LVL CLIENT STORIES: One Mom’s Journey from Diet Obsession to Whole-Life Wellness

Branding Photography by Brie Pereboom

Hey mama,

Can we talk about something for a minute? You know that feeling when you're scrolling through Instagram, seeing all those "before and after" photos, and thinking "I should really get my shit together"? Yeah, that one. The one that sends you spiraling into planning another diet overhaul that'll last approximately 2.5 days before life gets in the way.

I want to share a story with you today—one that might sound familiar. It's from one of our incredible GSD participants, and honestly, it gave me all the feels when I read it.

The Reality Check We All Need

Here's what she told us: "Since doing GSD I approach wellness from a whole-ass-life perspective— what is realistic AFTER you keep your kids alive & run a business & whatever is applicable to your situation."

Can we just pause on that for a hot second? "Whole-ass-life perspective." I'm here for it. Because here's the thing—most wellness programs act like you're living in some alternate universe where you have unlimited time, energy, and mental bandwidth. Meanwhile, you're over here trying to figure out what's for dinner while simultaneously answering work emails and wondering if that mysterious stain on your shirt is toothpaste or yogurt.

This mama gets it. She figured out that wellness isn't about perfection—it's about what actually works when you're living a full, messy, beautiful life.

The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

But here's where it gets really good. She shared something that honestly made me want to cheer: "During GSD I realized that losing weight was not really going to happen in a healthy way until I fixed my mindset. Suddenly losing weight wasn't my priority, making lifestyle changes was. Losing the weight of that expectation felt so fucking good."

Did you catch that? She literally said losing the weight of expectation felt amazing. Not the physical weight—the mental weight of constantly feeling like she wasn't enough, wasn't doing enough, wasn't trying hard enough.

How many times have you beaten yourself up for not hitting some arbitrary number on the scale? How many Monday mornings have you started with shame as your motivation? It doesn't work, does it? And it certainly doesn't feel good.

Breaking Up With Perfectionism (Finally)

One of my favorite parts of her story is this: "I love the focus on breaking up with perfectionism and how to view situations/scenarios from a neutral place. I always appreciate the accountability that the program brings and I've learned to be kinder to myself & more realistic with my expectations of myself."

Breaking up with perfectionism is like ending a toxic relationship—scary at first, but so freeing once you do it. When you stop viewing every food choice as "good" or "bad," when you stop seeing every workout you miss as a personal failure, something magical happens. You start making decisions from a place of self-care rather than self-punishment.

The Vacation Test

Here's where her transformation really shows up in real life: "We have a trip planned in March for my 40th & typically before ANY vacation I would be obsessing over my body & trying to unsuccessfully drop weight beforehand/be disappointed in myself for not making it happen - this time, as those thoughts have creeped in I have been able to control that thinking and continue to think about the long-term, sustainable changes I am working towards."

Can you imagine? A vacation without the pre-trip panic diet. Without the frantic gym sessions. Without the disappointment and self-criticism. Just excitement about celebrating her 40th birthday and enjoying her trip. That's what freedom looks like.

Small Changes, Big Impact

And let's talk about her wins: "I have created a routine of green smoothies 4-5 days a week, which is something I haven't been able to do since before I became a mom! I have allowed myself to find joy in eating food without beating myself up about those choices, and find myself having better self control & making better decisions without trying to use guilt."

This is what sustainable wellness looks like. Not a complete life overhaul, but small, realistic changes that actually stick. Green smoothies most days of the week—not every single day, because life happens. Finding joy in food without guilt. Making better choices from a place of self-love, not shame.

Your Turn

If this story resonates with you, if you're tired of the diet cycle, if you're ready to approach your health from a whole-life perspective, then GSD might be exactly what you need.

GSD: “Get Shit Done” isn't about perfection. It's not about following someone else's rules or hitting someone else's goals. It's about figuring out what works for YOUR life, YOUR schedule, YOUR priorities. It's about getting off the hamster wheel and creating lasting change that actually fits into your beautifully chaotic life.

Ready to ditch the diet mentality and create a wellness approach that actually works? Sign up for GSD today and join women who are rewriting the rules on what healthy looks like. Because you deserve better than another Monday morning fresh start that fizzles out by Wednesday.

Here's to approaching wellness like the badass, whole human being you are.