The unexpected path to a healthier me

In another post, I shared about my chemical pregnancy. The day after I found out I was pregnant, I did everything I could ensure a healthy pregnancy — not knowing the pregnancy would end only days later.

Because any pregnancy for me is high-risk, I immediately contacted an OB. I’m 40, overweight, and have a heart condition, so I wasn’t taking any chances. I reached out to my cardiologist about my slightly elevated pulse and asked if they wanted to see me. And I even contacted a nutritionist to help me focus on healthier eating and exercise so I wouldn’t gain weight the way I had during my other three full-term pregnancies.

Little did I know that just a few days later, I’d learn the pregnancy wasn’t going to stick. But that loss pushed me into something I didn’t expect — a healthy-living journey I had been avoiding for years. A journey to finally lose the weight I’ve carried for far too long. A journey to make small, permanent changes instead of jumping into another fad diet. And a journey to figure out the root cause of my heart issues and fix them for good.

My Heart Story

After the elevated pulse, my cardiologist wanted to see me. Because of my particular arrhythmia, they asked me to wear a Holter monitor for two weeks to look for P waves. I tried, but by day one my skin was already reacting to the adhesive. The manufacturer sent a different option with a gentler adhesive — but it wouldn’t stay on. Between the burning skin and the constant issues, I had to take breaks. After 18 days, I sent it back… and it turns out it only recorded about 5 days of usable data.

I had called multiple times telling them I didn’t think it was reading correctly, but they said they couldn’t know until it was sent in. It lit up, so they assumed it was fine. Apparently not.

A month later, the results came back: nothing was picked up on the monitor. Expected when it only read for 5 days.

Around that time, I had a short, sudden episode of SVT while putting away groceries. It was so quick it didn’t register on my watch, and I couldn’t get a timer out before it stopped. I could feel it in my chest, in trying to read ny pulse. But it passed as quickly was it came. But that short event made me feel exhausted and worn out, I had plans for a full active day out with the kids trick or treating at a local petting zoo type farm and didn’t want to be held back.

That was the breaking point.

I messaged my cardiologist and asked to be scheduled for an ablation. I was tired of not knowing what triggered my heart to race — especially when episodes happened during completely normal, non-stressful moments. I didn’t want it hanging over me anymore.

They referred me to an electrophysiologist, who diagnosed me with Wolff-Parkinson-White, a rare congenital condition where the heart has an extra electrical pathway. Basically, my heart has a “wrong road” the signals sometimes travel down, which causes the racing.

The fix: an ablation.

Medication isn’t a good fit for me. My blood pressure and resting heart rate are already low, and beta blockers would likely make things worse. Plus, the meds come with side effects and only work about 30% of the time.

So I chose the ablation. It has a 90–95% success rate and usually means no long-term medication. I’m scheduled right before Christmas. I’m not nervous about the decision, but I am anxious as the date gets closer — mostly because of the timing with the holidays and needing to rely on my husband and mom to do everything I normally do.

For a week I won’t be able to lift, bend, or do much at all. So now I’m planning ahead: freezer meals, easy reheats, and setting myself up to stay on track.

My Healthy Journey: 3 Months In

For almost three months, I’ve been focusing on creating long-term, sustainable habits. No crash dieting. No extremes. Just slow, steady change.

I’ve relearned how to approach food. I’ve made small modifications and stopped letting the scale dictate my mood. I learned about macros — and how to work with my carb sensitivity instead of fighting it. I love carbs, and trying to give them up has never lasted long. My nutritionist helped me find a balance: incorporating carbs, but within a reasonable daily amount.

She introduced me to protein-based breads and pastas that keep me full without making me feel deprived. I still eat cheese, butter, and oils — just in moderation. I plan my dinners and use frozen lunches to keep my macros consistent. Yes, I eat pasta several times a week.

The biggest change? Sweets. I haven’t cut them out entirely, but I have much more control now. I focus on fruits and protein puddings. Occasionally I’ll have a donut or a small cookie, but it’s nowhere near how I used to eat. I used to eat half a dozen donuts in one sitting… now one donut with a protein shake on a Saturday feels satisfying.

My Goals and Progress

While I am considered obese, I’m not twice my ideal weight. My goal is to lose about 62 pounds and drop three pant sizes. Technically, I’d still be “overweight,” but it’s a weight I felt comfortable at as a teenager. If I eventually lose the extra 15 pounds on top of that — great. But I’m not letting those numbers rule me anymore.

I set my goal 30 pounds above the weight I was when I met my husband (when I was a size 5). I had killed myself to get there at the time, and that isn’t my goal today. I’m aiming for something I can comfortably maintain.

As of today — almost three months in — I’m down 20 pounds and one pant size. I’m already one-third of the way to my goal, and I’m giving myself a year from now to get there. Slow, sustainable, permanent.

I focus on protein and fiber, and I keep my net carbs around 100 grams per day. It’s honestly so much easier than I expected, and tracking my meals has become second nature.

Follow Along

So follow along with my journey — motherhood, health, work, balance, and everything in between. I’ll share regular updates, my wins and losses, and whatever else life throws my way.