Poetic Earth

Now let’s get our bum bums up and moving!

Earlier today, I posted on my socials about some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from years of weight cycling and chasing every new fad diet that popped up.

So allow me to piggyback off that post for a moment—because this story goes deeper than just diet trends or gym memberships.

In the beginning…

I have to take you back. Way way back—to when I was just a young girl.

It’s sad, but it’s true: I grew up with very little nurturing when it came to body image.

There was no safe space to feel good about myself or understand my body in a kind, healthy way. The way we were spoken to as kids—especially around food, weight, and appearance—left marks. Some of those words stuck like glue, and even now, as an adult, I still find myself working through the damage they caused.

It was normalized. Casual. But it chipped away at how I saw myself.

It was a really tough environment to grow up in.

As I got older, I began to see it more clearly—that what my brother and I experienced wasn’t just “tough love” or “normal parenting.” It was wrong.

We were constantly being picked apart.

The clothes we wore were never good enough. The way I wanted to accessorize or style my hair for school? Always dismissed or criticized like it didn’t matter. But the hardest part—the most painful—was the way my body was spoken about.

No matter what I wore, no matter how I looked, every time I stepped out of my bedroom, I’d hear some form of fat-shaming from my mother.

It didn’t matter if I felt confident or excited about what I was wearing. The moment I walked past her, that confidence would be crushed under a comment—sometimes casual, sometimes harsh—but always the same message:
“You’re fat.”

And I carried that.

Body shaming—especially from the people who are supposed to protect and uplift you—is one of the most damaging things someone can experience.

It stays with you. It shapes how you see yourself, how you feed yourself, how you move through the world.

And it should never happen. To anyone.

Let’s fast forward.

I come from a pretty rigid past—and with that, I spent years trying to find some kind of happiness, balance, and self-esteem.

And let me tell you, I’ve tried just about every fad diet you can think of (well, at least the ones I could afford!).

From cutting carbs to juicing, fasting to fat-burning teas, tracking every bite, counting every calorie—I’ve been through the whole exhausting cycle. Over and over again. Each time hoping, maybe this will be the thing that fixes it.

But spoiler alert: none of them did.

Because the truth is, it was never really about the food. It was about the relationship I had with myself—my body, my worth, and the messages I’d internalized for so long.

Things I’ve Tried (So You Don’t Have To):

• Over-the-counter weight loss pills:
  I was big on these in my early 20s. Honestly, I’m surprised my heart didn’t give out. There are so many options out there, and once you start doing your research, you realize it really doesn’t take much to get those labels and ingredients approved. Just because it’s on the shelf doesn’t mean it’s safe—or effective.
• Low-carb diets like Weight Watchers, South Beach, and Atkins:
  Let’s be real—these diets are marketed as “healthy,” but they can be seriously misleading. Your body needs carbs, especially when you’re working out or trying to improve your overall wellness. Carbs help keep your metabolism and fat-burning systems running. Pair them with protein to help rebuild muscle and healthy fats to keep your body functioning at its best.
• B12 shots:
  I don’t even know what I was thinking here. Unless it’s a medical necessity—like life or death—please don’t stick yourself with anything. It’s just not worth the risk. There are so many foods that will get you the right micronutrients that you need or feel like you are missing out on.
• Overdoing it and not eating enough:
  Depriving yourself might seem like a shortcut, but trust me—it’s not sustainable. Your mind and body will eventually rebel. You need nourishment to feel good and function well.
• Gym memberships:
  Look, I’m all for folks who consistently hit the gym and thrive there. But if you’re not even consistent at home or with your nutrition, maybe hold off on paying for a membership. Build the habit first. The gym will still be there when you’re ready.
• Setting goals that are too high, too fast:
  I’ve done this so many times—setting unrealistic goals, then beating myself up for not hitting them. Don’t do that to yourself. Start small. Celebrate the little wins. Progress is progress, no matter how tiny.
• Cutting out foods or workouts entirely:
  Taking away foods you enjoy doesn’t make your plan more “clean”—it just makes it harder to stick to. If you love sandwiches, don’t ban them completely. Because one day, you’ll crave that sandwich—and when you finally give in, you might end up overdoing it. Learn to enjoy your favorite foods in moderation. That’s where the real balance lives.

Moral of My Story:

Lay off the pills. Stay away from the injections. Allow yourself the damn burger.

And more importantly—start changing the way you think before trying to change your body.

It’s not the burger that’s “bad” for you—it’s everything around it that we often overlook:
Where did the meat, vegetables, and bread come from?
How was it cooked?
What’s the portion size?
How active are you before and after eating?

Once you get to the root of the Who, What, When, Where, and Why, it gets so much easier to make aligned, balanced decisions.

The WWWWH Model for Wellness:

Who – This is you. And anyone you’re sharing a meal with.
If you’re with family, friends, or coworkers, hopefully they support your choices. But in case they don’t, be ready to set those boundaries. I’ve been in situations where people pressured me into “just one more beer” or an appetizer I didn’t want—and I left feeling regretful.
You know what your body needs. Don’t let anyone (including yourself) derail that.

What – What are you eating? Always have a backup plan.
Think ahead. Nothing’s worse than hitting up Taco Bell or McDonald’s three times a week because you were unprepared. Keep healthy snacks and meal options ready to go—it’ll save your energy and your wallet.

When – Timing matters.
If you work full-time, pack your meals and snacks in a way that supports your activity level. Sitting at a desk all day? Go lighter. Working a physical job? Pack extra snacks to keep your energy up.
Planning your meals means less temptation to eat out multiple times a week—and more control over how you fuel your body.

Where – Where are you eating, and where are you moving?
Going out to eat? That’s not a bad thing—just be intentional. Choose a few go-to restaurants and check their menus ahead of time.
“Where” also applies to your movement: will you work out at home, at the gym, or incorporate movement into your daily routine?
Think NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis): walking, cleaning, yard work—small, daily activities that support digestion and help keep you moving without needing a formal workout.

Why – Your reason is everything.
Whether you’re managing health conditions or just trying to reclaim your energy after feeling stuck, your “why” matters.
Write it down. Remember it. Revisit it often. That’s the motivation that will keep you grounded on hard days.

With summer around the corner, I felt like now was the right time to share this. It’s a sensitive topic for me, especially with all the diet hype flying around right now.

But if you’ve made it this far—thank you for reading.
I hope something here reminds you that you’re not alone, and that your wellness journey is yours to define.

✨ If you’re looking for a little extra support on your self-care journey—like prayer candles, herbal tea bath bombs, or to book a wellness session—visit my shop at pe-ff.square.site. 💛