So here’s the thing about weight loss: it’s not just about the scale. It’s about the way you feel when you wake up in the morning. The energy you have to live your actual life. The way your clothes fit. The confidence you didn’t even realize you were missing.

When I first found Bright Line Eating, I was desperate for something that worked. And it did—oh my gosh, it worked. I lost 80 pounds, which is the most I’ve ever lost in my adult life. Eighty. Whole. Pounds.

And you know what? It wasn’t just about the number. It was about the non-scale victories—walking without my knees screaming at me, fitting into clothes I actually liked, having enough energy to go on long hikes with my family without feeling like I needed a nap in the parking lot. I felt better. I looked better. But more than anything, I felt like I was becoming better.

But then… life.

I got bored. I got tired of the same food options on repeat. It started to feel restrictive instead of freeing. And slowly—almost quietly—I started slipping. A little here, a little there. Until the weight started creeping back on.

If you’ve ever lost a significant amount of weight, you know how gutting it feels to start seeing the old you in the mirror again. It’s like mourning someone you worked so hard to meet.

So, here I am. Again. Not in the exact same place (because you can never unlearn what you’ve learned about your body and health), but close enough to know I don’t want to stay here.

This time, I wanted something that not only supported weight loss but was also kind to my body—specifically my thyroid. Because hi, Hashimoto’s is always in the background, reminding me that inflammation and stress aren’t just buzzwords; they’re real, physical things that make my symptoms flare.

So what did I do?
I turned to ChatGPT (because apparently I now have digital conversations with AI about my life choices). I asked for a Hashimoto’s-friendly, anti-inflammatory way of eating that would still help me lose weight without making me feel like I live in a kitchen I don’t even like.

And here’s what it gave me—a super simple 5-day plan. It has no complicated recipes, no weird ingredients, and absolutely no fish except for the tuna I can tolerate. This upgraded plan fuels my thyroid and metabolism without starving me.

---

My Full 5-Day Hashimoto-Friendly Meal Plan

Quick, repeatable, and designed to reduce inflammation while supporting weight loss.

👉 Think eggs, chicken, lean beef, ground turkey, tuna, and lots of easy veggies.
👉 No Pinterest-worthy meals. No long prep. Just 10–15 minute food.

---

DAY 1 (~1,450 calories)

Breakfast

• 3 boiled eggs
• 1 cup spinach sautéed in 1 tsp olive oil
• ½ cup blueberries
• ½ avocado
  420 cal – 20.5g protein – 19g carbs – 30.5g fat

Lunch

• 1 can tuna
• 1 tbsp olive oil mayo
• ½ avocado
• Lettuce wraps
• ½ cup roasted sweet potato
  430 cal – 29g protein – 27g carbs – 22g fat

Snack

• 15 almonds
• 1 boiled egg
  170 cal – 10g protein – 4g carbs – 14g fat

Dinner

• 5 oz lean ground turkey
• 1 cup steamed broccoli + ½ cup cauliflower rice
• 1 tsp olive oil drizzle
• ¼ cup cooked quinoa
  385 cal – 36g protein – 25g carbs – 17g fat

DAY 1 TOTAL: 1,405 cal – 95.5g protein – 75g carbs – 83.5g fat

---

DAY 2 (~1,500 calories)

Breakfast

• 2 scrambled eggs
• 1 chicken sausage link
• ½ cup sautéed zucchini in 1 tsp olive oil
• ½ cup raspberries
  300 cal – 22.5g protein – 12g carbs – 18.5g fat

Lunch

• 5 oz grilled chicken breast
• 1 cup steamed green beans
• ½ cup roasted sweet potato
• 1 tsp olive oil drizzle
  400 cal – 46g protein – 30g carbs – 9.5g fat

Snack

• 1 boiled egg
• 10 walnuts
• ½ cup cucumber slices
  170 cal – 8g protein – 4g carbs – 14g fat

Dinner

• 4 oz lean beef
• 1 cup roasted Brussels sprouts with 1 tsp olive oil
• ½ cup mashed cauliflower
• ¼ cup cooked quinoa
  360 cal – 33g protein – 23g carbs – 16.5g fat

DAY 2 TOTAL: 1,485 cal – 109.5g protein – 69g carbs – 58.5g fat

---

DAY 3 (~1,450 calories)

Breakfast

• 3 boiled eggs
• ½ cup sautéed kale in 1 tsp olive oil
• ½ cup strawberries
• ¼ cup cooked quinoa
  340 cal – 21.5g protein – 20g carbs – 20.5g fat

Lunch

• 1 can tuna
• 1 tbsp olive oil mayo
• ½ avocado
• Lettuce wraps + ½ cup cherry tomatoes
• ½ cup roasted sweet potato
  440 cal – 29g protein – 27g carbs – 22g fat

Snack

• 15 almonds
• 1 boiled egg
  170 cal – 10g protein – 4g carbs – 14g fat

Dinner

• 5 oz grilled chicken
• 1 cup roasted zucchini + yellow squash
• ½ avocado
  410 cal – 45g protein – 13g carbs – 19g fat

DAY 3 TOTAL: 1,460 cal – 105.5g protein – 64g carbs – 75.5g fat

---

DAY 4 (~1,500 calories)

Breakfast

• 2 scrambled eggs
• ½ cup spinach sautéed in 1 tsp olive oil
• ½ cup blackberries
• ½ avocado
  340 cal – 14.5g protein – 16g carbs – 25.5g fat

