In June 2021, I turned 34-years old. After spending the evening at a baseball game with my family, and then ax throwing with my friends, I looked through the pictures the next day with horror. I barely recognized myself. I knew I had gained some weight that year, starting with the pandemic in 2020, but it was something about seeing myself that really struck a nerve. My face was full and puffy. I looked bloated all over. But more importantly, I hadn’t felt good for a while. I was tired regularly. I could barely jog without getting slightly out of breath. This wasn’t me! But that’s what I had allowed myself to become.
So I slowly began a transformation, and then kicked it into high gear when 2022 began. No more soft drinks. I cut way back on processed food and foods with added sugars. You’d be surprised at the things that are packed with added sugars. But it wasn’t just what I was cutting out, it was what I was putting into my body. My daily diet consisted of foods high in protein and high in fiber. There was a stretch where I ate a chicken bowl with black beans and no rice at Chipotle 3 times a week or more for lunch.
The transformation didn’t happen overnight. The first few months, I might have lost a few pounds, but didn’t see a noticeable difference in my appearance. By summer 2022, however, I was down 20 pounds and felt better than I had in a long time. By the time 2023 started, I was down 30 pounds. Today, I’m 35 pounds lighter than when I started, but best of all, I feel great. I have energy I haven’t seen since I was in my 20s.
I walk between 7,000 and 10,000 steps every day, which isn’t always easy to do when working at a desk most of the time, but I find breaks for short walks. I try to drink 60 to 100 ounces of water a day. I weigh a little under 150 pounds now, so I try to match that in grams for protein. I take Ashwagandha, as well as a daily multivitamin and something called Night Shred Black, which has chamomile, melatonin, and grains of paradise in it, for sleep at night. There are other things I do, but these primary steps have worked for me. Perhaps they could work for you if you’re looking to get healthier in the months ahead. It takes some work, but it is very much worth it.
This is not medical advice. I am just pointing out the things that have worked for me. Consult your primary care physician before starting a new supplement or routine.