In 2005, I lost 25 lbs, cured 2 “incurable” diseases & began a decade as an NFL cheerleader. I recently gained it back (+2). Here’s how it happened & my exact plan to reclaim my body and my integrity.
I “love” the audible version, as well. I love hearing my sister’s sound advice, in her beautiful voice. I love hearing the dedication used to achieve the goal, and I also know that you are killing it. You believed you could, and so you did. I see you, and I know my nieces do, as well. You are showing them that “I Think I Can” is more than a children’s story book we were given. You are showing them what it looks like to walk it out, literally. I couldn’t be more proud of the woman you’ve become. I know they’re proud of their Mom. I love you!
Thanks for your candid reflection and sharing your stories, experiences, and your plans with us all. I learned from it...and I'm going to use some of it myself. So, THANK YOU!
Oh yay! Thanks so much for reading Chris! It always means a lot when friends take the time to read and weigh in (no pun intended 🤣) Glad you found it useful. I feel like if nothing else, it lets people know that if they are struggling, they aren’t alone.
It will all change when menopause / manopause (aka hormone reduction, cortisol increases but that's not good) sets in as you age. That's were visceral (belly) fat show up. Protein requirements go WAY up (1.6-2.2g / kg body weight) baring health issues (like heart) that might reduce the range but it's still up there. At the reduced range we're talking equivalent 20 eggs or 16 oz sirloin / day if your 265#. Pro tip: use whey.
Exercise: resistance exercises are your friend. Don't push into the inflammatory reaction though.
Mind the protein as you age, you've already set good habits.
I am certain you are right that things will change over time, because if I’ve learned anything, it’s that things always change (especially when hormones are involved)! A lean in toward carnivore has naturally happened as I’ve aged. I just feel better with more protein and lower carbs. Thanks for sharing your experience!
About ideal body weight, my mom used to say, “Your ass or your face.” A few extra pounds will keep your face looking young, at the expense of losing the washboard abs. A skinny butt will accompany a withered face.
Thanks for this! I have been on a mission to get healthier after I discovered I weighed as much as I did at the end of all my pregnancies two years ago. I've lost 23 lbs since September 2025 and I am currently at a huge plateau that doesn't seem to end. Reading this gave some ideas!
That is so encouraging and I hope something from the article ends up helping! Glad to know I’m not the only one. Also not sure what Lightly Salted refers to, but I love it anyway. :-)
> I was changing into my swimsuit in front of my daughter a few months ago
I wonder why you chose to write this line and if there's something more to it. In other words, why did you tell us you were changing in front of your daughter? Why was where you were changing or who you were changing in front of relevant? Did you see a younger, thinner version of yourself in your daughter at the moment, e.g. a circle of life moment?
It mattered because I could tell that I was not healthy or living the life I wanted to live. That moment was significant because it was the moment it was no longer a secret. My child who I feel indebted to provide an example for was a witness, and that was enough to make me want to change.
I appreciated this as I'm writing a series about my journey with an over-eating problem. I too do better on a low-carb plan. I'm about 5-10 lbs. heavier than I was in college. (And I was an athlete).
Thanks for sharing this, Tiffany. Especially liked the last photo because I'm about to go kayaking. 😁
Oh, and I played this with my mom in the room, and the first thing she said is that she liked getting to hear your voice.
Appreciate the feedback. Totally get the over eating aspect also. Feeling out of alignment or even slightly out of control feels bad regardless of what the scale says! That’s been my experience at least for years even though society often says “don’t worry about it”
Hope you had the best time on the water! Look forward to hearing about it!
I have been on a similar journey since January of 2025. Happy to report I am 50 lbs down with 30 more to go. It is all about timing and tracking for me. Also better with less carbs. Gluten free was huge for me. Walking at least 45 minutes daily. Intermittent fasting. I try to eat between 10am - 6pm. Not perfect weight loss but slowly but surely getting there. I am post menopausal with thyroid issues and cracking the code on how your body works is key.
I am just so inspired by your story Rogue! Maybe one day you will write it up! Seeing you take charge of your health and help others take charge of theirs has been a refreshing deviation from the norm!
