My Journey to Health: A Personal Story

In May 2019, I gave birth to my second baby—an adorable, healthy (and big!) 4.2kg bundle of joy. I was over the moon, but physically, I was at my heaviest and feeling incredibly uncomfortable in my own body.

By November that year, a photo of me posted on social media became a wake-up call. I looked at myself and thought, “Lauren, it’s time to make a change.” That’s when I joined FitMom100, a fitness group for moms focusing on HIIT workouts. I joined… and nearly died during the first session! But I also knew I needed the accountability. I had to commit—because sustainable health is 80% nutrition and 20% exercise. I was guiding others in their weight-loss journeys, yet I wasn’t truly helping myself.

As 2020 began, I chose the word SELF-CARE to guide my year—despite juggling two kids, two practices, and everything in between. Then came COVID and lockdown. Life stopped. I didn’t work for nearly two months. But I kept my promise to myself. I exercised 4–5 times a week, even with two little ones at home. Thankfully, our fitness group moved online—it became my lifeline, my sanity.

Still, the biggest factor was what I was eating. Everyone was baking, cooking, snacking… but I knew I had to stay focused. I stayed in my lane.

Six months in, I started to feel like myself again. Life resumed in a new normal, but I couldn’t maintain five workouts a week. I prioritized my eating habits and aimed for two to three workouts weekly. That was enough. Because I’m human. I’m a mom, a wife, a business owner, a daughter, a sister—and a person. A person with a background in health science. A fibromyalgia warrior. A woman with back issues. I can only do so much, even on the best of days. We need to be gentle with ourselves and honour our pace.

There’s no universal timeline for weight loss. What matters is setting a realistic goal for yourself. I lost 20kg over the course of a year. It wasn’t easy—there were ups and downs, but I stayed the course.

Then came the next challenge: maintenance. Yes, it’s a challenge too! But in 2021, I maintained my weight. Sure, the scale fluctuated 1–2kg—and that’s perfectly normal. What mattered was that it didn’t swing 10kg up and down.

Reaching a goal is one journey. Maintaining it is another. And 2021 taught me that lesson well.

I may be a young mom of two boys, but through two pregnancies and running two practices, I’ve grown so much—personally and professionally. My experience shapes the way I help others. I’m not a quick-fix or a Verimark product 😊 — I’m Lauren. And I’m here to help you become the best version of yourself—not who the scale says you should be, and not who anyone else says you should be.

There are so many ways to define progress:

• How your clothes fit
• Energy levels
• Sleep patterns
• Fitness, stamina, and flexibility
• Breathing more easily
• Feeling stronger
• Inches lost
• Improved relationship with food
• And yes… even your water intake!

Weight is just one measure—and not the only one that matters.

I have been through the journey you want to potentially take. I have maybe been in your shoes. I can relate. Here I am now, mom of 2 busy boys. Running 3 offices and still maintaining the 20 + kg lost since 2019. It needs to be a lifestyle and new habits you create.

If you take anything from my story, let it be this:
Start today. Not tomorrow. Not next week.
And know that I’m here, every step of the way.

Yours in health,
Lauren 😊