To kick things off, I wish I had a clearer ‘before’ photo to share, but this is the best I’ve got. Consider this your sign to start taking progress pictures—it’s never too early to track your journey! Now, let’s talk about the timeline between these two photos: the ‘before’ was taken on December 2, 2022, and the ‘after’ was captured on January 24, 2025. That’s a significant gap, showcasing a lot of progress. Before diving in further, I want to mention that taking ‘before’ photos can often feel intimidating and discouraging. However, when you look back at your transformation and see the progress you’ve made, it’s incredibly rewarding and empowering.
To preface, I am not a personal trainer or fitness expert—this is simply my journey, my experience, and what has personally worked for me. I’m someone who is still figuring it out, constantly growing, and learning more every day.
I’ve always been active—whether through tap dance, gymnastics, soccer, volleyball, or strength training. After high school, staying active became harder due to less involvement in sports and limited free time. While I dabbled in strength training with friends, it was inconsistent. It wasn’t until 2023 that I became more dedicated, learning what worked for me and understanding effective gym routines. The gym can be intimidating when you’re trying to build healthy habits on your own. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is tough, but I believe it’s one of the best things you can do for yourself. Not only does it strengthen your body, but it also builds mental resilience and fortitude.
I wish I could provide a step-by-step routine of how I went from point A to point B, but unfortunately, there’s no magic formula, secret, or shortcut. The funny thing is, in my ‘before’ photo, I believed I was strong (and I was) and had reached my peak, not realizing just how much more I could push myself or how much potential I still had to improve. What I want you to take away from this is to be proud of your progress, no matter where you are in your journey. Even if you’re not yet where you want to be, recognize how far you’ve come and the growth you’ve achieved. When you take the time to compare your progress, you’ll realize that you’ve surpassed what you once thought was possible.
What has gotten me here is consistent strength training, adding cardio, and, most importantly, eating healthy whole foods. Fitness can be challenging because results don’t happen overnight. It’s easy to give up when you think it’s not ‘working.’ But beyond aesthetics, you’re building healthy habits for yourself and your future, maintaining a strong body and mind, and creating the physique you’ve always dreamed of. Consistency is key, and you must push yourself—this is what will get you where you want to go.
If you’d like to see my gym routine or even just my back day workout, feel free to let me know—I’d be happy to share!
Remember, muscles are amazing to have, and I believe in your ability to achieve your fitness goals.
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