I started my fitness journey in 2021, and like many people during that time, I needed a way to break free from the isolation and depression that COVID brought into our lives. Zumba was my first step, a fun way to meet people and try to shed some weight. I did manage to lose a bit, but nothing too drastic. In 2022, I decided to step it up and joined group classes that included strength training with resistance bands, alongside Zumba. That’s when I started to see real improvements—not necessarily in weight loss, but in how my body felt. I was developing endurance, becoming more flexible, and noticing small but important positive changes in my daily life. But the weight? Still stubborn.
By October 2023, I had an epiphany. My diet was holding me back. My eating habits were unhealthy—mostly carbs and fats, living on junk food, and making convenience my priority. People around me kept telling me to switch to a salad diet if I was serious about losing weight, so I tried it. I thought, “Okay, I’ll give this a shot for three months.” But honestly, I couldn’t live on salads alone. It felt boring and impractical, and I struggled with the monotony of it.
That’s when I realized something needed to change—not just what I ate, but how I approached food. I decided to blend healthier choices into my regular meals instead of cutting everything I loved. I reduced the carbs, added proteins, and incorporated salads into my meals without letting them dominate my entire plate. Small shifts made a big difference. I also made some changes to my daily habits. Instead of indulging in multiple cups of coffee lattes, I switched to green tea, allowing myself just one small cup of coffee a day. I replaced cookies with unsalted nuts, and when I craved something crunchy, I chose fruits instead of chips.
The weight started to come off—slowly but surely. It wasn’t dramatic. I was losing about a kilogram a month, starting from 63.8 kg, and today, I’m at 51.4 kg. It has been a gradual process, one that took patience and persistence, but it’s working. I stuck with my group classes, but this time, I could actually see and feel the changes. After about five months, even people around me started noticing, which felt incredibly rewarding.
What I’ve learned throughout this journey is that working out is essential, but your diet truly defines your results. You are what you eat. It’s about eating smarter, not depriving yourself. Empty calories do nothing for your body, so if you're going to eat, make sure it’s nutritious. But I also believe in balance—on days when I crave something unhealthy, I indulge, but always in moderation.
I’m still on this journey. I’m working on getting more toned and fine-tuning my body. There’s always room for growth, and I see myself as a work in progress. But I’m happy with where I’m headed, and I’m even more excited to see where this journey takes me.
