How I Lost 60lbs And Kept It Off.
- Jun 11
- 5 min read
When people ask how I lost 60 lbs, they usually expect a quick answer. But my transformation didn’t come from a diet, a detox, or a 30-day challenge. It came from a total shift in how I lived my life. Not overnight. Not all at once. But little by little, over five years, through mindset work, small habit changes, and eventually a full lifestyle transformation rooted in holistic wellness.
Below I go over the 5 stages I went through that lead to me changing my body. I think you're going to be able to relate to most of them,
What would a transformation story be without a classic BEFORE and AFTER photo, so here it is.
Phase 1: The Phase of “I Deserve This”
In my earlier years—especially as I stepped into my money-making era—I fell into a loop I know many people can relate to: I worked hard, so I deserve this and that.
“I deserve this venti mocha frappuccino.”
“I’ve earned this beer.”
"I deserve this night out or vacation where I don't hold back (overconsume)"
“This cake? I crushed my week—I deserve it.”
It wasn’t just about indulgence. It was about trying to balance burnout with treats, and disconnection with comfort. I had checked out of my body and was rewarding myself through consumption. It felt good in the moment, but over time, I noticed the weight creeping on—not just physically, but emotionally and energetically too.
I wasn’t nourishing myself. I was feeding and numbing myself.
Phase 2: The Wake-Up Call
I didn’t have a dramatic health scare or a “rock bottom” moment. What I had was seeing a photo of myself, and I didn't recognize myself anymore.
I didn't like how I looked.
I didn’t feel good in my body.
And I didn’t want to keep living like that.
Here’s a teachable moment from my own story: no one told me I had to lose the weight. That decision came from deep within me. And as a trainer who helps people transform, I can tell you—this is the kind of change that actually sticks. True, lasting transformation only happens when you decide you’re ready.
Phase 3: Implementing Change
I started to observe my 'fit' & 'skinny' friends and watched how they navigated daily life from what and how they ate, how they moved, what exercises they did, what they read (back in the magazine days), and how they viewed themselves. What I witnessed expanded me.
They ate smaller portions and truly listened to their body when they were full, often getting a doggy bag of their leftovers.
They didn't overeat or binge with the narrative that they 'deserved' it.
They were avid walkers. Taking daily walks was just part of their life
They read Women's Health Magazine and read blogs on health & fitness
They did activities like dance, gymnastics, step classes, and sports
They loved themselves and viewed food as nourishment for energy
They drank a lot of water
I didn’t just start copying what all my healthy friends were doing. I took what genuinely resonated with me and made small changes that felt doable. One of the first things I tried? Eating veggies as an appetizer before my main meal. It was simple, but it made me feel proud, like I was choosing something nourishing over something processed.
That small habit gave me a sense of accomplishment, and naturally, my energy and body started to feel better too.
Phase 4: Moving my Body
I joined a hip-hop dance class my friend was teaching, and it was the best of both worlds—I got to move my body and be social. Most importantly? I actually enjoyed it. That joy helped some weight naturally come off, but more than that, I started to feel how good it felt to sweat and move. Hello endorphins, dopamine, oxytocin—and let’s not forget adrenaline. I was hooked.
That one class lit a spark. I started walking more, dancing around my bedroom, dabbling in weight training and even running. It felt like the start of a new chapter—and I was all in.
Phase 5: The Shift to a Holistic Lifestyle
That’s when I knew I wanted to take this further. I got certified as a group fitness instructor, and it opened up a whole new chapter in my life. That was 16 years ago—and ever since, I’ve been passionate about learning everything I can about the human body. One course led to another, and before I knew it, I had more certifications than I could count—all driven by one purpose: to help others feel good in their bodies again.
As I let go of the ‘harder, faster’ mentality and leaned into a more holistic, compassionate way of connecting with my body, I started to:
Move my body in a way that felt good, not punishing
Eat mindfully, choosing food that fueled me without guilt or extremes
Rest without shame and honor my nervous system
Do inner work like breathwork, somatics, and mindset rewiring
Let go of the all-or-nothing thinking and lean into consistency and compassion
The more I tuned in, the more my body responded—not just in how it looked, but in how it felt. Lighter. Calmer. Stronger. More grounded.
This Is Why It’s Stayed Off
Losing the weight was a goal, yes, but at the end of the day, it is just a byproduct.
But what helped me keep it off was that it wasn’t just about the weight anymore.
It became about how I live.
I created a lifestyle that supports my energy, hormones, digestion, and nervous system—not just my waistline. And that lifestyle isn’t something I force. It’s something I crave, because it makes me feel alive, present, and aligned.
This journey led me to something so much bigger—my deeper purpose: to help others feel strong, whole, and connected in their own bodies. Through all the highs and lows of being a leader in the wellness space, I’ll always be grateful for the moment I chose a different path. The moment I stood up for myself and decided to rewrite my story. It changed everything.
A Final Thought...
So if you’re on your own journey—know this:
You don’t need to hustle harder.
You don’t need to punish your body or cut everything you love.
You just need to start paying attention. Getting honest. Choosing alignment.
The version of you you’re working toward? She/he doesn’t need to be built overnight.
She/he is already inside you. You just have to come home to her/him—one gentle, empowered step at a time.
Need a little helping hand, guidance or someone to take you through your transformation, let's work together.
Let's start with a FREE consultation.
Start with consistent sessions to set a strong foundation—whether it’s your right foot or left (no judgment!). As a holistic trainer, I take a whole-picture approach that blends mindset, movement, and nourishment to support lasting transformation.
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