Remember to Celebrate Your Milestones: My 20-Pound Weight Loss Journey

Losing weight and becoming healthy is a common goal for many people. It's a journey that can be both rewarding and challenging. As someone who has lost 20 pounds in the past four months, I've learned a lot about what it takes to achieve this goal. In this post, I'll share some of my insights and tips that have helped me along the way.

At the beginning of my journey, I didn't even realize I had lost the first 10 pounds. I was only tracking my calorie intake to ensure that I was in a caloric deficit. A caloric deficit is the point where you consume fewer calories than your body requires to maintain itself. After researching weight loss, I discovered that this was the key to losing weight. I calculated my maintenance caloric requirement using my height and some online calculators. From there, I began tracking my food and making sure that I was eating about 500 calories less than what I needed to maintain my weight.

At first, I struggled with feeling ill and strange as my body adjusted to the new routine. But I was determined to push through and stay consistent with my diet. After about six weeks, others began to notice my weight loss. They pointed out that my face and waist were looking slimmer. However, it was hard for me to notice any changes on a day-to-day basis. That's when I decided to purchase a smart bodyfat scale to help me track my progress more accurately.

To maintain my caloric deficit, I ate the same meals every day. I also prepared my meals on the weekend, so I wouldn't have to worry about what to eat during the week. This routine allowed me to stick to my diet and splurge a bit on weekends for celebrations and family dinners. When I reached 10 pounds of weight loss, I treated myself to a trip to the west coast for five days. During that trip, I didn't count calories and ate out multiple times a day. However, I returned home and got right back into my caloric deficit routine.

Reaching 20 pounds of weight loss was a huge milestone for me. It's important to note that as you lose weight, it becomes harder to keep losing weight. I realized the importance of proper nutrition and consuming high protein to prevent muscle loss while in a caloric deficit. I also started lifting weights to keep my muscles from being used as energy sources.

Now, I'm heading to Mexico to celebrate my 20-pound milestone. During my trip, I won't be able to track my calories or weigh myself. I'll probably eat out multiple times a day and even drink alcohol, which is not something I usually do. However, I know that as long as I have a plan to return to my caloric deficit after the trip, I'll be fine. It's crucial to have a system in place for returning to a healthy routine after a celebratory purge. This plan ensures that I stay on track in the grand scheme of life. Remember, one week of partying won't matter much if you've been consistent for 50 weeks.

In conclusion, losing weight and becoming healthy is a journey. It's important to celebrate your wins and milestones, both big and small. The key is to stay disciplined and consistent, even when it's challenging. With determination and a plan, you can achieve your goals and become the healthiest version of yourself. What are your favorite ways to celebrate your small victories? Share them with me in the comments or social media!