Published on January 13, 2025

in December 2019, I weighed 263 lb. and I was feeling stuck. I had hit my highest weight of 283 lb. in 2018 and stopped attending my weight watchers' meetings, though I kept paying them a symbolic gesture of hope that I might someday return. That day finally came on Christmas Eve. When I decided I couldn’t enter a new year feeling this way. so, I walked into my local weight watchers meeting. I wasn’t sure what would happen, but I knew I had to try again. Little did I know that decision would set the stage for one of the most transformative journeys of my life……. Then….. 

THE PANDEMIC AND PIVOTING TO VIRTUAL MEETINGS….

fast forward to March 2020, and the world changed. Local weight watcher meetings were no longer an option for me, and I found myself navigating uncharted territory: virtual meetings. At first, I was skeptical. Could a zoom meeting provide the same support as an in-person meeting. How could I make a connection with anyone online? to my surprise, these virtual meetings became my lifeline. I started showing up consistently. sometimes I would attend several virtual WW meetings in a day. I started listening to other people's stories and taking notes on the tips and strategies that resonated with me. Those meetings weren’t just about weight loss they were about community, accountability and inspiration. Many of the mindset Mantras I still use today came from those zoom calls.

VALENTINES DAY: THE DAY EVERYTHING CHANGED
on February 14, 2020, my husband and I decided to try something new an elimination diet. We had read a book by doctor, Kunz and were inspired to take a different approach. -a whole food, plant-based diet. It was unlike anything we had done before, and in the first six weeks, I lost 20 pounds without counting calories, tracking points, or writing down my meals. I simply changed what I ate, and the results were transformative. that shift wasn’t just physical; it was mental. For the first time, I saw how powerful it was to focus on what I ate rather than how much. THE MIND SET THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE while nutrition played a significant role, mindset was the game changer. 

Here are the principles that kept me going: 

PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION: I learned to forgive myself for setbacks and focus on moving forward. Beating myself up, has never helped.

SMALL HINGES SWING BIG DOORS: tiny changes, like adding more vegetables to my meals or walking a bit more each day led big results. 

WE GET GOOD AT WHAT WE PRACTICE: Consistency, builds habits.

FINDING JOY IN MOVEMENT exercise has always been a challenge for me, but discovering joyful movement changed everything. For me, that joy came from Hulu hooping. It wasn’t about burning calories; it was about having fun, feeling free, and creating a routine. I look forward to. motion truly is lotion, whether it’s picking up a hula hoop for five minutes or taking a 10-minute walk small movements add up.

THE POWER OF COMMUNITY one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you can’t do this alone. whether it’s virtual meetings, a support group, or a trusted friend community is essential. I’m so grateful for weight watchers and all of the incredible people I have met in the zoom meetings. I grateful for their support, shared stories, tips, & encouragement, their ideas became the foundation of my own journey, and they remind me that we are all in this together. 

CELEBRATING SUCCESS AND STAYING MOTIVATED by January 2021, I weighed 183 pounds January 2022, I reached 150 pounds a milestone I’ve maintained/managed (I am human) for four years. Losing weight is one thing keeping it off is another. what kept me motivated is celebrating every small win and reminding myself that this is a lifelong journey. I’m still learning, growing, and finding new ways to love myself every day.
JOIN ME ON THIS JOURNEY if my story resonates with you, I invite you to take the first step today. Download my free e-book, small hinges, swing big doors, to discover daily mindset, boosters that can help you start your own transformation. Check out my other blog post for more tips, tools and inspiration together, we can create a healthier, happier future one small step at a time.