Late last year, I saw a photo that really shook me. It was a wake-up call. I stepped on the scales and almost burst into tears.
I knew I’d gained weight, and I could feel the discomfort. I had been hiding under loose-fitting clothes and buying bigger sizes, but because it had crept up gradually, I hadn’t fully registered just how much I’d changed.
At first, I blamed hormones, perimenopause, stress … whatever I could. But deep down, I knew it was my lifestyle choices that had led me here. I used to value my health and fitness, but somewhere along the way, I let things slide. Too much booze, too much unhealthy food, and running on too much adrenaline.
Earlier this year, one of my “50 Before 50” goals was to go alcohol-free for 30 days. I decided to use that time to kickstart my weight loss journey. In those 30 days, not only did I lose weight, but the inflammation in my body reduced drastically, so I kept going.
I created a small Facebook group with a few friends where we shared daily photos of our meals and workouts. That accountability was exactly what I needed.
My initial goal was to lose 5kg, but by July, I had dropped 7.4kg. Now, thanks to a bit of “birthday month” indulgence, I’m at a 6kg loss.
Being an extrovert my social life is something I refuse to give up, and a slowing metabolism at this age, hasn’t made it easy.
To some, this might not seem like a lot, but it’s made a huge difference for me. I’ve also been strength training and have gained muscle mass during this time.
I saved this “50 Before 50” challenge for last to make sure I kept the weight off for my birthday. This isn’t just a short-term win … this is part of a long-term journey. Once the birthday celebrations die down and life settles, I plan to keep going and aim for a 10kg loss.
I feel so much better now – no more hiding behind elastic waists and baggy clothes. I’m more confident in photos, and most importantly, I feel healthier and more like myself again.
The lifestyle changes I’ve made have really helped me adapt to the changes my body is going through, and there’s no turning back. I’m committed to continuing this journey.
And with that, my “50 Before 50” list is complete!