How I Lost 33 Pounds (And Kept It Off!): My 8 BEST Tips

Last year I lost 33 pounds without extreme dieting, obsessive calorie tracking, or spending hours in the gym.

Instead of forcing myself into strict routines, I focused on small habits that were easy to stick to every day. Over time those small changes completely transformed how I eat, move and think about health.

In this article I’m sharing the 8 habits that helped me the most, including some mistakes I made along the way.

And at this point, a special shoutout goes to my best friend Kelly who actually inspired today’s post. Yesterday, Kelly and I were chatting and she asked me how she could get back in shape for this summer. That conversation really got me thinking about my own journey because last year I lost 33 pounds over the course of several months.

So I thought I should just turn my best tips and all the things I learned along the way into a full blog post for all of you.

Just a quick note: I’m not a nutritionist or medical professional. I’m simply sharing what personally worked for me during my own journey.

Here’s a quick before and after:

Before:

After:

What Didn’t Work For Me

Before figuring out what worked, I tried a lot of things that didn’t last:

• extreme gym routines
• cutting carbs completely
• trying to hit very high protein targets
• relying on protein shakes and processed “fitness foods”

And yes, I stopped obsessing over protein and yes, protein is important for the body, but I personally found that constantly chasing high protein targets added unnecessary stress to my routine.

For years I was super fixated on protein and the gym. I trained really intensely and consistently (up to 6 times per week), tracked my calories all the time and constantly made sure I was hitting my protein goals.

But for me, it just didn’t work in the long run. It became really stressful, and putting that much time and energy into it just wasn’t good for me. At some point it honestly started to feel almost like an unhealthy obsession. I was tracking everything and thinking way more about how many calories something had instead of asking myself if it was actually healthy, if it made me feel good, or if it was something my body really needed.

I’d really recommend being careful with here. On top of that, all those protein products – supplements, shakes, bars and everything- can also get pretty expensive.

And for me personally, it even caused skin problems, mainly because I don’t tolerate dairy that well and a lot of those products contain it. For example, I used to eat a lot of low-fat quark and then mix protein powder into it on top of that – yup, I ate that every day for months…

After a while I noticed my skin got way worse because of it.

At the end of the day, everyone has to figure out what works best for them. For me personally it became unhealthy and stressful and everyone’s nutritional needs are different.

1. Stop Drinking Your Calories

The very first thing is to stop drinking your calories.

Like:

• sweetened coffee drinks
• soda
• fruit juice
• energy drinks with sugar

Like, most of us drink some kind of coffee every day – cappuccinos, lattes, whatever – but those obviously have calories, especially once you start adding sugar, milk, syrups and all that.

And I totally get it, we all kinda need our caffeine. I actually drink energy drinks, but the zero versions now. There are also other ways though like using sugar-free sweeteners for your coffee.

Those liquid calories add up quickly without actually making you full because one thing that helped me the most during my weight loss journey was focusing on foods that actually keep me full.

Sugary drinks usually don’t provide lasting energy or real nutritional value, which is why I personally stopped drinking them regularly.

2. Eat Sweets Every Single Day (Yes, Really!)

You can absolutely still eat sweets. I completely love sweets myself and I’m a massive chocolate fan hehe. And tbh, I eat sweets pretty much every day.

The big trick is that I only eat a small piece or just one cookie when I really crave it. I enjoy it, I eat it slowly and I celebrate every single bite.

Sweets only become a problem when you eat big amounts completely out of control without even enjoying the taste. If you take your time and eat them intentionally, you really don’t need that much at all.

You’ll feel totally satisfied and cure your sweet tooth after just one cookie.

3. Drink Apple Cider Vinegar

One habit I experimented with was drinking diluted apple cider vinegar in the morning. I know the taste is absolutely disgusting and it definitely can take some time to get used to the taste.

Some people believe apple cider vinegar may support digestion or appetite control, but research is still limited. I personally noticed that it helped with morning bloating, but this is just my own experience.

If you have stomach issues or take medication, it’s always best to check with a healthcare professional first.

When you want to try it, dilute it with a lot of water. The more water you use, the less intense the vinegar flavor will be.

This isn’t a magic solution and it’s completely optional.

Quick tip here:

If you really cannot handle the taste, you can mix it with apple juice. It tastes a bit like an apple spritzer then and it works wonderfully for people who struggle with the flavor.

4. Mix Psyllium Husks and Flaxseed

Fiber-rich foods like flaxseed or psyllium can support digestion for some people. I just put a small teaspoon of psyllium husks and some flaxseeds into a big glass of water, let it sit for a minute and then drink it about 30 minutes before dinner (and not more than once a day!).

It’s always best to introduce fiber slowly.

You can technically have it anytime during the day, but I like doing it before eating dinner. Fiber-rich foods can help you feel fuller for longer, which may support your healthy eating habits.

Since increasing my fiber intake with foods like flaxseed and psyllium, I personally noticed less bloating and overall better digestion.

Increasing my fiber intake helped me feel fuller and more satisfied throughout the day, which naturally reduced my cravings for sweets.

But the most important thing with this is to drink a lot of water throughout the day. Otherwise it can actually bloat you up too much and your body can’t really, like, pass it properly anymore – if you know what I mean 😉.

