Starting My Health Journey

Last time I posted -- which, yeah, has been a few months -- I said I might start sharing some of my health journey here. I decided the easiest way to get that ball rolling is to show you what I posted on Facebook back in February, including before and after photos. That first photo is me at the Realm Makers writers conference in July 2019, which is why I'm holding a dragon. Not that it's so rare for me to be holding a dragon. The second photo is me in February 2025.

Here's what I posted on Facebook:

A lot of people have been commenting about my weight lately. People I haven’t seen in a while gasp and say, “Oh my god, Kat, you’ve lost so much weight!” The word “skinny” is very often used, accompanied by a look of concern. I’ve actually had a few people ask if I lost weight “on purpose” – which I’m taking to assume means they are worried I’m sick.

Folks, I’m not sick. Not now. I mean, I was. Not like cancer (which, btw, just had my checkup and I’m 20 years cancer-free!) or some other illness. But my labs were a mess. High blood pressure. High blood sugar (prediabetic). Cholesterol panel totally out of whack.

I changed my diet. I did not “go on a diet.” Although I was not happy at the weight I was, losing was not even on my radar – I was doing this to change my lab numbers. 

Y’all, I eat a lot. A LOT. I just don’t eat the same foods I used to (which, btw, I believed I was eating pretty darn healthy). My plate these days is loaded with meat, eggs, and veggies. Avocado. Coconut milk yogurt (can’t have dairy, allergic). Sunflower butter. Lots of berries. Bare minimum levels of grains. No sweets, no chips, no snacky foods of any kind. But as for calories…I have no idea. I don’t track that stuff. I eat. And eat. And eat until I’m full. When I’m hungry again, I eat again until I’m full. I assure you, I am far from starving. 

And I do exercise. I’ve walked daily for many years because it’s good for my heart. When my metabolism righted, I got more energy. Started walking even more. Started lifting weights again.

Anyway, to assure you all is well - that all is actually soooooo much better - here are my lab numbers from when I started this journey (September 2020) compared to January 2025:

Blood pressure (as measured at the doc’s office) 142/98 -> 116/73

Glucose 116 -> 90

Triglycerides 163 -> 43

HDL 63 -> 75

LDL 180 -> 133

Cholesterol risk ratio 4.38 -> 2.89

See? Not sick. Not even remotely. I feel better than I have in years. I don’t wake up creaky anymore. No more hobbling those first few steps in the morning. No soreness. No bloating. No heartburn. No fatigue. My balance has gotten better. My clothes fit. Like really fit. I have a waistline for the first time since before kids. 

I’m not telling you this for any kind of “atta-girl.” I honestly just want to put everyone’s minds at ease. 

{Btw, me focusing on my health has been a big reason I haven’t been active on Facebook much. Busy walking, working out, and working. Hours and hours of listening to podcasts about health and nutrition, functional medicine, metabolism, insulin resistance, etc., so the biology nerd in me can satisfy her thirst for learning. The science of the human metabolic system is fascinating.)

Since posting that, I've actually shifted my diet a bit more heavily toward meat, and my HDL has risen to 94, without my LDL changing. I eat even less grain now, too. Rye bread for a Reuben sandwich about once every couple of weeks and the "healthy harvest" muffin at my favorite mom-and-pop coffee shop every couple of months is it for me. And no, I don't miss it. Don't miss sweets, don't miss anything. I still eat all I want, never counting calories, only keeping carbs low. Lots of protein, plenty of fat. 

I still lift weights about four days a week, and it's maddening on the days I'm unable to get in enough walking. I need the movement. People still see me as "skinny" but I've gotten much stronger, lifting heavier at the gym than I have in years. I feel better, stronger, healthier than I have in years. What surprised me is that I "felt" pretty healthy before. But so many things improved, I realized that I had just gradually gotten used to all the little issues, and now that they're gone I know what healthy actually feels like. 

Okay, that's probably enough for now. I'll post more thoughts/experiences later. As well as some updates on upcoming events where I'll be selling my art and books.