Gen Cohen, now 29, spent nearly a decade trying various fad diets in an effort to lose weight. However, she only ended up gaining more weight. After gaining weight in college, Cohen decided to make a change and go on a fitness journey. But this time, she wanted to approach it differently. Instead of hating herself towards being skinny, she chose to love herself towards being healthy.
Cohen grew up in a small town in Connecticut where health was not a priority. She played sports but would often indulge in unhealthy foods afterwards. She went on her first diet at the age of 12, which contributed to her negative body image. When she went to college in San Diego, she gained even more weight and felt frustrated and deceived by the weight loss industry.
On her 21st birthday, Cohen had a realization when she saw herself in photos and didn’t recognize the person she had become. She weighed herself and saw that she had reached 205 pounds. Instead of accepting her fate, she decided to make a change.
The next day, Cohen went shopping for workout clothes, protein powder, and a blender with her mom. She started educating herself about nutrition, fitness, and mindset. This time, she was determined to make sustainable changes and avoid quick fixes. She aimed for a healthy balance in her diet and focused on protein. She also began meal prepping and tracking her food intake.
For the first three months, Cohen didn’t see any weight loss, which was devastating for her. She even had her birth control removed, thinking it might be affecting her weight. Within seven days of removal, she lost 10 pounds. Over the next nine months, she lost another 40 pounds.
Cohen has maintained her weight loss for seven years. She learned how to make healthier versions of her favorite foods and practiced self-love and a positive mindset. She enjoys alcohol in moderation and has incorporated strength training and walking into her exercise routine.
Cohen’s journey is a testament to the importance of self-love and a sustainable approach to weight loss. She encourages others to focus on their overall well-being rather than just the number on the scale.
