Holidays, Honeymoons, and Weight Loss: Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Get Started

A little while ago, I had a conversation with a woman who is now a client of mine.

Like most clients who come to work with me, we first met for a Clarity Consult—an introductory call where I get to know you better and we determine whether my program is the right fit.

Here’s a snapshot from that call (yes, paraphrased slightly):

Her:
I’m ready to get started, but just so you know, I’m headed off for my two-week honeymoon in a couple of weeks, so we’ll need to postpone our third and fourth sessions until after I’m back.

Me:
That’s not a problem—but are you sure you don’t want to wait until after your trip to get started, once you’re back home and settled?

Her:
No, I’d prefer to get started as soon as possible.

Here was her reasoning:

I’ve been feeling so out of control with my weight and eating for a while now, and I know myself too well—I’ll throw in the towel while we’re away and only set myself back further. I have no interest in returning home feeling worse off—and likely heavier—than I am now.

I’d rather start implementing whatever I learn in the next few weeks so I can put a plan into motion and come home feeling ahead of the game. Besides, I know it’ll only be harder to get started if I wait until later.

So, before she left for her trip, we had a couple of sessions together.

We created a simple but flexible plan she could take with her.
She left those sessions with a clear framework, a fresh mindset, and fundamental tools she could actually use while travelling.

Her only goal for the trip? Maintain her weight.

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THE LIE WE TELL OURSELVES

I have to give credit where it’s due:
She made a powerful choice to take care of her future self.

It’s tempting to wait until everything is in its “perfect place”—after the summer holidays, after the vacation, once the kids are back in school, etc.

But there’s an underlying assumption here:
You must be doing it perfectly; otherwise, what’s the point if you only have to start over again later?

That’s a thought error—a lie we tell ourselves.

The truth is, you don’t have to do it all to make progress.

Take it from my client, who decided to get started before her honeymoon.

Do you think she hated her trip?

Not at all. She enjoyed it even more.

The difference? She went into the experience with a new mindset.
And she wasn’t dreading the “aftermath” she’d have to deal with when she got home.

She still enjoyed all the foods she was excited to try—pain au chocolat, macarons, gelato, pasta, and pizza.
(Did I mention she was travelling to France and Italy?)

But with some basic structure, a mantra she loved (“It all counts”), and lots of walking…
She came home two pounds lighter.

More importantly, she didn’t dread coming home.
There was no guilt. No “starting over.”

She prioritized the indulgences that truly mattered.
She walked everywhere.
She chose lighter, healthier meals when it made sense.

She had her pain au chocolat—and ate it too.

And the mindless snacking she struggled with at home? Gone.
She was too busy enjoying her trip to even think about it.

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THE “PERFECT” TIME DOESN’T EXIST (+ THE REAL SECRET)

So often, we wait for the perfect time to start working toward our goals.

But our brains will always find reasons why now isn’t ideal.

There’s always something:
a deadline,
a birthday,
a vacation,
a renovation.

Here’s the real secret:

When you can build healthy habits during the busy seasons, you never have to “start over” again.

You learn how to handle any eating situation with ease.

That doesn’t mean you’ll always make perfect choices.
But you’ll be able to make better ones—no matter what life throws your way.

And those better choices add up.

Day by day.
Week by week.
Month by month.

There’s no better time to start than right now.

~ Elaine

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Ready to feel in control—even when life is full?

If you want to feel like my client—confident, capable, and in control of your results—even while travelling or navigating a full season, you need support that meets you where you are.

Inside my coaching program, we build structure around your real life—not just the version where you’re home cooking veggies, but the one with travel plans, dinners out, and a full social calendar.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about learning how to lose weight in a way that fits your life—so you can follow through, feel good in your body, and keep moving forward no matter what life throws your way.

If that’s what you’ve been missing, let’s talk.

Apply for a Clarity Consult to get on my calendar.

​Get the full program details.