Spring is such a great time to start a weight loss journey. The weather is great, you want be outside, and the fresh produce makes it easier to eat more salads and drink more smoothies. I feel like a caterpillar in a cocoon awaiting transformation.  In just a few days I should be cleared by my doctor to resume normal activities after the birth of my second child.  I’ve been waiting months to be able to begin this body transformation adventure, to reclaim the grace in my yoga, the power in my squats, and endurance in my lungs. I am filled with both anticipation and nerves. Anticipation because if I manage to lose 2 pounds a week ,by this time next year I’ll be under 200 pounds for the first time since 2020.  If I only manage to lose a pound a week, it will still be the smallest I’ve been in three years. I am nervous because I am in my mid-thirties and my whole life all I’ve I heard is how much harder it is to lose weight in your thirties than in your teens and twenties.

The last few years losing weight has been like a Ferris wheel.  I know part of it is due to having multiple pregnancies and breast feeding. Now that I think about it, some of it has to do with environment.  I went from living in the city, walking to the bus, climbing the steps to the train, climbing the steps up the subway and walking several blocks to work, to living in the country where I have to drive to get anywhere. That loss of everyday movement caused more of an impact than I could have imagined.  

As this is my third weight loss journey, I believe I have created the lifestyle change to effectively lose weight and keep it off. I went through one in middle school in which I learned to monitor my portions, worked to eliminate my addiction of sugary beverages, and eat more salads and whole grains. I went through another my senior year in college.  I learned about counting calories and all the different ways to keep my body active. After college I focused more on nutrition, learning what foods had what vitamins and minerals and the role they played in the health and wellbeing of my being and making low calorie delicious meals. Weight loss for me has always been like a math formula, Calorie reduction + burning calories = weight loss and counting calories was my answer key. As I am currently chest deep in midnight feedings and the terrible twos, I do not have the mental capacity to count calories. This summer is going to be an experiment of sorts. During this “experiment” I am simply going to minimize my intake of sweets and increase my intake of fruits and vegetables and get back to living a more active lifestyle. Doing those things and keeping up with the lifestyle I’ve spent over twenty years creating I should be able to achieve my health goals.

This weekend my husband and I are going to join the local gym where I plan to go once a week. On mornings when I’m not working on blog posts I’m going to go for walks before the children wake up and ideally do yoga with my toddler at night before bed as part of our wind down routine. I’m so excited for this adventure and too see where it takes me. Follow along with me, if it’s not inspiring I hope it’s at least entertaining.  I’m starting this journey at 287 pounds.  Let’s see where I’ll be on July 1, 2026.  Future me, here I come!