Losing fat. Seems simple enough, right? Just eat less, move more, and—boom—you’re suddenly thinner, fitter, healthier. If only it were that easy. If you’re like me, you quickly discover that the journey is far more complicated than it looks from the outside. It’s full of bumps, learning curves, and plenty of self-discovery. So, what do I wish I knew before I started losing fat?
First off, let’s get something straight: it’s not just about the scale. If your whole focus is on watching those numbers drop, you’re going to get disappointed. I’ve been there. Every morning, I’d step on the scale with my fingers crossed, hoping to see a new low. But here’s the truth—the scale doesn’t tell the full story. Sometimes, it’s about feeling lighter, more energetic, or simply at peace with your body. Those are the wins that don’t always show up in digits
The Truth About Progress
Here’s a hard pill to swallow: fat loss is slow. And when you’re in the thick of it, that can feel like a lifetime. I was once under the impression that I’d see results fast, the way you do in those perfect Instagram posts or the shiny weight loss blogs. Spoiler alert: That doesn’t happen
At first, I dropped a few pounds quickly, and it felt great! But then… boom. Plateau. My body hit a wall, and those stubborn areas—hips, thighs, stomach—just wouldn’t budge. It was infuriating. I almost quit a few times. But the body? It’s a sneaky thing. It adapts, it resists, and it forces you to be patient. Fat loss is a slow burn, not a quick flicker
Food Isn’t the Enemy
Ah, food. Let’s talk about that. I used to treat food like the enemy. I bought into the low-carb hype and cut out bread, pasta, rice… the works. And guess what? I felt miserable. Sure, I might’ve lost a few pounds, but at what cost? I missed pizza. I missed pasta. I missed the simple joy of a sandwich on a lazy Sunday. And let’s be honest—life’s too short to skip pizza
What I wish I’d realized earlier is that you don’t have to demonize entire food groups to lose fat. It’s all about balance. Moderation. Mindful eating. If I had stopped obsessing over every calorie, I might have enjoyed my meals more and not felt like I was battling myself with every bite
The Emotional Rollercoaster
Here’s the thing: losing fat isn’t just physical. It’s emotional. For years, I tied my worth to what I saw in the mirror or the number on the scale. But here’s the kicker: as the weight came off, I realized that my emotional baggage didn’t magically disappear with it. In fact, it became clearer
I wasn’t expecting to face my insecurities, fears, and self-doubt in the process. Fat loss won’t change how you feel about yourself overnight. If anything, it might make you confront those feelings more than ever. And that’s okay. It’s part of the journey
It’s About Consistency, Not Perfection
Let’s talk about consistency. It’s easy to expect perfection—especially in today’s world where we’re bombarded with perfect before-and-after photos. But if you’re aiming for perfection, you’re setting yourself up for burnout
Trust me, I’ve had my off days. I’ve eaten too much, skipped a workout, let stress take over my plans. But you know what? That’s okay. What matters isn’t being perfect every day. It’s about showing up consistently. A missed workout? No big deal. Overindulging at dinner? Let it go. What really matters is getting back on track the next day. The little choices you make each day—those add up
The Power of Small Wins
Motivation. It’s easy to get bogged down by the big picture—looking at where you want to be and feeling like you’re nowhere near. But what kept me going was celebrating the small wins along the way
I stopped waiting for that moment when I hit my goal weight and instead started appreciating what I could control:
- I felt stronger after my workouts
- I slept better at night
- I wasn’t out of breath climbing the stairs anymore
These small victories kept me on track. Fat loss isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. If you’re not celebrating your progress along the way, you’ll burn out long before you see any big changes
Be Kind to Yourself
And the last piece of advice? Be kind to yourself. I know, it sounds cliché, but it’s the truth. We can be our harshest critics, scrutinizing ourselves for every misstep. Losing fat is tough, and there will be days you feel like you’ve failed. But remember, you’re still showing up. You’re still pushing through
So, what do I wish I knew before I started losing fat? It’s simple: It’s not a straight path. The number on the scale doesn’t define success. It’s about consistency, patience, and learning to enjoy the process—even when it feels like a mess
If you’re just starting your journey, take a deep breath. You’ve got this. Along the way, you’ll discover more about yourself than you ever expected. And in the end, you’ll come out stronger—both physically and emotionally
