I’ve ridden the fitness roller coaster many times in my life. It used to be a real up-and-down journey. Every few years, I’d get the urge to lose weight, get fit, or just be more active. I wouldn’t necessarily set specific goals, but I’d work hard and be consistent—until I hit what I thought was the finish line.

I’d reach a point where I felt comfortable taking my shirt off with a bit of confidence. I’d even get compliments from others. But once I got there, I’d feel a sense of completion. And that’s where the problem began. I’d stop doing the very things that helped me get there. Slowly but surely, the weight would creep back on.

Now in my mid-40s, I’ve seen how technology and knowledge in fitness have evolved. I’ve been on this ride many times, but this last time was different. I didn’t just focus on losing weight; I focused on the full package—nutrition, activity, rest, strength, and cardio. I did my homework, tapped into the wisdom I’ve gained over the years, and applied it all.

Here’s the key difference this time: I stopped viewing the “end” of the journey as a point of completion. Instead, I saw it as a milestone. A stepping stone to something greater. I learned to hold on to the habits that got me there and build upon them, rather than abandon them. Yes, I celebrated the victories, but I didn’t let those celebrations signal the end of my efforts. This time, I understood that getting lean was just the beginning.

When you keep going, something amazing happens—your body starts to adjust, and being lean becomes your new normal. It no longer feels like a diet; it just feels like living.

I believe plateaus are simply maintenance levels. It’s your body asking, “What else do you have?” When you hit a plateau, that’s when you turn the dial up—just a notch at a time. Over time, those small adjustments lead to continued progress.

I’ve had many different jobs throughout my life, a true jack-of-all-trades. Some might see that as a curse, but I don’t claim curses. I’ve always been able to adapt and adjust for work, so why not apply that same mindset to my health and fitness? If I can adjust for money, I can adjust for myself.

So, if you’ve hit your goals—celebrate. You did it. Just don’t stop there. Use what you’ve learned, build on it, and keep thriving. Whatever you were doing to get results clearly worked—so why let that go? Keep moving forward. The best is yet to come.