Hi everyone! I am Zara Parker, a single mom to two amazing kids who are my entire world. I’m currently in the pre-op phase, starting my journey at 400+ lbs. I’ll be honest—that number used to embarrass me, but now I see it as my starting line.I’m ready to do…

Time, I felt like I was stuck in a cycle of trying, failing, and starting over. But when you're carrying over 400 pounds, the stakes change. You aren't just looking to "fit into old jeans" anymore; you're looking for a way to save your own life. Lately, the conversation around…

From Palm Trees to Snow Plows: Staying on Track in My First Jersey Storm   Life looks a little different than it did in Florida! Instead of dodging humidity, I’m currently watching the snow pile up outside my window. While the kids are ecstatic about a potential school closure, I’ll…

I used to think love meant helping. Doing more. Saying the right things. Finding solutions. Fixing problems before they became too big. This journey taught me that love is often much quieter than that. Love is knowing when to speak — and when to stay silent. Love is walking beside…

At some point, I realized I had stepped back. Not because I didn’t care anymore, but because I no longer needed to lead. The reminders stopped. The quiet encouragements became unnecessary. He had his own rhythm now. He chose when to walk. He chose what felt right to eat. Some…

I noticed it before he did. It wasn’t about weight. It wasn’t about the scale or the mirror. It was in the small things — the way he stood a little straighter, the way he talked about his day with more energy. One morning, he said, “I think I feel…

At some point, we stopped talking about weight. No more numbers. No more checking progress. No quiet calculations in our heads after every meal. The scale stayed in the corner, untouched. It wasn’t a decision we made out loud. It just happened naturally — after we realized that every conversation…

It didn’t happen suddenly. One week, everything felt fine. The walks continued. Meals stayed simple. Then, quietly, the enthusiasm faded. He didn’t say he wanted to stop — he just became quieter. Some evenings, he suggested skipping the walk. Some meals went unfinished. I could feel the frustration building, even…

There were no strict rules, no calorie counting, no sudden promises to “do better.” Instead, I began with the simplest place I knew — our kitchen. I cooked the same meals, just a little differently. Less oil. Fewer fried foods. Smaller portions. I didn’t announce any changes. I didn’t say,…

I didn’t notice it right away. Everything changed slowly. My husband didn’t complain. He just moved less, sighed more after work, and gradually avoided things he used to enjoy. Some evenings, he would sit quietly with his phone in his hand, not really looking at anything. I knew weight was…