Getting Healthy as a 13-Year-Old

Question: Please tell us about a time when you had to overcome adversity in order to achieve a goal. Describe what you were trying to achieve, the obstacles you encountered, and the end result.

I wasn’t the healthiest young person, struggling with overeating and insufficient movement. When I was 13, I realized I needed to make a change. I sought to achieve the goal of establishing a healthy relationship with food and exercise, and feeling fit, strong, and confident—a big personal dream for a 13-year-old.

I faced many obstacles while on my health journey, especially in the earlier stages when I was still very young. First, changing my eating habits required self-control and research regarding nutritious foods and the necessities for my body’s health. Another obstacle was regarding how my “health journey” fit in to my social life as a 13-year-old–teenagers are not known for being committed to healthy eating and consistent exercise, which automatically positioned me as an outcast with my friends. I would bring “weird” foods to school; go to the gym instead of the movies; and avoid certain foods at my friends’ houses. I felt embarrassed at the time, and I didn’t want to explain the reasons for my healthy choices since they were deep and difficult to comprehend for other 8th graders. Additionally, committing to daily exercise and improving my exercise performance was another obstacle for me as a teenager, since I did not always see “results” and sometimes felt discouraged during the process. Overall, my obstacles in my journey towards health pertained to devoted focus on health as a very young woman, which forced me to spend my time differently than a “regular” 13-year-old.

But I do not regret my choice to change my lifestyle early on for one second; I even admire my 13-year-old self’s persistence and dedication to her goals. Since then, I have learned so much about sustaining healthy lifestyles and achieving optimal exercise performance. I have achieved the heart rate of an olympic athlete, according to a cardiologist. I have healthy blood due to consuming healthy and nutritious foods. I have a deep understanding of healthier ingredients, while also finding balance with foods that are “less” healthy. I am regarded amongst my friends as someone with a balanced approach to a healthy lifestyle. I exercise for my physical and mental wellbeing. The end result of my health journey that began when I was 13 is finding confidence and strength within myself; being unafraid of leaving my comfort zone and testing my limits; inspiring others to be active and eat using a more balanced approach; starting my own healthy baking business that primarily used grain free ingredients; and currently, working for a fitness studio whose mission is to empower their clients to have fun while working out.