My name is Sydney, and this is my Before to Beyond story…
At 21, I was the smallest I’d ever been, but my relationship with fitness was anything but healthy. I spent two hours in the gym daily and wasn’t eating enough to fuel my body properly. My goal was to be thin, but the way I pursued it was toxic. Then I suffered a back injury (while trying on jeans at Khols of all things) that didn’t rehab correctly, leading to chronic pain. Over time, the weight started to pile up. Even worse, my energy and relationship with my body were tanking. I tried to lose some weight for my wedding last year, and while I managed it, the weight quickly came back—and then some.
This year, at 24, I was the biggest I’ve ever been in terms of both inches and weight. After earning my master’s degree and transitioning into a corporate job, my health took a backseat. Between the long hours and my fear of falling back into my old fitness habits, I didn’t make time to work out or eat healthy. My biggest wake-up call was watching clothes that used to be too big for me become small. I would look at photos of myself and genuinely hate the person in them and how she felt. I knew I had to change.
That’s when I found ZipBURN and Reboot 66, which completely shifted my mindset.
I started to focus on sustainable, healthy habits.
A key part of my transformation has been hydrating—drinking more water daily has boosted my energy and helped me feel fuller longer. I also commit to moving my body for at least 30 minutes every day, whether it’s a light workout, a walk, or even just stretching. This time, I’m exercising in ways that support my body, not break it down.
My eating habits have completely changed as well. I focus on eating mostly nutrient-dense T.H.I.N. foods that keep me satisfied. I also fast for at least 12 hours daily, giving my body time to recover and reset.
Most importantly, I’m learning to give myself grace, practicing gratitude for my body and what it can do, rather than focusing on what it looks like. I track my progress daily, not just through numbers on the scale, but by celebrating non-scale victories like feeling stronger, sleeping better, and moving more freely.
Story submitted on 10/24/2024.