My Weight Loss Journey
From Self-Doubt to Self-Love
If someone told me a year ago that I would lose over 40 pounds and finally feel at peace in my own skin, I would’ve laughed—and then probably cried. My weight loss journey didn’t begin in the gym or with a “miracle” diet plan. It started with a mirror, a moment of truth, and a decision that changed my life forever.
For years, I struggled with my weight. I wore oversized clothes, avoided mirrors, and dreaded social events. I convinced myself that “this is just how I am.” But deep down, I wasn’t happy. I was tired. Not just physically—but emotionally drained from pretending I was okay when I wasn’t.
The real turning point came on a random Tuesday. I was scrolling through my phone and stumbled across an old photo of me from college. My face looked brighter, my eyes more alive. I missed that version of me. I realized I didn’t want to shrink myself to fit someone else’s standards—I wanted to become the best version of me again.
So, I made a promise to myself: No more excuses. No more fad diets. No more quick fixes. Just real, honest effort. I started small—walking every day, swapping soda for water, choosing home-cooked meals over takeout. It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t Instagram-worthy. But it was real.
The first few weeks were brutal. I wanted to quit more times than I can count. There were days when I broke down, days when I binged, and days when I wondered if it was even worth it. But then I found inspiration in unexpected places. I discovered motivational stories on YouTube, people like me who had hit rock bottom and clawed their way back up. I saw their tears, their sweat, their joy. And I thought—if they can do it, so can I.
One video in particular changed everything. It wasn’t flashy or dramatic. It was raw, real, and incredibly moving. Watching it felt like someone reached through the screen and said, “I see you. I’ve been there. And you’ve got this.” That video is still my go-to on tough days. I’ve shared it with friends and family, and now I’m sharing it with you. Watch it below.
Every pound I lost wasn’t just physical—it was a layer of self-doubt, guilt, or fear that I was shedding. I wasn’t chasing a number on a scale anymore. I was chasing freedom. The freedom to run without gasping, to wear clothes I actually like, to dance without feeling self-conscious, to live.
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. I faced plateaus. I had moments of relapse. But what kept me going wasn’t perfection—it was persistence. I stopped aiming for “ideal” and started celebrating “better.” One healthier meal. One extra push-up. One more step. That mindset made all the difference.
Today, I feel stronger—not just physically, but emotionally. I’ve learned to be kind to myself. To forgive the slips, to celebrate the wins, and to trust the process. I’ve realized that weight loss isn’t a destination—it’s a journey. A lifelong one. And I’m proud of every step I’ve taken.
If you're reading this and you're at the beginning of your own journey, I want you to know: You are capable of amazing things. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start.
Take one small step. Then another. And another. The momentum will build. The confidence will grow. And before you know it, you’ll look back and wonder why you ever doubted yourself.
And if you need that extra spark of motivation, I encourage you to check out this powerful video that helped me get through my darkest days: Click here to watch it. It might be the push you need. It was for me.
Your journey won't look exactly like mine—and that’s okay. What matters is that it’s yours. Own it. Embrace it. And never stop believing in the person you’re becoming.
Please don’t forget to watch the video above and leave a comment
About the Creator
Edward Smith
Passionate health and relationship enthusiast and writer, Exploring sustainable weight loss strategies,Sharing insights to inspire healthier relationship. Connect with me on Youtube for more tips and updates here>> https://bit.ly/43cutCb
Keep reading
More stories from Edward Smith and writers in Motivation and other communities.
Overcoming Adversity
In the shadowed heart of a forgotten valley lived Ana, a young woman with eyes that mirrored the muted hues of despair. The weight of generations of hardship had settled upon her shoulders—a heavy cloak woven from the threads of poverty, loss, and whispers of "not good enough."
