The Fun & Funny Fitness Bitch: I Hit My Goal Weight & Rock a Bikini, But I Still Want Donuts — Help!

Fitness Bit #12 | I hit my goal weight! Now what?

Fitness Bit #12: Eating donuts won’t fill the emotional void & 3 tips on cutting sugar from a pro

Flashback to 2019 at the start of my fitness journey: I’m 5-feet-zero tall. On Day #1 in January, I weighed 127.8 lbs, The morning of day 10 (after my 9-day challenge was announced in Fitness Bit #3) was the naked weigh-in on an empty stomach after I peed and before I ate or drank anything. On Day #10, I weighed 121.8 lbs. I lost six pounds in my first nine days.

About six months into my fitness journey, I hit my goal weight after eating well, walking, exercising regularly, several yoga classes and a set of intense sessions with a personal trainer, and not eating junk food.

By June of that year, I weighed 108.8 lbs and lost a total of 19 pounds!

It was the cleanest I’d eaten for six months straight. Not gonna lie — I caved in the rare time for a donut, cake, or ice cream. And The Bitch at work offered me a cookie, so I accepted. Once.

But I made certain that whatever “junk” I chose to indulge in, I made it worth my while. It had to be good quality, homemade, or delicious. I was extremely self-aware and asked myself if I wanted it because “it was there” on the potluck table or accepted it because it was offered to me for free.

If I accepted the treat, I would need to focus on each bite and savor the moment — not just gobble it down without tasting it because I could have another, like in the good old days.

I made the biggest shift progress-wise after those first six months of my journey. I hit my goals:

1. Goal: I want to lose twenty pounds. (Result: Well, I lost 19, to be exact, but I hit my goal weight of 109lbs)
2. Goal: I want to have more energy and a stronger, healthier body. (Result: I had increased energy and stronger muscles.)
3. Goal: I want to reclaim my feisty spirit and self-confidence. (Result: I felt amazing — I developed self-confidence during the process and hadn’t felt this confident in over a decade. My feisty spirit was reclaimed!)

Exercise is fun! Food control is tough.

The exercise was the “fun & easy part!” Eating right was still a struggle, but because I ate healthily during the first six months, my body became accustomed to eating well, and I craved sugar less. I thought I had quit junk food “for good.”

I ate junk a handful of times during that six-month period. I told myself I could go on forever without eating junk because I regained control of my life and seldom craved sugar.

But deep down, I still craved that relationship with sugar where I treated chocolate cake and apple pie like my best friends.

I longed to be with them over a cup of tea or coffee on the weekends. It was a social outlet, but I also loved sitting alone at a local cafe to indulge in a chocolate croissant, lemon bar, or cheesecake slice because those little pastries of delight gave me pleasure and company.

I knew an occasional treat was okay, but with my binge-like personality, that weekend treat could easily turn into a daily one, and eventually, one treat per day would lead to two or three treats per day.

Gradually, it would lead me back to reclaiming the love handles that I lost — after my six month’s hard work of exercise and healthy eating.

Back to the present

Today, I still struggle with sugar cravings. Last December, I ate loads of junky food and carbs during the Christmas holidays. I ate out instead of cooking because I got lazy. On top of that, I was already feeling anxious and depressed and had low energy because certain emotional triggers were activated during that time of year.

I was filling that melancholy hole with donuts, but I still felt empty no matter how many donuts I ate.

I maintained my weight for the past four years, but I put on over five pounds that month. My belly was bloated, and I felt like crap. I exercised less and spent many days on the couch attached to the tv screen. I didn’t go out for my usual ocean swim that December or the previous month.

The sugar was taking a toll on my life and mental health — again.

When 2023 arrived, I knew I needed to change my diet and take charge — and reclaim the self-confidence I lost over the winter. As I mentioned, I’m not a fitness or health expert, so I asked Fitness & Nutritionist Coach Chrissy Chequer, of 49th Degree Fitness & Nutrition

What are three simple things I can do to get a handle on my sugar addiction?

Here’s what Chrissy said,

1. Keep your home sugar-free. When you have a craving you will eat whatever is available. If sugar isn’t easily accessible you are less likely to give in to the craving.

2. Find healthy alternatives you enjoy. Fruit is a great option because it is full of fiber, water & nutrients. Lower glycemic fruits like blueberries won’t spike your blood sugar much and subside the cravings for sweets. Bananas and applesauce (unsweetened) can be used in baking instead of sugar. This chocolate mousse recipe is my go-to when I’m craving something sweet.

3. Go Cold Turkey. Sugar is addictive and unlike alcohol or cigarettes, it can find itself in our food and social life without us realizing it. But like alcohol and cigarette addictions, sugar must be eliminated completely and lifestyle habits built up against it to break the addiction. Having “just a little here & there” doesn’t work with addictive substances.

Living sugar-free isn’t easy, but it is possible. I used to be addicted to sugar but didn’t know it until I gave it up and faced the withdrawal symptoms. Here is my story.

Thank you, Chrissy — you are a huge source of inspiration for me! Because I know you personally, I can confirm that you practice what you preach. Your lifestyle truly embodies fitness and health.

Chrissy Chequer, B.A., Honors, is a certified exercise physiologist, certified Pilates instructor, and co-founder of Yurika Cramp Free Naturally. She is the co-owner of 49th Degree Fitness and Nutrition and has been transforming bodies since 2003.

Stay tuned for the next Fun & Funny Fitness Bitch, “Fitness Bit,” coming soon!

About the Fun & Funny Fitness Bitch series

I’m f*cking fun when I’m fit — but way more fun than funny. I don’t do stand-up comedy, but I can rock a headstand at the lake!

For 2023, my personal fitness challenge is sharing bits and pieces of my fun and funny fitness adventures that I hope will resonate with readers by making them laugh, cry, nod, or inspire them to start their own fitness journeys. Here’s a link to all stories in the series to date.

About once a week, I’ll publish an article that offers either a quick tip, advice, or insight into the various challenges I’ve embraced and how I dealt with my self-doubt and fears or will talk about my current fitness escapades.

Sometimes I’ll bitch about stuff (too many jumping jacks, not enough sleep!), but I’m not a real bitch.

This series was inspired by my fitness article, How to Tame the Envy Dragon: The power of grit vs. the poison of envy, published in Better Humans.

Stay tuned for the next Fun & Funny Fitness Bitch, “Fitness Bit” coming soon! Follow me, Mary Chang Story Writer, by hitting the follow button and subscribe to my stories by hitting the envelope button on my profile page.

About the Writer

Mary Chang is a writer, creator, and editor of the Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication. She’s also a parent and fitness enthusiast who loves creating monthly challenges. Mary believes that if she can push herself to take on new challenges, it may inspire others to try too. Her self-mantra is “Try, Mary, Try!”

Fueled by cartwheels, cold open water swimming, and the power of grit. Defying and embracing middle age.