Seven Months on Monjouro

The Weird, Wonderful, and (Occasionally) Wobbly New Normal

Seven months on Monjouro. I had no idea where I’d end up when I started this, but here I am—forty pounds down, wearing jeans I never thought would see daylight again, and apparently sleeping so quietly that my partner keeps checking to make sure I’m still breathing. (Spoiler: I am. Just not snoring anymore. She’s thrilled.)

Losing weight isn’t just about what the scale says. It’s weird how much your brain has to catch up with your body. The first few months, it was all momentum and “What’s next?” Now, I find myself staring into my closet, trying on clothes I used to avoid, and sometimes just marveling that they fit. That’s a nice surprise.

Other surprises? I barely drink anymore. A glass of wine now sits on the table until it gets warm and forgotten. (Who am I?) And I finally tossed my blood pressure meds—turns out, taking care of myself actually works.

But, if I am being honest. There’s no magic finish line where you get skinny and suddenly all your old habits, worries, and insecurities disappear. If anything, I feel like I’m just now figuring out how to live in this “new” body.

Here are a few of the changes no one told me about:

• My brain still wants to eat the way I used to, especially when I’m stressed or bored. Most days, my body is perfectly happy, but my mind wants to raid the pantry for old time’s sake. This is a daily reminder: just because I can eat more, doesn’t mean I need to.

• Let’s talk skin. No amount of moisturizer can outpace gravity, especially when you lose weight in your forties and fifties. Sometimes I wish there were a magic cream, but mostly, I’m just learning to accept this new version of me—wrinkles, sags, and all.

• The old fear of gaining it all back loves to show up. Even after months, that voice is there: “What if you blow it?” I’m trying to remind myself that I am in control. The medication helps, but so does giving myself some credit for how far I’ve come.

I thought a weekday menu might be helpful. I stick to this as much as possible. It is tough for me to get enough protein packed into a day as I need. So a menu helps me stay on track as much as possible. Advance planning is key for me. Sidenote: I stick to protein-packed meals on the weekends, but I generally eat what I want, within reason (sometimes without reason 😂).

My Weekday Menu: Simple, Satisfying, and Not-Boring

Breakfasts (same each day for sanity and simplicity):

• Greek yogurt bowl with berries, chia seeds, and a handful of walnuts or almonds

• OR 2 scrambled eggs + spinach + a sprinkle of feta (side of cherry tomatoes)

• Big glass of water (and coffee, of course)

Monday

• Lunch: Grilled chicken breast over mixed greens, cucumber, bell pepper, and avocado. Olive oil & lemon dressing.

• Snack: String cheese or cottage cheese + a handful of blueberries

• Dinner: Salmon (roasted or air-fried), steamed broccoli, and quinoa

• Bonus: Lemon water all day

Tuesday

• Lunch: Turkey and veggie roll-ups (turkey slices, hummus, shredded carrot, arugula, rolled in a whole wheat wrap)

• Snack: Sliced apple with almond butter

• Dinner: Stir-fried shrimp with snap peas, bok choy, and peppers, served over brown rice

• Bonus: Herbal tea with dinner

Wednesday

• Lunch: Lentil salad with arugula, roasted red peppers, feta, and pumpkin seeds

• Snack: Boiled egg and a handful of baby carrots

• Dinner: Grilled steak (or portobello mushroom), asparagus, and a mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette - A sweet potato if I am feeling hungry and have a sweet tooth.

• Bonus: Sparkling water with lime

Thursday

• Lunch: Tuna salad (with Greek yogurt instead of mayo) stuffed in bell pepper halves, side of leafy salad

• Snack: Greek yogurt with a few berries

• Dinner: Baked boneless chicken thighs, sautéed spinach, and roasted sweet potatoes

• Bonus: Cucumber-infused water

Friday

• Lunch: Quinoa bowl with grilled shrimp, spinach, edamame, and avocado

• Snack: Sliced cucumber with hummus

• Dinner: Turkey burger (no bun), big green salad, and roasted Brussels sprouts

• Bonus: Lots of water before and after dinner—cheers to Friday!

Throughout the week:

• I aim for at least 80oz of water daily.

• If I want something sweet after dinner, I reach for a couple of dark chocolate squares or a bowl of berries. Sometimes a Yasso Ice Cream treat!

Note:
Life happens—sometimes I swap lunch for dinner, or eat leftovers. The trick for me is having protein ready and plenty of greens washed and chopped. Makes everything easier. I also feel so much better when I can stick to this during the week. Of course, I fall off the wagon at times and reach for the chips - but I find I can only eat a few and then I’m not interested anymore 🎉 .

Honestly, the best way I can describe this season is: it’s a balancing act. I have to work at it every day, but it’s also a little easier than it used to be. I feel good. I feel lighter—physically and mentally—even on the days when my confidence wobbles.

So, if you’re out there on your own Monjouro journey (or just trying to change up your life), I hope you know you’re not alone. The wins are real, but so are the weird side effects and nagging worries. If you ever want to swap stories, you know where to find me. Here’s to showing up for ourselves, one weird, wonderful day at a time.

Tell me how you’re doing—I’d love to hear your story and your menu if you feel like sharing. Check out my book, and please feel free to leave a review! Thanks!

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