Well, my first 30 days have come and gone, and I have to say… I’m really proud of what I accomplished.

I started this weight loss journey at 217 pounds, and after 30 days on the Virta program, I am now at 198.6.

Seeing that number drop out of the 200s felt like a huge milestone for me.

More than that, I’m feeling good. I’ve adjusted to this low carbohydrate eating plan, and it’s becoming part of my daily routine.

This no longer feels like something temporary. Even after I reach my goal weight of 150 to 160, I plan to continue this lifestyle because I can already see how it’s improving my overall health and helping me stay consistent.

What Are My New Goals

My goals moving forward are pretty simple, but important.

I want to stay consistent with my workouts, including my spin bike, floor exercises, and adding in a few workouts from YouTube to keep things interesting.

I plan to continue following my low carb eating plan and sticking with the foods that have been working for me.

Right now, I’m not in a rush to introduce too many new things.

The Virta program does allow for what they call flex carbs, which are slightly higher in carbs, but I want to wait until I reach my goal weight before experimenting with that.

For now, I’m focusing on simple food choices, whole foods, and continuing to learn what works best for my body.

What Was the Biggest Challenge in the Start

The biggest challenge in the beginning was simply getting adjusted.

Those first few days were no joke. I spent a lot of time resting and sleeping while my body adapted to nutritional ketosis and a low carbohydrate diet.

I can see how this could be tough for someone working a full time job, because even though I work from home, it was still hard to focus at times.

But I pushed through it, and it did get better.

Another challenge I didn’t expect was how often I had to go to the bathroom in those early days. That was definitely an adjustment.

Then came the scale.

I loved seeing it go down, but anytime it went up even a little, it would frustrate me.

Now that I’m past the 30 day mark, I’ve learned something important.

I can’t let the scale control my mindset.

My focus needs to be on how I feel, how my clothes fit, and the progress I’m making overall.

One thing I didn’t do in the beginning was take my measurements, and I really wish I had. So that’s something I’m starting now as I continue this journey.

What to Expect in This Post

This is going to be an ongoing post where I share my weekly progress over the next few months.

I’ll be documenting my weight loss journey, the ups and downs, the wins and the challenges, and everything I’m learning along the way.

As a Virta patient, I’m also learning how this eating plan can support better blood sugar control, improve insulin resistance, and lead to real lifestyle changes that last.

Feel free to follow along, leave a comment, share your experience, or ask any questions. I’d love to hear from you, especially if you’re on a similar journey or thinking about starting one.

Week of March 15

This was the week I had just finished my 30 day challenge, and now we were headed to Florida for a few days.

I was honestly a little nervous to see how I would do staying on my eating plan while traveling.

The first day was mostly travel.

Airport food is ridiculously high, so I made sure to eat a snack before leaving home.

By the time we arrived at the hotel, I was really hungry.

Luckily, there was a food court within walking distance, and it had everything you could think of. Asian food, Korean food, a healthy spot with salads and seafood, plus plenty of fast food and even gelato, which I love.

I chose a place that serves poke bowls. You can build your own, which worked great for my low carbohydrate diet.

I didn’t want rice, but there was a bit of a language mix up, so I just had her leave most of it off and decided not to eat what was left.

My bowl had tuna, salmon, leafy greens, crab, cucumbers, jalapeños, onions, avocado, edamame, sesame seeds, and a soy-based sauce. It was delicious and very filling. I had a diet soda with it.

That ended up being my only meal that day besides my earlier snack.

When I checked my numbers later, my ketones were 0.4, but my blood sugar levels were a little higher than expected.

Something in the bowl must have been sweet. I’m thinking it may have been the cucumbers or sauce, so that’s something I’ll avoid next time.

We did a lot of walking that day, so I felt good about staying active.

My Florida Trip

Overall, the trip was a lot of fun. We stayed in a nice, spacious condo with a fridge and microwave, which made things easier.

Even better, we were right next to an outlet mall with a food court, so I had options.

I stuck pretty close to my eating plan most of the time. I had poke bowls on a few days with salad, tuna, salmon, onions, spicy mayo, seaweed, cucumbers, avocado, edamame, and hot peppers. Everything tasted fresh and satisfying.

Another time, I ordered Chinese food but kept it simple, just meats and stir fry vegetables.

At Disney Springs, I had spicy sausage with coleslaw and a Caesar salad.

For drinks, I mostly had water and Perrier, though I did have a diet Coke here and there, which is allowed on the Virta program.

I gave the bread to my husband. I also didn’t eat the crotons.

One thing I noticed was a mineral water that tasted sweet, and that made me question how it might affect blood glucose levels.

It’s little things like that that you start paying attention to as a Virta patient. I decided not to drink it.

I didn’t bring my scale, but I did use my kit to check my levels.

I stayed in nutritional ketosis, which made me feel like I was doing something right.

I will say I didn’t hit my water goals as much as I should have. When I’m out, I don’t always drink as much, but I made up for it when I got back to the room.

With all the walking we did, I thought my body weight would drop more, but when I got home, I weighed 198.

Still a win for my weight loss journey. My body may have just been adjusting, or maybe I built a little muscle.

To Be Totally Honest

Did I want to try the delicious gelato? Or those tasty pastries that were everywhere? Or the snacks at the meeting we attended—cookies, chips, and coffee with sweetened cream?

