How I Lost 80 Pounds in 5 Months: A Journey of Sweat, Smiles, and Self-Discovery

If someone had told me six months ago that I’d be writing about how I lost 80 pounds in five months, I would’ve rolled my eyes and asked what fantasy world they were living in. But here I am—lighter, happier, and way more energetic—sharing my story in hopes that it inspires someone out there who feels like I once did: stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure where to start.

Spoiler alert: this journey wasn’t all kale salads and perky morning workouts. It was messy, full of trial and error, and often hilarious. But it was also transformative, not just for my body but for my mind and spirit too. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty, shall we?

Step One: Facing My "Why"

My journey started with a gut-check moment, both literally and figuratively. I was standing in my closet, trying to pull on a pair of jeans that used to fit comfortably. After an embarrassing amount of squirming, tugging, and hopping, I admitted defeat.

It wasn’t about the jeans, though—they were just the final straw. I was tired all the time, avoided mirrors like they were cursed, and felt like a stranger in my own body. So, I asked myself, Why do I want to change?

The answer wasn’t about looking good in photos or fitting into smaller clothes (although those perks are nice). My “why” was about being healthy for my kids. I wanted to run after them without feeling winded, be present for them without exhaustion, and set an example of self-care and resilience.

Step Two: Tiny Changes, Big Impact

When you think about losing 80 pounds, it sounds monumental—like trying to move a mountain. But I learned that the secret isn’t to bulldoze it; it’s to chip away at it one rock at a time.

My first tiny change? Swapping soda for water. Sounds simple, right? Trust me, for someone who treated cola like it was the elixir of life, it was harder than you’d think. But I stuck with it, and soon enough, water became my go-to.

Next, I tackled my meals. Meal prepping became my superpower. I started with simple, high-protein meals that I could batch-cook—grilled chicken, roasted veggies, and easy stir-fries became my staples. Was it Instagram-worthy? No. Was it effective? Absolutely.

And then there was exercise. I started small, taking 15-minute walks around my neighborhood. Before long, those walks turned into jogs, and eventually, I felt brave enough to step into the gym. Did I feel awkward at first? Like a fish trying to ride a bicycle. But with time, I found my groove.

Step Three: Busting the Motivation Myth

Here’s the thing about motivation: it’s fickle. Some days, you wake up ready to conquer the world; other days, you’d rather conquer a Netflix marathon. What kept me going wasn’t motivation—it was discipline and remembering my “why.”

To stay consistent, I set small, achievable goals. Instead of saying, “I want to lose 80 pounds,” I focused on weekly wins: drink more water, get 10,000 steps, cook my own meals. Each small victory was a confidence boost that kept me moving forward.

Step Four: Finding a Plan That Works for You

One of the biggest lessons I learned is that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss. What worked for me—a mix of calorie tracking, strength training, and meal prep—might not work for you, and that’s okay.

If you’re not sure where to start, take a step back and evaluate what feels doable for you. There are plenty of tools and resources out there to help you figure it out. In fact, I found this amazing Weight Loss Style Quiz that helped me understand what type of plan might fit my personality and lifestyle. It also told me what were the best supplements for me to lose weight based on my body type.

The key is to find something sustainable. Remember, you’re not just going on a diet—you’re building a lifestyle.

You can explore the weight loss questionnaire that guided me on my journey right here

Step Five: Laughing Through the Setbacks

Losing weight isn’t a straight line; it’s more like a roller coaster with some unexpected loops. There were days when I crushed my goals and felt unstoppable, and there were days when I accidentally devoured half a box of cookies because “just one” turned into “oops.”

Instead of beating myself up, I learned to laugh at my setbacks and move on. Like the time I tried a YouTube workout and spent most of it tripping over my own feet. Or the time I attempted a new recipe that tasted like wet cardboard. Setbacks are part of the journey. The important thing is to learn from them and keep going.

Step Six: Celebrating the Wins

One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was this: don’t just focus on the scale. While losing weight is amazing, it’s the non-scale victories that truly kept me going.

I celebrated the day I could run a mile without stopping, the day I fit into a dress I hadn’t worn in years, and the day my kids told me they were proud of me. These moments were priceless reminders that my journey was about so much more than numbers.

Step Seven: Making It Stick

The real challenge wasn’t losing the weight—it was keeping it off. Crash diets and extreme measures might deliver quick results, but they’re not sustainable. I knew I needed to build habits I could stick with for life. For me, that meant continuing to meal prep, making exercise a non-negotiable part of my routine, and allowing myself the occasional indulgence. Because let’s face it—life without chocolate cake just isn’t worth it.

It’s not about being perfect; it’s about finding balance. Some days, I crush my workouts and eat like a nutritionist. Other days, I order pizza and watch reality TV. And that’s okay.

The Key Takeaway

If I could sum up my journey in one sentence, it would be this: small, consistent actions lead to big changes. Losing 80 pounds in five months wasn’t about following some magical plan—it was about showing up for myself every day, even when it was hard.

To anyone out there who feels like they’ll never get there: you can. It’s not easy, and it won’t happen overnight, but every step forward counts. Start where you are, with what you have, and trust the process.

And remember, you’re not alone. If you need a cheerleader, I’m here, pom-poms and all. Let’s do this together.