From Smaller Waistline To Bigger Bottom Line


What A Health App Can Teach You About BUSINESS Success

“I’ve never weighed this much!”

The number 2000 represents a milestone for me. It’s also a lesson you can use for long-term business success. 

It marks 2000 straight days of tracking my calorie intake, exercise, and eating habits. That simple act, spending just two to three minutes every day, transformed my health and reshaped my perspective on achieving success. 

It’s proof that small, consistent habits can create big, lasting changes.

In 2019, I’d just watched myself on video. I didn’t like how I looked.

I had stepped on the scale. I definitely didn’t like THAT number 

“I’ve never weighed this much!” 

I was 23 pounds more than I’d ever weighed. It wasn’t just about the weight. I felt lousy. Sluggish. Unmotivated. 

Out of shape. 

“I need to change… right NOW!”

I downloaded a calorie-tracking app, set a modest goal of losing 20 pounds in 12 months, and committed to tracking every item I consumed and every minute of exercise. 

At first, it felt awkward and tedious. But within weeks, I noticed an attitude shift; it became a game I didn’t want to lose. 

Within a month it had become second nature. Most days I stayed within my calorie limits. On days I didn’t, I didn’t punish myself—I focused on doing  better the next day.

I also developed new habits, such as avoiding eating after dinner, shrinking portion sizes, drinking more water, and eliminating high-calorie snacks. 

The key to developing these new habits is that I tackled these one at a time. Human beings doing succeed when they attempt too many changes at once. 

I also became more deliberate about exercise. I’d worked out consistently since age 14, but now I focused on the type of exercise and the calories I wanted to burn.

A Remarkable (And Unexpected) Result

91 days after starting, I stood on the scale. I had lost 38 pounds—far beyond my initial goal. 

There was a catch, though. 

The weight loss came too fast. I couldn’t sustain that kind of loss. 

I adjusted, gained back 10 pounds over the next two months, and found a pace I could maintain. Over the past five years, these habits have helped me keep my weight within a five-pound range.

Business Lessons Learned

This isn’t just about weight loss; it’s about the habits I built. 

Tracking made me accountable. 

New habits created new mindsets and beliefs. Success motivated me for more success. It gave me insights to stay in control without the ups and downs so many people experience.

The principles that helped me create a smaller waistline could also build a bigger bottom line.

With a friend’s help, I applied this to my business. We created a spreadsheet to track key actions—calls made, emails sent, social media posts shared, client outreach, and speaking opportunities pursued. Like calorie tracking, this small, daily practice gives me clarity.

When business results are strong, I can see what actions drove success. When results dip, I’m able to identify what I’m not doing well and adjust.

This habit has been a game-changer for staying consistent and focused, even on tough days.

Your Turn

What could you achieve by tracking your actions? 

Whether it’s your health, your business, or another goal, the process is simple but not easy [changing habits rarely is]:

• Start Small: Pick one area to track—one you’re ready to improve.
• Stay Consistent: Invest a few minutes daily recording your actions. Don’t labor over this; don’t analyze—record and move on.
• Adjust as Needed: Periodically review your data to guide your next steps and improve over time.

When I stepped on that scale in 2019, my goal was simple: 

I want to feel better, and protect my long-term health. 

I had no idea this journey would teach me lessons about success beyond my health.

If you want long-term victories, create positive short-term habits. Small habits, consistently applied, lead to extraordinary results. 

Your success is one habit away.