Category: Faith, Food and Forward Steps

I’ve been a plus-size girl for as long as I can remember.

There was only one season in my life when I lost a significant amount of weight. Then I got married. Then I had two babies—back to back. And since then? It’s been a struggle.

Depression hit me hard.
Anxiety hit me hard.
Divorce hit me hard.

My girls and I moved home to live with my mom. Things evened out for a while, but then we suddenly lost her in 2018. Grief took control—of my heart, my habits, and my eating. Being alone more often, carrying the full weight of life for myself and my girls, and trying to survive the loss of my mom led me back to food for comfort.

Then Covid hit in 2020.

We were all sent home and told to stay home. While my faith in God was strong, being thrown completely out of my routine—work, church, people—took a toll on me. Suddenly, I had an excuse not to do anything about my weight. After all, I wasn’t seeing anyone anyway. (I know I wasn’t alone in that.)

Through all of this, I’ve learned something important about myself:
I’m not just an emotional eater—I’m also a boredom eater.

That’s one of the reasons crochet and embroidery are so important to me now. Keeping my hands busy helps keep me out of the kitchen. It gives my mind somewhere else to land.

And then menopause showed up.

Now the whole idea of “losing weight” feels less like progress and more like losing all over again. Only this time, instead of losing pounds, it feels like I’m losing the battle altogether.

A Different Kind of Goal

For 2026, I’m choosing a different focus.

Instead of obsessing over the scale, I’m setting a goal to get healthier—one habit at a time.

That means:

• Breaking unhealthy habits
  
• Creating better ones
  
• Eating cleaner
  
• Eating to fuel my body, not punish it
  
• Moving my body so I can do more with my body
  

And my biggest motivation?

My granddaughter.

I don’t want to be the grandma who watches from the chair. I want to be the grandma who:

• Rides bikes
  
• Teaches her to roller skate (something I loved when I was younger)
  
• Takes walks and shows her nature
  
• Points out all the beauty God created
  

I don’t want to be too tired.
I don’t want to be unable.
I don’t want to miss out.

Why This Series

So I’m starting this monthly series: Faith, Food and Forward Steps.

Maybe you’ll want to do this with me.
Maybe you’ll share recipes.
Maybe you’ll share a movement tip or two.

I know I’m not the only woman navigating weight struggles, menopause, emotional eating, or the mental toll that comes with all of it.

Each month, I’ll check in here and share:

• How my month went
  
• What worked well
  
• What I need to do more of
  
• What I need to stop doing
  
• How this journey is affecting my mental health and self-esteem
  
• What I’m learning along the way
  

I’ll be sharing recipes here—but let’s be clear, they are not original. I don’t create recipes. I follow them. Occasionally. Mostly because I really don’t like cooking.
And for accountability, I’ll also share pounds lost—or gained.

While my heart is focused on health, I also understand that physical changes often follow consistent, healthier choices.

Giving It to God

Above all, I’m giving this whole journey to God.

He can help change my desires.
He can help me choose nourishing food.
He can heal damage done over years of carrying extra weight.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit… Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
—1 Corinthians 6:19–20

I’m not too old.
I’m not too far gone.
It’s not too late.

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”
—Philippians 1:6

A Gentle Invitation

If any part of this story sounds like yours, you’re not alone.

I’d love for this space to be a place of encouragement—not comparison, not pressure, and definitely not perfection. Just real women taking small, faithful steps toward better health.

If you’re willing, I invite you to:

• Share one small habit you’re working on this month
  
• Leave a recipe, movement idea, or encouragement in the comments
  
• Or simply say, “I’m walking this road too.”
  

You don’t have to do everything.
You don’t have to do it perfectly.
You just have to keep showing up.

Let’s cheer each other on—one step, one choice, one month at a time. 💛