One Month of Reinvent, My Thoughts So Far

I’ve been following the Reinvent nutritional therapy programme for a month now. So, I thought that the end of the first month would be a good time for… A quick One Month of Reinvent, My Thoughts So Far, post.

First Thoughts

I have to say I was a little sceptical to begin with. Only because I knew that it would require a huge shift in mind set for me in terms of my attitudes and behaviours around food. I couldn’t see how an online course and a Facebook group could achieve this. Which is ironic given that I’m an online teacher and the first thing everyone asks me about my work is ‘how does that work?!’

The most important part of Reinvent

What I’ve found so far, is that the most important aspect of this programme is that there is zero judgement. I think this is because the primary goal of Reinvent is for you to be able to improve your health through nutrition. Nothing else. How to achieve that goal is unique to every individual. So it’s not measurable, or comparable which makes it impossible for judgement to play any role in your progress. This is something no ‘diet’ I’ve ever embarked on has had as it’s focus.

Taking away that element of judgement has been very powerful for me. I no longer feel compelled to jump on the scales to see if ‘I’ve had a good week’. I no longer feel triumphant if I’ve made lots of unhealthy food choices and still been ‘successful’ on the scales. Dropping a pound or two.

Removing that element of success or failure means that I haven’t ‘given up’. This isn’t about success or failure, it’s about making little changes to improve my health and quality of life. Now who doesn’t want that?

I never thought I’d say it but weight loss is almost starting to become irrelevant for me.

My Thoughts about the Programme

Each week I’m given a new focus, educated about another element to consider in my journey of gradually changing my habits and provided with detailed resources to support me in making those changes effectively.  I am finding this approach far more effective than a dramatic overhaul or change, like the ones I’ve unsuccessfully tried to pursue in the past.

The programme is incredibly comprehensive. I get a weekly e-mail introducing the weekly focus and taking me to the course for that week that consists of a video and written explanation of the rationale for that focus, the goals for that week and the resources to achieve them. I then receive a ‘checking in’ email part way through the week and a questionnaire at the end of the week. Rosie is contactable for help and support via email and there is a Facebook group to ask questions and share strategies. It really is a bespoke, individual programme that can be adapted to meet your needs.

My successes so far

1. I have kicked my milky coffee habit. I was drinking 4 or 5 milky coffee sachets a day. All processed muck. Now I have one instant coffee a day, maybe two maximum and they are made with coconut milk. Other than that I’m drinking water and herbal tea.
2. No diet coke. Ok actually maybe one or two, but previously I was drinking a lot of diet coke, easily 6 or 7, 500ml bottles a week.
3. Way more fruit and vegetables have been consumed! I might not be at the 5 a day, every day, but I am well on my way to it.
4. Haphazardly meal planning and cooking. It’s not consistent, but I’ve made a start!
5. I have always been a terrible grazer, but I’m getting close to eating three meals a day on a more regular basis. That’s the number 1 habit I need to get into consistently. 3 meals a day.
6. No quorn, soya processed fake meat. Apart from a veggie sausage sandwich on Easter Monday, I have had no veggie meat replacements. I am quite proud of this! It’s a serious shift.
7. Dramatic reduction in my intake of cheese, bread and potatoes.

But the most significant thing for me is that although I have made these changes, I don’t feel like I’ve sacrificed anything or missed out. I ate what I wanted over Easter, felt rubbish and went back to attempting to implement all these changes again. Before I started Reinvent that would have been an excuse to continue to eat badly. But not now! Woo hoo!! I’m also starting to feel more positive about food, and I haven’t felt that way for a really long time.

So, that’s where I’m at after my first month. I haven’t written about weights or measurements because like I said that’s not what this process is about. But, I am keeping a record of them and taking some pictures for my final review of the programme at the end of the year. So watch this space!

To find out more about my first month of Reinvent, here are my reviews of week 1. week 2 and weeks 3&4.

Week 5 is all about food intolerance which I think is going to be really interesting and a great start to month 2!

Want to know more?

You can find out more about Reinvent here and follow Rosie and Reinvent on Instagram and Facebook. You can also follow my progress via Instagram and weekly updates here at ChallengeClare!

Disclaimer: I have been offered a subscription to reinvent free of charge in return for documenting my experiences via the blog. All opinions as ever are my own!