Community Class Review #304 | Personal Weight Loss Consultation

Summary

The meeting started with Jerry Christensen and Julie Marie troubleshooting camera and audio issues with attendees like Vicky, Cindy, Michelle, and Dianna. Michelle inquired about beef tallow and collagen for skin products, to which Julie Marie provided alternatives and health insights. Vicky discussed issues with clumping homemade dishwasher detergent, and Julie Marie offered solutions. PD-Ed Lesson #304 – Personal Weight Loss Consultation covered personal weight loss, self-consultation, and motivation techniques, including visualization and a “Calendar of Achievements,” emphasizing internal motivation and strategic scale use. The discussion also included Protective Diet Bakery items, daily routines, overcoming challenges with micro-goals, food enjoyment, and viewing healthy eating as a lifestyle, with Julie’s insights on recipe accuracy, meal prep, fermented foods, and wellness tools. Julie Marie and Michelle discussed culinary topics like barbecue cabbage sandwiches, and Faith, Dianna, and Julie Marie shared personal updates on family, community, and Facebook engagement, including Faith’s interest in scheduling posts.

Details

• Health and Wellness Product Inquiries Michelle, who was feeling unwell, asked Julie Marie about the use of beef tallow and collagen for skin products (00:15:30). Julie Marie advised against beef tallow due to toxins stored in animal fat from their feed, and suggested that the body produces collagen naturally, with human growth hormone production through fasting being a way to boost it. Julie Marie recommended alternatives for skin care such as shea butter, castor oil, coconut oil, frankincense, and jojoba oil (00:16:49) (00:21:50).
• Dishwasher Detergent Clumping Issue Vicky raised a problem with homemade dishwashing detergent clumping in a humid environment, despite efforts to prevent it (00:32:58). Julie Marie suggested shaking the container daily, pouring directly into the dishwasher, or storing it in a Ziploc bag to allow for breaking up clumps (00:34:19). They also discussed using oxygen absorbers and mylar bags for storage, with Julie Marie clarifying that oxygen absorbers expire quickly once opened (00:38:07).
• Personal Weight Loss and Self-Consultation The regroup reviewed PD-Ed Lesson #304 – Personal Weight Loss Consultation which offers a “checkup from the neck up” (00:42:08). Julie Marie shared a testimonial from Bill Fowler, who lost 21 lbs in 30 days by day fasting and following a Protective Diet (00:43:25). The lesson emphasized that day fasting accelerates detox and helps overcome addictions to food additives, caffeine, sugar, and dairy (00:44:42).
• Addressing Challenges and Promoting Self-Care Lesson #304 addressed challenges faced by day fasters who quit due to stress, and “Protective Diet bingers” seeking comfort in food (00:46:55). Julie Marie advocated for a self-check-in process, drawing from a previous class on stress elimination (00:49:51). The core idea is to consult one’s “healthiest self” daily, using visualization to guide actions and choices (00:51:11).
• Motivation and Visualization Techniques Lesson #304 explained that motivation comes from action, not simply from waiting for inspiration. Julie Marie encouraged participants to start with mental action by visualizing their goal—what their healthiest, fittest self would do, wear, and think. This visualization, performed upon waking, is intended to produce dopamine and foster a healthy mindset (00:54:51) (00:57:09).
• Visualization and Positive Reinforcement Lesson #304 emphasized the importance of visualization to stimulate dopamine production and motivate positive actions. She encouraged visualizing goals, such as a healthy physical state, to foster belief and excitement, leading to continued action (00:58:23) (01:21:50). This process creates a positive feedback loop where action produces dopamine, which in turn leads to more action, building momentum (00:59:37).
• Action and Motivation Taking simple actions, such as drinking water or getting ready to cook, can initiate a positive cycle of motivation and reward. Lesson #304 explained that even small steps like preparing for an activity can make one feel better and lead to further engagement, promoting consistent healthy behaviors (00:58:23) (01:02:56). This approach helps overcome inertia and builds a sense of accomplishment, reinforcing the desire to continue (01:04:01).
