The Scale Went Up—But I’m Not Dieting to Fix It

So I’ll be honest—I haven’t felt comfortable in my body lately. My jeans are tighter, and I found myself obsessing over the number on the scale. 

The Scale Went Up—But I’m Not Dieting to Fix It

​I tried (and quit) Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHT), oral progesterone, and testosterone cream, and let’s just say… my body and hormones did not love it. My appetite skyrocketed, my blood sugar was all over the place, and I craved carbs and sugar like crazy. Add in ski season (and a little too much après-ski indulgence), and now I’m 10 pounds up from where I ended last year’s spring cut.

But here’s the thing—I’m not jumping into a fat loss phase to lose the weight.

Right now, my priority is healing. I’m working with a practitioner to get off biologic drugs for my ulcerative colitis, and cutting calories just isn’t an option. If you want your body to heal, it can’t be under-fueled, undernourished, and stressed out by a calorie deficit.

So instead, I’m focusing on maintenance calories (2,200–2,500), prioritizing protein (key for muscle and liver detox), fiber, minerals, and truly nourishing foods.

And here’s what I journaled last week—exactly what I’m doing to get back to my feel-great weight:

1️⃣ Stop Weighing Yourself

The scale can mess with your head hard. Instead of fixating on a number, I’m focusing on how I feel—energy levels, digestion, strength, and how my clothes fit. Progress isn’t just about weight.

2️⃣ Head Down, Nourish Yourself, Move On

No more overanalyzing every bite or workout. I’m keeping my head down, fueling my body with what it needs, and moving forward—without guilt, stress, or second-guessing. I know how to feed myself, so now I just need to do it.

3️⃣ More Outdoor Walks

Walking is underrated for fat loss, stress management, and hormone balance. It lowers cortisol, improves insulin sensitivity, and helps with digestion. Plus, fresh air = instant mood boost.

4️⃣ Keep Crushing Sleep

Sleep is everything for metabolism, cravings, and hormone regulation. I’m dialing in my routine—consistent bedtime, no screens before bed, and slow-release melatonin and magnesium at night. Better sleep = better body composition.

5️⃣ No Booze / Less Booze / You Don’t Need It

Alcohol disrupts sleep, increases cravings, and slows fat loss. I’m not cutting it out completely, but I’m more mindful—do I really want that drink, or is it just a habit? Less alcohol = easier weight loss.

So this is what I’m focusing on—not crash dieting, not punishing workouts, not obsessing over every calorie. Just habits and food that make me feel GOOD and putting my focus into crushing maintenance, which, of course, is where the magic happens!

Now I want to hear from you—which of these habits resonates with you the most? Hit reply and let me know!

Xo,

Tina

P.S. I brought back my old-school iced coffee dates on Instagram! ☕ I just shared how I’ve improved my sleep—check it out if you need some ideas!