Let’s talk about something we’ve all been through—those last few pounds that just won’t budge. I was so frustrated! I’d already lost 20 pounds, but those final 5 were clinging to me like a bad habit. Picture this: I’m at the gym, working out, and I keep having to adjust my workout pants mid-squat so I don’t flash my “plumber’s butt” to everyone. Not my finest moment! After my workout, I went into the bathroom and realized why—my pants were too big! I hadn’t weighed myself in a couple of weeks, so I wasn’t paying close attention. Honestly, I’d kind of given up on those last 5 pounds, chalking them up as “vanity pounds.” I even told myself, “Forget it, Sharise, just focus on your health” (yes, I talk to myself—you should see the arguments I have in my head, don’t judge!). But man, when I realized those stubborn pounds had finally melted off and even my workout pants were too big, it felt like a victory worth celebrating. Here’s how I did it—without all the usual diet nonsense.

What I Didn’t Do👎

I’ve tried all the diet tricks in the book, but this time, I said no to the usual suspects. Here’s what I didn’t do to shed those last 5 pounds:

• I didn’t count calories—been there, done that. It didn’t last, but my math skills got a serious workout!
• I didn’t measure my food in those cute, colored cups—yeah, I tried that too, and it felt like I was playing kitchen Tetris.
• I didn’t avoid animal products—sorry, not sorry, I love my grass-fed meats and pastured eggs.
• I didn’t avoid fat—in fact, I thoroughly enjoyed good fats like grass-fed butter and olive oil (check out my piece One Big Fat Lie for the real scoop on why fats aren’t the enemy!).
• I didn’t starve myself—because who has time for hanger-induced meltdowns?

What I Did Instead 👍

So, what worked for me? I took a different approach—one that honored my body, my faith, and my sanity. Here’s a peek at what I did:

• Listened to My Body—I paid attention to when I was truly hungry and when I was satisfied. No more eating by the clock or forcing myself to finish a plate. If I wasn’t hungry, I didn’t eat—simple as that.
• Focused on Health, Not Weight—I shifted my mindset to eating for nourishment, not just to drop pounds. That meant whole foods like grass-fed meats, pastured eggs, and organic veggies—foods God designed for us, not the processed junk the diet industry pushes.
• Got 7-8 Hours of Sleep—Sleep is a game-changer! I made it a priority to rest, knowing my body heals and balances itself when I’m not running on fumes.
• Moved My Body—I kept up my workouts, but I didn’t overdo it. A mix of strength training, walking, and stretching kept me active without burning out.
• Practiced Spiritual Self-Care—I leaned into my faith, spending time in prayer and gratitude. This wasn’t just about my body—it was about my soul. When I felt grounded in God’s peace, the stress-eating urges faded away.
• Let go of the scale obsession—I stopped fixating on the pounds and zeroed in on what losing weight really meant to me: vibrant health, boundless energy, and feeling amazing inside and out. I shifted my focus to those goals, not just the number on the scale. By trusting and honoring my body as God made it, I let go of my grip on the weight—and wouldn’t you know, the weight let go of me too! You know what they say: what you resist, persists. Turns out, releasing the outcome set me free.

And just like that, those last 5 pounds I’d held onto for years finally melted away. No fad diets, no misery—just real, sustainable changes.

Finding What Works for You

Here’s the truth—there’s no one-size-fits-all diet or exercise plan, no matter what the latest guru says. What works for one person doesn’t always work for another. But there are solid, sound nutritional principles and lifestyle practices that can benefit everyone, and one of the biggest is figuring out what works for you. It’s about listening to your body, honoring how God made you, and getting the support you need to reach your goals.

If you’re ready to ditch the diet drama and find what truly works for you on your health or weight loss journey, I’d love to help! Want to dive deeper into living with intention and unstoppable wellness? Check out my coaching programs—get on the waitlists to start transforming your life!

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Inspired by a life of truth, faith, and letting go