10/11/2025
From Frail to Fit: My Health Journey Since New Year's Eve 2022
On New Year’s Eve 2022, I saw a video of myself doing a tai chi form with a sparkler—and I was shocked. I looked so frail.
The next day, I stepped onto the InBody Scanner at Restore Wellness Center, where I work part-time as a neuro technician and brain health coach. The results were another wake-up call: I needed to gain 15 pounds of muscle.
Why does muscle matter so much? Without it, we struggle to regulate glucose. That leads to insulin resistance, which opens the door to diabetes, osteoporosis, and the slow loss of independence. I thought of my grandmother, who lived with Alzheimer’s for 21 years. I knew I didn’t want that future—for myself or for my daughter.
💪 I made a choice. Death is inevitable—but I believe we can create health and extend our healthspan through intentional living.
In January 2023, I started Zumba. I could barely make it through 20 minutes without needing a break to bring my heart rate down. I'd dance, then walk, then dance again. My stamina was gone.
Fast forward to today: I rarely need to stop to recover. During tonight’s class, I spent just 4% of the session in peak heart rate, 22% in Zone 2 (112–133 bpm), and 74% in moderate cardio. I’ve added resistance training and am just 3.2 pounds away from my muscle mass goal.
But beyond the physical progress, something beautiful happened…
❤️ I found community. Attending sessions regularly has connected me with a circle of familiar, supportive faces at the YMCA. It’s become something I truly look forward to.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:
The best time to start is before your health declines.
But if you haven’t started yet, the next best time is right now.
Your health, your freedom, and your independence are worth it.
✨ Choose health today.
🧠💪 You are more capable than you think.
