From Asthma to Weightlifting: My Ongoing Fitness Journey

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A little background about me—I was diagnosed with asthma when I was born and ended up being hospitalized for a month because of it. Growing up with asthma wasn’t easy. I had to carry my inhaler everywhere because I never knew when an attack would hit. But that didn’t stop me from staying active. I played sports like softball, soccer, cheer, and even did a bit of gymnastics. It was hard sometimes—my breathing was restricted, and I had to pace myself—but I never gave up.

Back then, my workouts mostly consisted of circuit training and lots of cardio. But now? I’m in love with weightlifting.

 

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How It All Started

I began my fitness journey a littl

e over four years ago. It's been a wild roller coaster, to say the least. I was consistent for a while, then life hit, and I lost myself for a bit. But I found my way back.

What sparked my love for weightlifting was a desire to feel strong, fit, and toned. I want to look in the mirror and truly be happy with what I see—not based on anyone else’s standards, but mine. That means putting in the work—eating right, training 4–5 times a week, and staying committed even when it’s hard.

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Learning As I Go

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Weightlifting isn’t easy—especially when you're new. I still question myself: Am I doing this movement right? Is this weight too light? Or too heavy? The mental part of lifting can be just as challenging as the physical, but I’m learning every day. Progress takes time, and I’m learning to be patient with the process.

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Food, Culture, and Health

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Growing up, I’d say I was a pretty healthy kid. My mom didn’t allow soda in the house—and now as an adult, I completely understand why! The amount of sugar in soda is ridiculous. Cutting that out early definitely helped me form better habits later in life.

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Being Mexican, our traditional foods are rich in flavor, spices, and... grease. Let’s be real—tortillas, rice, and beans were staples in my house. Trying to shift my eating habits has been a learning curve. At first, I thought meal prep meant boring, tasteless food, especially with all the "sugar-free" stuff. Honestly, does anyone else feel like sugar-free can sometimes taste worse because it’s fake sugar? Just me?

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Thankfully, I've found great recipes (shoutout to TikTok and IG Reels!) that make healthy eating not only doable but enjoyable. It’s all about balance.

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The Bigger Picture

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On top of it all, I’ve been dealing with some health issues, which made me even more serious about what I eat and how I train. I recently started seeing a new doctor outside of my regular one, and in just a few months, she’s helped me tremendously. We’re finally figuring out what’s going on with my body, and I feel more hopeful than I have in a long time.

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It’s a Lifestyle, Not a Phase

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There’s no real “end” to this journey—because it’s not a temporary thing. It’s a lifestyle. But I’m excited for the progress I’m making. I love the grind. I love that it’s hard. I love knowing that I’m putting in the work for something that matters—to me.

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The journey is my favorite part. It’s in the struggle, the discipline, and the small wins where the real growth happens. I’m not giving up.