Free Resources That Helped Me Start My Weight Loss Journey

When I first began my health and weight loss journey, I didn’t have all the answers. I wasn’t an expert, and I certainly didn’t have a perfect plan. What I did have was curiosity and a willingness to learn. These are some of the free resources and strategies that I have used in my weight loss journey.

Books & Audiobooks

One of the biggest game-changers for me was reading. Many people don’t realize how many free resources are available. Spotify offers a variety of audiobooks, and many local libraries provide free access to digital books and audiobooks through apps like Libby and Hoopla.

Some of my favorite books include:

• Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza

• The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma

• Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins

• The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma

• Breath by James Nestor

Books allowed me to learn directly from experts, challenge my existing beliefs, and gain new perspectives on health, mindset, and personal growth.

Social Media (Use Wisely)

Social media can be an incredible tool for learning. There are countless professionals, researchers, coaches, and educators sharing valuable information for free.

That said, always do your own research.

Just because something is trending or sounds convincing doesn’t mean it’s right for you. When I came across an idea that interested me, I would:

• Look for multiple sources discussing the same topic

• Research the science behind it

• Read articles and studies when available

• Talk to people who had personal experience with it

• Consider whether it aligned with my goals and lifestyle

Social media is a great place to discover new ideas. Just make sure you’re doing your homework before adopting them as facts.

Some of my recent favorites include:

• Brendan Backstrom (@lowbackability)

• Dr. JJ (@drjjphysicaltherapist)

• Joe Hudson (@joehudson_aoa)

• Shiv Wilson (@shivwilsonn)

• Tish Wonders (@tishwonders)

• Mike Greenfield (@lifebymikeg)

Track Your Nutrition

One of the most eye-opening things I ever did was track my food intake.

Free apps like MyFitnessPal can help you understand what you’re actually eating each day. In my experience, most people either significantly overestimate or underestimate their intake.

Tracking isn’t about judging or shaming yourself. It’s about awareness.

When you collect data, you can begin to notice patterns:

• How does your nutrition affect your energy levels?

• What foods leave you feeling your best?

• How does your mood change after your meals?

Treat yourself like a science experiment. The more information you gather, the more empowered you become to make informed decisions.

Track Your Health Data

If you enjoy data and trends, there are many free and low-cost ways to monitor your health habits.

Some useful tools include:

• The Health app on iPhone

• The Journal app on iPhone

• An Apple Watch

• An Oura Ring

Tracking sleep, activity levels, recovery, mood, and habits can provide valuable insights into how your lifestyle impacts your overall well-being.

Remember: the goal isn’t perfection. The goal is awareness.

Try Free Classes & Workshops

One of the best ways to discover what type of movement you enjoy is simply to try new things.

Over the years, I’ve experimented with:

• Dance classes

• Tennis lessons

• Indoor cycling and spin classes

• Hot yoga

• Strength training

• Jiu-jitsu

• Group fitness classes

Not every activity was a perfect fit, and that’s okay.

The goal is exposure. Every new class teaches you something about yourself and helps you discover forms of movement that feel enjoyable rather than forced.

Long-term health is much easier to maintain when you genuinely enjoy being active. The more activities you explore, the greater your chances of finding movement that becomes a natural part of your lifestyle.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to know everything before you start. You simply need to stay curious and take the next step.

Read books. Ask questions. Track your habits. Experiment. Learn from others. Most importantly, pay attention to your own experience.

Your health journey is unique, and some of your greatest breakthroughs will come from becoming a student of your own body.