Losing 125 Pounds (and Regaining Some!)

A Few Good Days—and Then What?

Here is something I recognize about myself: I can make progress for a few days, and by midweek I’m celebrating that progress with food and no movement.

Following through week after week is hard for me. I can feel proud of what I’ve done and still make choices that pull me away from what I want.

That is something I need to pay attention to. What am I celebrating? What do I need? How can I enjoy the progress I’ve made and keep caring for myself?

I don’t have all those answers neatly wrapped up. That’s part of why I’m going through my own program.

Learning From My Daughter

Watching Brielle make progress with simple improvements to her meals inspired me.

There is something powerful about seeing your child practice something you’re still learning to do consistently yourself.

Her progress reminded me to bring the next choice down to a manageable size. What could I improve about this meal? What would feel doable today? Even if it’s only 4% better than last time, it gives me somewhere to begin.

I can use that reminder, too.

I Started Dating Myself

Pool has become part of that.

It gives me something of my own to enjoy, practice, and get better at. It has also been a place where I’ve had to stand up for myself and create boundaries.

I’m learning that I can be sensitive, care deeply about people, and still speak up for myself.

I believe in compassion, respect, understanding, and giving people an opportunity. Those beliefs matter to me. So does including myself in them.

And yes, somewhere along the way, I’ve been becoming a badass bitch, too.

For me, that includes having the courage to say what I need and making room for things I enjoy.

Using What I Already Know

I’ve done difficult things in my life. I’ve learned, built, changed, and started again.

Now I want to look back at those experiences and ask: What helped me then that I can use today?

Losing 125 pounds is part of my story. Regaining some is part of it. So are building this business, learning from my daughter, playing pool, and deciding where my energy belongs.

I want to give myself credit for all of that while being honest about what needs my attention now.

Your 4% Better Step

Think of one thing you’ve done that took effort. What helped you follow through?

Choose one small way to use that strength today. Make a manageable improvement to a meal. Set aside time for movement you enjoy. Make room for an interest you’ve been putting off. Speak up about something you need.

Pick one. Give it a place in your day.

A Moment for Your Own Story

• What have you learned about when your follow-through gets harder?
• How do you celebrate progress, and how do you feel afterward?
• What would spending time with yourself look like?
• What advice would you give someone in your position—and could you try it yourself?

Let This Story Travel

One of my favorite parts of these journals is that you can share them.

If this entry made you think of someone, use the sharing option at the top to send it their way. Instead of trying to remember the name of that website you wanted to tell them about—boom, it’s in their inbox.

Through my hands-on work, I get to connect with people through skincare, conversation, and a little space to exhale. These pages let me reach people I may never meet in person.

And when you share a story, you help it reach someone else.

If this one brought up a story of your own, I’d love to hear what stayed with you. That is what Share Your Ripple is there for.