In 2019, Steffani Cameron reached a breaking point. Struggling with her weight at 350 pounds and facing a health crisis that had left her unable to explore the world as she had hoped, she decided to make a profound change. A few years and 110 pounds later, Cameron’s journey to better health stands as a testament to the power of adopting small, sustainable lifestyle shifts.
Having embarked on a journey that led her to travel the globe and live in 25 countries, Cameron believed that a life of constant movement and adventure would automatically make her fit. But despite waking up in some of the world’s most beautiful places, the weight of her health challenges became too much to bear. After facing the struggle of climbing stairs in a Sicilian apartment, Cameron realized that her priority needed to shift—her health and survival were paramount.
At 46, determined to avoid the same fate that claimed her mother at 57, Cameron set a new goal: to be healthier at 50 than she was at 40. Starting with one small habit at a time, she began her transformation. Below, she shares the seven key habits that helped her lose weight and transform her life.
1. Walking Became a Way of Life
Cameron’s first major lifestyle shift came with embracing walking. After moving back to Victoria, British Columbia, she made walking a daily habit. Living just 15 minutes from downtown and close to parks and the ocean, she integrated walking into her routine for everything from errands to recreational activities. She also supplemented her walking lifestyle with car-share memberships and public transportation. This shift was crucial in helping her become more active while still enjoying the simplicity of a car-free existence.
2. I Stopped Drinking Calories and Counting Them
A major change came when Cameron stopped consuming liquid calories altogether. She recalled her time in Europe, where she drank wine excessively, contributing to her weight gain. By cutting out sugary drinks, including alcohol, she eliminated a significant source of empty calories. Instead of obsessing over counting every calorie, she learned to trust her body’s cues. Whether opting for light vegan meals or a hearty steak, Cameron found that her diet balanced out naturally over the course of a week.
3. Cooking at Home Became a New Passion
After years of eating out while traveling, Cameron craved the ability to cook at home. Once she settled in Canada, she immersed herself in learning how to prepare fresh, homemade meals. From making pasta in Rome to baking bread and experimenting with complex curries, cooking became a form of self-expression and a key part of her health transformation. Cameron also tackled her gluten intolerance by experimenting with gluten-free recipes, showing how food preparation can be both a health tool and a passion.
4. Cooking Shows Became a Source of Inspiration
Though her culinary skills grew through experience, cooking shows were a major inspiration for Cameron. Initially unfamiliar with the finer points of cooking, she found inspiration in programs like MasterChef Australia, where vegetables often take center stage. The shift from viewing meat as the star to vegetables as the main attraction marked a significant change in her cooking approach. This new mindset helped her create dishes that were not only delicious but also nutritious and health-conscious.
5. Growing Her Own Herbs Changed Her Approach to Food
Cameron’s balcony garden, home to herbs, salad greens, and even strawberries, became a sanctuary that not only provided fresh ingredients but also helped her reconnect with the act of growing food. Gardening became a form of therapy and a reminder of the simplicity of eating well. Having easy access to fresh herbs and vegetables meant she could enjoy homegrown, healthy meals, whether it was adding freshly cut chives to scrambled eggs or making a salad directly from her garden.
6. Being Mindful of What I Eat After Dinner
Cameron shifted her eating habits in the evening by practicing intermittent fasting, not as a strict diet but as a means to end unhealthy habits. During her years of travel, late-night snacking became a routine, often paired with wine. Now, she’s mindful about what she consumes after dinner, opting for light options like fruit or bitter hot cocoa to avoid digestive disturbances. This practice has allowed her to feel more in control of her eating habits and maintain better digestion and sleep.
7. Focusing on How I Feel, Not the Numbers on the Scale
Finally, Cameron stopped obsessing over the scale. She realized that weight fluctuations were a normal part of life, and focusing on the number on the scale often led to frustration. Instead, she chose to measure success by how she felt: how her clothes fit, how easy it was to walk, and how much more comfortable she was in her own body. By prioritizing her emotional and physical well-being, she learned to detach her self-worth from the number on the scale.
Through these seven lifestyle changes, Cameron has created a sustainable approach to health that brings joy and fulfillment. She no longer feels weighed down by her past struggles and is now looking forward to new adventures. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that transformation doesn’t require drastic changes all at once—it’s about adopting small, meaningful habits that add up over time. As she now looks to the future, Cameron’s story offers hope for anyone looking to make lasting changes for their health and happiness.
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