Hey there!

I've been quiet for a bit, but today I'm sharing something super personal that got a surprising amount of responses when I shared it on Instagram last week.

The Confession

I'm going to just say it: I love McDonald's. Actually, I love most junk food. There, I said it.

And I also need to lose some weight.

At 5'2" with a naturally small frame, I'm currently much heavier than feels good for my body. I've bounced around with my weight over the years (anyone else?) – from wearing double zero (00) Lilly Pulitzer dresses in 2015-2017 to now being in a size 14/16/18.

Let's be real – the main reason I've gained weight is because I put too much food in my mouth.

But there are other factors too: stress (2024 simply just kept giving in that department), sitting on my butt all day for work, and probably some metabolism changes now that I'm 43.

The Reality Check

Last week at a retreat in Colorado, someone took photos of the group. Looking at those pictures was my wake-up call. Two chins, folks. TWO. However, I did like this group photo.

And while I'm lucky to have a husband who has loved me at every size during our 24 years together, I'm not feeling good physically or mentally.

I get winded going up the stairs in our house. I feel anxious before photo shoots for my business.

And I'm just... not happy with how I'm showing up.

What This Has to Do With Business

Here's where my story connects to what I teach my clients: when something isn't working, you need a system – not just motivation or willpower.

The fact is, I've been trying to wing it with my health. I've been having:

• Protein shake for breakfast
• Protein shake for lunch
• Sometimes another protein shake
• And then... whatever for dinner

But without a real system in place, I'm basically hoping for the best rather than planning for success. Sound familiar?

This is exactly how many of you are running your businesses – whether it's a membership where you're manually trying to boost engagement every day, a service business where you're reinventing the client experience each time, or just trying to keep track of all your tasks without a reliable system.

Creating a Multi-Layered System

So I've decided to tackle this head-on with a complete system – not just one solution but several working together:

1. Getting Physical: The Gym Commitment

I've committed to hitting the gym at least 5 days a week to start. Now that I'm not sick (thankfully!), I'm focusing on consistency over intensity. Some days that's 30 minutes on the elliptical, bike or treadmill, other days it's a full workout with our trainer. The key is showing up – just like in business, 80% of success is just being there.

2. Meal Prep Sundays

I've decided to start dedicating Sunday afternoons to meal prepping for the week ahead. Simple proteins, pre-cut veggies, and organized containers that make grabbing a healthy lunch easier than ordering UberEats. We sometimes use a meal delivery service called Full Circle Food (paleo-style meals), but I'm taking more control by preparing things myself.

When I was at my healthiest, this was non-negotiable – and it's the same approach I teach my clients about their business systems. The work you do upfront saves you from making bad decisions when you're tired, busy, or stressed.

3. My Health Co-Pilot

Beyond the physical systems, I created a "Health Co-Pilot" – essentially a personal assistant that helps me stay on track with my nutrition and fitness goals — using a custom ChatGPT bot.

Here are the prompts I'm using to set it up (and you could adapt these for ANY area of your life or business that needs more structure):

1. Daily Accountability Check-In: "Based on my goal of losing weight and improving my fitness, what three small actions should I prioritize today?"
2. Meal Planning Support: "Help me plan tomorrow's meals that are high protein, low carb, around 1600 total calories, and account for my love of [whatever I'm craving]."
3. Workout Motivation: "I only have 20 minutes today. What's a quick workout I can do at home that will keep me on track toward my goals?"
4. Progress Tracking: "Help me track my progress this week by asking me these five questions..."
5. Overcoming Obstacles: "I'm struggling with [specific challenge]. Based on what's worked for me before, how can I handle this while staying on track?"

The beauty of this system is that it's personalized to ME – my schedule, my preferences, my history. Just like the systems I build for my clients need to be customized to THEM.

Systems Make Everything Easier

Whether it's getting your health on track or organizing your business operations, the right system can be the difference between constant struggle and steady progress.

When my personal systems are working, I have more energy for my clients and business. The same applies to your business systems – when they're working smoothly, you have more creative energy for the work you actually love.

Just like a membership needs consistent nurturing through automated systems rather than manual effort, my health journey needs the same structured support. Starting small and building consistency is exactly the approach I teach in the Systematic AF Club – create simple systems that work WITH you, not against you.

How I Can Help You Build Better Systems

This personal journey has reminded me how important it is to share the ways I can support you in creating systems that actually work. You don't have to do everything yourself—and you shouldn't!

If you're:

• A membership or community owner struggling with engagement, retention, or spending too much time on admin work, my VIP Days can help you create automated systems that keep members engaged without you constantly pushing content.
• A coach, consultant, or service provider who's fully booked but exhausted from handling too much admin work, a Strategy Call can help identify your biggest operational bottlenecks and create a plan to fix them.
• Looking for DIY support to streamline your business at your own pace, the Systematic AF Club gives you step-by-step training, templates, and expert guidance to create systems that actually work for you.

No matter where you are in your business journey, there's a way I can help you build systems that make running your business easier and more sustainable.

Quick Question: What's Your Biggest Systems Challenge?

I'm curious - which area of your business could use some systemizing right now?

Click the option that resonates most with you (this helps me send you more relevant content!):

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Let's Make This Easier Together

So here's my question for you:

Hit reply and let me know – I read every email.

And if you want help building systems that actually work for your business (and maybe even your life), that's exactly what we do in the Systematic AF Club.

Here's to becoming a "Slender Tender" (and having the systems to get there),

Monica

P.S. Whether you're running a membership that needs more engagement, a service business drowning in admin work, or just trying to get your business systems organized, the approach is the same: create simple systems that work WITH you instead of against you. Check out my Strategy Calls, VIP Days, or Consulting to find the right fit for your needs!

P.P.S. If you're wondering about the "Thicken Nugget" to "Slender Tender" reference – it's from an adorable orange cat I saw on Instagram who's on his own weight loss journey. Sometimes the right names just make goals more fun! Check out his swim school adventures in this YouTube short.​

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​ Dr. Monica Rysavy Systematic You ​Founder & CEO ☎️ (302) 599-0030 📬 monica@systematicyou.com 📍 Wilmington, Delaware