Why Losing 5 Pounds May Not Make You Happy: The Difference Between a Goal and a Lifestyle

Published on 11 December 2025 at 11:53

Let’s be honest. How many times have you set a goal, hit it, and then thought, "Is that it? Is this what all the Kale and cardio was for?"

We’ve all been there. We tackle health like we tackle a to-do list: Lose 5 pounds. Check. Get 7 hours of sleep. Check. Go to the gym 3 times a week. Check.

And yet, we still feel that little hollow feeling. We're stressed, our relationships are strained, and the new jeans fit, but they don't exactly bring joy. You just hit your target, but your happiness level is still at a firm zero.

The problem? When we approach our health solo, we often suffer from Goal Myopia—we focus so tightly on the metric (the "What") that we completely miss the bigger picture (the "Why").

We’re essentially trying to solve a complex, multi-layered puzzle using only a bathroom scale and a prayer. And trust me, when it comes to sustained results, that solo, metric-focused method is usually a total weigh-st of time.

The Solo Health Trap: Why Quick Fixes Aren't Sticking

When you go it alone, you’re often following a prescription, not a personalized map.

🥕 The Fad Diet Merry-Go-Round

We jump onto the latest fad diet—let’s call them the "Get Skinny Quick" schemes. These diets are great at telling you what not to eat, but they are utterly silent on why you stress-eat in the first place, or how to navigate a holiday dinner without feeling like you need a witness protection program.

They focus only on the short-term result, not the long-term resolution. This is why 95% of people who lose weight on a restrictive diet gain it back. You didn't address the root cause, so the behavior bites you back. It’s a vicious cycle where you constantly feel like a diet failure, when really, the diet system failed you.

💉 The Metric-Only Mindset

Now, we have incredible medical tools like GLP-1s that help people achieve massive weight loss. These are fantastic innovations that can change a body’s chemistry. But here’s the thing: A pill can change your body, but it can’t change your life and who you are.

If you lose 50 pounds but still lack tools for managing relationship stress, getting quality sleep, and knowing how to move your body in a way you love, guess what happens if you stop the medication? The old habits are waiting patiently in the wings. We have to address the person, not just the pounds.

The Health Coach Difference: It’s Time to Get Holistic

This is where the magic of working with a Health Coach comes in. We ditch the "What" and focus entirely on the "Who" you want to become.

A coach doesn't just ask, "Do you want to lose 5 pounds?" We ask the better question:

"If you lost those 5 pounds, what would be different? How would you feel? What would be possible?"

This process is about visualization and clarity. We dive deep, because the true, sustainable goal is almost never what you wrote down first.

From Metrics to Motivation

How about an example? Say you sign up for coaching because you're ready to lose the weight and keep it off for good this time. That solo goal, the one where you said, "I want to lose 5 pounds," becomes a true, aligned goal, and may sound something like this (former clients, shared with permission):

"I want to feel light and energetic and have the mental freedom to start focusing on my career and family."
"I want to walk into a room and feel fundamentally confident, knowing my clothes fit comfortably and I'm nourishing my body well."
"I want to feel powerful and proud of the healthy habits I keep, so I can ditch the diet guilt and enjoy food socially without stress."

See the difference? When your goal is aligned with your deepest desire (confidence, energy, peace), the healthy actions you take no longer feel like sacrifice—they feel like self-care.

Working out isn't a chore to burn calories; it’s an act of self-respect to fuel your energy. Eating nourishing food isn't deprivation; it’s alignment with the healthy, energetic person you want to be.

Sustained Results Are Habit-Forming

When you work with a coach, you don't get a diet plan; you get a Life Plan. We help you:

Gain Clarity: Understand what goals actually matter to your happiness, beyond just the scale.
Build Accountability: Stay committed to the person you want to be, not just a fleeting weight loss number.
Integrate Holistic Tools: Connect all the seemingly separate parts of your life—sleep, stress, relationships, movement, and food—because they are all interconnected and must work together for long-term success.

Ultimately, the results are sustained because you’re not implementing temporary rules; you’re building permanent, aligned habits. You've stopped chasing a number and started building a life you love—and that is a goal that is truly worth its weight in gold.

Ready to stop chasing metrics and start building a life you're obsessed with?

Schedule a free health coaching session with me. Because… why not?

Let’s talk goals, food, and whatever’s getting in your way. No pressure, no guilt—just real support. Talk to you soon!