Setbacks to Success: my Story of Wellness and Resilience
Obstacles are inevitable on any journey, and I recently faced one of my own—a little weight gain. It was disheartening, but instead of letting it defeat me, I sat down with Anne Margaret Perry at Altranais Wellness to figure out what was going on in my life. Together, we uncovered some specific areas where I could make adjustments to get back on track.
Identifying the Challenges
1. Changes in Meal Planning
Downsizing to a smaller kitchen changed how I prep meals, and as a result, I wasn’t getting enough protein in my diet. Anne and I discussed ways to supplement this, and I made some strategic changes:
Adding protein bars to my snacks.
Reassessing meals to include multiple protein sources. For example, my lunch salads now include chicken, turkey bacon, and a hard-boiled egg.
Incorporating protein supplements into my water for an extra boost.
2. Reduced Water Intake
Another change was my water consumption. Working remotely disrupted my old routine, and I realized I was drinking far less water than before. To fix this, I committed to actively drinking 48 oz (about 1.42 L) of water daily. Adding protein supplements to my water helped me tackle both hydration and protein needs at the same time.
3. Decreased Movement
Transitioning from an urban lifestyle to a rural one impacted my daily activity. Walking my dog used to be a simple 30-minute activity, but now I need to drive to a walking trail, making movement less spontaneous. This reduced activity not only affected my weight loss but also took a toll on my mental health. I realized that the endorphins from a regular walk were critical to maintaining a positive mindset.
Reframing the Setback
At first, I felt defeated. Words like “failure” and “quitter” crept into my mind, but I knew I couldn’t let them take root. This wasn’t a loss—it was a lesson. I hadn’t failed; I had learned. I hadn’t quit; I just needed to pivot.
By focusing on gratitude, I found motivation to continue. Every small gain, whether it’s knowledge, new habits, or inches lost, is a victory worth celebrating.
Finding Grace and Moving Forward
The past few weeks have been challenging, and this transition didn’t go as smoothly as I had hoped. But instead of dwelling on what didn’t go right, I’m giving myself grace, resetting, and moving forward. Encouragement from Anne and the team at Altranais Wellness has been invaluable, but I also realized that I need to be my own biggest advocate and cheerleader.
And while I didn’t lose pounds, I shed an inch off my waist—proof that progress comes in many forms!
To anyone reading this who’s struggling with setbacks: remember, they aren’t the end of the journey. They’re simply opportunities to learn, grow, and realign your goals.
Gratefully,
Kristen
(GLP-1 user and Altranais Wellness client)
