From Quick Fixes to True Transformation: Why I Stopped Chasing the Number on the Scale

For years, I tried every quick-fix diet you can name. Keto, fasting, no carbs, no sugar, you name it, I probably gave it a go. My eyes were locked on one thing: the number on the scales.

And yes, sometimes I hit that magic number. But the truth? As soon as I stopped the diet (because let’s face it, they were never sustainable), the weight crept right back on.

At some point, I realised something had to change. I stopped obsessing over the number, and I started focusing on the little things, the small adjustments that I could sustain, not through persecution or punishment, not through the old mindset of “being good,” but through something entirely different:

👉 Enjoying the process.

My First Step

In August 2019, I decided to take on a 90-day alcohol-free challenge. Instead of hangovers, I filled my mornings with long walks and audiobooks. I began journaling. I practiced self-compassion. I started appreciating myself, not for what I wanted to change, but for who I already was.

Entering the Gym (Scary but Worth It)

Almost two years later, in July 2021 (age 47!), I stepped into a gym for the very first time. With the support of a PT, I faced what felt terrifying at first. But I stuck with it. Slowly, it became part of my routine. And eventually, I loved it. Exercise became a way of life, and the confidence I felt was incredible.

The Surprise Transformation

I looked back through old photos, my FitBit data, and my journals. I was stunned. I hadn’t been paying attention to the numbers… but I’d lost 20kg.

But here’s the thing: the physical transformation was only half of it. The mental and emotional transformation blew me away even more. Looking back, I could see how much I had grown, not just in body, but in mind and spirit.

It Was Never About the Number

What I learned is this: it was never really about a tangible goal. It was about a feeling. The feeling of enjoying the process, the feeling of waking up proud of the choices I’d made, the feeling of becoming the best version of me, step by step.

Do I sometimes miss alcohol or indulgent food? Sure. But the way I feel now—the energy, the clarity, the confidence far outweighs my old lifestyle by miles.