I spent years feeling like my body was working against me. Even as a teenager, I always felt overdeveloped for my age. By my early twenties, I had gained weight and was struggling with hormonal imbalances, inflammation, and the frustration of failed diets.

At my highest weight—190 pounds—I was desperate for change. Like so many others, I fell into the trap of fad diets that promised quick results but never lasted. My cravings for sugar kept holding me back, making it impossible to maintain progress.

Everything changed when I finally broke free from my sugar addiction. That was the turning point. Once I got my cravings under control, I was able to find sustainable ways to eat, move my body, and build habits that actually worked.

I want to share the key things that helped me lose weight, feel stronger, and regain control over my health—without obsessing over the scale or doing workouts I hated.

1. Finding Workouts That I Actually Enjoyed

For years, I forced myself into workouts that I didn’t love, thinking that exercise had to feel like punishment. That mindset was exhausting, and I struggled to stay consistent.

Everything changed when I started focusing on movement that made me feel good instead of just burning calories.

● Biking with my community group gave me a sense of freedom and fun.

● Weightlifting helped me feel strong and capable.

● Dancing turned workouts into something I actually looked forward to.

If you dread working out, the problem isn’t you—it’s the workout. Find an activity you enjoy, whether it’s swimming, hiking, boxing, or even just walking while listening to music. The moment I stopped forcing myself into workouts I hated, my weight started shifting naturally.

2. Prioritizing Quality Over Quantity

I used to believe that more was always better—more workouts, more hours at the gym, more sweat. But over time, I realized that rest and recovery were just as important as movement.

● If I had to choose between eight hours of sleep or an early-morning

workout, I chose sleep.

● If my body was exhausted, I focused on quality meals rather than forcing a workout.

When I stopped obsessing over "grinding harder" and instead focused on giving my body what it needed, I felt better and still saw results.

3. Managing Stress to Support My Body

Stress isn’t just mental—it has a huge impact on weight, cravings, and energy levels.

I struggled with this for years. I would push myself through stressful days, only to crash at night and reach for comfort food. I didn’t realize that my cortisol (stress hormone) levels were making it harder for my body to let go of weight.

Here’s what helped:

● Cutting back on overcommitments to free up mental space.

● Taking ashwagandha, an herbal supplement that helped lower cortisol. (I take it in powder form—it absorbs faster! Here’s the one I use.)

● Prioritizing relaxation as much as exercise.

If you feel like you’re doing everything right but still not seeing results, stress could be the missing piece.

4. Breaking Free from Sugar Cravings

Cutting out sugar was one of the hardest but most impactful things I did for my health. It took time, but once I got past the cravings, everything else became easier—losing weight, balancing my hormones, and keeping my energy stable.

Here’s what helped me:

✔ Swapping processed sugar for natural alternatives like coconut sugar, dates, and raw honey.

✔ Drinking more water and fiber-rich foods to stay full and satisfied.

✔ Focusing on nutrient-dense meals instead of obsessing over calories.

If sugar cravings are a struggle for you too, my free Sugar Detox Guide walks you through how to reset your cravings naturally. Click here to download it!

5. Keeping My Routine Simple & Sustainable

I don’t believe in complicated plans. The key to long-term success is keeping things simple and realistic.

My current approach to fitness is based on 3 things:

● Moving my body in a way I enjoy (no forcing myself into workouts I hate)

● Eating well 80% of the time (no guilt for the other 20%)

● Prioritizing sleep, hydration, and stress management over extreme dieting

There was a point when I couldn’t afford a gym membership for three months, yet I still maintained my weight loss. How? I walked daily, ate whole foods, and stayed consistent.

You don’t need to overcomplicate things. Small, consistent habits will always win over extreme short-term fixes.

Final Thoughts: Fitness Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

Losing weight and getting healthy doesn’t require misery. My biggest lessons from this journey:

1. Find workouts you love instead of forcing yourself into ones you hate.

2. Focus on quality sleep and stress reduction—they impact your results more than you realize.

3. Cut out sugar to reduce cravings, stabilize energy, and support your

metabolism.

4. Keep your approach simple, sustainable, and enjoyable.

If you’re looking for a no-stress way to start eating better, my 12-recipe digital meal plan makes it easy. Click here to check it out!

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