It’s been a while since my last update on my health and weight loss journey. With the holiday season and the chaos of getting back into a routine, I’ve found it hard to sit down and reflect on how things have been going. But, now that I’ve had some time to breathe, I thought it was the perfect moment to update you all on where I stand. Unfortunately, things aren’t exactly where I’d hoped they’d be, but I’m determined to keep moving forward.

Last Update: A Snapshot of Where I Was

Last time I checked in with you all, I was feeling positive despite the inevitable weight fluctuations that come with the holiday season. I had set some realistic expectations for myself, but it was still a challenge.

Weight: 13st 1.4lbs
Fitness: 10 minutes of running within 30 minutes on the treadmill

In the lead-up to Christmas, I knew that there would be indulgences, but I had hoped I could avoid gaining too much weight. I did end up gaining, which was pretty much expected, but I was relieved to find that it wasn’t as much as I had feared. I paused my exercise routine over the holidays, indulged in more food, and let go of any strict diet rules for a bit. It was bound to affect my weight, and it did. The challenge, however, came after the holidays, when it took far longer than I anticipated to get back to where I was before.

Current Weight and Fitness Status: Not Where I Want to Be

Weight: 12st 12.8lbs
Fitness: Struggling

So here we are in the present, and unfortunately, things aren’t looking as good as I’d hoped. Although the scale shows a slight decrease, I feel frustrated with my progress. Over the past month, my husband and I thought we’d discovered the perfect lunch solution. We found these amazing noodle pots at the supermarket that claimed to be low-calorie and super quick to prepare. They seemed ideal—tasty, convenient, and supposedly diet-friendly. The best part? My husband actually started losing weight, which seemed like a great sign.

But me? Not so much. In fact, I found myself gaining weight rather than shedding it. Despite cutting down on snacks, working out, and controlling portion sizes, I couldn’t figure out why the numbers on the scale weren’t budging. After some reflection, I realized that the noodle pots might be the culprit. They seemed like a harmless, low-calorie option, but I couldn’t ignore the possibility that they were having an unintended effect on my metabolism.

The Solution: Going Back to Basics

So, what’s the solution? For now, I’ve decided to ditch the noodle pots and go back to the lunches we used to have. Simple, wholesome meals like jacket potatoes with ham or salads. I’m hopeful that this change will help get me back on track, but I’m also aware that it might take time to see results. If this doesn’t work, I honestly don’t know what I’ll do next, but I’m staying positive and open to finding the right approach.

Fitness Setbacks: An Unexpected Challenge

Fitness has been another major challenge recently. For the past few weeks, I’ve been unable to exercise due to an injury, and let me tell you, it’s been so frustrating! I was on the treadmill one day when I started feeling a sharp pull in my left foot arch. It hurt when I walked but not when I was running—so, of course, I kept running. In hindsight, that was probably not the best decision. The pain didn’t go away, and I ended up hurting my foot further.

One weekend, my husband and I tried to go for a walk, but after just a short distance, I had to turn back. The pain in my foot was unbearable. After talking to my husband about it, he suspected that I might have plantar fasciitis—a condition he’d struggled with for about a year. He advised me to rest and not push it any further before the injury worsened.

So, I’ve been taking a break from exercise. It’s been tough because I love working out and it’s such a big part of my routine. But I know that rest is essential if I want to recover properly. The hardest part is not knowing when I’ll be able to start exercising again.

How Will I Know When I’m Ready to Get Back to It?

I’ve decided that I’ll listen to my body and gauge how I feel each day. Specifically, I’ve been paying close attention to how my foot feels when I walk my youngest son, LP, to school in the morning. If it hurts, I know I need to keep resting. If it feels better, I’ll start slowly and ease back into exercise. Only time will tell, but I’m hopeful that with patience and proper care, I’ll be able to return to my workout routine soon.

Looking Forward

Despite the setbacks, I’m staying positive. Weight loss and fitness are journeys, not races, and I know that things won’t always go as planned. I’m learning to adapt and make changes when needed, whether it’s swapping meals or taking a break to heal. This month’s update may not be the best, but I’m committed to making progress and staying motivated.

Thank you for following my journey. I’ll continue to share my ups and downs with you, and I’m hopeful that next month’s update will bring better news. Let’s keep supporting each other in our health and wellness goals—after all, we’re all in this together!