From Stuck to Strong: My Transformation

From Stuck to Strong: My Transformation I used to avoid mirrors. Seriously. My reflection felt like a judgment—one I wasn't brave enough to face. At 28, I carried more than just extra kilos; I carried doubt, fatigue, and a quiet resignation. Then came a moment of clarity. I was chasing my niece around the living room—the energy of a toddler in my arms—and suddenly, I couldn’t keep up. I gasped. She ran circles while I stumbled. That’s when I knew: something had to change. I didn’t join a gym. I didn’t subscribe to fad diets. I began with one small, defiant step: a 10-minute walk each evening, sotto voce against the world that told me “you’re too late.” Week 1: the hardest. My legs shook. Every breath was a question: why are you doing this? But I did it. By the end of the week, those ten minutes felt like reclaiming my body. Month 1: small shifts, big impact. I replaced one processed snack with fruit. I slept earlier, at night, not scrolling under warm light. My mood lifted—a surprise win I hadn’t counted on. Three months in: turning points. My clothes felt looser. I noticed more daylight during my evening walks. I blinked once—and realized I was smiling. Every step became less about weight, more about feeling—lighter, yes, but also alive. Six months later: I stood in front of the mirror—not to judge, but to acknowledge. I framed the reflection not as weakness, but as strength—a reminder of how far small steps can carry us. I lost 12 kg—not overnight, but over evenings, thoughtful meals, patient persistence. But the transformation wasn’t just physical. *I found energy to chase my niece again—running, laughing, breathless together. *I found curiosity in cooking whole foods, spices, meals made with intention. *I found kindness for myself, tiny notes of gratitude in my journal: “I showed up today.”