Downplaying the hard work of weight loss

Last weekend, I saw 2 friends who’ve recently lost a noticeable amount of weight – one lost about 45 pounds!  OK so first of all, I want to take a moment to say “BRAVO!” Because that’s a significant achievement. Well done!

However, I also can’t stop thinking about it.

When asked about it, one said that they “just stopped drinking alcohol” and that was pretty much it. Another friend who lost weight during COVID “just started running,” another “just fixed her hormones” and another “just stayed consistent.”

What gets me is that every time someone makes these significant changes, it always seems to start with “just.” It downplays what they did and the hard work they put into it. Plus, it makes it seem effortless.

It can’t be effortless.

It just can’t be!

You can’t “just cut out soda,” “just walk 8,000 miles a day,” or “just forget to eat because you’re too busy.”

But every time I read a story (especially in January, “new year, new you!”) or talk to someone about their weight loss journey, it’s always simplified to a “just.”

I equate this to how social media posts always make someone’s life look glamorous because you don’t see the tears, worries and struggles of life. You don’t really ever hear that weight loss was hard, that it took months or years, it took extreme focus or willpower to change their habits, etc.  

So what if you already don’t drink a lot of alcohol, soda, or coffee with cream and sugar? What if you can’t run 6 miles a day, workout for 2 hours or have time to walk 8,000 steps a day? What if you can’t keep junk food out of the house because your family will revolt? What if there isn’t one thing you can “just” change?

What then?

I think everyone is looking for “the one thing” that will suddenly make things click and then the weight comes off. Or maybe that’s just me?

But as you know, I work out frequently, try to cut out added sugar, work on eating healthily, am doing my best to take care of myself, all while being a working mom.

I’d really love to hear stories of people doubting themselves, grueling work, cutting out their favorite foods, etc., and still not figuring it out. Then one day, they realized X, did Y, put in lots of hard work and only THEN were able to lose weight.

Not a magic bullet, but whatever that final puzzle piece is. What is it? Because whatever it is, I’m surely not finding it yet.  But I’ll keep trying. One day, it will be me! Because… why not me?

Am I the only one who gets the message that losing weight should be easy but then still can’t seem to figure it out? I’d love to hear your journey, your story or your thoughts too– please comment below!