I Lost Nearly 100 Pounds—Here’s How I Stay in Shape Without Thinking About It

Meaningful Movement

Takeaway: Staying in shape doesn’t have to feel like a grind forever. After losing nearly 100 pounds, I built simple, repeatable systems—like automating meals, enjoying daily movement, and managing my environment—that make fitness easy to maintain. If it feels hard right now, it’s just because you haven’t built your system yet.

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I Lost Nearly 100 Pounds—Here’s How I Stay in Shape Without Thinking About It

There’s this belief out there that staying in shape means grinding every day.
Like the only way to keep the weight off is to stay in peak motivation mode forever.

Let’s stop pretending that’s sustainable.

Because motivation fades. Life gets messy. You get busy, tired, distracted.

And if your health depends on sheer willpower, you’re eventually going to lose.

Willpower isn’t a plan. It’s a countdown.

What I’ve learned—both through my own journey and helping hundreds of clients—is this:

If you want lasting success, stop trying to rely on effort… and start building systems.

Do the work once. Set up a game plan that’s repeatable. Make the right choice the easy one.

That’s how I stay in shape without having to think about it every day.

1. I built a routine of movement I actually enjoy

I used to treat workouts like a punishment. Something I had to suffer through to earn my results.

Now? I’ve built a routine that feels like a reward.

Lifting weights gives me energy. Walking clears my head. Dancing brings me joy. I don’t force movement—I’ve designed my lifestyle around it.

Pause.
I didn’t find this overnight. I built it.

The key is, I did the work upfront to figure out what I enjoy, what fits my schedule, and what leaves me feeling better—not worse. Now movement happens almost on autopilot. It’s not another to-do list item. It’s just part of who I am.

2. I eat on a repeatable meal rotation

At home, my meals are boring in the best way.

I’ve got 3–5 go-to meals I cycle through. They’re balanced, satisfying, and take almost no brainpower to prep.

Most people try to meal plan for excitement.
I meal plan for freedom.

Years ago, I spent time testing recipes, dialing in portions, and tracking what worked. Now, I don’t have to think about what’s for dinner—it’s already decided.

And no, I don’t get bored. Because my meals aren’t supposed to be my entertainment—my life is.

That’s the payoff of doing the work upfront: less stress, fewer decisions, better results.

3. I know which indulgences are worth it—and which ones aren’t

When it comes to treats, I don’t believe in restriction. I believe in discernment.

If I’m going to indulge, I want it to be something special. A dessert from a restaurant where the chef knows what they’re doing. A homemade favorite I only get once a year. Something that feels worth it.

You don't need fewer treats.
You need fewer compromises.

But if it’s a stale donut in the office breakroom? A microwaved appetizer I don’t even really like?

I’ve trained myself to recognize that the tradeoff just isn’t worth it. And here’s the thing—saying no doesn’t drain me anymore, because I made the decision ahead of time. I already know how to choose. No guilt. No drama. Just a plan.

4. I don’t keep “snack traps” in the house

I know myself. If there’s an open bag of something crunchy and salty in the pantry, I’ll find it. Especially at night when decision fatigue is high and my guard is low.

Design beats discipline—every time.

So I set up my environment in a way that supports my goals.

Fruits and veggies? Sure. Snacks that require prep? Totally fine. But anything that can be mindlessly grabbed and devoured in two seconds doesn’t make it into the cart. Or if it has to be in the house (hello, kids), it’s stashed in a place that’s harder to reach.

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about removing friction from the right choice—and adding friction to the wrong one.

5. I track things… loosely

There was a time when I tracked everything I ate. Every calorie. Every macro. For 10 years straight.

These days, I still track—but it’s a lighter touch. I track meals most of the time. I weigh myself once every few weeks. If things are trending the wrong way, I tighten things up for a bit.

The less you have to track, the more you can trust yourself.
That’s the real win.

But I’m not stressed. Because the system is already in place. I know how to track, how to course correct, and how to stay in control—without obsessing.

Try This: Build Your Own Repeatable System

Here are three things you can do this week to start laying the foundation:

1. Pick one meal to automate.
   Choose a breakfast, lunch, or dinner you already enjoy that’s high in protein and easy to prep. Make it your default at least 3–4 times this week.

2. Set up your environment.
   Look around your kitchen. Are there snacks that tend to derail you? Put them out of sight (or toss them if you can). Then stock up on go-to options like fruit, yogurt, or pre-prepped veggies that are just as easy to grab.

3. Choose your “effortless” movement.
   What’s one type of movement you don’t dread? Walking? Stretching? Dancing around the living room? Do it for just 10 minutes a day this week. Bonus points if it feels fun.

These steps are small, but they compound. Stick with them, and pretty soon, they’ll become the system you don’t have to think about.

Here’s the big takeaway:

If staying in shape feels like a full-time job right now, that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.

It just means you’re still in the “building phase.”

But once your habits are in place—once the systems are set up—the effort drops, and the results stick.

You don’t have to fight for it every day. You just have to build something worth repeating.

So if you’re tired of feeling like your health is another job…

Build it once.
Let it work for you—especially on the days you don’t want to.

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P.S. If you want to chat about building out your repeatable fitness lifestyle, click here to schedule a no-pressure chat.