Episode 273
I Intentionally Lost Weight in December. Here’s Exactly How…

Back in December, I found myself wondering what it would feel like to lose a little weight.

I’d been sitting at the same weight for a while, and I was curious.

Not in a punishing, “I need to fix myself” way — more like a genuine experiment. Could I actually lose weight in December, of all months?

So I decided to try.

My goal was small and specific: lose one kilo (about two pounds). And by the end of the month, I’d done it.

Here’s exactly how.

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What I Didn’t Do

Let me start with what didn’t happen, because I think this is the most important part.

  • I didn’t cut out carbs (I probably ate more carbs than usual, thanks to all the social things on)
  • I didn’t cancel my ice cream habit
  • I didn’t skip celebrations or miss out on anything
  • I didn’t deprive myself or white-knuckle my way through the month

There was one week where I had two dinners out and a long, decadent lunch — and I enjoyed every single one of them.

This weight loss project did not take over my life.

It was just something I decided to experiment with.

Good news, right?

4 Things I Did to Lose the Weight

1. I made a firm decision

I actually decided I wanted to try this. So much of changing ourselves comes from that clear, firm intention. Not wishful thinking — a real “yes, I want this.”

2. I weighed myself every day

I do this anyway, but because I had a goal, it became a useful feedback tool. The key is to weigh yourself with curiosity and kindness — not as a judgement, just as data.

3. I set intentions before interacting with food

Before walking into the kitchen, I’d just quietly ask myself: How do I want this to go, given that I want to lose weight today?

Not tyrannical, not heavy — just a gentle reminder of my intention.

What this did practically was reduce my random grazing.

When I’m more intentional, I’m less likely to pick and nibble my way through the day without really noticing.

4. I dialled in my “just satisfied” stopping point

I already check in with my body while eating — but with the intention to lose weight, I started stopping just a little sooner.

Not at “comfortable,” but at just satisfied.

Sometimes that meant serving myself less.

Sometimes it meant leaving a few bites behind.

One night we went out for ramen — a huge, delicious bowl. I had the noodles, the soup, the whole thing.

I stopped when I was satisfied. If I hadn’t had that intention, I could’ve easily kept going. But I didn’t need to.

And the scale was down the next day.

Putting the Strategy into Practice
(Your Weekly Home Play)

This week, I invite you to experiment with setting a weight intention — even just for one day.

Decide: Today, I’d like to lose some weight. Then carry that intention gently with you throughout the day.

When you’re interacting with food, let it be a quiet presence in the back of your mind. Not a rule, not a punishment — just a reminder of what you want.

Then see what happens.

In your corner
Jules xx
(Your favourite Australian Food Scientist)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I’m Jules Clancy, a Food Scientist & Cooking Coach.  Stonesoup (est 2005) is about making dinner outrageously easy and tasty. So you feel good in your clothes.


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