Of course I did.

That’s what I normally do on vacation. It’s part of having a good time—dinner and dessert.

But this time, I didn’t.

At the meeting, I couldn’t even enjoy the coffee because they didn’t offer regular cream, which honestly annoyed me.

So I got tea instead and used sweeteners.

I knew I would probably be a little hungry until I could find something that fit my eating plan.

But I’m so glad I won that battle.

Week of March 22

After the trip, I came home with an aching back and felt pretty worn out.

I spent most of Monday resting in bed and doing some online work. I was still tired, but I got back to my usual food choices and low carb foods.

By the next morning, my weight dropped to 197.6, which was encouraging. It reminded me that this process isn’t always instant, but it works when you stay consistent.

This week, my goal is to get back into my workouts at least three times and keep focusing on lifestyle changes that support my health goals.

Being on the Virta program has really opened my eyes to how food choices affect things like insulin resistance, fasting glucose, and overall blood sugar control.

This isn’t just about weight loss. It’s about improving health outcomes, lowering blood pressure, and reducing the need for diabetes medications.

With guidance from my Virta health coach and support from the Virta health program, I’m learning how to follow a well formulated ketogenic diet that fits real life.

It’s not perfect, especially when traveling, but it’s doable.

Programs like this, backed by clinical trial results and discussed in peer reviewed journals, have shown significant improvements in people dealing with chronic disease, including fatty liver disease and high blood glucose levels.

Many Virta participants have seen better blood sugar control, changes in LDL cholesterol, and reduced use of medications.

I plan to be one of them.

My days have been pretty routine lately — housework, taking care of things, running errands, and volunteering. I’m also planning to get back to the flea market.

I’m starting to become more consistent with my bike workouts, and I’m still sticking to the same foods.

I’m thinking that by next month, I might start introducing fruit back into my diet. Berries are usually the best option on this plan.

I weighed in this weekend at 195.9, and I was so happy to see that number. Seeing 195 feels like real progress.

My goal for next month is to reach 185.

My blood pressure has also been really good and consistent at 122/85, which I’m happy about.

Now I just hope it stays that way when I go to the doctor… because we all know how that can go 😄

For me, this is more than just a short term plan. It’s a long term eating plan built around whole foods, better habits, and real support. And even on vacation, I’m learning how to make it work.

I’ll be sharing updates as I keep going, so if you’re on this journey too, come back and follow along with me.

Week of March 29

Weight wise I am still doing well. I am at 195.9 at the start of the week. I am still eating pretty much the same foods.

I did get some tough news about my health.

My kidney numbers are not where they should be, and it could be related to a new medication I am taking.

I also saw a gastroenterologist because my liver labs were not great either. So that was two difficult results back-to-back.

At first, it felt overwhelming. Here I am trying to improve my health, and I am still dealing with some serious issues.

One encouraging thing my doctor said is that losing weight will help with my liver function, which gave me some hope.

Now I need to do more research on foods that support kidney health.

I do not think eating a lot of meat is the best option right now, so I am considering adding more plant-based options.

As for my kidneys, I may need to stop one medication and switch to something that does not affect them as much. I should know more in about a week.

In spite of all this, I still need to keep moving, working out, and eating the best I can. I am determined to keep going and continue losing weight.

Above is my Weekly Summary of my Progress

First Week of April

I am still going strong. Right now my lowest weight has been between 194 and 195.

This upcoming week my goal is to keep working out and increase my days from three to five.

I am still eating pretty much the same foods, but I would like to branch out and try more variety.

I also had a birthday, and I did really well.

I did not have any cake. We went back to the soul food restaurant and I had grilled catfish, greens, and cabbage.

I also got another plate for later with fried chicken wings, greens, and sweet potatoes.

For lunch, I only ate a little of the sweet potatoes since they have a lot of sugar, and I gave the rest to my spouse.

I did eat the cornbread, and afterward I felt a little bad because I want to stay close to my plan, even during birthdays and holidays. I did not get on the scale the next day.

Staying Busy

I stayed busy over the weekend working at the flea market, and on Easter Sunday I volunteered at church.

Both days I did not eat until after 2 pm, so in a way I ended up doing a form of intermittent fasting.

This week will be just as busy. I need to start clearing out items to make room for more containers for the flea market. Some of these containers are in my office, so I want to move them to the basement to free up space.

My goal is still to be out of the 190s by the end of April.

One thing I have learned on this program is that weight can stay the same for a while as your body adjusts, and then it starts to drop again. That seems to be how my body works.

Exercise

I have started a new floor workout using YouTube videos.

This one focuses on the abdomen, and it is actually from someone I used to watch back in the 90s.

My abdominal muscles were really sore over the weekend, which I take as a good sign.

As for my ketone and glucose numbers, my ketones have been ranging between 0.4 and 0.9. I did miss a few days of testing.

Encouraging

My daughter has noticed my weight loss and how consistent I have been, and now she wants to join in. I am really grateful for that.

I also showed her my recipe book from Virta, which I had actually forgotten about.

There are a lot of meals I can try, so I need to start making new things.

Sometimes I get lazy or busy and just stick to what I know, but I want to change that.

“I Wish I Started When You Did”

Have you ever said that before? I know I have many times.

