Kelsey Shipp

When I first embarked on my 12-week body transformation journey in July, my goals were, to put it mildly, unrealistic. I imagined shedding 10 to 15 pounds in the very first week. I approached the challenge with the same mindset I had in the past, relying on quick fixes and fad diets like keto or diet pills. In those moments, I chased results without considering the bigger picture—the lifelong commitment to health and well-being. This time, however, something was different. I've experienced true hardship before. I had escaped a domestic violence situation, a chapter of my life that still carries deep emotional weight.

In the wake of that, I turned to keto, a diet that helped me lose 100 pounds in a short time. But the following year, I regained all the weight. That loss and subsequent gain were a blow to my self-esteem. Guilt and disappointment weighed me down, and I fell into the trap of binge eating, compounding the issue.

The catalyst for this transformation came as an unexpected birthday gift from my best friend, Danielle. For my 32nd birthday, she gave me the most meaningful present: the opportunity to rebuild my health. She signed me up for this 12-week challenge, knowing how much I love a good competition. Shortly after, my friend Brittany gave me 12 weeks of training sessions with Carolyn, a trainer who became a beacon of hope. Carolyn has been nothing short of a lifesaver. Unlike the quick-fix solutions of my past, she helped me set realistic goals and provided unwavering motivation.

She wasn’t just a trainer; she was someone I could relate to on a personal level. I shared my struggles with her—how my relationship with food had become unhealthy, how the past haunted me, and how guilty I felt about my weight gain. Carolyn's empathy, paired with her expertise, created a safe space for me to confront these struggles and build lasting habits.

When I started, I was battling a knee injury, which added another layer of challenge. Yet Carolyn, ever mindful of my limitations, adjusted our training sessions accordingly. I remember a breakthrough moment amid the competition: I was doing lunges, and for the first time, my knee didn’t hurt. As I completed the set, I burst into tears. But they weren’t tears of pain or frustration—they were tears of triumph. I was crying because I was capable, and for the first time in a long while, I realized just how strong my body could be.

This journey wasn’t just physical; it was emotional and mental. In the beginning, my focus was solely on losing weight. But over time, my mindset shifted. I became more attuned to the deeper, more meaningful changes: building strength, overcoming mental barriers, and creating habits that would last a lifetime. My goals evolved from quick fixes to sustainable health.

A major part of this journey has been the impact on my daughter. My eight-year-old is proud of me in ways I can’t fully describe. She started coming to the gym with me every chance she got. Not only did she enjoy working out, but she also witnessed her mother’s transformation—not just in physical appearance, but in spirit. She saw me become healthier, more active, and more present. This journey has shown her that change is possible, even when it feels difficult. We changed our diets at home focusing on more balanced meals and adding protein where we can.

For instance, I subtly add cottage cheese to every item by blending it and putting it in the sauce. We switched sour cream to Greek yogurt. We added protein to our breakfast and added veggies where we could. I wanted my daughter to see there are little switches we can make to help our health, and we don’t have to restrict ourselves to treats either. I made protein pudding and changed our milk to Fairlife.

Looking back at these 12 weeks, I am forever grateful for the experience. The competition itself may have been the initial motivation, but what I’ve gained is far more profound. I’ve learned that success is not about rapid weight loss or extreme diets—it's about creating a lifestyle that fosters health, self-love, and balance. I’m not just lighter in weight; I’m lighter in spirit, free from the guilt and disappointment that once held me back. This transformation has built a foundation of habits that will last a lifetime.