From Hiding to Healing: My Journey Toward Being Seen
From Hiding to Healing: My Journey Toward Being Seen
I’ve spent decades hiding behind the camera. But now? I’m stepping into the frame—on purpose.
The Cold Light of Day
Whew. I still remember how I felt during those online challenges—when it was time to post our starting weight.
That moment always brought a deep sense of dread. Not because I didn’t know the number. But because saying it out loud—declaring it—made it real. It meant facing the truth I’d been trying to avoid.
Even back when my weight was considered "normal," I was ashamed to say it out loud.
My age? Sure.
But my weight? That felt like a confession.
The Root of the Shame
Looking back, my relationship with weight and body image began shifting around age 10. Up until then, I was active, healthy, and happy. Then came the word I dreaded most: “chubby.”
Suddenly, I was in the “chubbette” section of the clothing store. And even though my diet didn’t include junk food, something shifted. I started gaining and never quite stopped.
There were brief breaks in the cycle:
The summer before 7th grade, I lost weight.
I held steady through high school.
Then came marriage, pregnancy, and emotional rollercoasters.
I lost weight during my divorce.
I gained it back when I found love again.
And through it all, I smiled behind the camera—because I couldn’t stand to be in front of it.
No Proof I Was There
There are hundreds of photos from vacations I’ve taken, but very few include me. I took the pictures, I planned the trips, I created the memories—but the visual proof? It’s missing.
That hurts.
And one day, my children and grandchildren may look for photos of me—and they’ll barely find any. Not because I wasn’t there... but because I was too ashamed to be seen.
A Turning Point
A few years ago, I joined a Spring Challenge. It wasn’t just about weight loss. It was about reclaiming my health, my confidence, and my right to show up—in photos, in life, and for myself.
I’d been living in chronic pain for more than five years. I couldn’t control all of it, but I could control some of it by:
Moving more
Eating with intention
Treating my body with love, not punishment
And here's what I learned:
Pain doesn’t get to define me. Shame doesn’t get to silence me.
I am worth the effort.
I am allowed to be seen.
What I Want You to Know
If you’ve struggled with the same cycle of weight gain, emotional eating, or hiding behind the camera… please know:
You are not alone.
You are not broken.
And you are not too far gone.
We don’t have to be perfect. We just have to start showing up—for ourselves and each other.
Let’s Rewrite the Narrative Together
If you're ready to stop hiding and start healing, let's talk.
Schedule a free 30-minute Blood Sugar Strategy Call with me. We’ll look at what’s really holding you back—and create a path forward that honors you.
👉 Click here to book your call
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