I started working at the age of 14 while I was in high school to help provide for my family. (We were even homeless at one point.) Between work, school, and watching my three younger siblings, I was always eating fast food, as it was all I had time for and all I could afford.

By the time that I was a senior in high school, I weighed 220 pounds. I was also very self-conscious about my weight. While I was never bullied in school, I dealt with regular verbal abuse at home that took a major toll on my self-esteem. It made me keep to myself and remain timid all throughout my teen years. But I graduated high school and moved out of my moms house, and I went to community college and worked three jobs.

Happy Fitness Friday FitFam! Grab some dumbbells and give these move a try I kept my weight light but still got the job done with these compound moves. Push yourself for 6 rounds 12 Reps #fitfun #fit #exercise A post shared by MOE (@get_moefit) on Mar 29, 2019 at 12:02pm PDT

Nearing the age of 20, I started dating seriously and met a couple girlfriends who helped me come out of my shell. Though my social life was changing for the better at the time, it also meant that I started partying on weekends...which eventually turned into partying three times a week.

I ended up going through a really bad break up, and the guy I split from made fun of my weight in the aftermath. In that horrible moment, I had a flashback to being verbally abused. It definitely struck a nerve, and I told myself that I would never let myself be treated like this again in my life. But before I could learn to accept and receive the love and support I deserved, I needed to love and respect myself. I prayed to God to help form me into a better woman physically, emotionally, and mentally.

I also received a health diagnosis that was the final straw.

After a routine physical, my doctor informed me that I had polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) , a hormone disorder that can mess with your periods and cause all sorts of symptoms, including weight gain. I had no idea what PCOS was at that time, but I listened attentively when he said that it could be contributing to my weight issues. My PCOS also caused issues with insulin resistance, painful menstrual cycles, and fibroids. So, my MD suggested that I consult with a nutritionist and consider a low-carb diet . I describe that day as "day one of the rest of my life." I was in my 20s, 240 pounds, and finally ready to make big changes.

**********Transformation Tuesday************ Its almost summertime! Are you ready to get that bikini tan line? Sometimes you dont have to say a thing just let the work show for itself. Email me your fitness goals and lets get a personalized fitness plan started for you. #fit #personaltrainer #transformationtuesday #weightlossjourney #fitfinatix A post shared by MOE (@get_moefit) on Apr 16, 2019 at 3:01pm PDT

When I started my weight-loss journey, I felt self-conscious about working out.

I didnt want people to see me exercising, to be honest. So, I started working out at home with a Jillian Michaels video six days a week. I also cut out carbs completely for two months, and I managed to lose 40 pounds.

Eventually, though, the at-home workouts were no longer cutting it for me. I was getting bored, so I signed up for a membership to Planet Fitness. The treadmill became my best friend; my goal was to get my speed and power game up. I also fell in love with plyometrics and calisthenics.

Saturday shenanigans Didnt have anything in particular set for today. Saturdays I usually go for full a body HIIT. I decided to grab a barbell and see what I could come up with. Deadlift into a curl and press Single leg Bosch clean In and out hop squats Hang clean Moving jump lunges #power #athlete #movement #clean #dmvpersonaltrainer A post shared by MOE (@get_moefit) on Aug 3, 2019 at 11:29am PDT

I quickly learned that Id rather be in the gym than out at clubs with friends. Id rather run a mile and clear my mind than numb myself via drinking and partying. But as I began to change physically, I noticed the way my circle of friends viewed me differently. I even lost some friends, who in hindsight, probably didnt have my best interests in mind.

I spent a lot of time alone working out in the gym, thinking about my life. And in return, I really got to know me .

I let out a lot of the anger from my childhood and from the abuse I endured, and I put it into my workouts. I fell in love with setting goals and gaining the ability to do things that I couldnt do before. I began to mold myself into the woman I had always wanted to be, the one that someone used to tell me that I would never be. My fitness routine truly saved me from spiraling out of control.

