Guys. Stop wasting your time with apps that cost boo-koo dollars every month. You only need one. I like to call it google on steroids. It’s the mammoth of all search engines, and no, I’m not talking about Pinterest. (Although, she is a beast, nonetheless). I’m talking about ChatGPT. For a mere $29.99/month, I’ve learned loads of new knowledge, understood my body more than ever, and all thanks to the help of some robotic screen. It’s been weird…but also great.
How I Turned to ChatGPT for Weight Loss After Failing Diets and Meal Plans
Screens are something that I try to limit at all costs when I don’t need them for work or moving throughout my day. They’re everywhere. GPS, texts, calls, laptops, tvs, etc etc etc… But now I’ve become a fan of the newest part of my computer screen (or phone), which is ChatGPT. Yes, they have an app you can use on your mobile device as well. 🧐
At first I was skeptical, thinking that it would replace my thoughts and thinking capabilities and that I would no longer be able to use my creative side. But as more and more business owners use it for their everyday tasks, I began to wonder how I could leverage this tool to benefit the biggest challenge facing me at the moment, my weight.
When I say I’ve tried dozens of meal plans, diets and methods to get the weight off, I mean literally, dozens. I’ve done juice cleanses, tried to eat different things that were supposedly “healthy,” and worked my literal butt off to just “work off” the weight. But that’s just not how it’s done. Let me explain.
Have you ever heard the saying, “Abs are made in the kitchen?” Well, I have to admit that at 11.8lbs down, I would say that may be kind of true. Sure, I’ve been hitting the gym more regularly again, and I’ve been adding more cardio into my days in the form of walking and running, but I never thought what I ate had SUCH a big impact on the fat surrounding my midsection.
Sounds stupid, right? Like, how can it be so obvious? Of course healthy foods would be better to not add more sugar and excess other unnecessary ingredients, but the problem I was facing is that I was stagnant. Stuck in the “not adding more” weight, but “not being able to lose weight” either. Which gets hella frustrating. 🤓
The problem I’ve been facing however, (that I sort of knew in the back of my mind), was that I didn’t know how to eat those healthy foods. And also, the healthy foods I’d been eating, were not all that “healthy” to begin with. Talk about confusing. 🤦♀️
So one day, as I pondered how to create a new environment and lifestyle that was better suited for my future goals, ChatGPT came to mind. Could I actually use this as a tool to create a workout regimen and nutrition plan that was tailored for getting my body to that optimal state I’ve been searching so long for?
Related: Lifestyle Transformation: Your Environment Matters More Than You Think
My 4-Week Transformation: Fasting, Fitness, and ChatGPT
Which brings us to the now.
Not only have I absorbed oodles of new info regarding nutrition and exercise, but I have also been able to map out a game plan that has gotten me nearly 12 pounds lighter in just 4 weeks. (13 to go! 💪)
It all started with the Fast Like A Girl book I’ve been reading. I learned that it can help reset your gut. So, (knowing myself), realizing that it may help kickstart that weight loss I was looking for, I decided to lean into it and attempt a 3 day fast. (Check out the previous post if you’re into hearing more about my fasting journey).
It did exactly that. And, while I made my way through those 3 days, I used the time I’d typically be eating to ask ChatGPT all about how to structure something that worked best for my schedule. I needed convenience and quick, knowing that I’d not even attempt it if it took too much time out of my already jam-packed day.
By working together and prompting it with specific and tedious thoughts, I was able to create a workout routine (check it out at the end of the post👇) that suited my goals and remained thoughtful of recovery time and overall load. (With training for Mt. Whitney, personal goals and a timeline to crunch this into, (there may be whispers of planning a pregnancy 😌🤰), I wanted to maximize fat loss and retain as much muscle mass while building some in the process if possible).
When I was finished with my workout routines, I was able to move onto a meal plan I’d be able to stick to. (I’ll post my most recent one below, but keep in mind it’s been adjusted slightly over these 4 weeks to adhere to new goals or accommodate certain tastes and cravings). Your girl still needs that dark chocolate, ya dig.
I just listened to a podcast earlier about how ChatGPT can decrease cognitive function…IF you’re using it to think for you. And I would agree with that. BUT. If you use the prompt option to tell it specific instructions, and then use it again and again to reconstruct the directions into a perfect-for-you scenario, I think it will do more than master what you’re looking to get out of it. So, remain thinking and remain in charge of your outcomes.🤨💪
So, let me tell you about those plans.
From Treadmill to Tacos
As mentioned, I’ve followed a similar workout plan for the last 4 weeks. My goals and your goals may be different, so please keep that in mind while moving through these plans. I am focused on maintaining muscle mass, reducing fat around my organs and midsection, (goodbye fatty liver disease 👋) building muscle mass, increasing strength and longevity, while also increasing flexibility and mobility so that my hikes coming up can be performed with as much strength as possible.
In addition to strength training at the gym (4x/week if I’m feeling like a boss, 3x more likely), I switch between hiking at the park (2-4 miles), running on my treadmill (2-3 miles), or walking the paved loop for 5+ miles. This allows my steps to stay at a good range between 12-14,000 per day. I shoot for at least 14,500 if possible…(Especially since the bulk of my work is done sitting).
My meal plans have shifted slightly over that same time period, since I adjusted when I got tired of a certain food, or wanted to add a little snack or treat in every so often. I also utilize AI as a tool during the day if plans change and I need feedback on new options for eating at a restaurant or taking something on the go.
Whether or not this is the right solution for your own personal journey is up to you, but so far, it’s helped me immensely in learning how to adapt my routines to my work schedule and allowed me to open new doors into my weight loss. I’ve learned that eating protein first is key, adding sugars with fats if I want to snack are helpful for digestion, and using bars *during* my workouts helps them to be absorbed immediately instead of being stored as fat for later. No thanks.
Weight loss can be tricky no matter which way you approach it, but I feel like utilizing ChatGPT as a tool for my health has finally allowed me to make sense of how things work and how to do better. Check out the last two sections of today’s post if you want to see the current snacks, treats, meal plan and workout plans that I’ve been sticking to. Andddd if you’d like, check out HB on socials and comment your own favorite plans or snacks that you may have tried from the list below! I’d love to hear your feedback and stay on this path together.
Keep crushing it friends! 💪
Let’s get stronger by learning, leaner by training, and conquer the physical (or mental) mountains ahead. 🥾🏔️😌
My go-to snacks and treats right now are the following: 👇
- Lesser Evil Himalayan Salt Popcorn (I love that I can have a full bowl of this and not feel guilty about wrecking my calories for the day)
- Hu Dark Chocolate Gems (Perfect for the sweet treat after a meal. I usually have between 2-4 after each)
- Homemade Dill Pickles 🥒 (Great for electrolytes and affordable!)
- Kalamata Olives (I’ve been loving this new brand I found)
- Anahola Granola Original Bars (Ever since we rented a boat on the Napali Coast of Hawaii, I’ve been obsessed. The tour company gave us some during our expedition, and I think of it every time which also brings me joy! Win, win! They are the most delicious, simple bars I’ve ever had, seriously).
- Quantum Energy Bars (I typically keep these protein/caffeine bars for big hiking days, and use them as intentional fuel throughout as opposed to a snack)
Check out my current meal plan and workout plans below to get a feel for how my day is structured: 👇
Curious to see how AI could help your own routines? Give it a try (if you’re comfy with it), and let me know what you discover. We’re all learning as we go, and the more we share, the stronger we get, together. 🫶
And! Be sure to check back in September for a brand new page on Habitual Balance filled with guides created specifically for this journey we’re taking together. 🌿
