I’m feeling very unmotivated today. I woke up heavier and bloated at 161 lbs–that’s 3 lbs up! I’m not back up to 165lbs like when I started but after almost 5 weeks my body feels like it did at the beginning of this challenge, which is very frustrating! I was 158 lbs right after my period this past Sunday and now thanks to my hormones, water weight and ovulation this week the scale went up.

Weightloss for women can go up and down depending on our cycle, hormones and if we had enough water the day before. Food, sleep, workouts and our menstrual cycle all affect our hormones. Our body also has a set point, which is the weight range your body is programmed to function. The set point theory suggests your body will fight to maintain a specific weight and body fat range tightly regulated by your genetics and that you have little control over it. While we may be born with upper and lower set point ranges for our weight, we have the power to shift where we ultimately land.

Your weight does start to become what your body considers as normal, however, the set point can be changed after maintaining a weight for a couple months. So the body we have when we initially lose weight is just leased. In order to keep that body weight, there needs to be consistency. Life will happen and our weight may go up, but the more consistently we add muscle to our body the more it turns into a fat-burning machine. This machine will be programmed to bounce back faster each time.

My body weight has been hovering over the mid 150s for the last 2 years. When quarantine began, I was 155 lbs and that number quickly jumped up t0 165lbs after the first month. This is why I decided to start this transformation. Going through the emotions of my final break-up with my ex the last 2 years really affected my hormones and actions, triggering more nights of overeating and drinking alcohol–two factors that I know have made me gain weight in the past. It took me a couple years to add these extra pounds, so I have to understand it will take me almost a year to reset my body weight and bring my set point back to 145-150lbs. What I thought was going to be a 50-day challenge I now understand will take longer; however, the harder the challenge, the bigger the reward.

Here is my plan of action to get started changing my weight set point:

1. I will AIM TO LOSE A HALF-POUND TO A POUND A WEEK. As much as I want to lose weight quickly, rapid and drastic change will only make my body fight back more. If my body is getting the food it needs to function or just a tiny bit less than it’s used to, it’s going to be more willing to release that extra energy (to burn fat). This not only helps me lose weight, but will also make it easier to keep it off longterm.
2. I will LOSE WEIGHT IN PHASES. I won’t starve myself, but instead start adding more calories into my diet again these next couple weeks (1,800 daily calories to be exact). I will also do a 2-day cleanse with fruits & veggies once a month starting tomorrow as well as occasional intermittent fasting. While this process takes time, if I want to maintain my weight loss, I must learn and adopt healthy eating and physical activity habits for the rest of my life.
3. I will continue to KEEP A FOOD LOG for the rest of the year. Tracking what I eat is a proven strategy for successful weight loss. I will be looking at my macronutrient breakdown, which is 35% carbs, 25% fat, and 40% protein. This is the recommendation of my previous registered dietician nutrition plan; a plan designed to build muscle and burn fat.
4. I will ADD PROBIOTICS. I have to change my gut bacteria which may also help with weight loss efforts. Adding Kombucha, yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut and probiotic supplements will help feed the good bacteria in my gut. Recent review of research found that probiotic supplementation helped slightly reduce body weight and fat percentage.

I have to remember that this fitness challenge really is a LIFE FITNESS challenge! I want long lasting results, so if that meansI need to be more aware of my weight and my lifestyle choices indefinitely, then so be it! My body and health are worth it!

Today’s food & workout recap:

• Breakfast: Peanut butter Protein Cookie, coffee with almond milk (420 cals)
• Exercise: Rest Day
• Lunch: Salmon Sushi, 2 hard boiled eggs, 3 Tbsp guacamole (526 cals)
• Snack: 2 hard boiled eggs, 2 Tbsp guacamole (145 cals)
• Dinner: 10 oz. Salmon, 16 oz. Kombucha, 1/2 cup broccoli (415 cals)

Total food calories for today: 1,507 = (132g, 36% Carbohydrates, 50g, 31% Fat, 120g, 33% Protein)

I am so thankful I am not doing this all by myself. I have my close girlfriends helping me and most importantly I have my amazing community. Thank you for being part of my journey and my inspiration, friends! XOXO