I know we’re only halfway through the month, so it’s not time for my end-of-the-month update on my New Year’s resolution for 2024. But on Friday, I hit a big milestone, and I wanted to share with you and also encourage you.

As of Friday, I’ve officially lost 20 pounds since January 1st! And you know what? It wasn’t even that hard! I could kick myself for not doing this years ago, but I think that when it comes to doing hard things that seem overwhelming, we have to be in the right mindset, and we have to find that determination within ourselves. And until January 1st of this year, I just simply didn’t have that determination.

Yes, I wanted to lose weight and get healthy (after totally losing control in 2020), but I wanted cake and cookies more. I wanted the temporary satisfaction of dessert whenever I wanted it more than I wanted to be healthy.

I don’t know why the scales tipped at the end of last year, but I’m so glad they did! Because now, a very short 2.5 months later (which have flown by), I’m down 20 pounds. And while I fought for every single one of those pounds, the journey actually seems pretty easy in hindsight.

So here’s a look at where I started, and where I am today. I’m not quite ready to do those full-body before-and-now pictures (but I will eventually), so for now, I’ll just show these face pics.

Here’s me back on December 17, 2023, 15 days before I started my “no sugar for a year” resolution…

You can see that I tried the trick where I hold the phone up high so that it’s looking down on me to minimize the double chin, but there was no height at which I could hold the phone to get rid of the double chin completely. 😀

Here I am on January 7, 2024. I was on day 7 of my no-sugar year.

This picture was taken January 28, 2024. This was my 28th day of no sugar, and I was starting to see some changes in my face.

And here’s a picture I took yesterday, March 17, 2024, which was day 77 of my no-sugar year.

So here’s a before and now. These pictures were taken three months apart.

There has been a whole lot more to this journey than simply cutting out sugar. I’ll share more on my update post at the end of this month. (I have so much more to share wih you!) But I’ve fought hard for every single one of those 20 pounds that I’ve lost since January 1st. I haven’t used any magical pills or shots. I’ve just put in the hard work. It has been all diet and exercise, and trying to get more (and better quality) sleep.

I’ve only begun this journey. If I can maintain this rate (which is questionable, but I’m going to try!!), I will reach my goal by the end of this year. And just like the first 2.5 months have flown by, I know I’ll get to the end of this year, look back, and think, “Where did the time go?” So while it’s hard work in real time, I know that this year is going to fly by, and I don’t have a single day to waste. The fun thing is that with each passing day, and the more progress I see, the more determination I feel to push towards that goal.

The first part really is the hardest. That first step seems impossible. But that first step leads to the second, and the third, and before you know it, you’re seeing some real progress and feeling incredibly motivated!

So don’t put it off! Whatever it is that you’ve been wanting to do for years now — losing weight, getting your health back, starting that business, writing that book, taking up that new hobby, learning a new skill — start today! Just imagine where you could be in 2.5 months! Heck, imagine where you could be at the end of the year!

Y’all, I could kick myself for losing control in 2020 and having to start over again. But I could kick myself harder for not starting in 2021. Why did it take me until 2024 to start again?! I can’t answer that, and unfortunately, I can’t go back in time and change things. But I’m so incredibly glad that I made that decision on January 1, 2024, to start. These 2.5 months have flown by, and I love the progress I’m seeing. I know that these next 9.5 months will also fly by, and I can’t wait to see where my newfound determination will take me by then!

P.S. I did get work done on the studio cabinets this weekend, but I don’t really have anything exciting to share yet. The priming and caulking process is slow, but barring any unforeseen circumstances, I’m pretty sure I can get them painted in the next couple of days!

Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.