A little over a year ago I came to the horrifying realization, I was about to be 30 and single! I get that this may sound shallow, but I was truly terrified at my reality. I was at a place in life I never expected to be; not only was I dead single for the first time since going off to college, but I was also working a tireless job that seemed to pay too little given the amount of time I was putting in. Though there was a light at the end of the tunnel job wise, but dating wise I felt stuck.

A year prior to this realization, I broke up with my boyfriend of over three years. We were living together, and at one point, I truly thought I was going to marry him. Though I’m happy we broke up – we were clearly not meant to be together, it took me awhile to really start to get out there and date again. While I was going through these emotions, I threw myself into my work, where I was often traveling and working insane hours. As a result, I completely let myself go; regularly eating poorly, going on sugar highs mid-day as a pick-me up as I’m not a coffee person, tons of late night dinners. My only form of regular exercise were my walks to the subway; I often wore heels and lived five blocks away, three of which were avenues, so this truly was a workout. In the end, I gained about 5lbs. This may not sound like a huge weight gain, but I have a small frame, and had put on an additional 5lbs the year prior, and a couple of other pounds here and there throughout the years, so this was me at my biggest – I almost didn’t recognize myself in the mirror.

Appalled at how I had let myself get to this point, I decided it was time for me to turn things around. There was only so much control I had with work, but when it came to my body – I had 100% control, and I was going to take it back! If I was going to be 30 and single, I was going to look damn good! That week I told myself, friends and family I was going to make the change, and actually stick to it this time – I was going to actually take advantage of my gym membership and start to eat better. Fortunately for me, that same week one of my good friends asked me to pick her up from a liposuction appointment (after this type of procedure, you tend to be a bit loopy so you’re required to have someone escort you home). This friend then told me she had a good relationship with the doctor, and if I was interested in getting a procedure myself, I should have an impromptu consult at her appointment, as she could probably get me a discount. This was music to my ears! I felt comfortable about being able to lose weight on my own; after all, I was at one point much smaller so my goals were realistic. However, the cellulite on my butt has been there for as long as I could remember, so if this doctor could get rid of it for me, landing the cover of sport illustrated was surely in the realm of possibilities.

I walked into that appointment beaming with excitement. Between my new health regiment and his skills, I was going to look fantastic by my birthday! Then reality hit – not only was I told the cellulite surgery would not give me the smooth Brazilian booty I longed for, but was told I had a better chance getting my desired results by drastically changing my eating habits and working out. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing – even if I wanted to, there was no short-cut surgery to fall back on; if I wanted results, I had to be discipline and take matters into my own hands. Hearing this made me stick to my plan, I truly was going to change my eating habits and regularly start going to the gym until I got the results I wanted. In the past when I made these declarations, they only lasted 3 weeks max, but now that I knew plastic surgery was off the table, I was going to make it!

Immediately, I made the following changes:

• Cut out eating bread Monday – Thursday
• Cut out desserts, chips, and any other obvious go-to processed foods Monday – Thursday, and limited intake during the weekend
• Stopped eating by 10pm
• Set a regular workout schedule
• Increased my intake of salads, vegetables and seafood (was previously very heavy on pizza, burgers, pasta and chicken fingers)

The first couple of weeks doing this were the hardest. However, once I got over this initial hurdle, my cravings for “bad” foods started to disappear, and I started getting cravings for “good foods” (e.g. salads, vegetables). I was shocked! I started reading about more about health – what foods truly were “good” foods, what foods should be avoided at all costs, what new foods should I try, why was my body reacting this way etc. The more I read, the more confused I got; not only is there tons of contradictory information out there, but most of it seems to be written for people who have a background in biology / nutrition – I couldn’t understand half the words they were using. Why was it so hard to just know the truth?

By the time my birthday came around, not only was I looking and feeling better than ever, but I was completely fully onboard the healthy lifestyle bandwagon – I couldn’t seem to get enough. After years of laughing off healthy food choices, judging green juice drinking, yogi enthusiast, and making fun of people who regularly went to the gym, I became one of them! The only people more shocked than me were my own family members. I literally became a whole new person. I finally got it; it wasn’t just about looking good, it was about feeling good. Given my new lifestyle, I had never felt better – I had tons more energy, I was sleeping better, my eyes were brighter, my cellulitesignificantlydecreased, people were constantly complementing my skin and hair, it was crazy.

For a while I knew I wanted to leave consulting, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. With a new found passion for health and wellness, I knew I had to pursue a career in this field – not only did I want to help others find what I had, but there was so much more for me to learn. Shortly thereafter a friend of my mom told me about health coaching, so I decided to go back to school and just go for it. While attending the Institute of Integrated Nutrition, both from my classes and additional research, I was finally getting the answers I had been longing. The more I learned, the more I continued to change my own habits.

One year from starting my journey, I was looking and feeling better than I ever imagined possible – my confidence in myself and body was back, I was truly the happiest I have ever been. I well surpassed my goal – I was 17lbs lighter with new found muscles! Again, the weight-loss, though great, pales in comparison to the happiness I found by going through this journey. I understand that everyone is different; the changes that worked for me, won’t work for everyone. The bottom line is, as long as you have the determination and have the right knowledge, you can make any change happen, and that’s exactly what I did and hope to help others do.

I’m about to turn 31, and yes, I’m still single. However, the anxiety I once had is long gone. Of course it would be nice to have someone special in my life, however, I can honestly say that I’m doing great! Although I may not of found a man this past year, I found myself, which is much more important. I’m truly the happiest I’ve ever been. I’m proud of the person I’ve become and am excited about this new chapter I’m about to embark on.