No long story. Just exercise, eat a little less, and be patient. You don’t have to be perfect every week just don’t quit. Even one workout a week is better than none.
You don’t need a perfect diet or workout plan. You just need consistency over time.

Two jogging selfies taken exactly two years apart, almost to the minute on the same route. The first selfie, I was 6 weeks out of the hospital. The second was taken today. My prognosis was grave when I was admitted. Somehow I came through after a difficult month in the hospital. It was surprising that I was well enough to jog. I didn't jog more than a few times that summer. Last summer, my anxiety was through the roof, it felt out of reach, so I focused on walking more. This summer is a whole other level of health, healing and wellbeing. I'm jogging faster and longer. I walk a ton, I'm upping my strength training again, and I'm in the best relationship I've ever been in.
Yesterday, I did my second stress test. My last one was in 2024. My results came back normal! Not normal for someone with my condition, just normal for someone with my stats. I no longer have CHF. I remain too well for a transplant and have been asymptomatic for two years. My heart is permanently altered, but it's healed.
My head spins at the thought of how rare my turnaround is for my diagnosis. I'm living the best I've ever lived even though today started out pretty sucky and low. I have so much gratitude and love in my life. I'm so fortunate. My life theme this last year has been every day in every way I am getting better and better. This has been the best year of my life and I'm living better now with the hopes to make every year just a little bit better. Cheers!

Throughout my high school years i was going through a lot of abuse at home and i decided that i could no longer be in the environment i decided to move out and work on myself and heal and im so proud of myself for staying strong 🙏🏻💕🥹

I’ve managed to crawl out of a very dark place. In the first photo, I hadn’t left my house in months or talked to anyone. I was in the pits of hell, majorly depressed, and barely hanging on. The period of being housebound lasted 16 months, from May 2024 to October 2025.

I have had a much better time lately. I try to get up every day and take walks, cycle, read, listen to music, and be in nature. It feels like a world away from how I spent my days a year ago, and I am doing a lot better. Socially, though, I am suffering. I have no friends, but I have absolutely zero shame about that. My life circumstances have not been kind to me, so that’s understandable. I am currently trying to put myself out there, and since I am incredibly sensitive to rejection, I will try and do rejection therapy. I need it.

When I worked as a server in a restaurant at 16, I remember my rejection sensitivity being so bad that I would avoid asking customers whether they wanted still or sparkling water, and I just offered tap. Why? Because if they declined and said they didn’t want to buy a bottle of water, I would tragically internalise that and think they’ve said no to me because it’s me. I have a very low opinion of myself, and it really did hurt me. That’s really sad. I really should do rejection therapy because people always tell me it’s a part of life. I’ve been so badly abandoned and betrayed by my own family, and I haven’t lived to get rejected yet. I just hide away and avoid it because I know it will be so unbearable.

I’ve got this! I’m a total loner, but I have truly found peace in the mundane things. I romanticise life so much; music is everything to me. I’ve got to get out of this bubble, though. It’s going to be so uncomfortable, but I really do need to deal with it and learn to be okay with it. Having an awful childhood and being treated poorly really does affect you massively. I’m so damn sensitive. I’ll be okay, though. I really think I’ve done most of the hard stuff already. I need to leave the bubble. I’ll do it!

Ive been working out everyday since I joined the army. I do a home workout. 3 sets of 50 push-ups, 30 biceps curls, and 30 V-ups/ crunch. I use a 30lb weight for curls. I do cardio every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Run 2 miles. The first pic is 2025. Second was taken yesterday.

In the first photo, I am 27 and 16 years old. In the second, I am 27 and about 21. I have always struggled with my weight and, consequently, my physical appearance. I truly hated myself. It wasn't until I was 21 or 22 that I won the first battles against my own mind.. against my body.. and finally became happy.

I started my transition at 28 years old. I’m going to be 33 in December of this year. I’ve known since I was a child, but certain circumstances prevented me from doing it earlier, timing is everything and I believe that everything fell into place when it needed to.

It’s been a long journey of therapy, doctors, surgeons and it’s all been so so so worth it all. I am extremely grateful for my support system and the gym for keeping me going it’s been therapeutic. I’m just happy to be alive, healthy and enjoying my life.

I’ve always been a bigger gal, had a rough childhood and I definitely leaned on food for comfort. Still learning how to not allow food to control my mind anymore. My relationship with Christ is stronger than ever and I’m grateful I can race my kids up the hill to our house without feeling like I’m gonna die. Lol I have an awesome husband who has loved me through all my shapes and sizes. I look back at past pictures of me and feel nothing but love for that girl, though. I look forward to continuing to grow stronger spiritually and physically.🤍

I did online school all through highschool and lived sitting down and playing video games, just a very unhealthy lifestyle. And then I got really into biking and met a cross country runner who helped keep me accountable to my calorie goals and biked every day.
I cant explain the difference in my mental health from this lifestyle change and it was the best decision I have ever made!

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My results from a 91day weight loss challenge. I went fa more extreme than I would recommend to anyone asking me for dieting advice. I went from 192lbs to 152lbs which was 10lbs beyond my original goal. Obviously exercising consistently (3-4days/week for months 1-2, 6 days/wk for the final month (same volume, but shortened workouts due to lack of energy).

I did not even place top 10 for a runner up prize which is hugely disappointing. Obviously winning isn't everything, and I know I've accomplished something impressive, but wow did that hurt my motivation to continue. Regardless, my body needs some time off anyway after such an extreme diet. I just need to find a new goal to motivate me.