I've started waking up earlier to enjoy seeing the sunrise before work. Having some peace and quiet before the corporate job has been a great change for me.
This is SO interesting. I have never made this a habit and would like to although I'm not sure what that would look like for me. Do you go for a walk? Sit on the porch? What does that look like for you?
I walk to a nearby hill for direct sunlight. This time of year it means waking at 5:30. By the time I get back home, the sun is high enough I can get direct sunlight from the front porch so I get another 30 minutes or so from there. Ideally reading, but more often listening to something. I don't think I'll ever go away from this habit. Started this year.
Also, thanks for sharing all this detail of what has worked for you. I like the trial and error to figure out what my body needs as opposed to standardized.
Yah of course! If I wanted a reader to leave with one takeaway it was that standardized recommendations are total BS and so why not just share what works for you and what doesn't, steal ideas from each other and use that mindset to grow! Glad that resonated and thank you so much for reading and sharing.
This is great advice! Highly applicable to anyone who has taken his or her eye off the ball while pursuing other goals. Food journal sounds easy and useful, for example. Good luck with your quest!
Thanks so much! I detest food journaling, and also it's one of the MOST effective tools I've ever used! I like paper and pen or MyFitnessPal, but unfortunately I find I have to weigh the food too or I end up doing bad math. What do you use?
I kept track on paper for a couple of months when I had my sons 50% of the time. Quantities were easy because I divided the quantities of what I bought by 3 (by 2 when they were younger). If I snacked, it was usually a discrete item like an apple or a Lara bar.
Now I'd ideally design a template for my reMarkable tablet and keep the daily sheets in a separate folder.
Last, I'd monitor water intake. Filling your stomach with water cuts down on food cravings, as you know!
Love the author written audio, Tiffany! Makes sense articles like this so convenient for me to enjoy:)
I learned that I liked it from Audible. No matter who wrote the book, I always prefer the author's read. 100% of the time.
you know I'm a pro-audio girl and pro-read your own articles! BRAVO!
It is the ONLY way! So glad we found each other Jen!
I “love” the audible version, as well. I love hearing my sister’s sound advice, in her beautiful voice. I love hearing the dedication used to achieve the goal, and I also know that you are killing it. You believed you could, and so you did. I see you, and I know my nieces do, as well. You are showing them that “I Think I Can” is more than a children’s story book we were given. You are showing them what it looks like to walk it out, literally. I couldn’t be more proud of the woman you’ve become. I know they’re proud of their Mom. I love you!
Thank you so very much. I sure hope so! I love you too!
Your bottom teeth smile is also cute to your mother-in-law!☺️
Ha! 🥰 thank you 🙏😊
thoroughly enjoyed the read and the "1 pound at a time" lie. Thank you.
🥰
Thanks for your candid reflection and sharing your stories, experiences, and your plans with us all. I learned from it...and I'm going to use some of it myself. So, THANK YOU!
Oh yay! Thanks so much for reading Chris! It always means a lot when friends take the time to read and weigh in (no pun intended 🤣) Glad you found it useful. I feel like if nothing else, it lets people know that if they are struggling, they aren’t alone.
It will all change when menopause / manopause (aka hormone reduction, cortisol increases but that's not good) sets in as you age. That's were visceral (belly) fat show up. Protein requirements go WAY up (1.6-2.2g / kg body weight) baring health issues (like heart) that might reduce the range but it's still up there. At the reduced range we're talking equivalent 20 eggs or 16 oz sirloin / day if your 265#. Pro tip: use whey.
Exercise: resistance exercises are your friend. Don't push into the inflammatory reaction though.
Mind the protein as you age, you've already set good habits.
I am certain you are right that things will change over time, because if I’ve learned anything, it’s that things always change (especially when hormones are involved)! A lean in toward carnivore has naturally happened as I’ve aged. I just feel better with more protein and lower carbs. Thanks for sharing your experience!
About ideal body weight, my mom used to say, “Your ass or your face.” A few extra pounds will keep your face looking young, at the expense of losing the washboard abs. A skinny butt will accompany a withered face.
Moms are so funny! Sounds like she predicted Ozempic Face before it was a thing.
