I’ve lost 40 pounds. Yes, I’m proud. Yes, it took effort, sacrifice, patience, and more than a few days where I had to coach myself through cravings, self-doubt, and the lingering fear that it might not be worth it. But here I am: healthier, lighter, stronger.
So, why is this the part that feels the hardest? This is where it happened before. This is where I lost momentum. This is where the weight crept back. And there’s a voice—quiet but persistent—asking, Is this where I get stuck again?
But this time is different, and not just because I want it to be. It’s different because I know now that weight loss isn’t just about willpower. It’s about systems. Habits. Mindset. Self-compassion. So this is for you: Remind yourself how to keep going and how to finish strong.
Here are a few small, actionable steps to keep the weight coming off:
Pause and anchor. Redefine your "why." You’ve already achieved something big. Now your “why” might need to evolve. Old why: I want to lose weight. New why: I want to feel strong, capable, and in control of my future. I want to be free from starting over again.
Action step: Write down your “why” again—but make it about what life will feel like at your healthiest, not just what the scale says.
Break the next 40 into chunks. Forty pounds sounds overwhelming. Break it down. Five pounds at a time. One week of consistency. One healthy meal. One good decision.
Action step: Set a goal for the next 5 pounds. Celebrate every milestone like it matters—because it does.
Focus on maintenance skills now. Here’s the truth: learning how to maintain your weight while still losing is the secret weapon. That means practicing balance, not perfection. Having higher-calorie days occasionally without guilt. Building habits that you can live with forever, not just until you “arrive.”
Action step: Pick one new long-term habit this month—like walking daily, meal prepping on Sundays, or journaling food honestly—and commit to mastering it.
Challenge the fear voice. The voice that says, “You’ve been here before.” Answer it with: “Yes, but I’ve never been here as this version of me.”
You are not doomed to repeat your past. You’re learning how to sustain new habits. And every single pound lost has taught you something. You’re not starting over—you’re moving forward smarter.
Action step: Journal 3 things you’re doing differently this time. Keep them close.
Make motivation routine, not accidental. Motivation won’t magically show up. You need to schedule it. Read or listen to success stories weekly. Follow people on similar journeys. Revisit progress photos.
Action step: Set a weekly reminder to reflect on progress, read a motivational post, or listen to a podcast that fuels your mindset.
Remember what you deserve. Here’s the raw truth: You don’t deserve to stay stuck. You deserve freedom from cycles. You deserve to wake up proud. You deserve health, not because you’ve suffered, but because you’ve shown up for yourself. This isn’t about punishment. It’s about building a life that feels like yours.
Action step: Write a short letter to yourself from your future self—the one who finishes the journey. What would they say? Read it when doubt creeps in.
Final thoughts
This time, you don’t just want to lose weight, you want to keep it off. That means this part—the messy middle—is the most important phase of all. Not the flashiest. Not the fastest. The part that rewires your identity. This is the part where you become the kind of person who doesn’t need to restart again.
You are not stuck. You’re in progress.
Let’s finish what we started—not with desperation, but with patience, power, and purpose.
