When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, my usual routine came to a halt. Aside from the occasional walk with my family, I became pretty sedentary, and it didn’t take long before nightly charcuterie boards and a glass or two of wine were the norm. At first, it didn’t seem like much, but over time, I stopped taking care of myself the way I used to.
Those habits stuck with me for the next few years, but by 2022, when I was 51, I knew something needed to change. I’d been active up until the pandemic, and I missed what it felt like to feel strong. I had gained weight, lost a lot of muscle, and just felt lost overall.
I wasn’t sure where to begin. As I was scrolling Instagram one day, I came across a post of a woman who had gone through an incredible strength transformation. She shared how she had gone through The Wonder Women Official program—a virtual training program focused on mindset, macro-based nutrition, and resistance training—and seeing what she achieved was so inspiring.
It made me want to take that same step, so I decided to apply to the program myself. A few months later, I was accepted and ready to do whatever it took to get stronger. I had never tracked macros or followed a structured weight training plan, so there was certainly a learning curve, but I stayed committed to the process.
I followed a high-protein diet and went to the gym seven days a week. I was strength training five times a week and did cardio every day—paying close attention to proper form and gradually increasing the weight over time whenever I could. I worked with my coach virtually, but we had regular check-ins to review form, track progress, and set new goals, which helped keep me accountable and motivated.
Overhauling my lifestyle wasn’t easy at first, but after a few weeks of adjusting and fine-tuning my routine, things started to click and I felt great. Each week, I noticed myself getting stronger, more capable, and more in-tune with my body. I was building visible muscle, my clothes were fitting looser, and I genuinely enjoyed having a consistent routine.
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