Alright, let’s get straight to it—because if I’m not giving you the unfiltered, sometimes-uncomfortable truth, what’s the point?
This is the behind-the-scenes I know you need, whether you’re crushing your goals or deep in a “WTF am I even doing?” spiral.
Before we dive in, a few quick things:
First, if you haven’t already, you have to listen to the podcast episode that goes with this blog. The downloads and feedback I’ve gotten from you guys in just 24 hours have blown me away! I knew when I hit record that it would be therapeutic for me and hopefully helpful for you, but I had no idea it would reach so many of you so quickly. I really encourage you to listen—because as much as I love writing, hearing my voice and my real-time coaching energy is a whole different experience.
As for this blog, I wanted to share the visuals—because sometimes you need to see the change, not just hear about it. These before-and-after photos are five weeks apart, and honestly, I’m still shook at how much can change in such a short time. But it’s not just about the pictures—it’s about the way I feel, inside and out.
And a quick footnote, because after nearly a decade of sharing my journey online, I know it needs to be said:
My body is not up for debate.
My goals are mine, and wanting more for myself has nothing to do with anyone but me. I’m not here for the “you looked fine before” or “your before is my goal” comments. Thankfully, my community is amazing, but I’ve heard it enough to know to put the disclaimer out there. My body is personal. Wanting to feel my best is my right—and it’s yours, too. Wanting more for yourself is never up for debate.
Okay, PSA over—let’s get into the good stuff!
The Plan That Wasn’t Going to Plan
Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a perfect “plan” for your body, only to have life throw a giant curveball. (Both my hands are up, by the way.)
I started this year with every intention of getting ahead of the game—little fat loss phase + get ready for summer shape-up. Instead?
Real talk: I got rocked. Pelvic pain, a recurring cyst (that would rupture and immediately refill every time OMG annoying), surgery, four months of feeling like my body was holding me hostage. My deficit phase I had planned for beginning of 2025? Out the window.
When “Bouncing Back” Isn’t Magic
I figured that post-surgery, I’d just slide right back into my groove and crush it. Spoiler alert: I did not.
I was frustrated. I was disappointed. And I had to get radically honest with myself:
Was I really doing what it takes, or just putting for some effort and hoping the results would show up?
Truth bomb: Even as a coach, I don’t have a magic pass. Age, hormones, stress—yeah, they matter. But they are not the reason you stay stuck.
Truthfully, I saw a video Dave took of me on a walk and I kinda had a meltdown. My body looked and felt so different and the bounce back was NOT bouncing lol. It was in that moment on that day that I said “enough is enough, it’s time to get real.”
Radical Self-Responsibility (AKA: The Gut Punch I Needed)
Here’s where everything changed:
I stopped blaming my body. I stopped giving “life” a free pass. I took a hard look at where I was half-assing it, called myself out, and decided to take a real look at my habits + where I could tighten up on the areas that actually move the needle.
Here’s what that looked like for me (and what will work for you, too):
- Brutally Honest Food Logging: No more “it’s close enough” or “that doesn’t really count” I tracked everything—not to punish myself but to actually know where I stood.
- Real Calorie Adjustments: I dropped my intake a notch—sometimes there’s no way around this. Fat loss requires a real deficit.
- Meal Planning (for real): I stopped winging it. No “maybe I’ll figure it out.” I prepped, I planned, I executed.
- Turning Up My Workouts: Did I want to push harder? Nope. Did I do it anyway? Yup.
- Progress Pictures & Jeans Test: The scale is a liar some weeks. My jeans and my progress pics? Never lie. I took them regularly to really gauge if things were happening (& they were!)
- Weekly Non-Negotiables: I set clear, simple habits—no matter how wild summer got. I made myself and my goals a priority.
- Community & Accountability: I told my people what I was doing. I let them see me show up—no hiding, no “secret” struggles.
- Owning My Results: I stopped waiting for a magic fix. If I wanted different, I had to do different.
The Real Takeaway
Five weeks. That’s all it took to go from “stuck and spinning” to “confident and clear”—NOT because I found some new trick, but because I finally stopped BSing myself. Down almost 5 pounds in 5 weeks, bloat and inflammation almost gone entirely, energy levels up, workouts feeling good, mentally stronger, and feeling PROUD.
Honestly, I had told my mom I would retake these photos in August (as a form of accountability) but I was shockedddd to see such a difference an entire month earlier than I originally planned!
If there is one thing I need you to understand it is this: Fat loss isn’t supposed to be miserable, but it does require intention.
Being casual? That’s how you end up frustrated, watching everyone else level up while you’re stuck in the same cycle.
If You’re Stuck, This Is Your Permission Slip
You don’t need more hacks, detoxes, or “perfect timing.”
You need radical self-responsibility.
You need to call yourself out, get back to the basics, and take action—even if it’s small, even if it’s messy.
If you’re reading this and feeling that fire in your chest—the “I know I need to do this”—let this be your sign.
You are not broken. Your body isn’t the enemy. You just need a system that works with your real life and the guts to show up for it.
This is just the beginning for me this summer—and you better believe I’m taking you along for the ride. Stay tuned, because the next chapter? It’s going to be even better.
With all the tough love (and zero BS),
XO Hilary
P.S. Something bigger is coming.
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