I Gained 30 Pounds in a Year — Here's What Stress Taught Me About Rebuilding
Hey sis,
Have you ever stepped on the scale and thought, “There’s no way that number is real?”
That was me. Just over a year ago, I had a moment that made me pause. I had gained 30 pounds… after losing 20.
And to be honest, I was devastated.
The reflection in the mirror didn’t feel like me. I was tired, frustrated, disappointed, and overwhelmed. But deeper than the weight, I knew something else was off. That something... was stress.
As a pediatrician, mom, wife, and woman on a mission, I know I’m not the only one carrying the weight of the world or seeing it show up in unexpected places. So today, I want to share the real reason behind my weight gain in hopes that it helps you name your struggle and start your rebuilding, too.
Let’s talk about STRESS — one letter at a time.
S – Sleep (Or Lack Of It)
I was going to bed late and waking up early. No matter how “disciplined” I thought I was, my body wasn’t getting the reset it needed. Hormones like cortisol (the stress hormone) weren’t calming down, and my body was stuck in survival mode.
Sleep isn’t a luxury. Sis, it’s vital to your health.
T – Time Was Spent... And So Was I
I was doing everything for everyone. My time wasn’t just stretched — it was spent. I was swiping from an already overdrawn time account, with nothing left for me. Sound familiar?
We can’t serve well when our souls are bankrupt.
R – Rest (Rhythms, Not Randomness)
Sure, I took a trip here or there. But I didn’t have rhythms of rest — intentional time to pause, reflect, and refill. Hustle without rest is a fast track to burnout, sis.
We were never created to live on E.
E – Eating: The Emotional Kind
Even though I’ve been plant-based for nearly a decade, stress had me snacking on processed, sugary, salty “plant-based junk.” I justified it. But my body knew better.
If your eating habits are off, pause and ask: Is this hunger or heartache?
S – Self-Care (Or the Absence of It)
Somewhere along the way, I let myself go—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. I stopped doing the things that poured into me because I was too busy pouring into others.
Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s survival.
S – Stress (Again, Because It’s That Deep)
When stress goes unmanaged, it doesn’t just affect our weight. It affects our energy, our focus, our emotions, our confidence, and yes, our purpose. It wasn’t until I paused to pray, journal, and listen that I realized:
I was the problem.
And I had the power to make a change.
My May Reset: Rebuild You
So here I am. Starting again.
Resetting. Realigning. Rebuilding.
And if you’re reading this, maybe this is your sign that it’s time to do the same.
We fall down, but we get up. (Yes, cue Donnie McClurkin in the background 🎶)
Let’s Rebuild Together
If anything I shared today hits home for you, I invite you to join me on the journey. I created a free resource called Rebuild You, a simple seven—question personal audit to help you reflect, refocus, and rebuild your life with intention and faith.
👉🏽 Click here to join The Rebuild You - You Audit!!
And if you haven’t already, watch the full video where I share my raw, unfiltered story. Grab your earbuds and meet me in the moment:
