So on 25 October, I started using the “Cronometer” App to track my food – I was back to work, but not back to the gym. And though I wasn’t sure how long before I felt up to adding exercise, the least I could do is sort out my diet.

I knew I had to change some things as when I stepped on the scale, I was somewhat horrified to see the numbers staring back at me: 254. This is the most I’ve weighed – possibly ever – and it’s been slowly eroding my mental health.

Now, let me reiterate that being in a smaller / lighter body does not = happiness. However, if I could lose some weight, that could mean getting off at least 4 of my medications. Cleaning up my diet means fewer GI issues due to no gallbladder. Getting more physically active helps my knees hurt less and asthma less bothersome – and maybe I’ll be able to go cycling with my husband! So, no, a smaller / lighter body won’t make me happy, but it’ll allow me to do things that improve my mental health, which, in turn, makes me happier.

Seeing that number was daunting. The last time I was overweight like this, I didn’t know what the number was as I refused to step on the scale. But like last time, with or without knowing my weight, I had finally hit rock bottom.

And, it finally motivated me to make the changes that I need to become the best version of myself.

So, I started with tracking my food. It was the easiest, most immediate thing I could change since I wasn’t back at the gym. I hate to say it, but I had to fall back into my “obsessive compulsive” habits. I don’t necessarily like this idea, but nothing else is working, so it’s time to do something different. And maybe a little drastic.

So, the one nice thing about Cronometer is that you enter in your stats and goals, and it will give you your caloric requirements. It includes your BMR (how many calories you require just to stay alive), if you have (certain) smart devices, like a Fitbit, you can connect it, and it will include calories burned during exercise, and it includes the calories required to digest the foods you consume! And the reason I chose the Cronometer app is because it’s compatible with the Galveston diet – if you’re over 40 years old and suffering from perimenopause / menopause symptoms, become familiar with Dr Marie Claire Haver.

So, what did the first month of consistency get me?

I went from 254 to 239 lbs.

Yup. I lost 15 lbs in 1 month.

Now, let me be the first to say that this is uncommon, not sustainable, and often not healthy. That is a lot of weight to lose in a month.

I did it by tracking all of my food and water, maintaining a caloric deficit based on my goals, and I worked out 4-5 days a week. Yes, 15 lbs in one month is still excessive. However, it’s about knowing your body. I know I have a lot of inflammation in my body, and as I start eating more healthful foods, that inflammation will go down in my body – as shown this past month. Now that the initial inflammation has decreased, the “weight loss” will slow down.

And I’m okay with that! I need it to be slow and maintainable. Plus, I don’t want to be lighter, necessarily, I want to lose fat, but I also want to gain muscle. So, if I lose 5 lbs of fat, but gain 5 lbs of muscle, my weight won’t change, but my body shape will.

Because muscle tissue is more dense than fat, the same amount (weight) of muscle will take up less space than fat. That’s why taking measurements is often a better way to measure progress.

But November’s results are promising. I made it through Halloween without having any candy. In fact, I had NO processed sugar – which is amazing for me! As someone who could literally eat myself sick off candy everyday (which is a sad part of recent past) this is a huge deal! We’ve had birthdays, celebrations, and “just becauses” in the office, and I’ve had nothing.

And here’s the important part.

It wasn’t hard. It wasn’t a struggle. I didn’t feel deprived. I didn’t feel like I was missing out. I simply didn’t want any because, for once in a very very long time, my health took priority over any craving that I might have. However, a funny thing happened. The longer I went without having them, the less I actually craved them!

So, here’s to an awesome past month! December is going to be challenging because of various work functions, so I know I won’t be able to hit the gym as much… I’ll try to make it work as best I can. I’m only at work for the first 2 weeks of the month, then we’re off for 3 weeks – away for 1 of those weeks. Though we’re talking about going to hubby’s office gym and extra spin/yoga classes… but I’ll believe it when it happens. We always seem to talk with good intentions but lack in follow-through.