That is exactly what my daughter said to me. What she really meant was, “I see your progress.

I see how your body is changing, and I want that too. If I had started when you did, I would be seeing results by now. I do not want to be left behind.”

I have felt that same way before. I remember watching one of my favorite singers lose weight.

I saw her stay consistent with her workouts and build better eating habits.

Before I knew it, she looked slimmer and healthier. I remember thinking, wow, I wish I had started when she did.

So let me encourage you. If you have been thinking about starting a health journey, whether it is losing weight or simply eating better, now is the time.

Time is going to pass anyway. Months will go by no matter what you do.

You can either look back and say, “I wish I had started,” or you can say, “Look at how far I have come.”

Second Week in April

Some weeks go exactly how you plan… and then there are weeks like this one.

Between back pain, slowing down on workouts, and still trying to stay on track with my eating, this week really tested me. But even with all that, I’m still seeing progress—and that’s what keeps me going.

Here’s how my second week in April went.

Back Pain

Last week, I was working out and must have pulled a muscle.

I started off great on Monday with my spin bike and then did some floor work. It was a newer routine, and I think I may have overdone it.

I pushed through the rest of the day getting things done, but by the evening, I was really hurting. Nothing seemed to help.

So I haven’t worked out since Monday. I’ve mostly been in bed using a heating pad, a massager, and Motrin cream.

Today, two days later, I’m feeling a little better, but I’m still taking it easy. I also have a test tomorrow at the medical center, and my grandkids will be over.

As far as eating, I haven’t felt up to cooking much. I’ve been keeping it simple with tuna, sardines, cheese, salad, and eggs. I’m planning to cook tonight—I took out some ground turkey.

In spite of all this, my weight is still dropping. I got on the scale today and was 192.4. My ketones are still up too—I was at 0.9 this morning.

I know my back will get better. I just need to make sure I stretch more before doing any floor work again.

Another week has passed, and overall I’m still feeling pretty good.

Some mornings I wake up really hungry—like today. I had cheese, eggs, and some muffins I made using eggs, almond flour, cottage cheese, and baking powder.

The first batch didn’t come out quite right because I forgot to add the almond milk. I baked them anyway, but they stuck to the paper liners. I made another batch today and will add olive oil to the pan this time.

I also added garlic and pepper, and I ate mine with butter.

Even though they stuck, they didn’t taste bad at all. They actually reminded me of cornbread. They went really well with the baked catfish we had last night.

Since my back started feeling better, I got back on my bike and did leg work for two days. Over the weekend, I had my grandkids, so I didn’t do anything else.

I’m glad I went back to floor work, even though I was a little nervous at first about making my back worse.

The weekend was busy. I spent time cleaning out the garage and organizing items I plan to sell at the flea market.

I think with any diet, I’ve learned that you still have to live your life—work, stay active, enjoy your hobbies, and keep your normal routine.

That helps keep your mind off the weight.

I didn’t weigh myself while my family was visiting. I even removed the scale from the room they were staying in.

I didn’t want the kids playing with it, and I also didn’t want to weigh myself anywhere other than my usual spot.

Because let me tell you… I can just imagine Virta getting my weight reading going from 192 to 70 pounds overnight and wondering what in the world happened 😄 Like, “Wait… is she okay?!”

Yeah, no… we’re not doing that. Let’s keep things accurate and drama free.

My ketones stayed good, still in the ketosis range around 0.6 to 0.9. My glucose was a little higher than usual, with the highest being 110.

I haven’t been logging my food every day. Sometimes I get busy or just don’t feel like it. But I still check labels when I’m in the store to make sure what I’m buying fits my plan.

Below is my weekly analysis

Reached Another Milestone!

This morning when I got on the scale, I weighed 189.3!

I didn’t expect to hit the 180s so soon. My original goal was to reach that by the end of April, so I’m really happy about that.

Now I’m hoping by the end of April I can be somewhere in the mid-180s.

Non-Red Meats

I also plan to focus more on protein that is mainly non-red meat.

Things like fish, salmon, sardines, and some chicken.

Virta has meal prep ideas in their app, so I plan to look through those and come up with some new meal ideas.

I’ll still eat red meat, but more in moderation.

This week reminded me that progress doesn’t always look perfect.

Even with setbacks, slowing down, and not doing everything “right,” I’m still moving forward—and that’s what matters most.

I still have a ways to go, but I’m feeling encouraged and more confident that I can keep this going.

I’ll be sharing how things continue next week, especially as I get fully back into my workouts and try a few new foods. So come back and check in with me… we’ll see what happens next.

My Last Two Weeks in April Continue

For the past couple of weeks, I have stayed around 190 to 191. I did not exercise as much because of back issues, so I focused more on resting and watching what I ate.

I introduced a few new meals like the low carb bread, the mousse, and the protein balls.

All of them were pretty good. The bread was just okay on its own but much better with butter.

I think my body needed time to adjust to these new foods, and I am not sure if they slowed down my weight loss.

This week I am getting back to my spin bike and floor workouts.

I may not reach my goal of getting into the 180s this month, but I am still going to give it my best.

I will also be keeping my grandkids for a few days, so that may slow me down a little with workouts.

I am also trying to drink more water. One positive is that my blood pressure is improving.

It has been more stable with normal readings, so the medication seems to be working.

