Keeping healthy living as simple and accessible as possible is now my mantra, but that hasn’t always been the case.
My Ups & Downs in a Healthy Lifestyle
A little background on me. I am 34 years old and have struggled with my weight my whole life. I was never athletic or naturally thin or health conscience. I always ate a little too much and stayed inside reading a little too much.
I can remember as early as kindergarten being teased for my weight. I can vividly recall times of being called too fat, gross, and my favorite catcall of ‘whale’ as I stepped up to the diving board at a swimming pool.
As early as kindergarten, I can remember being aware of my weight and hating the way I looked. As I got older, it did not get easier. Wanting to destroy pictures I was in, unable to look at myself in the mirror, or being filled with shame when I needed to ask my mom to buy a bigger jean size were everyday struggles.
By the time I reached high school I was over 220 pounds. I can’t remember the exact number; I’m sure I’ve blocked it out by now. With impending college life and prom just around the corner, I knew I needed a change. The only problem was that I was uneducated on nutrition.
For the next 8 years I tried every diet and diet food out. I lost 40 lbs, gained 50 back. I lost 55 pounds, gained 25 back. It was a vicious cycle and ended up with me being back at 204 pounds on the eve of 2012. I was alone and in bed, sick, and depressed. I knew there had to be a better way so I began to research proper nutrition and not just believe what every girl is taught – eat less, get skinny, be happy.
Learning about nutrition absolutely changed and saved my life. I finally was looking at food as something that body needs and should thrive off of – not something that should be shamed or assigned as good or bad. I as able to lose weight and actually keep it off without analyzing everything I ate. I was able to come to terms with my binging, learn my emotion and physical triggers and move past them.
Quite frankly, learning about nutrition, wellness, and mental health saved my life.
My Certifications
I am a Certified Holistic Health Care Practitioner and am certified in Holistic Nutrition.
