This morning’s weigh-in was a reminder that I need to stay focused on my diet.
The scale read 270.5 pounds, a slight increase from last week. While the gain isn’t significant, it’s moving in the wrong direction. If I had been hitting my target pace, I would be around 267 pounds right now.
The reality is simple: I’ve allowed some old habits to creep back into my routine.
Over the past couple of weeks, temptation has slowly found its way back into my daily choices. It hasn’t been one major mistake. Instead, it’s been a series of small decisions that add up over time.
The Good News
There were positives this week.
I made it to the gym four times, which is an improvement from where I had been. My activity level has been better, and I’m making an effort to stay moving.
The challenge isn’t exercise.
The challenge is nutrition.
I’ve stopped limiting my chocolate intake the way I was before, and I’ve allowed sodas to work their way back into my daily routine. I’ve even started making excuses to justify it.
I tell myself things like:
“What if I limit myself to one 8-ounce can of Coke per day? Can I still lose 1.5 pounds per week?”
Maybe I can.
But that’s not really the point.
The point is that when I was losing weight consistently, I wasn’t looking for ways to fit more sugar into my day. I was looking for ways to build better habits.
The Foods That Challenge Me
If I’m being honest, there are a few foods that continue to be my biggest obstacles.
Chocolate.
Soda.
Potato chips.
Those are the foods that I struggle to moderate.
It’s difficult to cut out foods that I genuinely enjoy, but I also know that successful weight loss doesn’t happen because of what I do occasionally. It happens because of what I do consistently.
When I was more focused, portion control was a priority. I paid attention to serving sizes and made conscious decisions about what I ate.
Lately, I’ve been much more relaxed with those choices, and the scale is starting to reflect it.
Looking Ahead to Hazeltine
I have one more week before heading to the Twin Cities to volunteer at the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club.
I’m hopeful that I can show some progress on the scale before I leave.
During tournament week, I know I’ll be walking a lot. Anyone who has volunteered at a major golf championship understands how many miles can accumulate over the course of a day.
The challenge won’t be activity.
The challenge will be food.
I’ll be staying in a hotel for the week, and while volunteers receive some meals at the course, there will be plenty of opportunities to fall back on convenience foods and fast food after long days.
I’ve already started thinking about ways to avoid that trap.
One idea is to stop at a grocery store after arriving and stock up on better options:
- Fruit
- Protein bars
- Yogurt
- Water
- Sandwich supplies
- Healthier snacks
Whether I follow through with that plan will be up to me.
The better choice is obvious.
I simply have to make it.
A New Perspective
The more I think about it, the more I realize that my goal may simply take longer than I originally planned.
And that’s okay.
If I start fresh in July and give myself six months to reach my target, I would only need to average about 1.66 pounds per week.
That’s still challenging, but it’s very achievable.
The bigger issue isn’t the timeline.
The bigger issue is consistency.
I can’t let vacations, travel, volunteer opportunities, golf tournaments, or busy schedules dictate how I eat.
Life is always going to happen.
There will always be trips, celebrations, weekends away, and special events.
If I want lasting results, I need to learn how to make good choices regardless of what’s happening around me.
Final Thoughts
This week’s weigh-in wasn’t what I wanted to see, but it may have been exactly what I needed.
It reminded me that exercise alone isn’t enough.
It reminded me that small decisions matter.
And it reminded me that my goals are still within reach if I’m willing to consistently do the work.
The goal hasn’t changed.
The path hasn’t changed.
I simply need to get back to doing the things that were working.
One good meal.
One good workout.
One good day at a time.
The journey continues.