Could I Get Leaner?
Have you ever caught yourself wondering, “Could I get leaner?”
Recently, I did.
Not because I believe smaller, lighter, or skinnier is better - although I used to.
And not because I feel any external pressure to lose weight - I don’t.
It was pure curiosity. I wanted to know: if I wanted to change my body composition right now… what sacrifices would it require? And would those sacrifices be sustainable in this season of life?
So, I decided to do what I do best: look at the data!
The Nutrition Stuff 🍽️
When it comes to body composition, nutrition plays a big role. So I started by asking myself a few honest questions:
1. How often do I eat past fullness?
Would it be possible - and realistic - to decrease that frequency without feeling deprived or overly focused on food?
2. How often do I eat in the absence of hunger (out of boredom, stress, or habit)?
Would changing that behavior feel supportive or stressful right now?
3. How often do I eat out or order in?
Could I cut that back without it creating more stress or inconvenience?
4. How many fun foods or beverages do I enjoy most weeks?
Would reducing those feel worth it, or would it start to rob me of enjoyment and balance?
The Other Stuff 🌙
Because nutrition is only part of the picture, I looked at my lifestyle habits too:
1. How much sleep am I actually getting?
Is it possible - or even realistic - to increase that amount right now?
2. How many steps am I averaging per day?
Could I increase my daily movement without feeling overwhelmed or overextended?
3. How many workouts am I doing most weeks?
Would adding another session serve me? Or would it push me into burnout territory?
4. What’s my current stress level?
And perhaps most importantly, would layering on the stress of a calorie deficit be supportive right now, or too much?
After reflecting on all of this, here’s where I landed…
I’d be WILLING and it is POSSIBLE for me to:
✔️ Decrease the number of fun foods I consume weekly (mostly my after-dinner snacks)
✔️ Increase my step count most days (according to my phone, my current average is around 8K/day).
I’d be WILLING and it’s NOT POSSIBLE (right now) for me to:
❌ Increase the quantity or quality of my sleep - thanks to a teething baby and toddler tornado.
❌ Decrease my overall stress level - working mom life is tough.
Everything else is in a really good place - something that’s taken years of intentional effort to achieve.
So… Could I Get Leaner?
Yes. If I were to make certain trade-offs, I could get leaner.
But when I zoom out and look at the bigger picture - waking up multiple times a night with my baby, wanting to share Halloween candy with my wild three-year old life, upcoming birthdays and holidays - the sacrifices getting leaner would require aren’t worth it right now.
Sustainable health isn’t about chasing the leanest version of yourself. It’s about living in alignment with your values, your capacity, and doing what’s best for your mind and body in your current season of life.
Disclaimer: I can make this decision confidently because I’ve spent years repairing my relationship with food and my body, and because I maintain a healthy amount of body fat that supports my energy, hormones, and overall wellbeing my weight does not hold me back from living a full life.
Your answer might look different, and that’s okay.
There’s no right or wrong. Only what’s right for you, right now.
PS. If you need help repairing your relationship with food, or creating sustainable fat loss that feels good in your current season of life - I’m here to help.
