
My Overcoming Overweight Story—81 Pounds
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I don’t even know where to start...
Because I’ve started, stopped, and picked things back up again so many times.
I’ve progressed, plateaued, regressed, and then progressed again.
I have to admit—yes, I took days off. Not every day was productive. But I learned something important: When I got tired, I needed to rest, not quit.
There were times I slept in. Times I traveled and used that as an excuse to go off my “diet.” Times I struggled to restart. But the point is, I always started again.
I created my own health challenges—like going 21 days without bread or running 10 minutes a day for a month. Honestly, getting to the gym wasn’t the problem. In high school, Planet Fitness was right down the street. At UMich, I had easy access to the gym on campus. I lost 20 pounds before prom and 60 pounds during my four years in Ann Arbor.
But here’s the thing…
The Number on the Scale Was Controlling Me
I used to be obsessed with the scale. I thought losing weight meant everything—but I didn’t realize that weight loss and fat loss were two different things.
Now, after years of trial and error, my body has shown me the real difference. Though I’ve stayed between 155-165 lbs, my body composition has changed. I had loose skin and cellulite, but lifting weights and building muscle has helped with that.
The Real Battle Wasn’t the Gym—It Was Food
While working out came naturally to me, my relationship with food was my biggest struggle.
To be real with you—I’ve starved myself before. I used to think, If I drink enough water and take vitamins, I’ll be fine. I convinced myself that I wasn’t actually hungry… I just needed to lose my belly.
I was so focused on getting smaller that I didn’t realize I was harming myself.
Then came the fainting episodes.
One of the worst? At a Wale concert at St. Andrews.
The flashing lights, the heat, and the crowded space made me feel lightheaded. My hearing faded, like when your ears won’t pop after a flight. Then—I blacked out.
When I woke up, security was helping me, and a kind stranger gave me her water and juice. I was so embarrassed. But that moment made me realize—this wasn’t normal. I was pushing my body beyond its limits.
Breaking the Cycle: Food, Fitness, & Self-Love
Even today, I still struggle with eating consistently. Sometimes, I social eat, emotionally eat, or eat "just because." Other times, I punish myself by skipping meals after feeling like I ate “too bad” or “too much.”
There are days I have to force myself to eat. There are days I forget to eat altogether.
But here’s what I’ve learned:
- Starvation isn't just being hungry—it’s depriving your body of the fuel it needs to function.
- Losing weight doesn’t always mean getting healthier. If you’re not eating right, you could be losing muscle instead of fat.
- Fixing my relationship with food is a process, and I’m still working on it.
I’ve come a long way, though.
I remember struggling to jog at 4.5 mph on the treadmill. Now, my best mile time is 8:32! That’s something to be proud of. No one forced me to go to the gym—I did this. That alone shows me I have control over my life.
Why I’m Sharing This
I know I'm not the only one who has struggled with body transformation, self-love, and unhealthy habits.
There’s so much I wish I had known when I started. But I also know—it’s never too late to make a change.
I don’t want anyone else to go through what I did.
I used to be obsessed with being “skinny.” Now, I’m on a muscle-building journey. That means eating more, not less. It means fueling my body the right way.
I want to live a long and healthy life. And no matter how long it takes—I’ll keep going.
If you're struggling with your fitness or nutrition, ask yourself:
✅ Is gym access the problem? Try home workouts—bodyweight exercises are just as effective.
✅ Is timing the issue? Hit the gym first thing in the morning or right after work. Keep gym clothes in your car.
✅ Is food the challenge? Google healthy recipes, follow fitness pages, and start learning about clean eating.
✅ Is your body aching? Learn to rest and stretch. Prioritize sleep. Move your body in a way that feels good.
This is a journey, not a race to win. And I’m learning to love the process.
If you’re on your own transformation journey, just know—you’re not alone.
Let’s get better together. 💛✨
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Peace and posi to you!