Hi! I’m Mary Bedell, and I created LifesYearning.com to help women navigate weight loss in a way that fits their real lives—not some cookie-cutter plan that ignores your unique situation.
My Story
Earlier in my life, I competed in Half-Ironman triathlons and spent my free time hiking and rock climbing. I burned thousands of calories and had no trouble keeping weight off. Then everything changed when I fell while bouldering without a belay, breaking my foot trying to reach for a hold that was just a bit too far.
Suddenly, I went from being extremely active to completely sidelined. The pounds came on fast because I didn’t adjust my eating habits, and before I knew it, I’d gained significant weight. When I tried to get back into biking, swimming, and running, my performance had plummeted.
Fast forward to now with three grandchildren, my focus has shifted from competing to something more important: maintaining my mobility and independence so I can enjoy an active retirement. I want to keep up with travel groups, play with my grandkids, and live free from major health issues.
That’s when I finally cracked the code: I lost 50 pounds in one year by making two key changes—eating less added sugar and eating more protein. I’ve now maintained that weight loss and feel stronger and more mobile than I have in years.
My Philosophy: Weight Loss Begins at the Grocery Store
Here’s what I learned through my journey: you’re going to eat what’s in your refrigerator. So the most important decision you make isn’t at the dinner table—it’s at the grocery store. When you fill your fridge and pantry with foods that nourish and fuel your body, healthy eating becomes the easy choice when hunger strikes.
That’s why I’ve built LifesYearning.com around a clear, step-by-step process to guide you through your weight loss journey:
Step 1: Choose Your Strategy
I don’t believe there’s only one “right” diet. On the site, I break down several proven approaches so you can choose what fits YOUR preferences and lifestyle:
- Mediterranean Diet – Easier to follow, more balanced, but slower weight loss (perfect if you want sustainable, long-term changes)
- Keto Diet – Harder to follow but faster weight loss (great if you need quick results and can commit to the restrictions)
- Plant-Based Diet – Ideal for people who don’t like meat or want to eat more plants
- Mayo Clinic Diet – For those who want a more structured, clinical approach with clear guidelines
- Intermittent Fasting – Can boost fat loss when combined with any diet plan
Step 2: Master Your Grocery Shopping
I provide detailed guides with ideal grocery lists to fill your kitchen with foods that are going to nourish and fuel your body as well as support your weight loss plan. When your fridge is filled with the right options, you set yourself up for success.
Step 3: Follow Practical Meal Plans & Recipes
For each diet strategy, I go deep into the basics of what’s required and provide meal plans and recipes that actually work in real life. No complicated chef-level cooking or impossible-to-find ingredients—just practical food that tastes good and supports your goals.
Step 4: Use the Right Tools
Through comprehensive product reviews, I help you find resources to track your eating, fitness, and progress. From apps to kitchen gadgets to fitness equipment, I test and review products so you can choose what will actually help you stay on track.
Step 5: Join the Community
Most importantly, I’m creating a community of women on the same path. Weight loss can feel lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. This is a space where we share our goals, celebrate what’s working, talk about our successes, and encourage each other along the way. You don’t have to do this alone.
Why I’m Different
Through years of working with various fitness and nutrition professionals during my athletic career, I learned meal planning strategies and fitness approaches that actually fit into real life. Now I am taking my decades of real-world experience with what works and what doesn’t and combining it with thorough research to help you make informed decisions.
For every product and program I review on this site, I:
- Conduct extensive research on features, benefits, and potential drawbacks
- Read hundreds of user reviews to understand real-world results
- Personally test many products myself
- Create curated lists of options that genuinely stand out
I stay current by reading scientific journals, following leading experts in the weight loss space, and using tools like Google Trends, Perplexity, and other research platforms to track the latest evidence-based approaches.
My Approach to Staying Active
These days, I’m not training for races—I’m training for life. I still swim and bike for enjoyment (we have amazing bike trails here, and I love tracking my rides on Strava). On sunny days, you’ll find me walking several miles on the trail near my house. On rainy days, I do YouTube dance videos, which build strength, aerobic capacity, balance, and coordination—all crucial for maintaining an aging brain. Plus, it’s made me confident enough to get up and dance when music is playing!
I’m also a big believer in “exercise snacks”—short bursts of bodyweight exercises throughout the day targeting different areas like arms or glutes. It’s an approach that fits seamlessly into daily life without requiring a gym membership or major time commitment.
What You’ll Find Here
I’m building Lifesyearning.com into a comprehensive resource for women who are tired of one-size-fits-all advice.
I’m currently:
- Expanding in-depth content on specific weight loss plans
- Launching a newsletter with practical tips and honest reviews
- Growing a supportive community across social media
- Continuously testing and reviewing new products
Important Note: I participate in affiliate programs, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase products through links on this site. You’ll always see a clear disclosure at the top of posts containing affiliate links. These partnerships never influence my honest assessments—I only recommend products that meet my standards based on thorough research and testing.
My Promise to You
Here’s what the weight loss industry doesn’t want you to know: You don’t need another program – you need people who’ve been where you are and made it out the other side cheering you on. Anyone can help you lose weight for a few months, because temporary changes create temporary results – but we’re here to help you keep it off for life.
Important Medical Note
Before making any changes to your diet or exercise routine, please consult with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional. This is especially important if you have existing health conditions or take medications.
A note about weight loss medications: You may have heard about drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and similar GLP-1 medications. While I don’t cover these medications on this blog, it’s important to know that even if you’re taking prescription weight loss drugs, you’ll still need to follow a balanced diet and maintain a fitness routine to fully reap the benefits of your therapy.
These medications work best as part of a comprehensive approach to health, not as a replacement for healthy eating and movement. If you’re curious whether weight loss medication might be right for you, that’s a conversation to have with your doctor.
My goal is simple: to help you find what works for your life so you can live the life you’re yearning for.