“Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually].” – 3 John 1:2 (AMP)
The New Reality
Getting rid of excess weight was sooooo much easier when I was younger. Now that I’m in my 50s, it is soooo much harder! I have to be strategic and specific. I gotta prioritize protein and strength training, get plenty of fiber, drink plenty of water CONSISTENTLY. Consistency is a big challenge for me at this time in my life. And honestly, I understand why many women just choose to be fat and happy—I might become one of those women too. 😂😂
But here’s the thing: this isn’t really about the weight anymore. It’s about something much more important, something more foundational—metabolic health.
The Last Time This Was “Easy”
The last time I gained weight and decided to get rid of it, I was in my mid-30s. I had gotten up to 175 pounds, and that felt like too much for my body at the time. I joined Weight Watchers, practiced portion control, and walked three times a week. Seven months later, I had lost 45 pounds and reached 135. It was so beautiful. It felt effortless.
Fast forward to now: I’m 55 years old, weighing about 205 pounds, and I’d love to lose 40 pounds. Now, I don’t want to be 135 pounds anymore. That’s not my goal. I want to get to 165 pounds while preserving my muscle. I’m wiser now. I understand my body differently. Effortless? Definitely not!
At 35, I was metabolically fit. Twenty years later at 55? I’m not. And that’s what makes it harder.
The Metabolic Reality of Post-Menopause
I’m post-menopausal, which means estrogen has left the building. I’m on hormone replacement therapy. I’m insulin resistant. And despite strength training consistently and walking 2-3 days a week on the nature trail (since July), the weight is not really budging.
Last November, my A1C was 5.9. This November, it’s 5.7. That’s real, measurable progress, but my goal is to get it down to between 4.5 and 5.0. Why? Because I’ve learned:
Metabolic health is the game changer.
Once that happens, everything will most likely fall into place: the weight loss, muscle preservation and gain, improved cholesterol, and hopefully, vibrancy returns. Improving my A1C may fix all of this. This equals metabolically healthy.
So, I’m not chasing a number on the scale anymore. I’m chasing the root cause. Because once my body can properly process insulin again, everything else—weight, muscle, energy, vitality—will follow.
The GLP Factor and What I’m Working With
I’ll be honest with you, if I wasn’t unemployed right now, I would probably try a GLP-1 medication (like Ozempic or Mounjaro). These medications help support the liver in regulating blood sugar and insulin response, which could help lower my A1C and improve metabolic health. Now mind you, it’s not an easy fix-it’s a good tool. And for someone dealing with insulin resistance like me, it could have been a helpful tool.
But that’s not an option for me financially right now. So instead, I’m going to see what a determined Tami can do with the tools I do have: consistent protein intake, strength training, walking, tracking my macros, and addressing something I need to be honest about—my sugar addiction.
Yes, sugar addiction. It’s real, it’s powerful, and it’s a huge part of my story. Lord knows I need His help with and through all of this. I can’t do this (or anything) in my own strength alone. There is nothing I can’t do with God on my side. He’s more than demonstrated to me for my entire life that He is on my side. Sometimes I need that reminder. (Psalm 121:1-2)
Why This Is Harder at 55 Than It Was at 35
At 35, the formula was simple: Weight Watchers, portion control, walking. Done.
At 55, my body needs:
- Strategic macro tracking (not just “eating less”)
- Strength training (not just cardio)
- Consistent protein intake
- Adequate fiber
- Plenty of water
- Patience with my hormones
- Grace for my metabolism
And here’s the honest truth: I love strength training. I genuinely do. When I started strength training about 13 years ago (at 41), I would just get up and get it done. Now? I have to convince myself almost every time. Same love, but with a different energy. Still, I push through the resistance—training at home with what I have, and also hitting the gym once a month for heavier lifts when I can—because this season isn’t about hype. It’s about health.
Determined December: The Keys on My Keychain
This is ‘Determined December’ for me. I started tracking my macros because I need to hit my protein goals and limit my carb intake. Tracking my food is the best way I can do that consistently. I’m strength training at home, going to the gym for heavier powerlifting at least once a month, and walking at least two or three times a week. And I’m serious about lowering my A1C—that part matters deeply to me.
My keys to getting through this month (and beyond).
Consistency – Showing up even when I don’t feel like it
Determination – Remembering why metabolic health matters
Grace – For the days I miss, the days I’m human. I tend to be extremely hard on myself. But the Lord has a wonderful way of reminding me that grace is not only required toward others, but also toward myself. ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ – Matthew 22:39. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy toward me—I need to be too. James 5:11“
Positivity – Trusting that my body is responding, even when the scale is stubborn
No perfection. Just consistency with purpose.
Life is happening—unemployment, familial responsibilities, and other hard things I’m walking through. Some days, success looks like tracking one meal and hitting my protein goal for breakfast. I already know that on some days, I won’t hit all my goals—and that has to be okay. That is where grace comes in.
Grace for myself is the MOST important key on my keychain. What is it for you?
Sometimes just being successful with ONE thing is a win. And that has to be enough.
Reflection Questions
Take a moment to journal on these:
- What’s one area of your health where you’ve been hard on yourself? How can you extend grace there today?
- What’s your most important “key on your keychain” right now? (Consistency, Determination, Grace, or Positivity?) Why?
- If you could only accomplish ONE thing this month toward your health goals, what would it be and why?
Walk With Me
If you’re in a similar season—if you’re doing “all of the right things” and the scale won’t budge, if you’re frustrated that what worked at 35 doesn’t work at 55, if you’re realizing that metabolic health is the real battle—I want you to know: you’re not alone, and you’re not failing.
Your body isn’t broken. It’s just operating under different rules now.
This is Determined December. I’m showing up for my metabolic health, my strength, my future—not just a number on a scale. I’m going to share my journey this month—wins, struggles, progress, setbacks, all of it. Not because I have it all together, but because I’m committed to showing up honestly and encouraging other women like me.
Determined December is only the beginning. It took years to create this metabolic problem, and one month isn’t going to fix it. This is going to be a long journey—but I’m committed to walking it out, one month at a time. There will be more motivational alliterations for 2026: Jump-Start January, Faithful February, Momentum March, and beyond. Each month, a new focus. Each month, showing up for myself.
If you’re walking something similar, walk with me. Let’s choose health, stewardship, and grace over perfection.
We have to remind ourselves that our best years are not behind us. They’re unfolding right in front of us-right now.
Giving ourselves grace is always an important part of the faith journey.
Life is a faith journey. Walk boldly—even when you don’t feel like it.
Be brave enough to pursue your dreams. 💜
Be faithful enough to trust the process. 💜
Be kind enough to help another woman along the way. 💜