As always, if you try fiber supplements like psyllium husks, start with a very small amount and drink plenty of water.

Fiber supplements like psyllium can be helpful for some people, but it’s important to start slowly and drink enough water and if you have digestive issues or medical conditions, talk to a healthcare professional before adding supplements.

5. Drink Water Before Every Meal

Another super simple thing: drink a big glass of water right before every meal.

It sounds basic, but it actually helps a lot. You already have something in your stomach before you even take the first bite, so you don’t feel as hungry. And it also kinda slows you down so you’re not just inhaling your food.

6. Grab a Zero-Sugar Drink Instead of a Binge

If you really struggle with eating too many sweets, try getting into the habit of treating yourself to a fun zero-sugar drink instead.

Like when my boyfriend and I go for a little walk around the block, we’ll usually grab a Diet Sprite or some other zero-cal soda. It’s honestly so nice to just pop open a cold can while you’re walking outside.

You still get that sweet, refreshing, kinda treat-yourself vibe – it feels like a treat without adding extra sugar.

7. Get Your Steps Outside Every Day

I personally try to move my body every day, usually by going for a walk and many people aim for around 8,000–10,000 steps per day. Personally, I try to stay close to that range because it keeps me active and helps my mental health.

I’ve been doing that for years now and it’s just as much for my mental health as it is for my physical health. Being outside in nature clears your head so much and just makes you feel happier overall.

Breathing fresh air helps your body reset faster and you just feel way more balanced. It’s really something you’ve gotta build into your daily routine, even if you work a corporate job and drive everywhere.

Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of those indoor walking pads. You miss out on the fresh air and all the different ground textures – walking uphill or over gravel is actually really good for your body.

What I like to do instead is just walk to the grocery store a few times a week to grab what I need for dinner instead of always taking the car.

8. Eat Carbs and Meals You Actually Love

We all know carbs are important for our bodies and I’d never tell anyone to go fully low-carb. You need carbs to function properly and to actually have enough energy throughout the day.

The key is just choosing better carbs that have fiber, keep you full longer, and actually come with nutrients.

Like if you love pasta or rice, just swap them for whole-grain rice or something like lentil pasta. Lentil pasta is honestly my favorite because it’s packed with protein and keeps you full for a really long time. I love making it with a good bolognese sauce, or with chicken and broccoli.

Another very delicious way is to eat more potatoes, which are super filling and naturally a bit lower in carbs.

My biggest tip though:
Never force yourself to eat “diet food” you hate. The reason I’ve been able to keep my weight off is because I cook meals that I genuinely love eating every single day.

My go-to meal is usually chicken with rice and spinach, all mixed into the sauce. You just have to find the foods you love and tweak the heavier ingredients a bit.

For example, when I make risotto I use a cooking cream with about 7% fat instead of regular heavy cream. It tastes the same, but it’s way lower in calories and just easier to keep consistent with.

And I still eat fast food too – like pizza or burgers – probably one to three times a week. The only difference now is that everything is in a sustainable balance.

You really don’t need some super strict diet when you have a healthy, realistic balance.

What a Typical Day of Eating Looks Like for Me

Morning

• coffee
• water
• ACV

First meal

• bread rolls
• eggs
• avocado

Dinner

• chicken rice spinach
• fish

Snacks

• chocolate
• yogurt

I like to do intermittent fasting. So most days I just skip breakfast and basically combine breakfast and lunch into one meal. But that’s not a strict rule or anything – you can totally decide what works best for you and your schedule and you also don’t have to do that at all. That’s just my personal preference.

When I start my first meal, I’ll usually have two bread rolls and on top I’ll do things like tomatoes with cream cheese, chicken breast, or something similar. What you put on them isn’t that important – the main thing is just not loading them with jam or Nutella, but going for something a bit more protein-rich.

I also really like making hard-boiled eggs or a fried egg on the side and avocado is great too. You can really just play around with whatever toppings you like most.

Personally I prefer bread rolls over porridge, but again that’s totally just preference. A lot of people love having porridge or yogurt in the morning, which is also super good.

In summer, I also love making an açaí bowl with granola, peanut butter, fruit, blueberries.

For dinner, I usually eat risotto with chicken breast, spinach, or broccoli. I also like having fish sometimes because of the omega-3s.

And for snacks, honestly, pretty normal stuff – like chocolate or chips. I just don’t eat a ton of it. Usually just a little bit if I feel like it, maybe a piece of chocolate or a cookie or something.

Another thing I’ve really been loving lately is Greek yogurt with some kind of topping. I’ll have that when I’m craving something sweet because it’s super filling and also really high in protein.

I personally like eating very similar meals most days. It removes decision fatigue and makes healthy eating effortless.

How Long It Took Me to Lose 33 Pounds

I lost the weight gradually over several months (8-10 months).

So, here are my 8 biggest weight loss lessons:

If there’s one thing I learned, it’s that health doesn’t come from extreme discipline.

The habits that actually stick are usually the simplest ones.

• Stop drinking calories
• Enjoy sweets intentionally
• Focus on fiber and whole foods
• Stay hydrated
• Move your body daily
• Choose meals you actually love

Weight Loss Looks Different for Everyone

Everyone’s body, lifestyle, and health background is different. What worked for me might not work the same way for someone else. The goal of this article is simply to share habits that helped me build a healthier routine.