Everything I Did to Glow Up In One Year
Body Transformation
My Diet
The biggest change I made was shifting how I built my meals. Instead of obsessing over cutting carbs or following restrictive diet rules, I focused on eating a high protein, high fiber, and blanced diet with healthy fats. Protein became the anchor of my meals because it helped keep me full and supported muscle growth while I was working out. I also focused on fiber because it made a huge difference in digestion and satiety. Instead of cutting carbs drastically, I simply tried to keep my carbohydrates reasonable and coming from healthier sources. With the help of ChatGPT, I determined my maintenance calories then lowered my maintenance by around 300 - 400 calories. ChatGPT also helped me determine how many grams of protein, fat, carbs, and fiber to aim for everyday.
This is what my typical my typical day of eating looks like:
Breakfast: Premier Protein pancakes (2), zero sugar syrup, 1 egg, 2 egg whites, and Applegate chicken sausage patty.
Lunch: Tuna (seasoned packets), almond crackers (1 serving), boiled egg, and Bolthouse ranch with cucumbers or carrots
Dinner: Grilled shrimp, 3 baby potoes diced and sauteed, a serving of green vegetables (broccoli or brussel sprouts), and two tablespoons of cocktail sauce
Snack: 100 calorie popcorn or a Readyclean protein bar with 1 cup of Almond Chocolate Milk.
My Workouts
I always dreaded working out. I was always so miserable that I couldn’t make it a habit. I was determined to do something I ENJOYED, so I decided to sign up for a member ship at a local pilates studio. Believe it or not, I actually enjoyed it and stayed consistent with my workouts twice a week (every Tuesday and Thursday). I will continue to show up to that pilates class unless I’m on my death bed (RIP).
In addition to pilates, I decided to do the one form of cardio that was actually bearable….walking. I drove myself to the most scenic neighborhood in our town and mapped out a 3 mile walking path. Every Saturday and Sunday morning, you will find me walking, enjoying the views, and listening to good music. I thoroughly enjoy this time!
I cannot stress enough to find meals and workouts you enjoy and stay consistent! My transformation did not come from doing anything extreme. It came from building simple habits that I could repeat week after week. It is now a ritual for me.
My Go-To Products for Diet/Workouts
My Hair Transformation
My Skin Transformation
I can’t even begin to tell you the struggle I have had with my hair for the 36 years I’ve been on this Earth. I truly thought I genetically could not grow my hair past my shoulders and had nearly given up.
Over the past year, I became determined to grow and protect my hair. And boy…..did it work. Here is what I did:
I focused on scalp health!
Get yourself a scalp scrubber and use that thing religiously everynight! Also, every Sunday, I apply a mixture of alma and rosemary oil to my scalp then massage it in for at least 5 minutes. After oiling, I put a hair mask on the ends of my hair, warp my hair in a plastic shower cap, and finish out Sunday evening looking absolutely ridiculous. Trust me…STAY CONSISTENT. It will pay off.
I also added Men’s Rogaine 5% into my nightly routine. I purchase a three month supply worth of the foam. I put the foam around my hairline and massage it in with my scalp scrubber every night. It makes your hair look wet at first, but don’t worry, it will dry by the morning.
Another thing I added to my routine was protecting my hair from damage. This includes the following:
Heat Protectant (ALWAYS!)
Wet Brush
Silk Pillowcase
Silk Hair Ties
Remember, consistency matters more than eveything else!
My Go-To Hair Products
My skin wasn’t “bad” ….it was just dull.
I did NOT have that glowy dewy skin. I also had/have many acne scars from my teenage years (it did a number on me).
I so badly wanted that glass skin influencers would post on TikTok. I bought every cream, serum, and mask. You name it, I bought it. During my glow-up transformation, the word that kept recurring is CONSISTENCY. And this is absolutely true for your skin as well. These are my routines:
AM Routine:
Timeless Vitamin C Serum: The Timeless Vitamin C Serum it a great dupe for the INSANELY expensive SkinCeuticals. It contains 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid. This serum helps brighten the skin.
Vinchy Mineral 89: I use this a “primer”. It contains Hylauronic acid and Vinchy volcanic mineral water to help strengthen the skin barier and protect against environmental stress.
EltaMD Suncreen: Suncreen is a MUST everyday, no questions. The EltaMD Suncreen protects against both UVA (agng) and UVB (buning) rays. It’s also melasma friendly!
P.M. Routine
Cerave Foaming Cleanser: This is self-explanatory. Clean that skin girl!
Medik8 Retinal: This is one of the stronger ones. START SLOW! I started with 2x a week and have now worked myself up to nearly every night.
GHK-CU mixed with The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid: This may be controversial, but I do buy pure GHK-CU (copper peptide) from a local supplier. Peptides are all the craze right now, but after reading studies (and from my own experience), GHK-CU works just as well topically! There is no reason to inject it. I simply mix it into the hyaluronic acid and put it in the fridge. I put it on my face every night before bed. Please do your research on companies before purchasing pure GHK-GU!
Kojic Acid Pads: I do not use these every night. It is a strong exfoliater, but I do rotate these into my routine 1x to 2x a week. If I am using the pads, I skip the retinal and GHK-CU for that night.
Skinfix Cream: Now this baby moisturizes! This cream is designed to repair and strengthen the skin barrier while providing deep hydration. It contain a triple lipid complex of ceramide, cholesterol, and fatty acids, which are the same types of lipids naturally found in healthy skin. It locks in moisture, which is desperately needed after using retinal or the Kojic pads.
If there is one thing this year taught me, it’s that real change comes from HABITS. My glow-up happened because I focused on small habits that I could repeat consistently.
None of these changes felt dramatic in the moment, but over time they added up to something powerful. When you start showing up for yourself daily, even in small ways, you begin to feel stronger, more capable, and more comfortable in your own skin.
Good luck on your own journey!
