From Self-Loathing to Self-Love: My Journey to Lasting Wellness

For much of my life, I struggled with body image issues and was incredibly hard on myself. I white-knuckled my way through diets and punishing workout routines, only to end up face-down in chocolate cake after a couple of weeks. I believed change would come if I was just tougher, ran faster, lifted more weights, or dieted harder.

But that approach left me frustrated, stuck, and exhausted. I was creating an internal battle, fighting myself over and over.

It wasn’t until I shifted my mindset—from self-loathing to self-love—that I began to experience real consistency in my wellness and health practices. I realized that true, lasting change comes from a place of care and compassion, not self-criticism. My inner dialogue needed a transformation. Instead of berating myself, I started allowing gradual changes and embraced the process with kindness.

This mindset shift became the foundation for everything that followed—learning to nourish my body, building physical and mental strength, and ultimately believing in my ability to live a life of wellness.

An Act of Love, Not Punishment

I began approaching my health journey as an act of love, not punishment. It was a commitment to nurturing and honoring my needs rather than abandoning myself.

Learning About Nutrition

The first step was educating myself on nutrition. I had followed countless diets, lost in misinformation, until I realized that food isn’t just calories—it’s information for the body. Carbs aren’t the enemy, and protein is vital. Through credible scientific resources, I learned how balanced nutrition affects everything from energy levels to mood. I noticed that how I ate even influenced my anxiety levels. As I grew in knowledge, the shame spiral of late-night cookie binges naturally faded.

Strength Training for Physical and Mental Resilience

Strength training changed not only my body but also my mindset. Building physical strength is about resilience and confidence. Learning compound exercises and practicing progressive overload helped me gradually get stronger. This journey showed me that strength training is as much about the mind as the body—it shifted how I viewed my physical abilities and, in turn, my internal strength.

Mindfulness and Gratitude Practices

Incorporating mindfulness and gratitude into my daily routine has been essential. Mindfulness helps me stay present and grounded, while gratitude allows me to celebrate progress instead of endlessly chasing the next goal. These practices help me stay connected to my body and mind, reinforcing self-compassion as a guiding force in my wellness journey.

Wellness is Within Reach

What I’ve learned on this journey is that emotional and physical well-being are within reach for all of us. The path to health is deeply personal, and it’s okay if it doesn’t look the same for everyone. Small, deliberate steps and trusting the process are key.

A coach can be a valuable ally to help cut through misinformation, support your goals, and provide education. Slow and steady really does win the race—a 1-degree change in navigation will eventually lead to an entirely new destination.

My Wellness Coaching Program

My Wellness Coaching Program offers a structured approach with education, insight, and personalized support to help you make real progress—especially if you’ve struggled with self-doubt or conflicting health information.

Through this program, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, and other wellness practices, developing habits that can last a lifetime.

Does this resonate with you? Ready to take that first step? I’m here to help you. Reach out to me at [email protected].

Since 2019, I've helped clients achieve balance through fitness, nutrition, and holistic wellness. I hold certifications in health coaching from the Clean Health Institute, Nutritional Coaching Institute, and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, specializing in hormone and microbiome health, and the psychology of eating.