I cannot tell you how many different diets I have tried over the years. From weight watchers, to keto, to liquid diets, I have spent thousands of dollars trying to shed the pounds. It is honestly so tiring!!! As I have gotten older, my struggles with weight increase all the more. It’s harder finding time to workout and also good ol’ metabolism is slowing down. Oh, how I wish I could go back to my college weight! Wave your hand if you are with me! LOL. 

After being fed up with the scale and not fitting into that “dress” from five years ago, I decided to go to a nutritionist. This changed my life!! The nutritionist was not focused on me losing weight, but on me being healthy and loving myself. What a brilliant concept. One day she asked me, “Nadia, what is wrong with being in this world in a bigger body?” I swear I wanted to slap her. I mean, what did this skinny lady know! But she was right. What was wrong with taking up just a little more space. I mean, I don’t want to be the next person on My 600 Pound Life, but who said that a size 6 is the acceptable size?

Over the next 6 – 8 months, I learned how to eat better (and this did not include denying myself food) and how to truly love my body. I am not 100% there just yet. I have occasional times when I look in the mirror and do not like all my curves or the way I look in certain outfits, but I have come to appreciate who God created me to be. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Every part of me, is ME! I am very healthy, but in a size 12/14 body. 

It is so freeing to stop trying to be a certain size, only to most likely gain it back. Now don’t get me wrong, I still exercise daily and I am mindful of what I eat, but I no longer subscribe to the notion that I have to lose 50 pounds to be happy. I have joy! There are people who have the best bodies and still are not happy. You have to love the skin you are in because it’s just one YOU and you are beautiful just the way you are!