An Inspirational Weight Loss Journey

I’ve never been someone who was particularly fit, but I also wouldn’t classify myself as overweight. My weight remained around 150 pounds from college through my wedding day. It was stable, with only minor fluctuations here and there. That was my “normal.”

Then, at 44, everything changed. I was hospitalized, and six months of bed rest seemed to reset my metabolism. When I recovered, I found myself at 180 pounds, and no matter what I tried, this became my new reality. Newly separated, living alone, I had developed some unhealthy habits—staying up late, snacking on peanut M&Ms, and keeping my laptop in bed with me, which was both the last and first thing I interacted with each day. I was also dating, and it was on one of those dates that I met Katie.

Katie was a popular yoga instructor in San Francisco, but what intrigued me even more was her deep knowledge of Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine from India that integrates the mind, body, and spirit. Until that moment, I had always seen yoga as just a form of stretching, but Katie explained that it was part of a broader holistic philosophy, developed over thousands of years. This perspective opened my eyes, making me realize how yoga was not just physical postures but part of a much deeper lifestyle and worldview.

Katie was working on a book about Ayurveda for women and I, with my background in publishing, offered to help. Our connection grew, but not in the way I had hoped. “I really like you,” she said one day in Napa, “but I don’t think we’re romantically inclined. But we could be great together working on this book.” That marked the end of our romantic potential, but I went on to assist her with the book for the next two years. Despite her moving to the East Coast, we continued working together remotely.

At one point, Katie told me, “If you’re going to edit the manuscript, you need to experience Ayurveda yourself.” So, she introduced me to her friend Chrisandra, an Ayurvedic practitioner, who would help guide me through the process in person. Over the course of several months, we met regularly to work on yoga, diet, sleep, and lifestyle changes. Here are some of the key adjustments I made:

Electronics and Sleep: I turned off all electronics by 9 p.m. to reduce distractions before bed. Surprisingly, this simple change helped me fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply.

Morning Walks: I started walking every morning as soon as I woke up—no phones, no computers, just a half-hour walk to start the day. It wasn’t about the exact duration, but about establishing the habit.

Yoga Practice: Yoga was the smallest change I made, and some days I practiced, others I didn’t. Meditation was also recommended, but it didn’t resonate with me at the time.

Dietary Changes: This was the most significant shift. I swapped out unhealthy snacks like M&Ms for healthier options such as almonds and grapes. I also followed guidelines on eating hot and cold foods at specific times. After analyzing my body type, I cut out breads, pasta, and desserts, replacing them with more meats, cheeses, vegetables, and fruits.

Although changing my diet was challenging—especially living in North Beach, San Francisco, where pizza and sourdough were staples—I gradually adjusted. I started to visualize eating bread as an unpleasant, unnecessary indulgence, which made it easier to avoid. My approach was not rigid; I didn’t obsess over exact measurements but instead focused on eating in a way that aligned with my body’s needs and the seasons.

When I started this journey, I weighed 182 pounds. To track my progress, I began logging my weight daily and recording my diet and activities. I was surprised to see steady weight loss every day, which was incredibly motivating.

Once I reached 150 pounds, I relaxed my diet a bit. I allowed myself occasional treats like dessert or good bread, but in moderation. I maintained my habit of snacking on almonds and grapes, and I kept up my weekly ritual of baking Brussels sprouts. Morning walks remained part of my routine, although I gradually backed off from yoga. The result was a stable weight of 150 pounds, which I maintained effortlessly for several years.

That is, until COVID-19. The isolation and changes in routine led me to fall back into old habits—late nights, constant snacking, and little physical activity. As a result, I saw my weight climb to 170 pounds in just a few months. Frustrated, I decided to make a change once again this summer.

I returned to the same diet and activity plan that had worked for me before, and I began tracking my progress with a new spreadsheet. After three months, the results were almost identical to my first experience: steady, consistent weight loss.

This journey has shown me the power of consistency, self-awareness, and a balanced approach to health. It’s not about perfection but about making small, sustainable changes that add up over time.