10 Things My Weight Loss Journey Taught Me

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The beginning of last year I set out to lose weight and I ended up gaining so much insight about myself through the whole process. Here’s what I learned!

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I’m going to be real with you all: my goal a year ago and still to this very day all comes down to me wanting to look good naked. By my standards. I want to be able to put on a bathing suit at a moment’s notice and feel wonderful.

It has to do with me and how I feel about myself.

If you have been following along, you know that a little over a year ago, I set off on a journey and documented most of it here. I learned so much along the way and have people asking me all the time about weight loss, so I wanted to bring all of that information together in one place.

First and foremost, however, it really is all about being healthy. I love that I can run with the dog, chase after the kids, and go, go, go! That is incredibly important to me. My parents are in very good shape and will probably still be able to do these things for a very long time and I hope that the same goes for me, too.

It’s not about the size tag on the pants or the number on the scale. I’m going to talk about this a little bit more below, but keep the scale out of mind as much as possible. Take progress pictures and don’t be afraid to look at yourself in the mirror whenever you get out of the shower. Muscle takes up less space than fat, so you can lose weight, gain muscle, and the number on the scale will be the same. The same thing goes with pant size. You can lose weight, tighten up, but still might be the same size.

10 Things My Weight Loss Journey Taught Me

Before we jump in, I want to be super transparent with you all about the numbers on the scale and where I am a year later.

First, weight loss can really seem like a full-time job. From January-June, I was 100% committed and some might even say obsessive about this. The lowest I went down to was 143 pounds and still a pretty solid size 8. In June I started working with some new clients, so my focus shifted to maintaining, while still working out. I stopped with the keto diet and a year later, I have only gained 5 pounds, but most of that is muscle, as weight lifting is still a big part of my life.

1. Hydration is everything, more than I ever realized.

I’ve always aimed for high amounts of water every day and even wrote about how great lemon water is for weight loss. However, I did realize until last year that drinking less than half your body weight in ounces each day can prevent you from losing weight. Water helps your body effectively complete all of its necessary functions, it’s like putting gas in a car.

My tip: buy a water bottle that has a straw, there is something about the straw that makes you drink more. Have it with you at all times of the day.

2. Speaking of hydration, electrolytes are equally important.

I make sure to have electrolytes first thing in the morning since we fast without hydration all night. Plus, we also tend to reach for coffee first thing in the morning and while that’s all great, it does dehydrate us. Try a sugar-free option!

3. Gut health should be at the top of your list.

Everything goes back to the gut. I’ve said it before and I will say it again: make sure to take Ameo Life’s Probiotics on a daily basis. One in the morning and one in the evening will help you support your weight loss process and support a healthy digestive system. Good digestive flora positively influences mood, energy, sleep, weight control, and a variety of daily functions within our body. Each and every one of those things help contribute to reaching your weight loss goals.

Here’s the thing: 70% of “good-bacteria” remain active in your gut even after 2 hours of supplementation with Ameo Life, boosting gut health from the inside out. Whenever you are able to normally digest food properly, you are better able to maintain a healthy weight. Not to mention, feel much more comfortable on a daily basis.

4. Liver health plays a key role, too.

Here’s the thing: if your liver isn’t performing properly, you will never be able to lose weight because the whole job of your liver is to get rid of the bad stuff. Take a multivitamin daily that helps support your overall health.

5. Weight lifting is everything for women.

I used to run like 30 miles a week with Oliver thinking that I would run myself skinny. Then I wised up. My body started to transform whenever I started weight lifting. Now, I’m no string bean, but I lost inches all over my body from finally incorporating weight lifting into my routine. I actually just ordered my first pair of 15 pounders and am starting to challenge myself to do more and more.

6. Ditching the scale is a good idea.

In my opinion, anything more than monthly weigh-ins will drive your mental health crazy. Our weight fluctuates so much on a daily basis, so keep it simple with the scale. I weigh myself on the first of each month, at 6 am in the morning before eating anything and naked. Other than that, I try to take progress photos twice a month.

7. Restrictive eating will never work long-term.

You all know that I’m a huge fan of the keto diet and still am. It’s incredible all the way around. However, it’s not going to be something that you can sustain nonstop for years and years. Find something that allows you to be balanced that works for you. For me, I stick with low-carb and recently have incorporated hormone balancing foods, more protein, and gluten-free foods into my diet.

8. Get your goals in writing and make a commitment.

Writing things down, to me, solidifies things. This helps you make a commitment to yourself and stick with it. You don’t want to let yourself down. And it’s also alright for your goals to change or for you to adjust them. It’s not failure, it’s being smart.

9. You have to look at the full picture.

I recommend looking at your weight loss journey as what you want to be achieved one year from now. And then breaking it down into smaller, monthly goals the whole year through. I made the mistake of not managing my expectations and thought I would have a full body transformation in 3 months. Things don’t typically work out that way.

10. Don’t reward yourself with food.

A pedicure, new clothes, earrings, whatever floats your boat, but not food. It will set you back. Not because of the extra calories, but because it puts food on a pedestal. You should be enjoying what you eat at every meal.

Looking for more about my weight loss journey? You will love these posts:

Overall, I’m totally okay with looking like a woman who has had two children because I have! They are the greatest gifts in this world and my body did incredible things to get them here. My body is stronger now than it has ever been and I try to remind myself of these things anytime I am feeling discouraged. Consistency is everything at the end of the day.

XOXO,

Allison