I’ve been struggling with body image lately.

Even though I’ve had some amazing non-scale victories in preparing for my vacation, I still find myself being overly critical when I look in the mirror. The shorts I bought are actually a little big—and a size smaller than I expected—which should feel like a win. But instead, all I see are my flaws: my breasts feel too big, there’s loose skin on my stomach, and stretch marks cover my lower belly. It’s in these moments I catch myself wishing spot reduction was real or that there was a quick fix to build muscle and erase the imperfections I fixate on.

For most of July, I had little desire to work out. I took a two-week break, and while I know rest is important for recovery and progress, I started to regret it. My mind drifted to extremes—hiding under baggy clothes, obsessing over the scale, and fantasizing about some magical pill that would make me “skinny.” Deep down I know that pill doesn’t exist, and I also know I shouldn’t be in this negative headspace. I’ve come so far in my journey.

The number on the scale hasn’t moved much, but my body is definitely changing. I’m in a phase where I’m shedding fat, which leaves behind loose skin, all while building muscle. But mentally, it’s been hard to see those changes as progress when I don’t feel them yet.

Last week, I got back into my fitness routine—and it felt good. I hit my step goal of 7,000 steps on six out of seven days, something I hadn’t done in months. That alone reminded me how much my body needed the break. On Sunday, I challenged myself with a 5K training run outside. It was hot and humid, and normally I avoid running in that kind of weather. But I wanted to complete the mileage on the pavement instead of the treadmill. I didn’t finish the full run due to heat exhaustion, but I’m still proud of what I accomplished.

This week, I kicked things off with a treadmill run instead of my usual walk. It gave me a much-needed sense of accomplishment. I’m also making more mindful choices—eating better, reaching for healthier snacks, and drinking more water so I stay full and hydrated.

Bit by bit, I’m starting to feel better in my skin. Progress isn’t always measured in pounds lost or perfect gym sessions. Sometimes, it’s just showing up again—and that’s exactly what I’m doing.