Where it all started

Growing up, I was blessed with a fast metabolism that allowed me to indulge in food with abandon. My family instilled in me a reverence for home-cooked meals, eaten together around the dinner table. I learned to cultivate fruits and vegetables in our garden, watching them transform from seeds to ripe produce ready for eating. My mom taught me her techniques for baking pies, roasting meats, and simmering savory stews from scratch. Though I didn't realize it at the time, those formative experiences established the foundation for my lifelong passion for fresh, homemade foods and family meals.

My body went through a dramatic transformation after having three children. Pregnancy hormones threw my system completely off balance, leaving me with postpartum depression and feeling disconnected from my former self. I struggled to accept the new shape of my post-baby body, which seemed at odds with the diet and beauty ideals so prevalent in our culture, especially with social media amplifying those standards. While today's social pressures deserve a deeper discussion another time, my self-image hit rock bottom. The woman staring back from the mirror was foreign to me. Rather than celebrating my body's miraculous capabilities, I fixated on my failure to snap back into pre-baby form. This distorted self-perception fueled a severe depression that no new mom should have to endure alone.

I took extreme measures in my quest to lose weight. My workout routine became intense, with daily vinyasa yoga sessions and rigorous exercise. I pored over diet books, desperate to find the magic formula to eat less without feeling hungry. Calorie counting consumed me - some days I survived on just two oranges. I experimented with every diet pill and cleanse I could find, starving and bingeing in cycles. I was obsessed, yet lied to hide my unhealthy habits. My methods were extreme and ultimately unwise. There are healthier ways to manage weight through moderate diet changes and consistent exercise. The path to wellness lies in balance, not starvation.

My relationship with food became distorted as I relentlessly pursued thinner and thinner goals. Even when I dropped multiple sizes, happiness remained elusive. At my lowest weight, I wore a size 2, yet was filled with disgust at my body's imperfections - sagging breasts, loose stomach skin, and the silvery tracings of stretch marks. No matter how small I got, I could not escape the prison of self-loathing and negative thoughts about my appearance. An endless cycle of striving for an ideal that always danced out of reach.

During this difficult period, I struggled with depression and anxiety as my hormone levels fluctuated and nutrition suffered. My mental health declined, and I found myself unable to gain control over the darkness that enveloped me. I withdrew from friends and family, feeling like a failure in all my relationships. Sleep became an escape from the unhappiness I felt, as I isolated myself and spent days in bed. While my struggles were real, there is hope. With professional help and the support of loved ones, I've learned coping strategies to better manage my mental health. Even in the darkest times, there are caring people who want to listen and assist. Speaking openly about my challenges has empowered me to advocate for myself and others facing similar issues.

After years of struggling with depression and anxiety, I finally decided to get help. It took some trial and error to find the right medication combination, but once my symptoms started improving, I began to feel a bit more like my old self again. To celebrate this progress, I turned to an old crutch: food. I dove headfirst into the comfort foods I loved as a teen, when I could eat anything without gaining an ounce. But now, as an adult with a slower metabolism, those same habits packed on the pounds. Before I knew it, I had gained back all the weight I had worked so hard to lose. What's a girl to do in this situation? I could try the latest fad diet, like I've done so many times before. But if I'm being honest with myself, no diet can work unless I address the deeper issues driving my eating habits. This time, instead of looking for a quick fix, I'm determined to get at the root cause of my struggles. With the right tools and support, I know I can create healthy habits that stick.

I was stuck in a vicious cycle for years. My hormones raged, causing agonizing menstrual cramps and acne outbreaks. After getting my tubes tied following my last pregnancy, birth control made me feel wretched. I tried every quick-fix out there to banish the zits. From pills to creams, nothing worked. Finally, after two years battling severe hormonal acne, I crumbled. I booked an appointment with a dermatologist and poured my heart out. She crafted a skincare regime tailored to my concerns. With a few tweaks over the past five years, I've found my holy grail routine. My skin has never been calmer.

My complexion was clearing up and my confidence growing, but my unhealthy relationship with food still needed fixing. Let's be clear - I adore food. However, I oscillate between extremes. I'll binge copious amounts of grub, then feel regret and starve myself to atone for the supposed slip-up. I began eliminating foods again, wreaking havoc on my gut microbiome. If I tried reintroducing foods I'd avoided for so long, bloating, stomach pains, gas, diarrhea or constipation ensued. My gut couldn't handle most edibles, leaving me feeling restricted and lost amidst the choices that had ravaged my digestive system. 

When my health issues first arose, I took a multifaceted approach to find solutions. To cover the basics, I consulted with my family doctor and underwent diagnostic testing to identify any underlying problems. However, I didn't want to simply mask my symptoms with more prescriptions. Instead, I sought out an allergist to pinpoint potential triggers and determine if certain dietary changes could alleviate my discomfort. Additionally, I explored complementary and alternative medicine, adopting holistic practices like acupuncture and herbal supplements to gently support my body's natural healing abilities. This combined strategy helped me address the root causes of my health concerns, rather than just the superficial effects. My experience has shown me the value of being proactive and utilizing both conventional and integrative modalities to achieve optimal wellness. While Western medicine can be invaluable for acute issues, I've found that functional and holistic care often provides the missing piece for complete restoration.

Join me on an inspiring adventure of self-discovery! Together we'll explore healthy recipes, fun workouts, glowing skincare routines, and so much more about living your best life. This is a space for us to uplift and motivate one another, to find balance without extremes. I can't wait to connect with you, share ideas, and keep each other accountable on the path towards feeling our absolute best, inside and out. With open hearts and minds, we got this! Let's do it.

I would love to hear from you! Your experiences and stories mean so much to me. Please feel free to connect with me by leaving a comment, joining my Facebook community for heartfelt discussions, finding me on Instagram for inspiration, or sending me an email to share your journey. I cherish every opportunity to connect deeply with my community. Your thoughts, feelings, and insights are a gift - don't hesitate to reach out. Together we can support each other on this path of growth and self-discovery.

Talk to you later,

~ Tina