My Story

Hello! My name is Kelsey Lynn.  I'm a sophomore in college and a Nutrition and Wellness Major.  I'm new to the blogging world and am so excited to learn about new opportunities and share my experiences with you!  For my first post, I wanted to share my story and what inspired my blog.  Throughout my whole life, I was raised to know the importance of a healthy lifestyle.  I loved to be active.  I was a gymnast, competitive figure skater, swimmer, and dancer.  My parents were very health conscious.  So, in addition to staying active, they taught me the importance of a healthy diet.  I was homeschooled most of my life and absolutely loved it.  I made some of the strongest friendships and I loved the flexibility it offered.  I also had more time to dedicate to sports.  Most days I would take my homework to the skating rink and study between skating sessions!  I had a crazy busy life, but I wouldn't have changed a thing.  I felt like I was on top of the world and had everything under control.  I had great friends, a wonderful family, a solid education, an exciting faith, and an adventurous life.  However, everything seemed to change about five years ago.
I started to develop food sensitivities and other health problems.  I felt like a flip switched and my whole world changed overnight.  Whenever I would eat, I would get stomachaches and just a sick feeling all over.  I saw doctor after doctor and none of them knew what to do.  The tests were coming back normal and I was told it was just growing pains.  All of this was so foreign to me.  2013 was my worst year.  The doctors were still stumped and everything seemed to get worse.  I started losing weight very quickly and it got so bad that when I turned 15 years old, I only weighed 70 pounds.  This was when the doctors began taking things a little more seriously.  Eventually, I started seeing functional medicine doctors and holistic nutritionists who helped to get me where I am today.  They also helped me discover my passion for fitness, nutrition, and healthy lifestyles.  However, it was a long journey.  I tried to wake up everyday and be positive, but this was a challenge for me.  Going out with friends became something I dreaded because it almost always involved food or eating.  I submerged myself in my hobbies and studies and tried to stay busy, but inside I was broken.  I was drowning in self-pity and even a little bit of anger.  When I was 16, I started my senior year of high school and this was my first time going to school.  I was so excited for this big change, but ran into some unwanted incidents.  People were constantly picking on my weight and always commenting on how thin I was.  I was so worried to let them know about everything, that I bottled it up and would explode when I came home.  I'm not going to lie, dealing with all of this as a teenager was very tough.  But one day, I decided to stop seeing myself as a victim.  I started looking at things differently and noticed that everyone has a cross to carry.  This was mine.  I was still extremely lucky.  I still had amazing friends, a supportive family, high educational hopes, and a bright future ahead.  Looking back, I don't see this as a negative time in my life anymore.  I see it as a privilege and a learning opportunity given to me from God.  If I hadn't gone through this rough patch, I wouldn't be the same person I am today.  Because of it, I discovered my love for promoting positivity, beauty, fitness, fashion, and nutrition.  I know my body so much better now and am more aware of its needs.  I still have a sensitive tummy, and do have to watch what I eat.  However, I wouldn't change that because I am more motivated to live a healthy lifestyle now.  Being healthy isn't something I have to do anymore, it's something I want to do.  I am currently gluten, dairy, refined sugar, and nut free.  Most of the recipes you will find here will have those dietary restrictions as well.  I workout 6 days a week and have discovered my love for an active lifestyle.  I wanted to start this blog to hopefully inspire others.  If you are feeling unmotivated, have any dietary restrictions, or are interested in a little bit of beauty and fashion, then this is the place for you!  I pray that this becomes a safe place where you can learn and journey with me and build your confidence.  It took me a long time to learn to be vulnerable and love myself and my body.  I sincerely hope that this blog helps you to discover your inner and outer strength and beauty.
-Kelsey Lynn <3