Right now, I am not as motivated with my daily work, especially blogging and YouTube.

I am not sure if it is burnout or just needing a break.

I have also not been checking my readings as consistently. My ketones have not been in ketosis as much lately, even though I have not changed my eating much.

I did eat out at Chipotle one day because I did not feel like cooking. I kept it simple with meat, mixed veggies, avocado, tomato sauce, lettuce, and sour cream.

This week I am going back to basics again with simple meals like eggs, meat, and cheese. For dinner, I will stick with meat, vegetables, and maybe some cheese. I want to keep moving forward with my weight loss.

I am not discouraged, just a little tired. I am not sure why, but my motivation has been lower lately.

Do you ever feel that way?

I am hopeful that May will be a better month. My goal is to get into the 180s and move closer to the 170s.

I can definitely see changes in my body. I look more shapely, and my clothes are fitting looser. That feels good.

I do look forward to the time when I can add a few more carbs back into my diet, like rice or beans, but for now I know I need to stay focused and stick to the plan.

It’s May, and I’m still on my weight loss journey. I did hit my lowest weight at 188 pounds, and I was so excited! My goal for the beginning of May was to be in the 180s.

When Life Happens

My plan was to jump back on the bike and go hard for five days, along with my floor work and weights. The week before, I had my grandkids, so I didn’t get much working out done.

Then… life happened.

This week, we started having issues with our water. We didn’t have any.

Yep, it just stopped working. No water means no shower, no cleaning, and let’s just say using the bathroom became a whole situation with gallons of water just to flush. Not fun at all.

Even now, they’re still trying to figure it out.

It’s not something simple like resetting a switch. We live in a rural area and use a well, and we have a newer system that’s supposed to be fancy, but when it fails… it really fails.

It has happened before, but this time even the workers are a bit confused. So right now, it’s fingers crossed and prayers going up that it gets fixed soon.

As far as eating goes, this would normally be a perfect excuse to grab a candy bar.

But instead, I’ve been sticking with a Virta-friendly mousse, and it’s actually really good. I’ve been eating about the same, maybe even a little less, because honestly, it’s hard to drink a lot of water when using the bathroom is such a hassle.

You really don’t miss water until it’s gone… and yes, pun intended.

As soon as everything is back up and running, I’ll be right back to my workouts.

This is just a reminder that things happen. Life happens. Good or bad, I’m determined to keep eating right and not fall back into my old habits just because I’m stressed or uncomfortable.

My ketones did drop a bit, but they’re starting to come back up to 0.6, and my glucose numbers have been lower, so that’s a win.

My May Weight Loss Journey: The Ups, Downs, and Real Life Moments

At the beginning of May, I was determined to keep pushing forward with my health journey, and despite a few setbacks along the way, I am proud of how the month turned out.

During the second week of May, I was still going strong with my eating plan, although my back had been bothering me, which made exercising difficult. Even with that, I stayed focused on watching my carbs.

For Mother’s Day, I gave in to a craving and went back to the soul food restaurant. I ordered fried catfish instead of baked, two sides of greens, and a piece of cornbread. I ended up eating half the cornbread. Yep, that was my splurge moment. But the very next day, I got right back on track.

By that point, I had reached 184.5 pounds. My goal was to get very close to the 170s by the end of the month, and I could honestly see myself reaching my ideal weight by July if I kept going.

The next challenge was a busy week filled with birthdays and our anniversary. My daughter’s birthday, my husband’s birthday, and our anniversary all landed close together. Normally, that would mean lots of eating out and desserts, but I planned ahead. I decided that if I wanted something sweet, I would make the low carb mousse because it had become a delicious substitute for me.

Still, life did not go perfectly.

One birthday weekend really did not go well physically for me. I spent time at the flea market and did not drink enough water.

Then the next morning, I rushed to church without eating or drinking anything. During church, I developed a headache that just kept getting worse. Even after grabbing water on the way home, I still felt awful because my body was dehydrated.

Once home, I still had outdoor things to help with, barely ate anything except a few nuts, and honestly just felt terrible.

We ended up canceling our plans for the evening because it got too late and I simply did not feel well enough to go anywhere.

I ate sardines that I absolutely regretted buying because they tasted awful, along with a salad, and ended up going to bed extremely early. I figured I would rest for a little while, and next thing I knew it was morning.

That experience reminded me that I really have to take better care of my body during this process. Hydration matters just as much as food choices.

Around that time, my scale showed 181.6 pounds, although it kept giving me error messages like it could not believe the number itself. The day before I had been 182 pounds.

At that point, I had mainly been eating tuna salad, regular salad, nuts, and pork rinds as snacks. I honestly suspect nuts may not agree with me because I think I may have some form of colitis, but cravings are real sometimes.

Another Milestone

By the end of May, I officially reached the 170s.

I weighed in at 179.2 pounds.

That felt like such a huge accomplishment for me.

But the end of May also came with another physical setback. I developed another UTI and had to take medication for five days. Unfortunately, my body did not react well to the medicine. My stomach stayed upset for days, and suddenly many of my regular foods started making me feel sick. Eggs, tuna, and cottage cheese were the last things I wanted to eat.

Oddly enough, the only thing I seemed to crave was apples.

I ended up eating a couple of them and worried the whole time about the sugar affecting my glucose and weight loss progress. But honestly, they tasted amazing, and at that moment my body needed comfort more than perfection.

