you feel, and you're aware of why you're eating it, too?

Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. And this. And I would say, like, I think just the conversation in, like, the sisterhood group on Facebook, like, really helped with that, because I remember, like, Deepshika saying that, like, that was something that she had kind of learned when she had kind of, like, trained herself in how she was looking at the food in terms of the unhealthy food. She knew it was gonna make her feel really awful. And at first. Like, the first week, I was like, I don't know if that's gonna happen for me. Like, I kind of love this stuff. But then it's true. It totally is true, and it's. And it's awesome. So.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. You don't. You don't believe it can happen for you. You can't imagine, like, not wanting to eat a donut. Like, how could that possibly happen? Not wanting to eat chocolate cake.

But it can.

When you go through, like, when you learn some of the other foods that actually make you feel really good and that you actually like eating, then you're like, oh, why would I. Why would I want that? You know, this is better.

Exactly. Why would I want to spend half my day feeling comatose and disgusting? Like, it's just. It's. It's not necessary, and it doesn't. It doesn't make me feel good, so.

Totally. Absolutely. Absolutely. Well, thank you so much, Rachel, for telling me about your experience. It's so amazing that you're at the weight that you're at, and it's like. It seemed like it just. Like, it happened. Like, you had to learn a few things, and then you just put it into place and it's something you can continue. And I'm so, so. It makes me so happy to hear that.

Thank you. Yeah. And thank you so much. First, so skinny. I really like. Super grateful. I'm so glad that you created this program.

Oh, thank you. Thanks for saying that. Okay, Rachel, well, have a fabulous day. Keep up your enjoy eating that food that you're packing. And also have a great time on all the outings because you don't have to worry about, like, the food. You just know what you're going to be able to do. Yep.

Absolutely. Thank you so much. Have an awesome day.

You, too.