Lunch

• 5 oz ground turkey
• 1 cup roasted broccoli + 1 tsp olive oil
• ½ cup roasted sweet potato
  380 cal – 32g protein – 30g carbs – 15.5g fat

Snack

• 1 boiled egg
• 10 walnuts
• ½ cup cucumber slices
  170 cal – 8g protein – 4g carbs – 14g fat

Dinner

• 5 oz grilled chicken
• 1 cup steamed asparagus + 1 tsp olive oil
• ¼ cup cooked quinoa
  340 cal – 47g protein – 17g carbs – 10.5g fat

DAY 4 TOTAL: 1,490 cal – 101.5g protein – 67g carbs – 65.5g fat

---

DAY 5 (~1,480 calories)

Breakfast

• 3 boiled eggs
• ½ cup kale sautéed in 1 tsp olive oil
• ½ cup blueberries
• ¼ cup cooked quinoa
  355 cal – 21.5g protein – 24g carbs – 20.5g fat

Lunch

• 1 can tuna
• 1 tbsp olive oil mayo
• ½ avocado
• Lettuce wraps
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes
• ½ cup roasted sweet potato
  445 cal – 29g protein – 27g carbs – 22g fat

Snack

• 15 almonds
• 1 boiled egg
  170 cal – 10g protein – 4g carbs – 14g fat

Dinner

• 4 oz lean beef
• 1 cup roasted zucchini + Brussels sprouts + 1 tsp olive oil
• ½ cup cauliflower rice
• ½ avocado
  425 cal – 32g protein – 19g carbs – 26.5g fat

DAY 5 TOTAL: 1,480 cal – 92.5g protein – 74g carbs – 83g fat

---

Pairing Food with Gentle Movement

I also needed to move my body without wrecking it—because with Hashimoto’s, over-exercising is the fastest way to trigger a flare.

So I’m keeping it light, kind, and realistic. Here’s my gentle 5-day workout plan:

• Day 1: 20–30 min walk + light stretching
• Day 2: Light strength (squats, wall push-ups, band rows)
• Day 3: Restorative yoga or complete rest
• Day 4: Core & mobility (glute bridges, seated marches)
• Day 5: Walk + simple balance work

No bootcamps. No hour-long cardio. Just small, consistent movement.

I’m also weaving in more movement during my workday. I’ll be using my stand-up desk more often instead of sitting for hours at a time and hopping on my walking pad while working from home. It’s slow, steady movement that keeps me from feeling stuck without draining my energy.

---

Your 5-Day Grocery List

Proteins
✅ 2 dozen eggs
✅ 4 cans tuna (in water)
✅ 1.5 lbs ground turkey
✅ 1.5 lbs chicken breast
✅ 1 lb lean ground beef

Veggies
✅ 2 bags spinach
✅ 1 bag kale or mixed greens
✅ 1 bag zucchini or yellow squash
✅ 1 bag broccoli florets
✅ 1 bag Brussels sprouts or asparagus
✅ 1 small bag cauliflower rice
✅ 1 small bag green beans
✅ 1 pint cherry tomatoes or cucumbers for crunch
✅ Sweet potatoes (about 3 medium)

Healthy Fats
✅ Olive oil (or avocado oil)
✅ 2–3 avocados
✅ Almonds or walnuts
✅ Olive oil mayo

Slow Carbs
✅ Quinoa (1 cup cooked for the week)

Berries
✅ 1 pint blueberries
✅ 1 pint strawberries or raspberries

Optional Extras
✅ Sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, any simple spices you love

---

Quick Prep Hacks

✔ Boil a batch of eggs – 6–8 at once for grab-and-go breakfasts/snacks.
✔ Pre-chop veggies or buy pre-cut – Spinach, broccoli, cauliflower rice, zucchini.
✔ Batch cook proteins – Grill chicken, cook turkey/beef in one go and store.
✔ One-pan roasting – Toss veggies with olive oil, roast 15–20 min at 400°F.
✔ Tuna = emergency meal – Open, mix with mayo, stuff in lettuce wraps. Done.
✔ Pre-portion nuts – Keep snacks small and easy.
✔ Cook quinoa + sweet potatoes once and portion for quick add-ins.

---

When I’m Starting + What’s Next

I’m officially starting this on 7/16, and I’ll report back after the first week to share how I’m feeling—physically, mentally, and emotionally—because this journey is about so much more than just a number on the scale.

And no—this blog isn’t all about weight loss or illness. It’s just one piece of my unposted life. Some days I’ll talk about health. Other days it’s hiking adventures, family moments, or random late-night thoughts. The Unposted Life isn’t about one topic. It’s about showing up for all the messy, unfiltered parts of life.

---

Why This Feels Different

This plan feels doable. Sustainable. And most importantly, it doesn’t feel like a punishment.

I’m not chained to the stove. I’m not dreading complicated recipes. I’m not wrecking my joints or forcing myself into a workout my body isn’t ready for. I’m just eating clean, simple meals and moving my body in ways that feel good.

The goal isn’t just the weight loss (although yes, I want the scale to go down again). The goal is those non-scale victories—clearer skin, less bloating, better energy, fewer headaches, clothes that feel comfortable again, and confidence that shows up in the way I move through the world.

I want the lighter body, yes. But even more than that, I want the lighter mind.

So this is me—starting again. And maybe if you’re reading this, it’s your reminder that it’s never too late to try again. To find a way that works for you.

---

To anyone else living with an invisible illness, with weight you’ve lost and found again:
You are not a failure. You are not weak. You are learning. You are healing. And you are stronger than you think.

Until next time,
Still here, still going.

---

Feel free to print this if you’d like to try it with me.