Tips for losing weight and getting fit – according to someone who lost 100 lbs

With all of the quick solutions for weight loss on the market, it can be so tempting to pay the money for a shot, a pill, or even surgery. I understand that for some people this route is the one that makes sense but I urge you to try natural routes before medical ones if it’s an option. 

I lost 100 pounds through diet and exercise and maintained that weight loss for about 6 years. Unfortunately, life happened and I did recently gain about 20 of that back so I am once again on a weight loss journey – granted not a major one. 

After hitting my 100 lb weight loss goal in 2017 I went on a wild fitness journey and ultimately became a competitive obstacle course racer and trail runner. I competed in over 50 obstacle course races and also completed a 50K Ultramarathon. 

In 2022 I was racing multiple times a month and stress got the best of me. I was overtrained and burnt out. I honestly wouldn’t trade my 2022 experience for anything though. I made great friends, traveled to new places, and tested my limits. 

However, our bodies and minds eventually need rest and mine decided that mid-2023 was the time for it. After losing a grandparent, dealing with a sick parent, and struggling with a lost pregnancy, my body and mind said no thanks to working out and eating healthy. 

I was so in love with my health and fitness journey that I honestly never thought I would lose my passion for it but it happened and that’s okay. I took a year of rest but now I am ready to get back to it. I don’t need to be the ultra-lean and over-trained athlete I was before but I do want to get my fitness back and be able to fit back into my clothes comfortably which will require losing weight and working out regularly.

All that being said, since I am on the journey again as well, I wanted to share my tips and tricks for losing weight and getting fit. I’ve done it naturally before, and I bet you can too. I’ll admit, I looked into the shots but it’s not for me. I have done it before and there is no reason I can’t do it again. 

Here are my top 3 tips for losing weight and getting fit in 2025. 

Tip #1 – Find what works for you 

Take some time to experiment and find out what type of diet and workout plan works for you because what works for and motivates one person may not work for or motivate another. Also, what went well for you in the past may not be what goes well for you in the present. 

Try different gyms, workout classes, meal plans, and tracking apps. Variety is the spice of life so you may even find that you like switching up what you are doing every couple of months. Seriously, do whatever works. 

I recently left the group training gym I was attending because it just wasn’t making me excited anymore. I am a certified running coach so I am now just writing my run programming and using my home gym to lift. I also plan to hop into some local run club group runs because socializing in a way that supports your journey can make a huge difference. 

If you are a female and are planning to get really into fitness I would highly recommend you read the book Roar, it provides tons of insight into how the female body works and how to get the most out of your body,

Tip #2 – Make it social 

As I mentioned, socializing in a way that benefits your health and fitness journey can be extremely beneficial. I have a PhD in social psychology and have learned a lot about how social support can make or break your fitness journey. 

You don’t have to get rid of your friends who don’t want to workout or meal prep with you but it’s very helpful to find ones that do. Having a support system that will encourage you to move your body and fuel it well can help your progress. 

Consider joining local running or hiking groups or attending group classes where you can make friends to spend time with outside of the gym as well. Sometimes it helps to be able to brainstorm meals and workout plans with other people. It’s also helpful to just be able to relate to someone.

Sometimes a weight loss journey can be a lonely one so having someone who understands what you’re going through can keep you on track. You can even invite friends and family over to meal prep with you or invite them to go on hikes or bike rides.

You might motivate someone that you didn’t even know needed motivation and change both their life and yours. 

Tip #3 – Engage in self-monitoring 

Back in the day the most commonly talked about form of self-monitoring was keeping a food and workout journal. Yes, I’m talking pen and paper style. This can still be beneficial but we’re all about the technology nowadays so we may as well use it to our benefit. 

Posting content on social media is a great way to hold yourself accountable. If you make an effort to post videos on social media you are likely to eventually get some type of following (even if it’s 2). The following may look forward to your content to motivate them. So you get to kill two birds with one stone.

By tracking what you are eating and the workouts you are doing you can reflect on what you can do more or less in order to succeed in losing weight and getting fit but you are also giving other people guidance and yourself accountability. 

It’s important to make changes because you want to but having other people who want it for you too can be helpful. Of course, you want to avoid outside pressure to be a certain way as that’s not healthy but there are many positive benefits you can take advantage of when sharing your journey. 

Health and fitness tools I love

While you can definitely succeed without purchasing a bunch of tools and such, there are some things that have been a big part of my journey that I want to share. 

Garmin fitness watch

If you’re planning to get serious about fitness I highly recommend purchasing a Garmin watch. They have many options for all budgets. I love the Garmin Fenix, if you are planning to get into hiking, biking, or running then I highly suggest this one. 

Garmin heart rate monitor

If running or cycling (indoor or out) is calling your name then I suggest you get a heart rate monitor to properly track calorie burn and heart rate. Knowing your heart rate zones as well as your heart rate during workouts will help you to optimize your fitness. Being in the proper heart rate zone for fat burning is a must for weight loss. 

Baleaf biker shorts

I LIVE for these shorts. I wear them hiking, cycling, running, and casually. They are affordable, have no crotch seem (say goodbye to camel toe), and are available in the 5-inch length so you can keep your thighs decently covered. I have multiple pairs of these and have been wearing them for 5 years. 

LMNT

Hydration is super important when you’re working out regularly. I absolutely love LMNT. It’s delicious and loaded with electrolytes. Keep in mind that this is only appropriate for people who are really breaking a sweat. It has high levels of sodium so if you aren’t depleting your electrolytes then there is no need to replenish them to this extent. I am a super salty sweater so I need all the electrolytes possible. 

My Amazon Storefront

You can also check out my Amazon storefront to see my favorite running gear and the home gym equipment that I use and love.