The next day, my stomach was still upset, so I drank a Vernors because the ginger helped calm my stomach. I also ate another apple and even had a piece of regular bread. Mentally, I struggled with that because I have been trying so hard to stay low carb, but I realized something important during this moment.

When your body is sick, healing has to come first.

That did not mean I was giving myself permission to eat everything in sight. It simply meant that sometimes our bodies need temporary adjustments while recovering. Surprisingly, even with those changes, my ketones stayed up, my glucose stayed down, and I still continued losing weight.

That was a huge lesson for me.

This journey is not about perfection every single day. Some days are harder than others. Some days your body simply needs rest and recovery more than strict dieting.

At the end of May, I was still recuperating and feeling very tired. I had to focus on getting my electrolytes back up because low carb eating combined with illness and dehydration can really drain you. Once I started paying attention to that, I slowly began feeling more like myself again.

For now, workouts are on hold until my body fully recovers.

But even with all the ups and downs this month, I still made progress, learned more about my body, and reached the 170s. That alone makes me proud of myself.

Types of New Foods I Am Eating

I decided not to rely solely on the Virta app for new food ideas. I also started looking at YouTube videos and social media for low carb meal inspiration.

Some of the new foods I added include full fat yogurt with berries, tuna, and Chipotle style bowls made with bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, and a small amount of corn. I also found a zero-sugar protein powder that I mix with unsweetened almond milk and berries for a quick meal or snack.

I tried making almond flour pancakes, but they were awful. I definitely need to find a better recipe for those.

One thing I did create that turned out really well was a special sauce made with sour cream, ranch dressing, cilantro, and lime juice. I used my immersion blender to mix everything together, and it tastes great on just about anything.

As I continue this journey, I have realized that I need meals that can stretch for several days. I do not want to cook every single day, and I want foods that my family can enjoy along with me. Meal prepping and making larger portions has helped make things much easier.

I also needed quick breakfast options. Some mornings I wake up very hungry and do not feel like cooking. Having simple foods ready to grab has helped me stay on track and avoid reaching for foods that do not fit my plan.

Beginning of June Update

I am so happy that I have reached every single monthly goal so far. At the end of May, I weighed 178.5 pounds. When I set my monthly goals, I honestly have no idea if I will reach them or not, so it feels great to keep hitting those milestones.

Now I want to step things up a bit and focus more on my workouts. My glucose numbers have been slightly higher lately, but I think that is because I have been enjoying some plums and peaches from our fruit trees. They are incredibly sweet and delicious, and I decided to treat myself a little. Of course, I am not eating them every day, and so far they have not affected my weight loss progress.

If I can make it into the 160s by the end of this month, I will only have a few pounds left before reaching my goal weight. At that point, my focus will shift from losing weight to maintaining it.

That is actually exciting to think about because maintenance has always seemed so far away. Now, for the first time in a long time, it feels like something I can actually reach.

If you would like to follow my journey from the beginning click here. I share the real ups and downs of weight loss after 60, along with what has been helping me along the way.

Feel free to ask me any questions because I know a lot of us are trying to figure this health thing out together.

Update for June

This month has been a bit rough. My weight started creeping back up. I went from 178 pounds to 183, and I have to admit, I was pretty bummed about it.

I was still eating low carb, but I wasn’t paying close attention to every ingredient.

That’s when I discovered some hidden sugars, like the added sugar in sweet relish. I’m not sure why I never realized that before. Since then, I’ve switched to natural pickles without added sugar.

I’ve also read that some people get stuck at the same weight for months, and I really don’t want that to happen to me. Ever since I hit 178, I’ve been bouncing between 180 and 185 pounds.

One day I got bored and started eating sugar-free candy. The Virta program really isn’t a fan of those kinds of processed treats.

That same day, I also made myself a sandwich with regular bread because I was craving one. I simply gave in.

The next time I went grocery shopping, I decided it was time to get back to basics.

Right now, I’m not trying to maintain my weight—I still want to lose more. Going back to simple foods helped me get back down to 180.

So yes, it’s definitely been an up-and-down month. I’m back to exercising again, and I’m determined to get into the low 170s. I’ve come too far to quit now.

The End of June

June has definitely been a rocky month. I’m wondering if getting closer to my goal weight is naturally slowing my progress.

I kept bouncing around in the 180s and couldn’t seem to break through.

Finally, I decided to go back to eating the simple foods that helped me lose weight in the beginning.

The only exception is eggs. For some reason, I just can’t eat scrambled eggs anymore. My body seems to hate them. I may try making deviled eggs to see if I tolerate those better.

Lately, breakfast has been lunch meat and cheese. Dinner is usually meat with vegetables, and sometimes I’ll have raspberries or blueberries.

I’ve also been working out whenever I can, although I’ve had a few health challenges that have slowed me down.

Getting back to the basics finally helped me break through the 180s.

I made it back to 178 pounds, then gradually dropped to 176, where I stayed for a little while.

Fellowship with the Ladies and Some Bad Choices

I recently attended a fun Saturday morning event at my church where a group of ladies gathered for food and fellowship. It was a potluck, and there were plenty of foods I could enjoy while staying on plan.

I actually did really well with the meal itself.

Then came the dessert table.

