Weight loss goals – perspective helps progress

Last week, I took 3 bags of old clothes to the charity shop as a gift aid donation. These were clothes that I had hung onto for over a decade, in the hope that I would one day fit into them again. For reference, these clothes were all a UK 8-10 and in the past 5 years, the smallest size I have managed to get myself down to is a UK 12; I am more comfortably a UK 14.

Body positivity matters, so instead of dwelling on how slim I used to be a decade ago, it’s more helpful – and realistic – to focus on recent health gains. If you have read my keto posts, you’ll know my weight yo-yos as a result of my sugar addiction and disordered eating.

However, since January 2023 I have managed to lose 16lbs/ 7kgs through slow, steady fat loss by eating low carb combined with occasional intensive exercise. I’m a fan of comparison photos, which I often use to highlight my keto diet weight loss journey on Instagram. Here are two 2023 photos, wearing the same outfit, which I took to highlight progress better than any bathroom scales could manage:

16 lbs weight loss in 6 months might seem slow progress to some; indeed it is slow compared to when I lost 3 stone/ 42 lbs/ 18 kgs in 5 months back in 2020 by doing strict keto with intermittent fasting. But, I am now trying to implement a lifestyle change, not solely a dietary change, therefore slow progress is fine. The main thing is that my energy levels are better, my skin is clearer and my mood is better when I don’t eat ultra processed foods. Trans fats are out. Highly processed junk is out. I’m eating more whole foods, protein and fat and I feel less bloated than before too. If you’re interested, you can read my other weight loss journey posts here.

Perspective helps weight loss progress

Prior to pregnancy/metabolic/hormonal change, I had a slim build without doing much exercise and I didn’t have a particular sweet tooth. My hormones and metabolism are no longer what they used to be. During pregnancy I developed sugar addiction which has not gone away postpartum. It is unrealistic to expect to be able to look the way I did a decade ago. Instead I can focus on healthy eating and exercise today to keep making progress towards my fat loss goals.

Balance is key to weight loss goals

Instead of striving to become a UK size 8-10 again, as I was a decade ago, I am trying to focus on general health rather than an arbitrary size, or weight goal. Balance is key to health, and I’m happy losing weight slowly and steadily, without calorie counting, weighing food or focusing on macros as I did back in 2020 when I was on a strict keto diet. My goal is to overcome my sugar addiction and maintain a healthy lifestyle. A big goal, but not impossible.