By Edward Smith9 months ago in Motivation
Dream Big. Work Bigger
Dreaming big has always been celebrated. From childhood, we are encouraged to imagine limitless futures, to picture ourselves succeeding beyond ordinary boundaries. Dreams give us direction, hope, and a sense of purpose. But dreams alone are fragile. Without action, they remain ideas—beautiful, inspiring, and incomplete. That is where the second half of the phrase matters most: Work Bigger. “Dream Big. Work Bigger.” is not just a motivational slogan. It is a mindset that acknowledges a hard truth many people avoid: extraordinary dreams demand extraordinary effort. The size of your dream sets the destination, but the size of your work determines whether you ever arrive. The Power of Dreaming Big Dreaming big is an act of courage. It requires you to think beyond your current circumstances, resources, or limitations. Big dreams often feel uncomfortable because they challenge the identity you currently hold. When you dream big, you are admitting that you want more—more growth, more impact, more meaning. Big dreams also create clarity. They help you define what truly matters to you rather than what is merely convenient or expected. A bold vision acts like a compass, guiding decisions both large and small. When your goals are clear, distractions lose some of their power. You begin to ask better questions: Does this move me closer to my dream, or further away from it? However, dreaming big has its risks. Big dreams can intimidate, not only others but also yourself. They can invite doubt, fear of failure, and the temptation to stay comfortable. This is why many people quietly shrink their dreams over time. They convince themselves to aim lower, not because they lack potential, but because they underestimate the effort required to aim higher. Why Working Bigger Matters More Hard work is often misunderstood. It is not simply about working longer hours or exhausting yourself. Working bigger means working with intention, discipline, and consistency over a long period of time. It is about aligning your daily actions with your long-term vision, even when motivation fades. Working bigger requires patience. Results rarely appear quickly, especially when the goal is meaningful. The effort you put in today may not show visible rewards tomorrow, or even next month. This delayed gratification is where many people give up. They mistake slow progress for failure and stop just before momentum builds. It also requires humility. Working bigger means accepting that you do not know everything and that growth often involves learning through mistakes. Feedback, setbacks, and moments of doubt are not signs that you are on the wrong path. Often, they are evidence that you are stretching beyond what is familiar. Most importantly, working bigger requires consistency. Talent may open doors, but consistency keeps them open. Small actions, repeated daily, accumulate into powerful results. Writing one page every day eventually becomes a book. Practicing a skill regularly transforms ability into mastery. Working bigger is less about dramatic bursts of effort and more about showing up, again and again. The Gap Between Vision and Reality Many people live in the gap between what they want and what they are willing to do. They admire success stories without acknowledging the years of unseen effort behind them. Social media often amplifies this misunderstanding by highlighting outcomes rather than processes. The truth is less glamorous but far more empowering. Success is usually built quietly. It is created in early mornings, late nights, and moments when no one is watching. It is shaped by choices that feel ordinary at the time but prove extraordinary in hindsight. Bridging the gap between vision and reality means being honest with yourself. Are your daily habits aligned with your dreams? Do your actions reflect the future you say you want? This honesty can be uncomfortable, but it is also freeing. It gives you control. Once you recognize the gap, you can start closing it, step by step. Redefining Failure and Progress Working bigger also means redefining how you view failure. Failure is not the opposite of success; it is part of the process. Every attempt teaches you something—about your strategy, your mindset, or your limits. When you work bigger, failure becomes data, not a verdict. Progress is rarely linear. There will be periods of rapid growth and long stretches where nothing seems to change. During those quiet phases, the temptation to quit is strongest. But often, those are the moments when the foundation is being built. Growth happens beneath the surface before it becomes visible. Learning to appreciate progress, even when it is subtle, helps sustain momentum. Progress might look like improved discipline, clearer thinking, or greater resilience. These internal shifts often come before external success, and they are just as important. Living the Mindset Daily “Dream Big. Work Bigger.” becomes powerful when it is lived daily, not just repeated. It shows up in how you manage your time, how you respond to setbacks, and how seriously you take your own goals. It means choosing long-term growth over short-term comfort and commitment over convenience. This mindset does not demand perfection. It asks for effort, honesty, and persistence. There will be days when you fall short, when energy is low, and when doubt is loud. Working bigger does not mean never struggling; it means continuing despite the struggle. In the end, big dreams are not fulfilled by chance. They are earned through consistent action, thoughtful effort, and the willingness to keep going when the outcome is uncertain. When your work grows to match your dreams, something powerful happens. The future you once imagined slowly becomes the life you are building. Dream big, because your potential deserves space. But work bigger, because dreams only come alive through action.
By Saboor Brohi 5 days ago in Motivation
FPS: The Last Flame Challenge Winners
Welcome to our first Winners Announcement of the year and to the final challenge in the Fall Poetry Series. The Last Flame invited writers to sit with endings, using fire as a central image to consider what remains when something burns out: ash, warmth, memory, silence, or the faint promise of what comes next. The strongest pieces treated endings as gradual rather than sudden, allowing them to flicker, dim, and linger.
By Vocal Curation Team6 days ago in Resources
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.