There were so many desserts! I walked over without really expecting to eat anything. One of the ladies knew I was dieting and jokingly said, “Oh no, not here at this event!”

I laughed…and then I made some poor choices.

Instead of taking one small brownie, I ended up eating two brownies, two cookies, a cupcake, and some cherry cobbler. It wasn’t because I was hungry. I was simply eating mindlessly.

Looking back, I honestly don’t know why I chose so many sweets.

Of course, I felt bad afterward.

I didn’t eat much for the rest of the day. I even thought about riding my spin bike for an hour to burn off some of the extra calories, but once I got home, I never got on it.

Instead, I drank plenty of water and later that evening had just two rotisserie chicken wings before going to bed.

The next morning I checked my numbers. My ketones had dropped from 5.0 to 3.0, which I expected after all that sugar. Surprisingly, my glucose was still excellent. I decided not to step on the scale.

On Sunday, I didn’t eat until late afternoon. I had two rotisserie chicken drumsticks with mixed vegetables.

Later that day I attended another event, but this time I only drank water. I also ended up doing a lot of walking.

By the time I got home, I was exhausted. Since it was late, I made a cup of coffee before settling in for the night.

The following morning, I checked my numbers again.

My ketones were back up to 7.0, my glucose was 85, and when I stepped on the scale, I was at my lowest weight since starting this journey—175 pounds.

That experience taught me something important.

If you mess up, don’t give up. Just get right back on track.

A friend told me, “As long as you don’t keep eating badly, you’ll be okay.” I think that’s exactly right.

Life happens. There will always be birthdays, church dinners, holidays, vacations, and unexpected temptations. One bad meal doesn’t erase months of progress.

Next time I go to an event, I simply need to be more determined. If I decide to have something sweet, I need to enjoy one small dessert instead of several.

That’s a much better choice, and one that still allows me to enjoy the moment without undoing all of my hard work.

July Update

I’ve Lost Over 40 Pounds… So Why Is the Last 10 to 15 Pounds So Hard?

When I first started my weight loss journey, the pounds seemed to come off fairly steadily.

Every week I looked forward to stepping on the scale to see another loss. It was exciting and motivating.

Now that I’ve lost over 40 pounds, things have slowed down quite a bit.

If you’re in your 50s, 60s, or beyond, don’t get discouraged if you’re experiencing the same thing.

Losing those last 10 to 15 pounds is often the hardest part of the journey.

It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. In fact, it usually means you’ve already made incredible progress.

Right now, I weigh 175.4 pounds. My first goal is to reach 165 pounds, and if I continue feeling good, I’d love to eventually reach 160 pounds.

I know it may take some time, but I’ve learned that slow progress is still progress.

Why Weight Loss Slows Down

One of the biggest reasons weight loss slows is because your body simply doesn’t need as many calories as it did when you were heavier.

When I weighed over 200 pounds, my body burned more calories just going through daily life.

After losing more than 40 pounds, my body has become more efficient. That means I have to be a little more intentional with both my eating and my exercise.

Our bodies also adapt to weight loss. As we lose weight, our metabolism naturally slows somewhat because there’s less body mass to maintain.

This is completely normal and happens to just about everyone.

The important thing is not to mistake slower progress for failure.

Don’t Let the Scale Fool You

I’ve noticed my weight can fluctuate several pounds throughout the week. One day I’m encouraged, and the next day I’m wondering what happened.

The truth is that body weight changes for many reasons, including water retention, sodium intake, hormones, and even a harder workout the day before.

Instead of focusing on daily numbers, I’m trying to look at the overall trend.

If the scale is slowly moving downward over several weeks, I’m headed in the right direction.

Exercise Isn’t Just About Burning Calories

As I get closer to my goal weight, I’ve realized exercise has become even more important.

I don’t enjoy walking very much, but I do enjoy riding my spin bike.

Rather than forcing myself to do workouts I dislike, I’ve decided to spend more time doing something I actually look forward to.

My goal is to ride my spin bike for about 45 to 60 minutes most days of the week. Some rides will be at a steady pace, while others will be a little more challenging to increase my heart rate.

The best workout is the one you’ll continue doing.

Strength Training Matters More Than I Thought

One thing I’ve learned is that cardio alone isn’t enough.

As we age, we naturally lose muscle if we don’t work to maintain it. Less muscle means we burn fewer calories throughout the day.

Adding strength training two or three times a week can help preserve muscle while losing fat.

That doesn’t mean spending hours in a gym.

Simple exercises using light dumbbells, resistance bands, or even your own body weight can make a big difference.

My goal isn’t to become a bodybuilder. I simply want to stay strong, improve my balance, and help my body continue burning calories efficiently.

Focus on Protein

One mistake many people make when trying to lose those last pounds is eating too little protein.

Protein helps keep you full longer and helps preserve muscle while your body burns fat.

I’m trying to make protein the focus of each meal instead of filling up on snack foods or extra cheese.

Watch the Little Extras

One thing I’ve realized is that the foods that helped me lose weight can also slow me down if I’m not paying attention to portions.

Foods like cheese, nuts, butter, creamy dressings, and even healthy snacks can add up quickly.

One thing I discovered was a delicious chocolate mousse dessert that I made with unsweetened cocoa powder and sweetened with stevia instead of sugar.

