My Journey to Wellness: From Personal Struggles with Weight Loss to Creating my Therapy And Chill Fitness & Food Journal, the Tool That Changed Everything

My struggle with weight loss is something I’ve battled for years. I grew up very skinny. In fact, I used to be teased in high school because I was considered bony at the time. My arms were very small, I didn’t have much of a chest, and kids used to joke that they could fit their whole hand around my upper arm because I was just that skinny. Honestly, it didn’t bother me much because I thought I had a nice shape. I was proportionate, although I did want to get a little thicker on my bottom half.

I was around 115 pounds in ninth grade, but by the time I was 17, I weighed about 165 pounds—a weight I felt confident and happy at. I had curves, nice legs, and I felt good in my body. However, when I got to college, it wasn’t just the “freshman 15” that I gained. I began gaining weight rapidly, and by my junior year, I had reached 191 pounds.

At the time, I didn’t understand why my body was changing so drastically because I had always been naturally thin. When I realized during my junior year that I weighed 191 pounds, I became self-conscious about my weight, cellulite, and overall appearance. That realization is what pushed me to try to lose weight by joining a gym and working out. Unfortunately, I was inexperienced and uneducated about sustainable weight loss. While I was exercising, my poor eating habits were working against me.

It wasn’t until years later that I realized I was emotionally eating. I loved food, and during college, my diet consisted of fast food, cafeteria meals, and convenience foods that lacked proper nutrition. No matter how active I was, I was out-eating my workouts. I was young, stressed, and often used food as a coping mechanism. My undergraduate years were filled with stress, and food became my comfort.

For several years after college, my weight continued to fluctuate, eventually reaching as high as 250 pounds. I never managed to return to the 165 pounds I weighed before college, which had always been my ideal and goal.

In 2023, I finally experienced a breakthrough. While preparing for my wedding, I invested in a personal trainer and committed to my health. In less than eight months, I lost over 60 pounds. I changed my eating habits, stayed disciplined, and learned how to care for my body both nutritionally and physically. However, after getting married in June 2023, life changed again. As I adjusted to being a new wife, my mental health was impacted, and old habits resurfaced.

As someone who has historically struggled with emotional eating, I once again turned to food as a coping mechanism. I stopped going to the gym consistently, began overeating, and over the next year and a half, I gained the weight back—plus a little more.

Even so, I never gave up on the desire to be healthy. As a mental health therapist and a Christian woman, it has always been my dream to integrate mental, physical, and spiritual wellness into my work. I believe true health involves the mind, body, and soul. Fitness has always been a passion of mine, even during seasons when my weight fluctuated.

Throughout the years, I remained active through various programs like T25, P90X, 75 Hard, and at-home workouts. My biggest challenge was consistency. When motivation faded, I would stop and fall back into unhealthy eating habits. At one point, I even invested in NASM’s personal training, wellness coaching, and nutrition programs, though I didn’t complete them. That is something I plan to change.

In 2024, I decided to create a tool that would truly support my journey back to physical wellness and help me remain aware of how my mental health was affecting my fitness and nutrition goals. After purchasing multiple fitness trackers, I realized there was a gap in the market—something that addressed both physical health and mental well-being. By February 2025, I created and published the Therapy And Chill Fitness & Food Journal.

This journal was created to support the whole person. It combines fitness tracking, nutrition planning, and mental health reflection in one intentional space. Inside the Therapy And Chill Fitness & Food Journal, you will find:

• Daily workout logs to track exercises, reps, and cardio sessions

• Sections to record starting weight, body measurements, and body fat

• Weekly meal planning pages, space to jot down recipes, and grocery lists

• Mental health check-ins, self-care routines, and personal reflection prompts

  
  

I firmly believe that handwritten journaling is more powerful than relying solely on apps. Writing creates a deeper brain connection, increases self-awareness, and research supports its effectiveness. There is something special about putting pen to paper—it helps you slow down, reflect, and stay connected to your goals in a meaningful way.

I created this journal because I needed something more than what was already available. And I know it works. People have already used the Therapy And Chill Fitness & Food Journal to lose weight, stay consistent, and build healthier habits.

If you’re ready to invest in yourself, this is your sign. You deserve to live a healthy, balanced life. If you’re struggling with motivation, emotional eating, or consistency, this journal can support you along the way. The Therapy And Chill Fitness & Food Journal is available for purchase on Amazon and through Lulu Printing.

At the gym using my journal 💪🏾

The Therapy And Chill Fitness & Food Journal. Available on Amazon and Lulu Printing 🛍️

Choose yourself. Invest in your wellness today, because every second you waste is stopping you from living the healthy and enjoyable life you deserve. Your wellness journey matters—and you don’t have to walk it alone. 💛