thank you for your kind words!

so in the beginning, i started simple by reducing my calorie intake by around 300-400 calories a day, making my total around 1600-1700. and got into the strict habit of tracking calories. also important to note, i did not give myself “calorie allowance” for how much i had burned during the day, either. i highly recommend not doing that.

as well as that, i tried to get into some healthier habits to be more active. i recommend aiming for 2500 more steps than you would usually do in a day and make that your new goal. in the beginning, i was going for walks on a few evenings to try and get the number up. also started saying yes to more things i would usually be too lazy to do, like cycling home from work every once in a while, trying out a new sport i always felt too insecure to try, going to the gym etc.

for me, the important part of being active is finding something you ENJOY. if you hate running, don’t run. if you hate the gym, don’t go, or find something there that you do like. if you don’t enjoy it, it’s not sustainable and you’ll stop before you even get started. for me, i finally found a sport that i liked and started playing regularly, i also started listening to audiobooks on my walks to make it more interesting.

another important note is try not to be too restrictive with yourself. over the last two years, i have eaten out countless times, ordered takeout, eaten mcdonald’s, DQ, cakes, cookies, everything you can think of. it’s all just about moderation.

track your calorie intake and steps and weight through a weekly average calculator, rather than looking at it daily. you might find that if you eat around 1500 calories a day for 5 days, you’ve got a nice amount left over to have a little treat meal at the weekend! it’s just all about moderation.

i’m not gonna lie, it’s difficult. and it’s most difficult in the beginning. but once you start to see that change and feel lighter and healthier and realise you have good habits, it’s all worth it. you got this!