• Calendar of Achievements The “Calendar of Achievements” was introduced as a tool to track accomplishments and provide a sense of reward, fostering dopamine production and motivation. Lesson #304 encouraged writing down achievements, no matter how small, to reinforce positive behaviors and build self-esteem (01:04:01). This method allows individuals to reflect on their progress and recognize their efforts, which helps maintain motivation and engagement (01:08:32).
• Seeking Motivation Inward Lesson #304 advised against solely relying on external sources for motivation, suggesting that true and sustainable motivation comes from within (01:10:45). She encouraged individuals to become their own “personal consultant” by focusing on internal rewards and the natural hormone production that occurs from taking positive actions (01:12:07). External inspiration can be helpful, but intrinsic motivation is key to long-term success and avoiding disappointment (01:10:45).
• Addressing Negative Self-Talk Lesson #304 highlighted that negative self-talk can amplify negative feelings and hinder progress. She suggested cutting out such internal dialogue, comparing it to a paralyzing force that offers no reward and can deepen negative emotional states. The recommendation is to replace negative self-talk with positive visualization and action to foster a more constructive mindset (01:13:08).
• Strategic Use of the Scale The scale can be a useful tool if used with a healthy mindset, serving as a check-in to affirm readiness for change (01:13:08). However, Lesson #304 cautioned against using it after binging or inconsistent behavior, as this can lead to negative self-abuse and a cycle of unhealthy actions (01:14:32). Instead, the scale should be used to mark a starting point for positive action and subsequent reward-driven momentum (01:15:20).
• Protective Diet Bakery Items The Protective Diet Bakery items are designed to help individuals stay on plan by offering delicious and healthy alternatives that provide a sense of normalcy (01:15:20). Lesson #304 emphasized that these items should be consumed mindfully, often in single servings, to avoid guilt and overconsumption (01:17:22). The goal is to integrate these treats into a healthy lifestyle without derailing progress, promoting a guilt-free enjoyment of food (01:18:19).
• Daily Routine and Self-Consultation Lesson #304 shared her personal routine, which involves daily visualization and self-consultation to maintain a healthy, energetic lifestyle. She described imagining her “healthy, fit, vibrant” self and making decisions based on what that ideal self would do (01:19:27) (01:23:11). This practice helps in making consistent healthy choices, from what to drink and eat to daily activities and self-care (01:20:36) (01:24:31).
• Overcoming Challenges with Micro-Goals and Rewards Lesson #304 detailed how to overcome challenges by setting micro-goals, such as “just get ready,” and finding rewarding activities to prevent unhealthy behaviors (01:28:25). She suggested activities like taking a bath or enjoying a cup of tea as alternatives to overeating or consuming “chef’s treats” (01:27:17). These small, rewarding actions contribute to building momentum and achieving overall health goals (01:29:37).
• Food Enjoyment and Dopamine Response Lesson #304 stressed the importance of deriving dopamine from healthy, flavorful plant-based foods. She explained that if food is bland, individuals might seek dopamine from unhealthy options or overconsume healthy but unappealing foods (01:30:50). Enhancing flavors with ingredients like salt and spices, as well as incorporating appealing recipes like the “mashed potatoes by the pound,” ensures a satisfying and protective diet (01:32:06) (01:35:10).
• Adopting a Lifestyle, Not a Diet Lesson #304 highlighted the importance of viewing healthy eating as a “lifestyle” rather than a temporary “diet”. She noted that this perspective reinforces commitment and helps integrate healthy habits into daily life, making it a sustainable and enjoyable practice. This mindset shift promotes long-term adherence and overall well-being (01:34:15).
• Recipe Accuracy and Test Kitchen Work Lesson #304 shared insights into the precision of Protective Diet recipes, such as the “mashed potatoes by the pound,” which are developed with exact measurements to ensure optimal taste and consistency (01:35:10) (01:38:46). She described the rigorous testing process to perfect ingredient ratios, like soy milk to potato, ensuring that even family members can prepare the dishes successfully. This attention to detail contributes to the consistent quality and appeal of the recipes (01:36:29) (01:38:46).
