About me

The Years I Spent Trying

Hi, I’m Karen Blake, a wellness writer and researcher based in Seattle. My weight loss journey didn’t start with motivation; it started with frustration. I remember standing in my kitchen one evening, holding a “healthy” salad, staring at it as if it might explain why I was still stuck. I was tired of doing everything “right” and not seeing it reflected in the mirror. I downloaded apps, saved workout routines, and tried whatever was trending that week. Some days I felt hopeful, imagining this would finally be the thing that worked. Other days, I went to bed defeated, wondering if I was the problem. But through it all, I kept searching for answers that actually made sense for my body.

What I slowly began to realize was that weight loss isn’t just about willpower. It’s about understanding how your body responds to stress, sleep, food, and even the quiet stories you tell yourself. I had been chasing quick fixes instead of learning how to work with my body. When I shifted my focus from extreme dieting to sustainable habits (eating in a way that felt nourishing, moving in ways I didn’t dread, resting without guilt, and so much more), everything began to feel less like punishment and more like partnership.

This space is where I share what I’ve learned, from the mistakes that humbled me to the small, almost unnoticeable shifts that made the biggest difference. My goal isn’t perfection or rapid results. It’s helping you feel informed, supported, and understood as you create a healthier version of your life, one realistic, compassionate step at a time.