Starting My Weight Loss Journey – One Simple Step at a Time

I’ve been here before. I can’t even count how many times I’ve said, “This is it. This time I’m going to lose the weight.” And every time, I’ve failed. In the past, I’d set goals that were impossible to sustain—like eating only 500 calories a day or working out seven days a week. I’d think, “Why isn’t this working? What’s wrong with me?” The problem wasn’t me; it was the way I was going about it. I was always chasing fast results, like trying to fit into that perfect outfit for a wedding or vacation just a few weeks away.

But this time feels different. I’m not chasing a deadline or some quick fix. I’m not trying to impress anyone but myself. This time, I’m focused on something I’ve never really given much thought to before—making changes that actually work for me. Changes that are realistic. Changes that I can sustain.

This week, I’m starting simple. I’m starting with water.

It might sound small, but it’s a big deal. Our bodies need water to function, and staying hydrated is essential to feeling better overall. They say that if you’re already thirsty, it’s a sign you’re dehydrated, and I know I’ve gone too many days neglecting something as basic as drinking enough water.

There are apps out there that can tell you exactly how much water you should drink in a day based on your body weight, activity level, and goals. But for now, I’m not stressing about hitting the perfect number. My goal for this week is simple: drink at least 8 cups of water every day. For someone like me, who hasn’t been prioritizing water at all, this is a huge step.

And if you’re like me—if you’re someone who struggles with this—start where you’re at. If you only drink 2 or 3 cups of water a day, don’t try to jump straight to 8. Start with 4. Build up slowly. That’s what this journey is about—building small, manageable habits that lead to lasting change.

To make sure I stick to it, I bought a water bottle from Amazon to help me keep track of my daily goal. If you don’t have the extra money to spend on a water bottle.. I get it. Just use your phone to set an alarm every hour to remind you to drink. A gentle vibration to remind you to stop what you are doing and take a second to help yourself. Life gets busy, and sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves, so this little reminder will help me stay on track.

For those of you who say you don’t like the taste of water, I get it. There are ways to make it easier, though—like adding flavorings, or infusing it with fruit or cucumber slices. You don’t need some fancy, expensive water bottle to get the job done, either. Just find something big enough to hold a good amount of water so you’re not constantly running to refill (unless you’re looking to add extra steps to your day!). At work, I know I don’t always have time to run back and forth to the water cooler, so I’m making sure I’m prepared.

I’ve learned that being dehydrated puts unnecessary stress on your kidneys, and we want to take care of them, don’t we? Think of drinking water as an internal workout for your organs—keeping them healthy, just like you’re working to keep the outside healthy too.

If you don’t like or trust your tap water, there are options. You can buy spring water in bulk if you’re near places like Costco or Sam’s Club, or invest in a filter for your home or a pitcher with a filter. There’s really no excuse not to do it.

So, friends, let’s get started together. If your baseline is 3 cups of water a day, challenge yourself to get to 6 or 8. Just a little more than what you’re used to. Focus on this one step until it becomes part of your routine, and then move on to the next.

We’ve got this. We can do this. One small, intentional step at a time. Let’s build healthy habits, together.

Let’s build this, friends. We will be successful!