I’m hopeful that I’m getting back on track.
This morning’s weigh-in came in at 270.7 pounds, down from 273.8 pounds last week. While I’m still not where I want to be, seeing the scale move in the right direction is encouraging. It’s a reminder that a few focused days of making better choices can make a real difference.
I do have one more challenge ahead before I can settle into a routine. Next weekend I’ll be spending time at a lake cabin with some of my college friends. Weekends like these are always enjoyable, but they also bring a few temptations. It probably won’t be large meals that derail me—it’s usually the constant snacking throughout the day and a few extra drinks in the evening that quietly add up. My goal isn’t to be perfect; it’s to be mindful and avoid undoing the progress I’ve made this week.
After that trip, life begins returning to a more familiar rhythm. Fall sports will be ramping up at the University of Mary during the first weeks of August, and that naturally makes me more active throughout the day. Staying busy has always been one of my greatest allies when it comes to weight loss because I’m moving more and thinking less about food.
One area I continue to wrestle with is nutrition. I seem to go back and forth between different ideas about what I should eat and how I should eat. The reality is that I don’t need another diet—I need consistency. Eating lean protein, vegetables, fruit, and sensible portions has worked for me before. If I can commit to meal prepping and having healthy meals ready to go, I’ll be much less likely to make poor decisions when I’m tired or hungry.
Exercise may be the bigger challenge in August. Fall camps make it one of the busiest months of the year, and finding time to get to the gym isn’t always easy. Instead of letting that become an excuse, I need a reliable home workout routine that I can complete in 20 to 30 minutes. Even if I can’t make it to the gym as often as I’d like, staying active consistently is far better than doing nothing at all.
One thing I do look forward to every year is the return of routine. Once the school year begins, my schedule becomes much more predictable. I tend to eat better, make better decisions, and stay more consistent with my workouts. Structure has always been one of my greatest strengths, and I need to take advantage of it.
More than anything, this journey continues to remind me that weight loss isn’t just about calories, workouts, or the number on the scale. It’s about mindset. Every day I have to choose the person I want to become instead of giving in to the habits that got me here. Building a healthier body starts with building a healthier mindset, and that’s something I have to work on every single day.
I’m not at my goal yet, but I’m moving in the right direction again—and that’s exactly where I want to be.