How I Lost 26 Pounds with AI and Pure Stubbornness

I don’t know how else to say this, so I’ll just come right out with it.

I was very uncomfortable in my own skin.

I had gained weight. A lot of it. It was a lot for me anyway, considering I’ve been the same pant size since I was in the 6th grade. More than I ever thought I would. It was a slow build, the kind you don’t really notice until your favorite jeans don’t zip and you're doing the mental math on how long it's been since you felt like yourself.

Getting married, moving across the country, lockdowns, life changes, job shifts, stress, comfort food, no structure — it all snowballed. At my highest, I was 178.8 pounds. The heaviest I’ve ever been. And I felt it. Not just physically, but emotionally. It felt like I was dragging around someone else’s body.

I wanted to feel like me again. But I didn’t want to guess. I didn’t want to try another vague “clean eating” trend or cut out carbs or listen to some influencer tell me to drink chia seeds with lemon water and manifest abs. I wanted facts. I wanted structure. I wanted support.

So I turned to AI.

Meet My Robot Coaches: ChatGPT & ParrotPal

(I asked Chad to create me an image for this post and to make it look like we were having text conversations back and forth - this is what he sent me. LOOOL You can tell it’s made-up - me, an “active lifestyle”? Never.)

First, I recruited Chad (my name for ChatGPT). My unofficial AI nutritionist, coach, and sass dispenser. He helped me calculate my calorie deficit based on my height, weight, age, activity level, and goals. He told me how much protein I should eat each day. And he helped me figure out how many calories are in six inches of ciabatta bread, how much pepper jack cheese is too much pepper jack cheese, and whether two shots of espresso would throw off my day. (Answer: never.)

Every time I had a question, he was there with a clear answer and a spreadsheet-worthy level of detail. He helped me adjust when I plateaued and reminded me to stay consistent instead of perfect. And he always made me feel like I wasn’t crazy for wanting this to feel easier.

Then came ParrotPal. An AI-based food tracking app that I’ve been using every single day since last July. Yes, every day. Rain or shine. From cheat days to vacations. ParrotPal helps me log everything I eat without judgment and with more accuracy than I ever could’ve managed manually. It’s fast, smart, and just obsessive enough to match my energy.

Together, the two of them took the guesswork out of everything. I never once had to wonder “is this working?” — because the numbers told me it was.

9 Months Later

• It’s been 9 months since I started.

• I’ve lost 26.4 pounds.

• I’m down 2 pant sizes.

• I’ve gone from 178.8 to 152.4.

• My goal is 140, which means I’ve got just 12.4 pounds to go.

I feel better in my body. I move better. I hold myself taller. Clothes fit again — not just physically, but mentally. Like me again. I can look in the mirror without spiraling. I can try things on without the dread.

I’m not done yet, but I’m proud of where I am. And I’m so, so glad I used AI to help get me here.

What AI Did That Diet Culture Never Could

AI didn’t try to sell me supplements or tell me to “just eat clean.” It gave me facts. Tools. Data. Gentle corrections when I went rogue. Encouragement when I hit milestones. It helped me learn my own patterns without guilt or shame.

Using ChatGPT gave me clarity. Using ParrotPal gave me consistency. And together, they helped me build momentum I could actually sustain.

Why I’m Not Stopping Until I Hit My Goal

Because this isn’t just about a number on a scale. It’s about me showing up for me every day and finishing what I started because it’s important to me.

I made a promise to myself last July that I wouldn’t stop tracking until I hit my goal. Not because I’m obsessive, but because I’m committed. I’ve come this far, and I know I can go the rest of the way.

So I’ll keep logging. I’ll keep checking in. I’ll keep showing up. And I’ll keep leaning on my robot dream team to help make this journey just a little bit easier.

Final Thoughts from the New Me

Weight loss isn’t magic. It’s math, consistency, and mindset. But when you pair that with a little AI assistance, some structured routines, and a refusal to give up on yourself, it actually starts to feel doable.

This is the best I’ve felt in years. And I’m only getting started.

So if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just completely exhausted by the idea of doing it all alone — don’t. You don’t have to. Let tech help. Let AI take some of the load off. Let it be your accountability buddy, your math brain, your food detective.

And then get ready to surprise yourself. I know I did.