When my mother passed away over five years ago, I kept telling myself that I was okay. And probably to most people I looked like I was. After all, I got up everyday, took care of my family, my job–putting one foot in front of the other. Then Covid hit. Trapped in a house day in and out, I became increasingly aware of my physical appearance. I used to be such a gym rat, working out constantly. But since my mother’s passing, the desire to do so had decreased until I pretty much didn’t work out at all anymore–and it showed. The tailspin had been such a gradual one I didn’t even realize I had been in one.

About five months ago I decided to stop making excuses. Nobody but me could do something about the fact that I didn’t like who I had become. I joined Nutrisystem to help me correct my bad eating habits and I went back to work. And I mean work–going all out like I used to in my twenties and most of my thirties. I thought that first month was going to kill me but I kept fighting. And over time, my ability to go even further grew. Hitting 40lbs of weight loss this week was a huge milestone for me. Looking back at the struggle and realizing I didn’t die gives me the courage to keep moving forward. Just another blessing that has come from all this pandemic craziness.