😂
Thanks for this! I have been on a mission to get healthier after I discovered I weighed as much as I did at the end of all my pregnancies two years ago. I've lost 23 lbs since September 2025 and I am currently at a huge plateau that doesn't seem to end. Reading this gave some ideas!
That is so encouraging and I hope something from the article ends up helping! Glad to know I’m not the only one. Also not sure what Lightly Salted refers to, but I love it anyway. :-)
> I was changing into my swimsuit in front of my daughter a few months ago
I wonder why you chose to write this line and if there's something more to it. In other words, why did you tell us you were changing in front of your daughter? Why was where you were changing or who you were changing in front of relevant? Did you see a younger, thinner version of yourself in your daughter at the moment, e.g. a circle of life moment?
It mattered because I could tell that I was not healthy or living the life I wanted to live. That moment was significant because it was the moment it was no longer a secret. My child who I feel indebted to provide an example for was a witness, and that was enough to make me want to change.
I appreciated this as I'm writing a series about my journey with an over-eating problem. I too do better on a low-carb plan. I'm about 5-10 lbs. heavier than I was in college. (And I was an athlete).
Thanks for sharing this, Tiffany. Especially liked the last photo because I'm about to go kayaking. 😁
Oh, and I played this with my mom in the room, and the first thing she said is that she liked getting to hear your voice.
First of all… hi mom!
Appreciate the feedback. Totally get the over eating aspect also. Feeling out of alignment or even slightly out of control feels bad regardless of what the scale says! That’s been my experience at least for years even though society often says “don’t worry about it”
Hope you had the best time on the water! Look forward to hearing about it!
I liked what you said about being the type of person whose actions are aligned with what we preach.
Thanks! The kayaking was amazing. I’m in the northern Adriatic Sea.
Amazing!
I have been on a similar journey since January of 2025. Happy to report I am 50 lbs down with 30 more to go. It is all about timing and tracking for me. Also better with less carbs. Gluten free was huge for me. Walking at least 45 minutes daily. Intermittent fasting. I try to eat between 10am - 6pm. Not perfect weight loss but slowly but surely getting there. I am post menopausal with thyroid issues and cracking the code on how your body works is key.
I am just so inspired by your story Rogue! Maybe one day you will write it up! Seeing you take charge of your health and help others take charge of theirs has been a refreshing deviation from the norm!
I've started waking up earlier to enjoy seeing the sunrise before work. Having some peace and quiet before the corporate job has been a great change for me.
This is SO interesting. I have never made this a habit and would like to although I'm not sure what that would look like for me. Do you go for a walk? Sit on the porch? What does that look like for you?
I walk to a nearby hill for direct sunlight. This time of year it means waking at 5:30. By the time I get back home, the sun is high enough I can get direct sunlight from the front porch so I get another 30 minutes or so from there. Ideally reading, but more often listening to something. I don't think I'll ever go away from this habit. Started this year.
This description sounds so peaceful. Makes me wanna try it. Thank you so much for sharing.
Also, thanks for sharing all this detail of what has worked for you. I like the trial and error to figure out what my body needs as opposed to standardized.
Yah of course! If I wanted a reader to leave with one takeaway it was that standardized recommendations are total BS and so why not just share what works for you and what doesn't, steal ideas from each other and use that mindset to grow! Glad that resonated and thank you so much for reading and sharing.
This is great advice! Highly applicable to anyone who has taken his or her eye off the ball while pursuing other goals. Food journal sounds easy and useful, for example. Good luck with your quest!
Thanks so much! I detest food journaling, and also it's one of the MOST effective tools I've ever used! I like paper and pen or MyFitnessPal, but unfortunately I find I have to weigh the food too or I end up doing bad math. What do you use?
I kept track on paper for a couple of months when I had my sons 50% of the time. Quantities were easy because I divided the quantities of what I bought by 3 (by 2 when they were younger). If I snacked, it was usually a discrete item like an apple or a Lara bar.
Now I'd ideally design a template for my reMarkable tablet and keep the daily sheets in a separate folder.
Last, I'd monitor water intake. Filling your stomach with water cuts down on food cravings, as you know!
This is incredibly organized and smart! And yes I do know to drink more water to fill the belly but man I do forget!