Eight years ago, I decided to focus on health rather than chasing perfection. We often imagine that losing weight will transform us into supermodels, but that’s rarely the case. When our bodies don’t match the image in our minds, it can be discouraging.

Losing weight is a journey, and sometimes our bodies don’t quite match the supermodel image in our heads. Stretch marks, extra skin—these are badges of honor, not flaws. They’re proof that you’ve worked hard. And let’s face it, nobody’s perfect (not even those airbrushed and over-filtered influencers!).

For myself, this was detrimental to my success in the past. Working hard to see a number on the scale or to fit in a certain dress or bathing suit was working against me, and when I finally decided to concentrate on my health things just clicked right into place.

This is why focusing on health, rather than appearance, became my guiding principle. By concentrating on how I felt and my overall well-being, I found it easier to stay motivated. This shift in mindset led to a healthy weight and improved health markers.

If we are going to talk about doing this for our health we have to talk about doctor visits. Many of us put them off because we’re busy taking care of everyone else. Someetimes we skip them because they’re buried in work. And let’s not forget those who avoid them out of fear or embarrassment. Trust me, medical professionals have seen it all—they’re there to help, not judge.

Imagine if a child needed help—would you laugh at them? No, you’d help them. That’s exactly what healthcare professionals are here to do for you.

I know this firsthand. After losing all that weight I put 15-20 pounds back on. I avoided the doctor because I was embarrassed. I was the one who’d lost weight and kept it off, and I didn’t want them to see I’d gained some back. But that decision meant I got very sick—I became severely anemic and ended up in the hospital for seven days. I was later diagnosed with sarcoidosis. If I had gone for my yearly appointment, my health issues might have been caught earlier.

They tole me if I wouldn’t have went to the emergency room I would have probably died in my sleep that night. Let that sink in. I was so embarrassed about gaining 20 pounds that it took death’s door to get me to see a doctor.

Silly? Yes. Stupid? Probably another yes. If you are sitting there wondering how I could do that, I want you to think about that the next time you don’t go to a doctor’s appointment. Then I want you to GO.

Skipping your doctor’s appointment is like ignoring a weird noise in your car—hoping it’ll go away on its own. Spoiler: it won’t. Your doctor is your co-pilot in this health journey, helping you navigate with expert guidance.

So, let’s all pledge to make that yearly doctor visit. If you haven’t been in a while, schedule it today and let me know in the comments. I have my appointment in two weeks, and I’ll be sharing my results. Let’s prioritize our health and support each other on this journey.

-Kelly

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The odds are stacked against Becca, small towns being what they are.  Her 25 year old secret is about to be exposed, and she just might get a second chance at love.

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