• Meal Preparation and Cleanup Efficiency Lesson #304 demonstrated efficient meal preparation and cleanup techniques, such as chopping salads while potatoes cook and rinsing dishes immediately after use. She advised against letting starchy dishes sit to prevent difficult cleanup, emphasizing the importance of “clean as you go”. These habits streamline the cooking process and make maintaining a healthy kitchen routine easier (01:42:03) (01:45:41).
• Fermented Foods and Taste Bud Reprogramming Lesson #304 mentioned the benefits of incorporating fermented foods like ruby rock kraut and probiotic pickled onions to enhance flavor and support gut health (01:48:51). She explained that as individuals detox and reprogram their taste buds, they will naturally become more open to enjoying simple, healthy foods and even be inspired to try new things like making their own fermented foods. This gradual shift in preference helps sustain a protective diet (01:32:06) (01:40:56).
• Investment in Wellness Tools and Inspiration Lesson #304 noted that investing in quality kitchen tools, like a microplane grater, can be highly motivating and simplify the preparation of healthy foods (01:52:17). She also mentioned that inspiration can come from unexpected sources, such as thrift store finds that encourage healthy baking (01:53:33). These small investments and sources of inspiration contribute to maintaining enthusiasm and engagement with the protective diet lifestyle (01:52:17).
• Sprouting for Health Julie Marie Christensen presented on the benefits of sprouting lentils and broccoli, emphasizing the protective qualities they add to salads, which they refer to as “winter gardening”. She explained that broccoli sprouts are rich in sulfurophane and described the process of soaking, rinsing, and draining seeds to achieve dense sprouts. Jerry Christensen also shared a tip about broccoli sprouts, noting that the small black seeds are hulls, not unsprouted seeds, which can be eaten or rinsed off (01:57:45).
• Culinary Delights and Gadgets Julie Marie and Michelle discussed various food preparations, with Michelle expressing a desire to make barbecue cabbage sandwiches after Julie Marie shared their positive experience with them. Julie Marie highlighted the use of a spiralizer for cucumbers and carrots in their sandwiches, and praised the buttermilk dressing used as mayonnaise (01:58:57). The conversation also touched upon a “PD Pie immersion,” which was a favorite of Julie Marie’s brother (02:00:27).
• Family and Community Connections Jerry Christensen engaged with meeting participants, asking about their activities and well-being. Faith shared that she taught their granddaughter to sew, and discussed their bicycle riding routine, noting that she does loops in their neighborhood to get mileage (02:01:27) (02:02:45). Dianna mentioned taking their dog out before bed, and the pleasant weather in their area (02:01:27). Julie Marie also discussed the evolving demographics of their neighborhood, with more younger retired people moving in, leading to more walkers (02:05:02).
• Facebook Engagement and Post Scheduling Faith and Jerry Christensen discussed their use of Facebook for sharing activity updates, with Faith mentioning she sometimes get drawn into other content and forget to post earlier in the day. Jerry suggested that Faith explore the option of scheduling posts in advance, which might be available to them as a “super commenter,” to ensure posts go live earlier and without needing to be actively on Facebook every day (02:06:06). Both acknowledged the challenge of remembering to post after a long day (02:07:03).
• Proximity to Family and Tourist Attractions Faith shared that the best part of living in their new place is being close to family, though she doesn’t see them as much as when she used to visit (02:07:56). Jerry related this to his own experience, noting that people often don’t visit tourist attractions like Yellowstone National Park or places in Chicago when they are conveniently located in their own backyard (02:07:56).

Suggested next steps

• Michelle will put turmeric and ginger on her next Azure order.
• Faith will look into scheduling her posts in advance so that she doesn’t have to get on Facebook every day.