I went to a dance class with a coworker, now my cofounder at Como, and we recorded a video. When I watched it back, I thought I looked like a ball.

As someone who ran a marathon last year, I wasn't impressed.

I asked myself: Can I lose 10 pounds without sacrificing my entire lifestyle?

When I came back from Vancouver, it was time to lock in.

What I Was Already Doing

Before I started, I was already fairly active:

  • Attending spin class once a week
  • Walking 10,000 steps every day
  • Staying generally active throughout the week

Even with all that activity, I wasn't seeing any progress.

The Beginning

I started tracking every meal. I mean everything.

There was nothing particularly special about my approach. It was mostly about being disciplined and paying attention to what I was eating.

I also started running more. I added two 10 kilometre runs each week while continuing to attend spin class.

The Journey

Tracking my meals helped me notice patterns in my eating habits.

The first thing I did was stop going to Tim Hortons. I used to enjoy walking there and grabbing a double double with a doughnut. It wasn't only about the food. It had become part of my routine.

I also ate all the remaining cookies in my house. Maybe that wasn't the most traditional version of going cold turkey, but I wanted the house to be free of my usual vices.

Then I started preparing better options for when cravings hit:

  • I cut fruit ahead of time so it was ready whenever I felt an urge.
  • I boiled eggs the night before.
  • I kept easy, filling foods available.

And yes, I talked to Como.

I know, I know. Product placement. But it genuinely helped. After what felt like 50 conversations about Tim Hortons, I eventually stopped going.

I also received support from my friends and family. They were patient with me and didn't make me feel guilty when they ordered greasy food around me.

After about three weeks, I finally noticed a downward trend. I went from 175 pounds to 171.

Is it really that simple?

The Vices

I didn't completely stop living my life.

FIFA was in town, so I had a few beers while watching my favourite teams play.

I also love attending tech meetups, and those events almost always have pizza.

And that was okay.

The goal wasn't to avoid every social event or never eat pizza again. It was to make better choices most of the time without feeling like I had to give up my lifestyle.

Moving Forward

I gradually changed my diet.

As corny as it sounds, I started eating more chicken breast and greens. But healthy food doesn't have to be boring.

I've been exploring new fruits to add to my yogurt: dragon fruit, kiwi, bananas, and anything else that looks interesting.

How This Journey Shaped Como

Some of what I learned during this journey directly influenced features we are building at Como.

Tracking every meal showed me the value of journaling. It wasn't about obsessing over calories. It was about becoming more aware of what I was eating, what was happening around me, and how I felt at the time.

My Tim Hortons routine also helped us think more deeply about habit loops.

The craving wasn't always just about wanting coffee or a doughnut. There was a pattern: I wanted to go for a walk, Tim Hortons was nearby, and the double double and doughnut had become the reward.

Once I could see that loop, it became easier to change it.

That experience helped shape Como's Journal and Habit Loop features. The goal is to help people recognize the patterns behind their eating, not to shame them or tell them what they can or cannot eat.

Building Como while going through this myself has also made the product feel more personal. Some features started as ideas, but this journey showed me how they could help in real life.

Where I Am Now

As of this writing, I weigh 162.8 pounds.

That's a little over 12 pounds lost in three months, without sacrificing my entire lifestyle.

I didn't change everything overnight. I slowly phased out the habits that weren't helping me and replaced them with habits I could actually maintain.

So, can you lose 10 pounds in one month?

Maybe. But I learned that you don't have to rush it.

Make changes gradually, pay attention to your patterns, and build a routine you can comfortably continue.