For motivational purposes only Its not to often I get personal but Im always asked, Moe why do you workout the way you do? To give you my why would be to know my entire life before the age of 25. Working out saved me. I was raised with idea that children should be seen and not heard and only speak when spoken to. I suffered through verbal and at times physical abuse at a young age and due to those ideas and circumstances I was unable to verbally communicate with people not just my emotions. For better choice of words I was shy and only spoke if I was spoken to something that to this day I do but have been breaking myself out of. Due to this Im extremely soft spoken. Ive dealt with things that most have. Molestation, homelessness, fatherless, family turning their back, friends kicking me while I was down, people telling me that I wasnt good enough because I was ok looking but fat and black, failed relationships, health issues, you name it. I kept it all inside until I became acquainted with fitness. Like a mad artist rep by rep with the weights, stride by stride with my sprints, and day by day with my food intake. I created my version of a masterpiece that to this day I am working on. I zone out when I begin my workout and I let life out. The weights scream for me, my feet hitting the pavement is me running away from the hurt, the disappointments, sad times, and never looking back. I literally had no one telling me what to do or showing me the ropes, I did my own research, went through my trials and errors, and finally hit up NASM for my cert to help others. I am forever blessed that through hard times I was kept by God and made it through. I cant imagine the person that I would be if I didnt pray for change and go in this direction. I enjoy helping others overcome and do what they thought they couldnt do. My goal is to get you to see its not about what you go through but how you choose to get through that will determine the greatest outcome for you so you can bless someone with your WHY to! Sports bra: @fitcitizenapparel Hair: @wiglifee #motivationmonday #motivation A post shared by MOE (@get_moefit) on Aug 5, 2019 at 12:12pm PDT

Falling in love with fitness motivated me to do some more digging into nutrition, too. I wanted a holistic wellness regimen.

For most of my journey, I kept my carbs low during the week, and on weekends I ate whatever I wanted to. I was definitely a weekend warrior, and it worked for me. By the time I was 24, I decided to cut out red meat and even tried to go veganbut it didnt work for me due to my lack of education on how to appropriately transition and still get adequate protein intake (this is *so* important if you go meatless!).

But when I turned 28, my body started to change on me. Despite eating healthy and working out, I was gaining weight again. I was in and out of my doctors office, and finally, I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) , possibly related to my PCOS. I had horrible pelvic and abdominal pain that began interfering with my workouts.

Growth is the process of responding positively to change. Forever thankful for the ability to grow. #transformationtuesday #growth #change #weightloss #pcosweightloss #weightlosstransformation #dmvtrainer #instagram A post shared by MOE (@get_moefit) on Jul 9, 2019 at 3:36pm PDT

Thanks to the two chronic health conditions I was constantly dealing with, I really needed to understand which foods did or didnt work well for my body. I did my own research, but I also consulted with nutritionists and a holistic doctor. Through a lot of trial and error and guided elimination diet work, I learned to tune into my body and observe the way it responded to certain foods.

I found that some of the foods I had always assumed were good for me were actually causing symptoms. For instance, I cut out a lot of vegetables that just didnt work for me, like broccoli and asparagus. I also eliminated red meat and pork.

This is what I typically eat in a day now:

• Breakfast: 16 oz. celery juice, half a cup of egg whites with turkey sausage
• Lunch: 4-6 oz. of chicken and shrimp in a spinach salad
• Snack: Walnuts
• Dinner: Taco lettuce wraps made with ground turkey

LIKE, COMMENT, SAVE, AND TAG A FRIEND who you would do this back workout with. It has almost been 12 weeks since Ive done a weighted back exercise so let just say my muscle memory has more than impressed me. Working your back is critical because it is involved in just about every activity that you do in daily life. Ladies want to really give that waist a slim appearance? Better get to training your back! Back attack! Pick your weight And go for five rounds #back #backworkout #nowaist #whstrong #bodyofmuscle #fitchocolate365 A post shared by MOE (@get_moefit) on Jul 10, 2019 at 2:58pm PDT

When I started my journey in 2017, I weighed almost 240 pounds. Now, Im 167 pounds.

At my lowest weight, I was 155 pounds. But I realized Im most comfortable weighing somewhere between 160 and 170 pounds, and Im totally happy with that. Its not about a number on the scale, but where your body and mind feel the best.

Never forgetting from where I came and no matter where Im headed I promise to stay the same! @fitonomy pre always comes through with the boost that I need! Loving their products and how they help me reach my goals. Mentally and physically Ive changed but my has remained the same Need a personal trainer? Email me your fitness goals so you can train with Moe! #get_moefit #humble #weightloss A post shared by MOE (@get_moefit) on May 21, 2019 at 12:44pm PDT

I finally love myself, and I am receiving love in the way I deserve. I am my own best friend and biggest advocate. Being on this journey has also helped me finally accept and receive love from someone who desires the same things in life as me, and motivates me every single day.

It didnt happen overnight, but I have cut out so many toxic people and ways of thinking from my life. Im learning more and more every day about what my priorities and values look like. My weight-loss journey was really more of a mental health journeyand I plan to continue on this upward trajectory. Because I deserve it.