Looking back on my own weight loss journey, there is one KEY lesson that I *WISH* I had known prior to losing weight…

You see, for SO LONG I thought that the only way to successfully lose weight was to be absolutely PERFECT with my nutrition and workouts.

I though that I could NEVER enjoy dessert or pizza or wine to successfully lose weight.

I thought I had to eat lean protein and fruits and veggies for every.single.meal 24/7.

I had this false idea that I had to spend hours in the gym (multiple times a week) to see results.

And I thought that every Sunday, I needed to dedicate the entire day to meal prep.

And boy was I WRONG. On all 4 accounts.

The BIGGEST lesson I learned on my own journey to health was that I did NOT need to be perfect in order to successfully lose weight. Not at all.

I just needed to consistent and patient.

I did NOT, in fact, need to spend hours in the gym to successfully lose weight. Finding 20-30 minutes for short workouts was enough for me to see results.

Was I able to still ENJOY my favorite foods, like pasta and dessert and wine, and still lose weight! YES! However, I was mindful of my portion sizes and chose to eat them less often that I previously had.

Lastly, I did NOT need to spend hours in the kitchen on a Sunday meal prepping. I simply needed to be sure I had enough healthy food options at home that were easy and convenient to grab.

Did I lose weight a bit slower than if I had done some extreme diet? YES! But it was sustainable long-term AND I enjoyed my life! THat’s a WIN-WIN in my book!

Here’s my point: If you’re MISERABLE while trying to lose weight because you’re depriving yourself, or you’re doing some fad diet that promises quick results, then ask yourself this: Is it *really* worth it?

Wouldn’t you rather make changes that promote long-term success AND enjoy your life while losing weight?!