Growth Beyond Obstacles

A Milestone of Growth

On July 19, 2025, I officially hit the seven-month mark post-op from my gastric sleeve surgery. This milestone brings with it a wave of reflection, growth, and a few surprising realities. It feels like both a blink and a lifetime since I started this journey. Physically, I’ve changed. Emotionally, I’m still learning. Spiritually, I’m healing. And along the way, I’m figuring out what it looks like to live life fully, honestly, and healthily.

Carbs, Gas, and Dietary Revisions

The past few weeks have been a bit of a nutritional rollercoaster. After reintroducing carbs into my diet, I noticed something wasn’t sitting right—literally. The gas pains were intense, and it was clear my body wasn’t processing the carbs the way it used to. Bread tastes stale to me now, and while I might occasionally indulge, I’m choosing not to make it a habit. I don’t want to fall back into old cycles that caused me pain and stalled my progress. So, I’ve decided to return to a more keto-based approach, one that’s protein-forward and kinder to my gut. This decision didn’t come lightly; I genuinely miss the ease of eating whatever I wanted, but I’ve realized the consequences aren’t worth the temporary satisfaction.

Burping and Letting Go

Speaking of gut health, let’s talk about burping—yes, burping. It’s one of those wild post-op side effects no one prepares you for. I can be out at dinner with my fiancé and let out a burp so loud the entire restaurant hears it. And because he’s tall and looks like the likely culprit, everyone assumes it was him. Meanwhile, I’m turning red from embarrassment while he laughs. At this point, I just let it happen. I’ve got 20% of a stomach left, and that gas needs to escape. Holding it in causes more pain. So I’ve learned to laugh about it and accept that it’s part of the process. Bodily functions are natural, and healing requires release—even if it’s noisy.

Choosing Sobriety and Alternatives

Another major lifestyle change has been cutting out alcohol. Post-op, I realized that drinking was no longer serving me. I don’t miss the hangovers, the dehydration, or the foggy mornings. What I do enjoy are some really great non-alcoholic alternatives. Rival makes delicious NA liquors—think tequila, gin, and rum—that let me still be part of social settings without the consequences. I also discovered a few non-alcoholic wines I love, especially a crisp Riesling or a deep dry Cabernet. I can still unwind with a glass in hand, but now I wake up refreshed and ready to take on my day. Socializing feels clearer, cleaner, and more intentional now. I’m present and more self-aware, which has done wonders for my relationships, confidence, and self-worth.

Balancing Work, School, and Life

And let me tell you, my days are full. I work a full-time remote job from 9 AM to 5:30 PM with an hour lunch, a part-time grocery job three evenings a week (sometimes until midnight), and I’m enrolled full-time in my MBA program. Add in the fact that my fiancé and I are planning a small destination wedding in Sedona, Arizona in 2027, and you can imagine how packed life feels. Every bit of overtime helps us move closer to that dream. We’re hoping to keep it intimate, with just immediate family and close friends, in a place that brings us peace and a sense of escape from the busyness of everyday life. The planning has added pressure, sure, but it’s also added purpose. It gives us a goal to work toward, and knowing that every effort supports a bigger dream keeps us moving.

Finding Flow in Mornings

My mornings look different every day. If I worked late the night before, I may not get up until 7 AM. But whenever I rise, I try to take at least 20 minutes to sit in silence, center myself, and prepare for the day. Then I cook breakfast, clean up the kitchen, maybe throw something out for dinner, and get logged in for work. On lighter mornings, I journal or meditate—two practices that ground me and help bring clarity to the chaos. A lot of what I share on this blog starts with those morning reflections. Journaling allows me to reflect on my physical and emotional growth, track goals, and clear the mental clutter that often weighs me down before my workday even begins. Meditation, even when it’s short, brings a calmness that helps balance the inevitable hustle.

Building a Home Gym and Making Movement Accessible

When it comes to working out, I’ve had to get creative. It’s not always easy to find time to hit the gym, so I’ve been building a home setup instead. During my lunch break, I squeeze in a workout—maybe a short walk on the treadmill pad or a resistance training session. Recently, I scored a $200 workout bench for just $15 off Facebook Marketplace (brand new in the box!) and added weights from Amazon Prime Day. My fiancé and I are clearing space in the basement to make room for a full home gym since we both work two jobs. It’s all about convenience and commitment. This setup allows me to stay consistent without the commute and time constraints of a traditional gym. We’re slowly creating a space that supports our long-term wellness goals, and that feels really empowering.

Flexibility Over Perfection

Truthfully, I miss the rigid structure I used to have—waking up at 4 AM, hitting the gym, nailing every part of my routine. But life looks different now, and I’ve learned to adjust. My routine isn’t perfect. Some days I hit 10,000 steps. Other days, especially recently while recovering from dental surgery, I’m lucky to get 3,000. But what matters is consistency, not perfection. Progress is progress. And every choice I make for my well-being, whether it’s going for a walk, cooking a healthy meal, or simply choosing rest over burnout, counts.

Respecting the Body’s Need to Heal

Healing isn’t linear. Sometimes, the strongest thing you can do is rest. After my oral surgery, I was restricted from lifting or exercising for a full week. It was tough mentally, but necessary physically. I had to honor my body’s need to heal. That’s something we often overlook: discipline also means knowing when to slow down. There were moments I felt guilty for not moving, for not “doing more,” but I reminded myself that rest is productive. Letting your body repair is just as important as pushing it to its limits.

Small Changes, Big Wins

The little adjustments make a big difference. Swapping wine for NA alternatives. Walking while watching TV. Taking just 20 minutes to move instead of scrolling. It all adds up. You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. You just have to start—and keep going. Health isn’t built in one massive leap; it’s constructed brick by brick, habit by habit, over time. Even when progress feels slow or invisible, trust that it’s happening.

Lessons in Grit and Grace

This journey has taught me a lot. Food is fuel. Burping is survival. Rest is part of the process. Building a home gym is possible on a budget. Balancing work, school, and a wedding is chaotic but rewarding. I may not have it all figured out, but I’m learning, adapting, and showing up every day. I’m learning that grace and grit can coexist. That I can be disciplined without being rigid. That being kind to myself doesn’t mean lowering my standards—it means honoring my limits while still striving for growth.

To Anyone On This Journey

So if you’re in the thick of your own journey, wondering if it’s worth it—it is. Keep going. You don’t need to be perfect, you just need to be persistent. Life doesn’t stop, and neither should you. You are not behind. You are not failing. You are evolving, and that process is beautifully messy. The comparison game is a trap; your only competition is who you were yesterday. Focus on becoming a version of yourself that you’re proud of—one that is present, purposeful, and resilient.

You are worth the effort. You are worth the work. And you are stronger than you think.

Thanks for reading. If this resonated with you, share it with someone who might need a little encouragement today. Let’s keep growing together. Let’s keep finding joy in the process, even when it’s inconvenient. Let’s be the proof that healing, transformation, and self-love can coexist in the chaos of everyday life.

Because, friend—you’re doing better than you think.