u/drewisadick

It's been a long journey! I stopped drinking alcohol in 2024, and then at the beginning of 2025 made a commitment to eat better and start physical activity. I started with 30 minute walks every day, and intermittent fasting (only eating between

12pm-8pm). The weight started coming off fairly quickly so long as I wasn't eating crazy during my 8 hour window. From there I stopped drinking calories altogether (or as little as possible). Most weeks I only drink water, black coffee, and 0 calorie diet soda as my treat.

Next was improving my diet and portions. I still do not eat perfectly, but I'm typically around 1600-2000 calories per day. That got me to onderland for the first time since highschool!

Since being below 200, things have certainly been slower moving, but my healthy habits have stayed. I've maintained all my prior healthy habits, and I've added in a light jog every week day, along with doing pushups, situps, and squats at home (no weights for the squats yet). It's still light for now, but I'm doing two sets of 12 for each workout and plan to continue to add more reps and sets as I go. This week I've just started to do pull ups (I can only do a 3/4 at a time, but that's 3/4 more than I would have been able to do previously!).

This summer I've been able to sign up for some rec sport leagues, something I hadn't done since pre covid, and am having so much fun not being completely exhausted from each game.

My advice to anyone is to just start! It can be anything. Start by just cutting out drinking calories. Start by getting a walk in every day. I found once I started something and built a habit of that thing, I was able to ride some positive momentum and start a new healthy habit.

From here I am focused on maintaining my current weight, but starting to focus on adding muscle. I hope to get a weight set for home.

Good luck to all who are trying to shed some weight!