#1- Read the book. I'm sure you're not shocked by that. The book is like a textbook on healthy living. It's about much more than eating really. There really isn't a shortcut. I highly recommend the newest book, The Trim Healthy Mama Plan. If you can swing it, the cookbook is amazing as well, but not a necessity. It has hundreds of wonderful recipes and gorgeous pictures in it that may be a big help to you as you begin. The plan book, however, is the core and heart of it all in words. Pearl and Serene spent countless hours writing the books, doing research and making their thoughts flow together in unison. Well, sometimes, they disagree, but if you read it, you'll see what I mean.
#2- Don't trust the charts on Pinterest or on the THM boards that you might see unless they are put out by THM themselves. I've seen many misleading or downright wrong charts and graphs out there. If they are shared on the THM boards, the admins try to catch them and delete quickly. Only trust THM's created and stamped charts (look for a THM emblem or mark) or any they may share.
#3- Make each meal or snack a learning experience. Don't blow up or blow it if you don't get it just right. Give yourself some grace as you begin. Within a few weeks, it will be second nature. Ask for help on the THM Membership website or on the Facebook boards for THM if you aren't sure about your meal or a food you'd like to eat. There are over 100 helpful admins there chiming in and many of us experienced mamas are there to help as well.
#4-Measure yourself as well as weighing in. That scale sure trips up many folks. Sometimes when you lose nothing, the inches are melting away and you don't even realize it! Don't let a silly number dictate your mood or your attitude throughout the day. This plan really isn't about a number.
#5- You don't have to buy any special ingredients. There are many recipes in the book that say NSI under them. NO SPECIAL INGREDIENTS. I have many on my site to offer and so do many other THM dedicated bloggers. There are many amazing THM products in their store that you may want to purchase when you can. My top favorites are THM Stevia Extract, THM Super Sweet Blend, THM Peanut Flour, THM Gentle Sweet, THM Baking Blend and THM Pristine Protein Powder! My favorite two non food items are the Hippie Stick (all natural deodorant) and The Spunj. The links to go with each product take you right to their page where you can read more!
#6- Is there a trusted guide? Gwen has a fantastic guide on her website that you can download that may be a big help! (Gwen's Quick Start Guide) Before you yell at me, "But Jen, in point number 2 you said NOT to trust any charts, etc." Let me say that Gwen is different. She received special permission to make this guide and it was read by the Author's before it was ever posted on her site. Gwen started the THM groups and has wonderful recipes on her site. Any other guides you may find on Amazon are FAKE! Don't buy them. Gwen's also has a beautiful cookbook out called, Feast! It is THM friendly.
#7- Join the THM Membership Website! Do you have to be a member of the THM Website? The answer is no. If you don't have the money to do so, that is totally understandable. If you can skip 2 Starbucks drinks or one big low carb burger at a burger joint, you can pay for it each month. Those words are from Pearl herself. They've really tried to make the site affordable for anyone to join. There are great printables, THM TV, recipes, menu plans and so much more! All things to help you stay on track. So, no it's totally not a NEED, but a real sparkly perk! Join in here.
#8- Join in on the THM Boards on Facebook! That's a super way to stay accountable. There are boards for Beginner's, Allergen Free THM's, a Main board and many others that are all official and run by THM admins. Find what board or boards suit your needs and jump in! Ask questions and get ideas. Follow the THM Author's Page as well to make sure you see new recipes, success stories and announcements. I have a new group that is UNOFFICIAL, but that I really love called the THM Blogger's Test Kitchen. If you love recipes, you may want to come join us!
#9- If you mess up, don't sweat it. In three hours, start over! Give yourself grace as you begin. Each day is full of new mercies and chances to do well. Seize the day! Think of that one slip up in light of a lifetime of moments. It's tiny. Don't make it a bigger deal than it is.
#10- You don't have to exercise to do well at THM. The book gives great advice for those who want to work out, but if you aren't one of those gals, no sweat. Exercise for you might be lifting your fork up to your mouth as you eat delicious THM foods.
Those are my top 10 tips for a newbie! Nothing earth shattering, but hopefully helpful to someone starting out. You can find me on Facebook at A Home With Purpose- Jen Griffin to see my new posts and on plan recipes and ideas.
*There are affiliates in this post. This costs you absolutely nothing extra when you order, but gives me a little money to keep my website going. 
30 Responses to “My 10 Tips for a THM Newbie!”
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About Jennifer
Hello there! I’m Jennifer and Welcome to my website – A Home with Purpose. My passion is sharing Christ’s Love and recipes with my Trim Healthy Mama friends. Learn more about me.
I have requested twice to join the THM group in FB and haven’t been added. Is there something wrong? My name on Facebook is my real name and it is a woman’s name. Thanks
Sometimes it just takes time for them to add you. There are often dozens and dozens of requests to join in. They vet each person to make sure it’s a real person, not a man…shady person. lol Just takes some time.
