I didn’t come from a naturally thin family. As a kid and teen, I stayed active—playing sports and getting involved in school activities helped keep my weight in check. But by the time I hit my sophomore year of high school, my weight started to become something I quietly struggled with.
Then came motherhood.
After giving birth to my daughter in 2014, things slowly but surely spiraled out of control. Oddly enough, I didn’t gain much during my pregnancy, but once she arrived, the pounds began to pile on. I was dealing with postpartum depression, adjusting to maternity leave, and frankly—I was exhausted. Fast food, snacks, and sweets became quick comforts in the chaos. I didn’t have time for myself, let alone a workout plan.
By the time my daughter turned four, not much had changed—except the number on the scale.
I’ll be honest: I didn’t know the first thing about working out, dieting, or how to lose weight properly. I had tried before, many times, but never stuck with it. I lacked consistency, direction, and truthfully—confidence. But when others began commenting on my weight, it finally hit me. Not because of what they said, but because I knew I deserved better. I wanted to be healthy and strong—for me and for my daughter.
That’s when I made a decision. I cut out all meat except fish and switched to a pescatarian lifestyle. I started exercising regularly—no gym membership, no personal trainer, just me, my determination, and some at-home workouts. At first, it was hard. But then something amazing happened: it became a habit. I became addicted to the high, the progress, the sweat. Nothing could stop me—I was on fire, burning up the pavement in my Nikes. I lost 30 pounds, and I felt unstoppable.
But life has a way of humbling you.
Fast forward to 2018—I gained it all back.
Yep. Every pound. How? Simple. Life, work, and motherhood got the best of me.
After reaching my goal weight, I got comfortable. I went from working out five days a week, to three, to none. I’m a big foodie, and slowly the snacks and desserts snuck their way back in. I slipped into old habits, and just like that—I was right back where I started. I felt miserable and disappointed in myself.
In 2019, I did what many of us do. I made a resolution to get back on track. I started slow and struggled (again) to find the right balance between work, motherhood, relationships, and personal wellness. Some days I showed up for myself. Other days, I didn’t. There were highs and lows, moments of motivation followed by slumps of discouragement.
Right now, I’m in a bit of a plateau. I haven’t lost any weight in three weeks—in fact, I’ve gained two pounds. I’m aiming to lose about 11 more, but it’s tough. Really tough.
Still, I remind myself why I started. I have new goals this time. I don’t just want to lose weight—I want to transform my body into something I never imagined it could be. I want to feel strong, powerful, and proud.
Between working a full-time job, managing multiple businesses, taking care of my partner, daughter, and home—I’m burnt out. By the end of the day, I’m spent. Most nights I want to climb straight into bed. No one tells you how much of yourself you’ll give when you become a parent. The clock never stops, and often there’s no time left for you.
But this is the season I’m in, and I’m learning how to fight for myself through it. I may not have all the answers, and I’m far from perfect, but I keep showing up—one imperfect day at a time.
This journey isn’t linear. It’s messy, hard, and deeply personal. But if you’re in a similar place, just know: you’re not alone, and it’s okay to start over—again and again if you have to.
