A LETTER FROM THE ORIGINAL MOTIVATED WOMAN
*Julie Andrews voiceover*
Dearest gentle reader,
Just kidding.
I’m Courtney! First off, let me say how truly grateful I am that you’re here. This space is something I wish existed years ago because I sure could’ve used this kind of help and support! To make sure you have an easier go, I created Motivated Women Weekly.
I mean, I’ll tell you, but no promises that it’s entertaining enough to write a screenplay about.
Here are some rapid-fire facts so you can get back to your day:
Born and raised in northern California
Degree in graphic design from San Diego State
Married my high school sweetheart. No, it wasn’t a small town…I just fell in love and never climbed out of it
Moved to Indy for my husband’s grad school. It was supposed to be a 2 year stint, but we bought a house 6 months later (more to that story as you can imagine)
Worked corporate job in the medical field to get through school while I built my design business. I left corporate in 2019
Began my weight loss journey in 2021
Got pregnant in 2021 🤪
Had 2 babies, major ppd, and gained it all back in a 19 month period
8 weeks postpartum, I restarted my journey and never looked back. 80 lbs down and counting!
ABOUT ME
I grew up thinking all women hated themselves, exercise was only punishment for an undesirable shape, and self-worth was linked to physical appearance.
MY WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY
Now I know those beliefs I held are not true, but it’s taken a lot of unlearning and intention to flip those switches in my brain. My kids are developing their inner voice and beliefs based on my actions and words. Redefining my relationship with myself and wellness will hopefully give them the foundation they need for self-love and care.
How I gained: poor coping mechanisms, mental health struggles, and disordered eating resulted in the scale creeping up steadily month after month, year after year.
Breaking point + beginning: I lost a very close relative as a result of comorbidities. I knew I wanted kids, and I knew the kind of woman and mom I hoped to be was nowhere near the woman I was. So in May 2021, I started on a calorie deficit. That summer, I introduced exercise (in the form of a stationary bike because I was way too afraid of the gym). My body steadily changed. Soon enough, walking up stairs no longer winded me and I could shop at “regular” stores! I didn’t know how good my body could feel.
Pregnancies: We decided to start trying for our family, and I got pregnant after losing 60 lbs (not connected—just so happened to be when we decided). My children are incredible. I can’t believe they came from my body. But postpartum was the worst thing to happen to me. Without going off the rails, I’ll just say that it was pure survival and coping in unhealthy ways.
19 months later, my second baby was born. When I got home from the hospital, I was back at my starting weight. All progress…gone.
Back on the horse: I knew the kind of mom I wanted to be, and waiting wasn’t going to change that. So I put on my big girl panties, started logging my food, moving my body, and having emotional car concerts between home and the gym (if you saw me scream-singing while crying, no you didn’t…and I’m okay now).
And now: I am just 20 lbs from goal! I didn’t know my body could feel this good (and in my mid 30s, no less). I’m elated to be on this journey with you! That version of yourself you dream about—she’s there at the finish line cheering you on.
HOW MOTIVATED WOMEN WEEKLY CAME TO BE
There is a longer version to this, but in short: I found myself looking at my journals—years of experience, highs and lows, motivational quotes, things I’d researched or learned—and wishing this all existed before. Wishing that I didn’t have to do all of that work alone to get to this point.
And then I thought that if I needed all this and wish it existed, surely other women needed it too. Then followed a flurry of a week where I actually created all of this (pretty cool, huh?! …she said so humbly).
There will always be women who want to be healthier and need support and motivation We carry the weight of the world and struggle to prioritize ourselves. We—more than anyone—need this kind of support.
You are not alone, especially now!
It’s your turn! Share your story and your goals to get the support you need.