How I Lost 112 Pounds (and Counting)


My everyday guide to losing weight without losing my mind


As many of you know, I’ve been on a weight loss journey since January 2012. So far, I’ve lost 112 pounds (and counting), became a (slow) runner, and gained a little confidence I never had before. My goal is to lose a total of 140 pounds, so I’ve got 28 to go.

I’ve gone from a size 22 to a size 8/10. My BMI has dropped from morbidly obese to obese to overweight. I’ve run a 15k (9.3 miles), exchanged my wedding dress for a smaller one, and gotten my engagement ring resized down. I’m the smallest I’ve ever been in my adult life. I’m shopping in regular stores. I’m wearing regular sizes.

And while I still struggle when I look in the mirror, I’m a work in progress — and I’ve come a long way.

So, how did I do it?

People ask me this all the time. And honestly, it’s not a secret. Some are disappointed to hear there’s no magic pill, but most just want the truth — so here it is.

These are the strategies that have worked for me. Nothing extreme. Just a regular girl, making changes she could live with.

Count your calories

Know what you're eating and log it all. I use MyFitnessPal (mostly the app) to track both calories eaten and burned. Be honest with yourself — log the good, the bad, and everything in between. Portion control was key for me.

Move your body

Exercise! When I started, I could only manage 6 minutes on the elliptical — and that was enough. Now, I can work out for hours if I want to. Start small and build.

These days, I work out four times a week for about an hour — usually cardio, some weights, or a run. I used to work out seven days a week, but that wasn’t sustainable. I had to find something I could keep doing for life, and four days is realistic for me.

Get a food scale

If you can afford one (about $20 on Amazon), buy a food scale. It completely changed how I saw portions. I weigh almost everything at home and pack weighed lunches for work. Most packaging lists grams or ounces — use that as your guide.


Use a heart rate monitor

Again, optional — but super helpful. It tells me exactly how many calories I’m burning during workouts, which helps me know how much I can eat on exercise days. I usually eat back about 50–80% of the calories I burn.

Have a weekly cheat meal

This is a game-changer. Once a week, we go out for dinner and eat whatever we want — no logging. It gives me something to look forward to and keeps me from going off the rails.

Let’s be real: I love food. That’s how I got here in the first place. If I denied myself constantly, I would’ve quit months ago. But knowing I’ve got a cheat meal coming? That keeps me sane.

Don’t deny yourself

On non-cheat days, if it fits in my calories, I eat it. Cookie? Sure — just not three. I have something sweet almost every day. I don’t track macros — just calories — and that works for me.

I’m not a health nut. I’m not into fruits and veggies (working on it). Some people are appalled by my food diary, but guess what? It’s working. I’ve added some healthy foods, but I haven’t cut out much. I’ve just learned how to cut back.


Weigh in once a week

Daily weigh-ins made me miserable. Weight fluctuates — a lot. Now I only weigh in once a week, first thing in the morning, before food or water, and in the buff. The rest of the week, the scale is put away. It’s been so much better for my sanity.

Set goals and rewards

Don’t focus on the big, scary number. Break it into chunks. My first goal was 50 pounds, and my reward was a tattoo. My dream goal is to travel to Europe when I hit 140 lost — fingers crossed.

Give yourself milestones and celebrate them — with things not related to food. New clothes. A massage. A day trip. You deserve it.

Dream big

I could’ve said “just lose 10 pounds” and stopped. But I didn’t. I’m chasing the best version of me — not just a better one.

I never thought I’d run a 15k. But I did. Now? I’m dreaming of a marathon.

Losing weight is hard. But it’s worth it.
Being healthy is hard. But it’s worth it.
Dream big. Work hard. And don’t stop — because you will get there.

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