11/20/2025
I currently weigh 8 pounds heavier in the picture on the right, about one year later from the photo on the left. Last November I was gearing up to start my health coaching business. I had a photo shoot scheduled and wanted to get lean for it. My goal was to lose about 5 pounds, which I reached and exceeded in about 3 months. Once I got that lean, I’m not going to lie, I liked it and tried my hardest to maintain it post photo shoot. But what I learned the hard way, for me being that lean is only meant for a season. I was under eating for my activity level for way too long. Food noise became much louder for me, and to maintain my scale weight I had to keep reducing my macros and then would end up overeating at times to compensate. It became an unhealthy cycle. After getting a Dexa scan done in June, I realized I really needed to gain more muscle, not get more lean. The technician mentioned my ALMI (Appendicular Lean Mass) could be higher—especially according to Peter Attia 😜 He says he wants his patients north of the 75th percentile. I was around the 50th. So I knew I had some work to do and the only way to get there was to gain weight. And so I got serious about it in August and slowly have increased my food intake. Has it been difficult seeing the scale keep rising? Yes. Are there days I feel “fluffy”? Yes. But you know what makes it easier? Going up in my lifts weekly, high energy, better moods, better digestion, better sleep and a less food focused mindset. I share this to encourage anyone who is questioning whether they should lose that last 5-10 pounds. What if instead of pursuing fat loss this January, you focus on adding muscle? Instead of being in a mode of deprivation, let’s switch to what can we add? Muscle, food, energy…imagine the possibilities! 💪❤️ If you want to grow more muscle in 2026, reach out to me. I would love to help you and can learn from my mistakes 😊
