The Courage to Gain It Back

Everyone talks about how to lose weight. Almost no one talks about how to gain it back-and how much courage that takes. 

Growing up doing judo competitively, I learned discipline and control from a young age, always having to stay in my weight class. But when I suddenly lost 10 pounds at 15 from this discipline and control, I discovered I had an eating disorder because, even though I wasn't diagnosed, I did a lot of research. My strength faded, my confidence disappeared, and the sport that once empowered me felt more out of reach than ever. I trained hard, but underperformed with each match. Eating became overwhelming, and progress felt distant and discouraging. 

Recovery didn’t happen all at one. It happened with one small win in Costco. 

It was an ordinary day accompanying my mom on another grocery run when I came across LEANFIT Protein Powder. 24 grams of protein in 140 calories and easy to digest with no banned substances. It was simple, manageable, and something that my body could handle when my appetite couldn’t. My first ever protein shake didn’t just nourish me, but it gave me hope. For the first time in a year, fueling my body felt achievable instead of intimidating. 

That small choice mattered.  

I slowly began incorporating protein into my routine, one day at a time. Then I took another small step-learning more about nutrition, experimenting with protein-rich meals, and focusing on consistency rather than perfection and calories. These weren’t dramatic changes, but they were meaningful. Each choice became a minor milestone, quietly rebuilding my strength and my confidence. 

Slowly, everything began to shift. My energy returned, and training felt purposeful again. I was able to push myself harder, recover better, and show up with confidence. Over time, I gained back all of the weight that I lost, and I remember crying tears of joy not just because of a number on a scale, but because I finally felt strong and like myself again. 

That confidence was carried onto the mat with me. I began to win matches again, even going as far as becoming a bronze medalist at Nationals for my weight category. Recovering from my eating disorder opened doors I never imagined: training camps across Europe, tournaments in Spain, traveling the United States, opportunities that only became possible because I chose health first.

My path to recovery was never about perfection. It was built through small, meaningful wins and choices that honored my wellbeing and shaped my future. By focusing on sustainable progress and celebrating those small wins, I didn’t just recover. I rediscovered my strength, my confidence, and my belief in what’s possible. 

Your Path to Progress

January is a fresh start - a time to embrace small, meaningful changes that lead to lasting progress. True transformation happens through daily habits, not drastic, unattainable goals. Whether it’s meal prepping, taking a 10-minute walk on your lunch break, journaling to reflect on your day, adding an extra glass of water or protein to your routine, stretching for 5 minutes in the morning, or swapping one processed snack for a healthier option, every small step is part of your journey. Let’s focus on progress over perfection and build sustainable habits together this year! Slow and steady, wins your race.

Your path to progress is uniquely yours - celebrate the wins, big or small, and recognize the effort it takes to show up every day.