From Frustration to Freedom: How I Lost 60 Pounds Postpartum and Found My Why

I know how frustrating it can feel to try so hard to lose weight and see little to no progress. It’s exhausting to go through the cycle of dieting, giving up, and gaining back every pound you worked so hard to lose. I’ve been there, stuck in that cycle for years, wondering why nothing ever seemed to stick. But here’s the truth: sustainable weight loss isn’t about perfection or deprivation. It’s about building a life you love while honoring your health—and I’m here to show you how I broke free and found joy in the process.

My Story: From Athlete to Exhausted Mom

Let’s rewind. In college, I was a catcher on the softball team. Between weightlifting, practices, and games, I was burning well over 3,500 calories a day. To fuel that level of activity, my diet wasn’t exactly clean—think McDonald’s multiple times a week and daily Starbucks runs. Monopoly season at McDonald’s? That was my Super Bowl. But I could get away with it then because my activity levels were sky-high.

Then I graduated. No more practices, games, or workouts. But my eating habits stayed the same, and within six months, I gained 20 pounds. That’s when I started my first diet. I followed a container system that slashed my calorie intake drastically, and I lost 10 pounds quickly. But it wasn’t sustainable. Within two months, I was back to my old habits and gained all the weight back—plus some.

Over the years, I fell into a vicious cycle: try a diet, restrict calories, give up after not seeing lasting results, and regain the weight. Cheat meals turned into cheat weeks. I used food to celebrate, to numb my feelings, and to cope with stress. My Mountain Dew addiction didn’t help.

When I got pregnant with my son, I was at my heaviest weight ever. The first trimester brought nausea, and pasta was the only thing I could stomach. Then came my glucose test at 28 weeks—I failed and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. While the diagnosis was a tough pill to swallow, it forced me to learn about balancing blood sugar, listening to my body’s cues, and eating for health instead of indulgence.

This became the foundation for my postpartum journey. Once I got out of survival mode, I started focusing on small, sustainable changes: drinking more water, taking daily walks, and easing back into workouts with modifications. At six months postpartum, I began tracking my food intake and eating in a calorie deficit. Over time, those small habits added up to big results. I lost 60 pounds, dropped five pant sizes, and gained so much more than I lost.

Acknowledging the Struggles We All Face

I know my story isn’t unique. So many moms are stuck in the same cycle I was in—looking for quick fixes, chasing perfection, and feeling like failures when they can’t stick to a rigid plan. The truth is, it’s not about willpower. It’s about finding a new way of thinking and building habits that work for your life.

It’s hard. Motherhood is exhausting. Between juggling a million responsibilities, navigating postpartum recovery, and running on little sleep, the idea of prioritizing your health can feel overwhelming. I get it. But I’m here to tell you that it’s possible—and it doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

Mindset Hacks That Changed Everything

Changing my mindset was the key to breaking free from the cycle of dieting and disappointment. Here are the mindset shifts that made the biggest difference for me:

• Let Go of Perfection: You don’t have to eat “clean” 100% of the time to see progress. One cookie doesn’t ruin your day, just like one salad doesn’t make it. Aim for consistency, not perfection.
• Focus on Non-Aesthetic Goals: Instead of fixating on the scale, think about how you want to feel. Imagine having more energy to play with your kids, sleeping better, or waking up without joint pain. These victories happen long before the weight comes off.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Every step forward is progress. Did you drink more water today? Celebrate it. Took a walk instead of scrolling on your phone? That’s a win.
• Give Up the Timeline: Weight loss is not a race. Stop chasing the idea of losing 20 pounds in 30 days. Instead, focus on creating habits you can sustain for the rest of your life.
• Shift Your “Why”: Ask yourself why this journey matters to you. For me, it was about being the mom and future grandma who can keep up with her kids and grandkids. Find your deeper “why,” and hold onto it.

Non-Appearance Goals: The Key to Staying Motivated

One of the biggest mistakes I used to make was tying my self-worth to the number on the scale. Now, I focus on how I feel. Here are some non-aesthetic goals to inspire you:

1. Better Joint Health: Imagine moving without pain. Think about how good it would feel to squat down to pick up your toddler without wincing.
2. Mental Clarity: Picture waking up feeling sharp, focused, and ready to tackle the day.
3. Improved Sleep & Energy: How would it feel to wake up refreshed instead of hitting snooze three times?
4. Emotional Well-Being: Imagine being more patient and present with your family because you’re not constantly battling fatigue or stress.
5. Strength & Mobility: Think about what it would mean to get down on the floor and play with your kids or carry them up the stairs without struggling.
6. Future Goals: Envision a life where you can run, hike, or dance with your grandkids. How would it feel to be there for them in every way?

For me, seeing my parents struggle to pick up my son was a wake-up call. I wanted to build a strong foundation now so I could enjoy those moments in the future.

Building Sustainable Habits

Here’s the thing: quick fixes don’t work. If they did, I wouldn’t have spent 10 years bouncing between diets. Sustainable habits are what make the difference. Here’s what worked for me:

1. Start Small

• Drink an extra glass of water each day.
• Take a 10-minute walk after dinner.
• Add one serving of vegetables to your meals.

2. Balance Your Plate

Focus on meals that balance protein, healthy fats, and fiber to keep your blood sugar stable and your energy high. It’s not about restriction—it’s about nourishment.

3. Track Mindfully

Tracking my food helped me understand portion sizes and calorie intake. But I did it with grace—not obsession. If I went over one day, I didn’t spiral. I just kept going.

4. Make Movement Enjoyable

I started with short, modified workouts during naptime. Eventually, those workouts became something I looked forward to as “me time.”

5. Practice Hunger & Fullness Cues

Instead of eating until I was stuffed, I started eating to the point of feeling satisfied. If I wanted seconds, I’d pause and ask myself: Am I still hungry, or does this just taste good?

Breaking Free from the Binge/Restrict Cycle

One of the most liberating changes I made was ditching the “good food/bad food” mentality. When you label certain foods as “bad,” you create guilt and shame around eating them, which often leads to binging. Here’s how I broke free:

• Enjoy Treats Without Guilt: I stopped denying myself the foods I loved and learned to enjoy them in moderation.
• Plan Ahead: If I knew I’d want chocolate, I’d plan for it in my day instead of resisting until I binged.
• Slow Down: When I did indulge, I ate slowly and truly savored each bite instead of scarfing it down mindlessly.

The Power of Resilience

I want to leave you with this: you don’t have to be perfect to make progress. Say it with me:

“I am a person who is consistent and doesn’t give up on myself. I am a person who makes conscious decisions about my health. I am a person who doesn’t start over—I keep going.”

If you miss a workout or have a day where you eat more than planned, it’s not the end of the world. You’re not starting over. You’re living your life—and that’s okay. Progress isn’t linear. What matters is that you keep moving forward.

What’s Your Why?

Take a moment to reflect. Why do you want to make a change? Close your eyes and imagine how it would feel to wake up with energy, move without pain, and enjoy every moment with your family. Hold onto that vision, and let it guide you.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This

If you’ve been stuck in the cycle of dieting and giving up, I want you to know that you’re not alone. You’re capable of breaking free and building a life you love. Focus on small, sustainable changes. Celebrate every victory, no matter how small. And most importantly, don’t give up on yourself.

Want to take the next step? Let’s talk in the comments! Share your “why” or the non-aesthetic goal you’re most excited about. I can’t wait to hear your story and cheer you on every step of the way. Together, we’ve got this.