Michelle Duggar, the mother of nineteen children and star of TLC's "19 Kids and Counting," has been an inspiration to many for her dedication to family, faith, and well-being. Over the years, she has openly discussed her weight loss journey and shared valuable insights into maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This article delves into Michelle Duggar's weight loss tips, exploring her strategies for staying fit, her perspective on body image, and the role of faith and family in her overall wellness.
Michelle Duggar's Weight Loss Journey: A Testament to Perseverance
Michelle Duggar's weight loss journey is a testament to her perseverance and commitment to a healthy lifestyle. After having nineteen children, she gained weight with each pregnancy, eventually reaching a point where she felt the need to make a change. In an interview with Today, she revealed, "It snuck up on me. Before I knew it, I was 40 pounds overweight."
To address her weight gain, Michelle turned to Weight Watchers, a program that emphasizes accountability and mindful eating. She explained, "I had to write down everything I put in my mouth and oh, my word, you talk about accountability." This process helped her become more aware of her eating habits and make healthier choices.
In addition to Weight Watchers, Michelle incorporated regular exercise into her routine. She shared, "Every evening after dinner we'd all go out walking, I would push the baby and I would walk for an hour. Just enjoying that time outside with my kids." This simple yet effective exercise not only helped her lose weight but also provided quality time with her family.
Staying Fit: Michelle Duggar's Exercise Routine
Michelle Duggar's commitment to fitness extends beyond walking. Her husband, Jim Bob, bought her an elliptical machine for her birthday, which she uses regularly. Jim Bob noted that Michelle has worked her way up to one-hour intervals, five to six days a week, and is more consistent with her workouts than he is.
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During her workouts, Michelle listens to teaching tapes and invites some of her younger children to join her. She affectionately calls them her "little exercise buddies." This approach not only makes exercise more enjoyable but also instills healthy habits in her children from a young age.
Body Image: A Matter of Perspective and Faith
Michelle Duggar's perspective on body image is deeply rooted in her faith and her role as a mother. She emphasizes the importance of not obsessing over bodily imperfections and accepting oneself as God created them. "I am not the center of my universe, Jesus is," she says, highlighting her belief that her worth is not defined by her physical appearance.
Michelle is mindful of the example she sets for her nine daughters and ten sons. She understands that they look to her for cues on how to feel about their own appearance. "A mama really sets the tone more than anyone else," she says, emphasizing the importance of positive self-talk and avoiding negative comparisons.
Michelle also acknowledges the criticism she has faced regarding her body after having nineteen children. However, she doesn't let the haters bring her down. "I don't want to reject my critics, there could be some truth" in criticism, she says, "But at the same time I'm not going to let it dictate who I am. Truly, my Lord is the one I want to please."
Embracing the "Marks of Glory": Michelle Duggar's View on Stretch Marks
Michelle Duggar embraces her stretch marks and other physical changes as "marks of glory" for her children. She sees them as reminders of the sacrifices she made to bring her children into the world. "The stretch marks and the little pudgy places, those are my marks of glory for my kids," she says. "I look at Jordyn, I look at Jackson and I think, 'I remember that stretch mark. You were worth it. And I wouldn’t trade that stretch mark for anything.'"
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Key Principles for a Positive Body Image: Michelle Duggar's Advice
Michelle Duggar offers several key principles for cultivating a positive body image:
- No fat talk: Pay attention to how you talk to yourself about your appearance. Avoid negative self-talk and focus on positive affirmations.
- Don't compare yourself to others: Recognize that everyone is different and that comparing yourself to others will only lead to dissatisfaction.
- Forgive yourself: Don't beat yourself up over mistakes or imperfections. Forgiveness creates a more peaceful and harmonious environment.
- Accept what you can't change: Focus on the things you can control, such as your attitude and actions, and accept the things you can't change, such as your height or bone structure.
- Thou shalt not covet: Avoid envying others, as it leads to bitterness and unhappiness.
- Focus on relationships: Prioritize relationships with God, family, and friends over physical appearance.
The Role of Family and Support
Michelle Duggar emphasizes the importance of family and support in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. She credits her husband, Jim Bob, for always making her feel beautiful and never criticizing her appearance. "Jim Bob has NEVER put me down for my body. He has NEVER mocked me for my mommy tummy," she says. "He is one of my biggest encouragers."
Michelle also values the support of her friends. She texts her friend Cindy every morning, and they motivate each other to work out and send each other uplifting messages. "It's good to have outside accountability," Michelle says.
Jim Bob Duggar's Weight Loss Journey: A Husband's Perspective
Jim Bob Duggar has also embarked on his own weight loss journey, providing a unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of getting in shape. He admits that he loves food and finds it comforting, especially during stressful situations. "I knew I liked food more than working to be fit," he says.
After realizing that he had gained weight, Jim Bob decided to fast from food for a few days, seeking spiritual guidance and physical cleansing. He told Michelle that he was going to fast for a day or two, only drinking some Zipfizz and beef bone broth. He initially planned to fast for 1-3 days, but he found it so easy that he extended it to 5 days, then 7 days, and eventually 40 days.
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Two weeks into his bone broth fast, Michelle joined him. They both lost about a pound a day. Jim Bob shared that he really has not been very hungry, except when his kids are popping popcorn, or friends and family are eating a delicious meal right in front of him. In those times he just heats up a quart of broth and starts sipping on it, and the other food desires fade away. He drinks anywhere from 1-4 quarts of bone broth a day and lots of water. He felt great, and went from 232lbs. to 197lbs. in 35 days.
Jim Bob's plan is to transition to vegetables and other healthy foods after 40 days and start doing some daily exercise. Then he will purpose to steer away from white flour, sugar, and unhealthy fats as much as he can in the future.
Lessons Learned from Jim Bob's Experience:
- Fasting can be a helpful tool for weight loss and spiritual growth.
- Bone broth can be a nutritious and satisfying way to fast.
- Support from a spouse can make a significant difference in achieving weight loss goals.
- It's important to have a plan for transitioning back to regular eating after a fast.
Supporting Each Other: The Duggar Family's Approach to Health and Fitness
The Duggar family emphasizes the importance of supporting one another in their health and fitness goals. When Jim Bob and Josh decided to lose weight, the rest of the family rallied around them, offering encouragement and assistance.
Michelle says that they are training their family to be there for one another by suporting them and loving on one another to create a stronger family unit. Jim Bob loves that his family is involved with this progress.
Josh wants to be a role models for his children by losing weight and improving his fitness. The boys decided that they are going to build a green house so they can grow things all year long as Jim Bob and Josh build a gym for the family. The rest of the family helps by cleaning up and making some posters to encourage them as they do this.
Dietary Changes: A Family Affair
Anna knows that she needs to change the way that she cooks to help with Josh's weight lost. Michelle wants to help show a good example to her children and be there for her grand children so it's a good changes. Josh and Anna decided to donating the bad food to the food bank to help others.