What if transforming your life was about more than just losing weight?
For sophomore Kaylee Peterson, the journey became a powerful story of gaining confidence, joy, and a healthy lifestyle.
Peterson began losing weight before the end of her freshman year.
“I wanted to be a better version of myself.” Since beginning her efforts in May 2025, Peterson said she has lost 79 pounds, dropping from 230 pounds to 151 pounds.
“I feel actually really great,” Peterson said about the physical changes she has experienced.
She went on a calorie deficit of 1200 calories for a couple of months, before increasing her allowance to 1600 calories a day. “Instead of filling up my extra calories with sugars, I learned that I had to fill those calories with protein, instead.” Peterson said.
Peterson said she did more research on exercise and started doing it five times a week. This helped her on her weight-loss journey, and she began to see results over time.
“Some challenges I would face while losing weight would be sugar temptations. I would really want a lot of sugar all the time,” Peterson said. “I think that I am very strong-minded, and I have gotten over that many times.”
Peterson explained that she realized strict limits could backfire, often leading to stronger cravings later. Instead of restricting herself, she began focusing on balance, even consulting a dietitian to understand healthy eating habits better.
“It’s (losing weight) still been pretty difficult on my mental state, because you think when you lose a lot of weight, you’d be more confident in the end. Your mind still thinks you haven’t done enough,” Peterson said.
That internal tug-of-war over weight loss doesn’t disappear overnight. While her confidence has improved, Peterson says she still has “a lot more to do” when it comes to how she views herself.
Along the way, Peterson also learned that weight loss is rarely a straight line, and support from those around her played an important role. She said her mother remained one of her strongest supporters throughout the process, helping her stay motivated and focused on her health.
Peterson’s weight loss even impacted one of her friends.
“I have inspired one of my friends to gain weight because she is underweight,” Peterson said. “So I think that’s a pretty good thing that she’s actually trying now.”
Looking back, Peterson believes patience is one of the most important lessons she has learned. She encourages others thinking about weight loss to focus on long-term health, rather than rushing the process.
“Take your time. Don’t rush it,” Peterson said. “If you really put your mind to it, it will happen eventually and gradually.”
For Peterson, the journey has been about more than losing weight. It has been about growth — physically, mentally, and emotionally — and learning how to become, in her words, “a better version of myself.”
