The full story
From as early as I can remember, I battled with my weight. I lived with disordered eating habits from the tender age of 5, wrestling with issues like bulimia, binge eating disorder, food addiction, depression, and anxiety. I was on a perpetual quest to lose weight, constantly trying out every diet that promised miracles, but nothing seemed to stick.
My journey was characterised by the relentless cycle of starting a new diet every Monday and inevitably failing by the weekend. I spent a small fortune on coaches, gyms, diet clubs, books, teas, and everything in between. However, I eventually realised that my approach was all wrong. I was coming from a place of punishing my body, driven by hate and resentment.
I had an inner voice, a negative narrator that lived rent-free in my mind, constantly telling me how worthless and useless I was. It wasn't until July 2019 that I had a revelation: this negative narrator didn't actually belong to me. It was a compilation of cues I had picked up as a child from the people around me and from society. I didn't even know who I was or what my true thoughts were anymore.
I had been using food as a readily available drug to numb that voice, which resulted in me building a 23-stone (323 lbs) body around me. That October, I embarked on a second therapeutic journey to heal my traumatised inner child and learn how to feel and process my emotions instead of drowning them in food.
When I felt ready, in January 2020, at a weight of 323.8 lbs, I decided to lose weight for the last time. This time, it was different. I was doing it for me, from a place of self-love, respect, and care. I continued with therapy, journaling, and integrated the BodySlims program, intermittent fasting, one hour of daily walking, and a plant-based diet into my routine.
Fast forward 14 months later, and I had lost 183 lbs naturally. I've never looked back since. The creation of "Half of Carla" is my way of telling the world that this transformation is possible. If I can do it, so can you!
Through my various platforms, I share my journey of self-care, self-love, and personal growth in the hopes of inspiring you to embark on your own self-care journey. My mission is to break down the stigmas surrounding mental health, showcase life beyond weight loss, and empower others to prioritise their well-being by showing up for themselves.
With a strong focus on self-care, fashion, beauty, and living a liberated life, I'm here to reshape the narrative around health and inspire countless individuals to put their well-being first. Join me on this incredible journey of transformation, self-discovery, and empowerment. Together, we can redefine what it means to prioritise self-care and live a life that truly liberates us.