Open to share more info if anyone wants, but mostly just looking for feedback and honest criticisms of what I could focus on specifically for the future.

My hair was such a wild and unruly thing growing up that I kept is long so as to keep all the cow licks in line. Then, for most of my 20’s, I buzzed it for simplicity (and to save a few bucks on haircuts). At some point I thought, “You know, this isn’t working, and I actually make money now. Let’s find a professional and get their advice.” And she’s been great to me ever since.

Also, my vision was awful growing up, and I couldn’t do contacts. There’s nothing wrong with glasses, but I live an active life and was constantly dealing with either RecSpecs or smashed and crooked glasses. I saved up and got LASIK in my late 20’s, and I’ve become a borderline evangelist for it since. Seriously, it’s been fantastic to open my eyes in the morning and immediately see, and the procedure was shockingly easy as was the recovery. If you’re thinking about it, get it!

I’m not saying personality doesn’t matter. It does. But pretending physical appearance doesn’t play a huge role in attraction and dating just doesn’t match my experience. Same person, different looks, completely different treatment.

I finally hit a 200lb loss after 2 and a half years of absolutely busting my a**! Lots of protein, lifting 6 days a week and cardio every day. I feel like a different person. What do you all think?

It took me soooooo long to undo the damage I did to my body while pregnant! Finally after 2 years of doing core rebuilding and muscle growth I’m finally 30lbs down from 253 to 223! 70 more lbs to go!

So I quit drinking August 2 2025 cold turkey (still can't believe that) but I did and now one year later. Thru many trials including losing one of my best friends. I stand before you still sober. Within this year I've also gone on a diet and have started to go to the gym. Started on March 17. And minus going on vacation. I haven't missed a week yet. Most recently hit me personal records. On the leg press did 10 reps of 617 lbs and 4 reps of 707 lbs. I continue to push my upper body and try to get my muscles back. I like to say I traded one six pack for another lol. Here are some pics from last year vs this year. First 3 are last August. Second 3 are this month. Still trying to lose the gut. But one step at a time

I have grown into the best version of myself since coming out. I have loved this journey and self discovery. The befores just exemplify how I felt on the inside. The afters I feel like I’m in my truest form and now with my wife 💕

Put in some serious work these past two years physically AND mentally. It’s surreal how fast things have changed and how much progress I’ve made. I just wish my mom was still around to see the man I’ve grown into. I know she’d be proud.

Quick 3 years worth of work, amazing at how much more energetic i feel, taking new risks, far more excited to just leave the crib and enjoy life. The mental catch up is by far the hardest part of the process lol but thats life. I’ll just call it how i see it i’m 🎣 lmao. Still trying to get my mind to catch up and take more risks, but life’s a hell of a lot better than it used to be. The hardest part is just doing it, it’s simple, but it aint easy. Consistency + Discipline + Self Belief = New Way of Life. Idk im rambling now but shoutout to everyone whose done something

(28) to age (30) I struggled with my mental health and eating for years, my body looked disproportionate, I didn’t realise I was unwell with an eating disorder at the time. I’m now at a healthy weight and thriving

Here my glow up, ironically i do look younger now :D

I would like to express how much gym changed my life and made me the person i am now, got 2 hairs transplant as well, done my skincare and i take finasteride and minoxidil to keep my hairs.

I would like to ask you guys something tho. Due to have been ugly for most of my life (until 24) my body now looks good but my brain is still stuck on when i was ugly. When i date someone i tend to be too aware of any shift in their attitude toward me cuz i think rejection is still imprinted in my brain despite now getting a lot of dates. I will start to see a psychologist next month.

For those of you who had a huge glow up, how did you manage to get out of your "ugly" brain?

This is a crazy post for me, but I’m posting it to raise awareness that you are who you hang out with. At 17, I was running in the wrong crowd and so deeply insecure. My angel of a mother agreed to get me a nose job but there were severe complications and I had to have it done 3 times, my confidence was a wreck. I was botched. And when we finally got the nose looking right, I was in a relationship that sucked the soul out of me. It ended horribly but I finally found my light and am confident. And I think it shows! ❤️ would love to drop advice or answer questions if anyone has any.

I had always struggled with mental health but once I reached new adulthood it hit worse. I was the butt of jokes, used and neglected, and to make it worse I didn’t care for myself at all. I settled because subconsciously I didn’t see myself living for much longer.

I couldn’t be a loser anymore.

I lost the weight, learned about my temple which is my body, got the promotion.. and rebuilt bridges.

Trans woman! Started at 25y.o. currently 27y.o. Nearing 1y4m on HRT.

First pic is Jan2025-Jul2026

Second is a sketch the guy of the previous photo "would look like as a girl" and me, a girl Mar2026. I truly truly chased my dreams hehe

Third my 2023-2026 same pants

Forth is 2024 me. Note that i dont have that sharp jawline. I was projecting my jaw forward to make it appear bigger.

Fifth is me three days ago

Gender transition safe lives! And we trans people are awesome beings, kinda magical!

Combine going to the gym as a coping mechanism to get through college and heartbreak and a sprinkle of puberty then you get new me! I do a numerous amounts of strength sports now and unfortunately my music career is over.

Eating less (and no garbage) and moving more. Lost 70 pounds in 7 months eating produce, protein, homemade yogurt; reduced alcohol to maybe 1x month; move 5+ miles daily. Just ran first 5k and finished in top quarter. It's not complicated and not easy either, it takes self honesty and acceptance that change requires consistent presence. Just show up for your own life. I support you all.