It tasted great and fit my low carb eating plan, but every time I ate it, my weight seemed to go up.

Whether it was the extra calories or just temporary water retention, I decided that now isn’t the right time for it.

Once I reach my goal weight, I may enjoy it as an occasional treat, but for now I’m staying focused on the foods that seem to help move the scale in the right direction.

I’m not giving them up. I’m simply being more aware of how much I’m eating.

Sometimes it’s the little things, not the big meals, that make the biggest difference.

Be Patient With Yourself

This is probably the lesson I’m learning the most.

When I first started losing weight, I expected to see the scale move every week. Now I understand that healthy, lasting weight loss isn’t always fast.

If it takes me several months to lose these last 10 to 15 pounds, that’s okay.

I’ve already come much farther than I ever imagined.

Instead of focusing only on the finish line, I’m trying to appreciate how much healthier I feel today than when I started.

My Plan Moving Forward

For the next couple of weeks, I’m keeping things simple.

More protein at every meal Drinking plenty of water Riding my spin bike for one hour, five days a week Adding strength training and floor exercises Watching my portion sizes, especially with higher-calorie foods Continuing intermittent fasting and avoiding late-night eating

If you’re also trying to lose those stubborn last pounds, don’t give up.

Sometimes the finish line takes a little longer to reach, but every healthy choice you make is still moving you forward.

My Weight Loss Update

As I get closer to my goal weight, I’m realizing this part of the journey is much slower than when I first started.

I’m currently at 175 pounds, and some weeks I may gain a pound or two before losing it again. I

t can be frustrating because I remember how quickly the weight was coming off in the beginning. Now, every pound seems to take a lot more time and patience.

My eating has become pretty simple. Most days I eat a protein, vegetables, and occasionally some fruit.

I usually eat just breakfast and a late lunch, and I try not to eat too late in the evening. Intermittent fasting has also been something I’ve continued because it seems to work well for me.

One challenge I’ve been dealing with lately is that I just don’t feel like cooking.

Instead of making full meals, I’ve been buying easy options like rotisserie chicken, already cooked chicken wings from the grocery store, or simply having lunch meat and cheese for breakfast.

While these foods fit my eating plan, I know I need to make sure I’m getting enough protein and vegetables throughout the day.

I’ve even started thinking about trying a meal delivery service for a while, as long as I can find one that fits my budget.

I don’t eat a large amount of food, and these days I’m mainly cooking for my husband while the other adults in the house usually take care of their own meals.

Having healthy meals already prepared might make it easier to stay on track during this stage of my weight loss journey.

Mid-July: Adding More Exercise

My goal was to add more exercise to my routine, and I can see that it has been paying off. The weight is still coming down!

This past week, I rode my spin bike four days for about an hour each time. I also did floor exercises and started lifting weights. My goal is to use weights at least twice a week.

Right now, I’m using 7-pound weights and working my biceps, arms, shoulders, and back. I’m also making sure that I stretch. I’m trying to do more than just lose weight. I want to become stronger and improve my overall fitness along the way.

Another Setback

Well, here comes another little setback in my weight-loss journey.

I had to have a short procedure in my doctor’s office. I knew that bleeding and cramping could happen afterward, but I thought it would only last for a few hours. Instead, I was still experiencing bleeding five days later.

Because I wasn’t feeling well, I didn’t exercise at all that week. I was disappointed because I had finally gotten into a good exercise routine, but sometimes life happens. There are going to be times when our plans have to change.

Since I wasn’t exercising, I tried to pay closer attention to what I was eating so that I wouldn’t start gaining weight.

I did give myself a little treat, though!

We have a pear tree that is full of fresh, sweet, delicious pears, and I ate one. I know pears have more carbohydrates and natural sugar than the berries I usually choose, but every now and then, I’m okay with eating a healthy food that I enjoy.

I’m trying to find a way of eating that I can live with long-term, and for me, that includes enjoying something like a fresh pear occasionally.

I already know that I’m probably not going to reach my goal of 165 pounds by the end of this month. And you know what? That’s okay.

I’m holding steady at around 173 pounds, which means I’m still very close. Instead of feeling like I failed, I’m simply moving my goal to the end of next month.

The important thing is that I’m not giving up.

Mid-August: Those Last 10 Pounds Are Stubborn!

Here I am in mid-August, and the scale is still bouncing between 172 and 174 pounds.

I have discovered something about weight loss: those last 10 pounds can be stubborn!

When I had more weight to lose, the scale seemed to move much faster. Now that I’m getting closer to my goal, things have definitely slowed down.

There are several reasons this can happen:

• A smaller body requires less energy. When you weigh more, your body uses more energy to move around and carry out its everyday functions. As you lose weight, your calorie needs can decrease.
• Your body can adapt to weight loss. After months of eating less and losing weight, the body may become more energy-efficient. This is sometimes called metabolic adaptation, and it can contribute to slower weight loss.
• Some early weight loss is water. This can be especially noticeable when eating low-carb. As the months go by, you don’t continue getting those same large drops in water weight.
• There’s simply less weight left to lose. Going from 217 pounds to 207 pounds was very different from trying to move from the 170s into the 160s.
• Normal weight fluctuations can hide progress. Water retention, sodium, exercise, and even the amount of food in your digestive system can make the scale move up and down. A small amount of fat loss can easily be hidden by a pound or two of temporary water weight.

