r/GlowUps

Took me about a year to get here, but I've been maintaining for about 2-3 years and have done it well. Stopped calorie counting and macros as a whole. I think my brain and body just worked well together to keep me consistent. I'm still physically active and eat what I want. I just know moderation now. Bettered every aspect of my life and don't regret it

Coming up on almost 3 years since I decided to get fall back in love with training again. Lots of learning, taking my time, and plentiful fuck ups. The best part about not taking this too seriously is getting to enjoy the small wins, and recognizing the setbacks can be small if you stay consistent.

Been training for almost 15 years next month. Natural, and planning keeping it that way unless my body tells me I need it

I think I’ve grown a bit.
Put on some muscle along the way, but more than that, I’ve built confidence, discipline, and belief in myself.
Consistency and a clean diet changed a lot for me. But the biggest change happened when I stopped doubting myself and kept showing up anyway.
I had major insecurities. I had self-doubt. But I didn’t quit.
You have no idea how much you can grow once you start believing in yourself.

first picture at 21 after about a year of severe hospitalizations (sepsis/cardiac events/sustained 105+ degree fevers);
second picture at 24 while going to the gym with intermittent hospitalizations and a heart failure diagnosis;
last three pictures all from the last month at age 27.

i posted this in r/uglyduckling but i got some comments i should post here.

the first three photos were my “tween” years. one is my 8 grade yearbook photo. the last 3 were taken in the past year.

i wanted to add: i did get a rhinoplasty at age 20. my nose was still quite large as i aged and it hindered my self esteem so i did it, and it was a great decision. also, i wore braces for about 6 years! im glad i aged — kids were not quite nice back in the day. but luckily im the same person as i was before 🤗

After spending so many years in depression, constantly hating myself, who I was, and what I looked like, I decided to take control and do everything possible so that my future self loves who they are. I still have a long way to go, as all this negative energy is difficult to erase, but I am certain that today, I took a major step toward this healing and the brightening of my soul.

I learned to dress better, to appreciate the small pleasures of daily life, started exercising modestly, but with great determination, and took immense pleasure during this transformation. Today, I know there are moments when I feel a bit weaker or sadder, but I accept it, and understand that it is part of the journey. I cannot say whether I am completely happy, but I have clearly caught a glimpse of what it feels like to be.

I wish a lot of courage to those going through difficult periods of depression. Know that you are not alone, and that, no matter what happens, the light always shows itself to you the moment you feel ready to welcome it. It can be hard, but I believe in you, because you are capable of far more than you think.

August 2019 I was in a gas station explosion overseas and hit by a car. I was 18 and genuinely very gorgeous and thought I was invincible and then all of a sudden I woke up from a coma permanently disfigured with my head shaved. Self confidence has taken a long time to come back, but im married, have a daughter, and a son on the way! Crazy how life has a way of working out.

Edit: please quit messaging me asking about the burnt goods, if you’re gonna be a weirdo, be a weirdo on the public post 😭

I was a late bloomer lol. When I was 14 I was still playing with Polly Pockets and Barbies. I look back now, and like how I kept my innocence for such a long time, it's kind of wholesome! Fun fact, I shaved my eyebrows off in the 5th grade, those photos are not included hahaha!

In 2018 I was 252lbs and labeled pre diabetic. I decided I didn’t want to have to stick myself with a needle everyday and rely on insulin so I got my shit together . It isn’t always easy and there are weak and lazy moments , but I’ve managed to keep it off for 8 years and I finally feel comfortable saying I will never be that unhealthy again. less

since this first photo, i have mostly treated my clinical depression, left an abusive relationship, gained weight after recovering from anorexia, and found myself <3

In 2024 my daughter nearly died and we stayed in the hospital for 2 months. The first pic is from when we finally got home and I was a mess. Yikes. Wouldn’t wish that on anyone. But today, feeling much better, happier, more grateful. Life is worth living again.

I went from 230 lbs with low testosterone to 176 lbs at 44. My doctor prescribed 160mg TRT, and today I have abs, better blood pressure, better labs, and feel better than ever. Life is good. Ask away.

I was a BIG boi, but with hard work/determination I overcame the obesity. Over 250lbs has been lost in total. Heck I got all the way down to 130, but I looked too scrawny and ended up bulking up then cutting back down to where I am now (175). Building (and sustaining) the muscle has been so much harder than losing the weight, but I have finally gotten close to where I want to be. I will keep grinding until the end! 😩💪

320- 235lbs. I am the youngest i ever felt. Lowest weight since i was 17. I’m not done yet, but feel accomplished in every way for my glow up

Figured out a few stuff since then although there is still always a lot more to learn and do.

Hitting the gym and building a decent physique is worth it.

I had a baby 2 years ago and didn’t like how my body looked. I worked really hard to get into shape and have lost 40 lbs since February 2026 and also am now separated soon to be divorcing from my abusive husband!

I’ve lost the weight by a lot of fasting, OMAD, daily 2 hours walks, gym 5x a week with heavy weightlifting. No glp-1s or weight loss medications used.

Feeling a million times better, both about myself and my life circumstances. My confidence is coming back finally :)

The first photo was me on a hot summer day, covered ankles to elbows because I was too painfully insecure to expose any more of my body. Second photo is me on my wedding day--not particularly exposed, but visibly more comfortable in my skin (and actually feeling sexy af 💁🏻‍♀️).

What weight loss and living with girls in LA will do to you. I was happy with how I looked back then and I’m just as happy now! The only difference is how I am now treated by the world. It’s like night and day, but maybe it’s because I’m just older.

Found myself at my lowest point in October of 2023 and told myself I wouldn't let it defeat me. I wanted to get stronger, I wanted to get happier, I wanted to get hotter.

At this point, I've accomplished the first two and feel so much closer to #3 than I ever have in my life. Excited to go into my 30s more confident than I left it :)

I took the time that I was becoming the new me to explore with my hair. Went from bald, to Afro, to braids,to big fro, to locks, to braids.