I Gained 4 Pounds - Here's Why I Didn't Panic (And What I Did Instead)
Last week, I stepped on the scale and saw a four-pound increase. A few years ago, this number would have sent me into an immediate spiral of restriction, punishment, and self-criticism. But this time was different. Here's what happened – and why it matters for your journey.
The Old Story
You probably know this scenario all too well. The moment the scale shows a gain:
• Immediate panic sets in
• Negative self-talk begins
• Strict food rules are put in place
• Exercise becomes punishment
• Monday becomes the magical "start over" day
Sound familiar?
The Shift That Changed Everything
Instead of falling into that familiar pattern of restriction and self-punishment, I did something radical: I got curious.
I opened my journal and asked myself three simple questions:
What's been going on in my life lately?
How am I feeling emotionally?
What do I really need right now?
What My Body Was Really Saying
As I thought about it, I noticed some patterns:
I'd been working longer hours
My walks had disappeared
Meals were rushed between calls
Stress levels were higher than usual
I was putting pressure on myself to get things done
The weight gain wasn't the problem. It was sending a message.
The Message in the Gain
Your body is constantly communicating with you. Weight fluctuations aren't always about food or exercise – they're often signals about:
Stress levels
Sleep quality
Emotional needs
Self-care or lack of it
A New Approach to Weight Gain
Instead of punishing myself with restriction, I made small adjustments:
Added a short morning walk
Added breaks to my calendar
Took time for Pilates
Reminded myself that the important things WILL get done (even when I take a break)
No dramatic changes. No strict plans. No self-judgment. Just awareness and small adjustments.
Why This Matters for You
This approach represents an important shift in how we think about weight and health:
Old Thinking:
Weight gain = failure
My body is the enemy
I have to restrict to "fix" it
Start over on Monday
All or nothing approach
New Thinking:
Weight fluctuations = information
Body is giving feedback
Listen and adjust
Small changes add up
How to Use This in Your Life
The next time you notice weight gain or overeating, try this approach:
First, just hit the pause button.
No jumping into a crazy diet. No beating yourself up. No "I'll start Monday" promises.
Just take a breath and give yourself a minute to check in.
Think of it like this - if your best friend told you she gained weight, you wouldn't immediately hand her a meal plan and tell her to hit the gym, right? You'd probably ask her how she's doing and what's been going on in her life.
Give yourself that same grace.
The Bigger Picture
Sustainable weight loss isn't about:
Perfect eating
Strict rules
Punishing yourself
Constantly starting over
It's about:
Listening to your body
Responding with compassion
Making small adjustments
Building trust with yourself
Your Next Step
Look, here's the thing... You and your body? You're on the same team.
Instead of going to war with yourself every Monday (we've all been there!), what if you tried being friends with your body instead?
No more:
Punishing yourself with crazy diets
Feeling guilty about every cookie
Fighting your body at every turn
Treating yourself like the enemy
Because honestly? Your body's not trying to sabotage you - it's actually trying to help! It's like that friend who keeps it real with you, even when you don't want to hear it 😉
Ready to stop the whole "love-hate relationship with food" thing?
Let's chat! Click this link and we'll talk about how you can finally get off the diet roller coaster (without giving up your favorite foods or living at the gym).
Because between you and me? Life's too short for another Monday morning diet.