I understand the reasons, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating!

I’m Ready to Find a Balance

Another thing that has changed is how I’m thinking about food.

I’m getting closer to the point where I want to move into maintenance. I don’t necessarily want to eat strictly low-carb forever. I would like to gradually include some additional carbohydrates while still maintaining the healthier habits I’ve developed.

That’s where I am right now—trying to figure out what that balance looks like for me.

I’ve already taken a few breaks from being as strict. I’ve eaten popcorn and some healthier snacks that contain more carbs. I’ve also noticed that I’ve been hungrier lately, which may be related to the fact that I’m exercising more.

What I don’t want to do is go back to eating the way I did before I started this journey.

I don’t want to return to eating large amounts of the foods that contributed to my weight gain in the first place. I’ve come too far for that.

For me, maintenance won’t mean going back to my old way of eating. It will mean figuring out a new way of eating that gives me a little more flexibility while helping me maintain what I’ve accomplished.

I’m Changing Up My Exercise Too

I’m exercising more now. I’m spending more time on my spin bike, doing more weight training, and I’ve added the stepper.

I’m even considering joining a gym for a few months so that I can use a wider variety of exercise machines. I think changing things up might make exercise more interesting while allowing me to challenge my body in different ways.

I’m still figuring all of this out as I go.

And maybe that’s one of the biggest things I’m learning from this entire experience: weight loss isn’t a straight line. You make adjustments along the way.

What I’m Doing to Lose These Last Few Pounds

Now that I’m getting closer to my goal weight, I’ve realized that losing these last few pounds is going to require a little more patience.

The weight isn’t coming off as quickly as it did when I first started, so instead of getting discouraged, I’m going to make a few adjustments.

One thing I don’t plan to do is drastically cut back on food or try to starve myself. I want to lose these last few pounds in a way that I can actually maintain once I reach my goal.

Pay More Attention to My Portions

I eat low-carb, but I’ve learned that low-carb doesn’t automatically mean low-calorie.

Foods like cheese, dressings, butter, meats, and low-carb snacks can still add up. I’m going to pay closer attention to my portions and those little extras that are easy to overlook.

I’m not necessarily eliminating these foods. I just want to become more aware of how much I’m eating.

Make Protein a Priority

I’m also going to make sure I’m getting enough protein with my meals.

As I lose weight, I don’t want to lose muscle along with the fat. Protein is also filling, which can help with the extra hunger I’ve been experiencing since increasing my exercise.

Continue Strength Training

This is an area I’m really beginning to appreciate.

Cardio has been a big part of my exercise routine, but I’m now incorporating more strength and resistance exercises too.

I’m using my 7-pound weights, doing floor exercises, and working different muscle groups. If I join a gym, I’ll have even more options for strength training.

At this stage, I’m realizing that changing my body isn’t only about seeing a lower number on the scale. Maintaining muscle, becoming stronger, and improving my fitness are important too.

Change Up My Cardio

Instead of simply trying to exercise longer and longer, I can also change the intensity.

For example, on my spin bike I can pedal harder for short periods and then slow down to recover before increasing the intensity again.

I’m also using my stepper now, so I have another form of cardio besides the bike.

Most importantly, I want exercise to be something I can continue doing instead of something I’m forcing myself to do just until I reach a certain number on the scale.

Move More Throughout the Day

I also want to concentrate on simply moving more.

Exercise doesn’t have to happen only during an official workout. Cleaning the house, shopping, doing things outside, getting up from the computer more often, and taking short walks all count as movement.

Since I spend quite a bit of time sitting while working, this is something I especially want to improve.

Continue Intermittent Fasting Without Going Overboard

Intermittent fasting has been part of my weight-loss journey, and I plan to continue using it.

However, I’m not going to assume that fasting longer and longer will automatically make me lose weight faster.

Instead, I want to concentrate on what I’m eating during my eating window, how hungry I actually am, and whether the routine I’m following is something I can realistically continue.

I’m thinking more about maintenance now, so sustainability matters to me.

Give the Scale Time to Move

This may actually be the hardest part—being patient!

When you’re close to your goal, losing half a pound may not feel very exciting. The scale may even go up temporarily because of normal fluctuations.

Instead of judging my progress by what happens over a couple of days, I’m going to pay more attention to what happens over several weeks.

Even losing half a pound a week would still be progress. Those small losses eventually add up.

I’m in the Final Stretch

I’ve already come a long way, and I’m not going to let these last few stubborn pounds make me forget that.

I started this journey at 217 pounds, and now I’m hovering around 172–174 pounds. That’s more than 40 pounds gone.

I may not have reached 165 pounds according to the schedule I originally set for myself, but I’ve learned that my body doesn’t care about the deadlines I write on the calendar.

What worked when I had a lot of weight to lose may need some fine-tuning now that I’m closer to my goal.

My plan is to pay closer attention to my portions, concentrate on protein, continue strength training, change up my cardio, move more throughout the day, and most importantly, be patient.

I’m also starting to think beyond weight loss. Eventually, I have to learn how to maintain this weight without feeling like I’m permanently on a diet.

That’s going to be another part of this journey.

For now, though, I’m in the final stretch.

I don’t need to lose these last few pounds overnight.

I just need to keep going.