Dirty 30 and Determined: My Journey to Health

I turned 30 this year, and with that milestone came a realization—I need to start taking my weight and health more seriously. For the first time, it’s hitting me that maintaining a healthy weight isn’t something that just happens. It takes real effort, and I’ve been learning that the hard way. Every year, I set the same goal: lose weight and finally feel confident in my skin. But every year, I end up at the same weight, if not more.

You’d think that would be enough motivation to shed the extra pounds, but if I’m honest with myself, I haven’t truly given it my all. I didn’t want to make the necessary sacrifices. I wasn’t willing to feel a little hungry or uncomfortable. I wasn’t ready to accept that this is a lifestyle, not a quick fix. It’s not something I do temporarily, only to go back to eating whatever I want later.

My journey so far has been full of ups and downs, with no lasting results. But at 30, I’ve finally accepted the life changes I need to make if I want to feel comfortable in my own skin. It’s even harder now that I’m older, but I’m ready to embrace this as a lifelong change. Even though I haven’t reached my goal yet, I’m reminding myself of what I’ve learned along the way. These tips are here to keep me on track and serve as a reminder that this journey is ongoing—and will be for the rest of my life.

I’ll be sharing everything from the tips and tricks I pick up along the way, to my moments of failure and guilt, and even some of my favorite recipes. I know I’m not alone in this struggle, so if you’re trying to make a lifestyle change too, maybe we can figure it out together. This blog is a way for me to stay accountable, and hopefully, it can help others find what works for them along the way.

Reminders to Myself:

• This is the year. No more excuses; this is the beginning of my lifelong commitment.

• Drink more water. I know how much better I feel when I’m hydrated. I need to make it a priority.

• Prep meals and portion them out. Those 10 oz cups are so helpful—I need to stick to that.

• Measure or weigh ingredients. Eyeballing portions never works—I have to get it right by measuring.

• Eat small meals throughout the day. It keeps my energy up and helps prevent overeating later.

• Don’t ignore cravings—just limit them. I know I’ll binge if I restrict too much. A little treat is okay, just don’t go overboard.

• Avoid drinking calories. I need to remember how easy it is to consume more calories than I realize through drinks.

• Always have fruit handy for my sweet tooth. It’s a better alternative than diving into sugary snacks.

• Balance carbs and protein. Carbs give me energy, but protein helps me stay fuller longer. I need to make sure both are part of my meals.

• Don’t keep snacks around the house. I know how tempting they are when they’re just sitting there.

• Make healthier choices when eating out. This is tough, but I just need to make small improvements where I can.

I may not have figured it all out yet, but I’ve come to realize that this is about more than just weight loss—it’s about building a healthier lifestyle. These reminders are here to help me stay consistent and focused, even when progress feels slow. I’ll continue to share what works, what doesn’t, and everything in between. Maybe by sharing my journey, we can both discover what works best for us, one step at a time.