Thank you!
Thank you for the post.
You’re welcome!
I love this new found food freedom.. Please add me to the sight.Blessing.Wendy Bauer
Wendy, make sure you click on the link and request to join! 🙂
This plan looks like it would be great for m\y patients with diabetes since usually it is so hard to lose weight, I would like to be added to your THM group.
Did you click on the link to join? If you do, we’ll add you in on Facebook. 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement!
I will be joining THM and I’m starting to read the book. I need all the help I can get..
Glad to have you! 🙂
This is what I love about THM. Everyone has a desire to help others and so generous in sharing they are experienced information. Thank you!
Aww…very sweet, Louise! Hope it’s helpful to you!
I live in England can I still join and can we get the stevie extract etc
We have folks on plan from all over the globe! I’m not sure what products you have in England though. I wish I could help with that. I’m sure you can order it off Amazon.
Hi! I’m still making my way thru their very first book ‘Trim Healthy Mama’ but you mentioned the ‘Trim Healthy Plan’ do I need both? Or is their very first, original book good enough?
Both work fine. I honestly like the newer book best, The Trim Healthy Mama Plan. I think it’s easier to understand. I learned with the original book too though like so many other and have done fine. I do suggest the new cookbook if you don’t have it. 😉
I found THM when my Sister C told me about a friend at church that came back from the Summer last year 30 lbs thinner, it does work, when you work the plan. I have lost 40 lbs on it, and had already reduced some over the years, but when I eat my protein it always takes away my cravings for sugar and bread, and salt. That is a winning combo for me, I find when you shed your excess lbs your mind is freer to explore what else you need to change in your life.
Thanks. I need to try again.
Thank you so much Jen! I.m new at THM. Just started reading the book. I feel so overwhelmed, but I’ll keep plugging along! This was such great advice on the THM plan!
Have a Phenomenal Day Today!
Hope it helps, Debbie!! Thank you.
Thank you so much Jen! I’m new to THM. I just started reading the book. It’s a little over whelming. I’ll just keep plugging along. Lol this sight that was posted really was a good reminder!
Thanks again Jen for posting!
Have a Phenomenal Day Today!
Good job. Well said!
Thank you for these 10 tips. I need all the help I can get. I found THM online with a couple different people talking about these 3 letters. It took me awhile to figure out what they meant and I knew I could do it. I bought both books, the plan and the cookbook. I’ve joined several teams on FB. So far I haven’t found an alternative sugar that I can love and that’s trouble, because I’m a sugar addict and I’ll be the first to admit it. I’m about 80# overweight and need to lose this before it causes me to shorten my life!! I try to keep with the S and the E meals to keep it simple. The whole plan is so confusing, with S helper, fuel pull, etc. I’ll keep reading the book and I hope to get it digested.I want to try the payday candies and I’m not sure what sugar to buy. I wasted alot of $ on Stevia that I couldn’t stand at all. Is the Super Sweet more tolerable? Thanks for your help!
I have the older version of the THM book. Do you recommend that I purchase the new plan book? Is it set up differently than the original? Thank you!
I do prefer the new plan book. I think it’s simpler and easier. It’s streamlined. If you you’ve read the original…you can just use it. It’s the same concept. The new book does have a few updates.
Jennifer, I just wanted to stop by and tell you how much I enjoy your blog! I love all your THM recipes and tips! These 10 tips are great.
I’ve been doing THM for around 4-5 years (whenever the first book came out)….but I’ve been so inconsistent so I’m trying to get restarted and I came across this post.
I also am a blogger…I’ve had a coupon/frugal living/homeschool blog for about 6 years now. However, I just recently decided to start adding some THM posts to my lineup. I should have done it a long time ago, I know! LOL I just posted a brand new blog post with THM friendly coupons. I don’t know if this interests you or not, but I thought I would share it for you just in case. 🙂
http://www.thefrugalfamilylife.com/2017/01/thm-friendly-printable-coupons.html
Thanks for your blog! I’ve followed your page on fb and been in groups on facebook with you (THM and also a Ladies Theology group) so much that I feel like I know you even though you haven’t a clue who I am. LOL Just know I enjoy reading your uplifitng and encouraging posts…and all the THM motivation too!
Shayla
Hi! I’m considering doing the THM plan, however I need to be gluten free. Is this plan doable if one needs to be gluten free? I’m also particularly carb sensitive and have to control excess carbs beyond the fiber needed for healthy digestion as I tend toward gut issues. Can you recommend this plan for me? And will it be relatively easy to follow knowing I have these issues? TYIA!
There are thousands of us doing it Gluten free. You can find a THM Allergen group on Facebook. E meals only go up to 45 net carbs. You could certainly make those less carbs…25 or so and still be in a safer zone for you if you struggle with carbs. I think you’d like it!