The Smallest I'd Ever Been Was the Sickest I'd Ever Felt
There was a time when I thought seeing the smallest number possible on the scale meant I was healthy. Looking back, it was actually the worst I'd ever felt. I was under 100 pounds as an adult, exhausted all the time, and convinced I just needed to eat less and work harder. I had no idea the thing holding me back wasn't a lack of discipline—it was that I simply wasn't eating enough.
If you've ever felt like you're doing everything "right" but still feel tired, sore, or frustrated with your progress, I want you to know you're not alone. In this post, I'm sharing my own experience with under-eating, what it looked like in my daily life, and how properly fueling my body completely changed my health, recovery, and performance.
I Thought I Was Doing Everything Right
For years, I believed eating less was the healthier choice. If the number on the scale kept going down, I assumed I was making progress.
When I became a nutrition client with Lexi J Wellness, I thought I was going to learn how to eat "better." What I actually learned was that I wasn't eating nearly enough to support the life I wanted to live.
The first time I tracked my macros consistently, I was honestly shocked. I wasn't just missing my protein goal—I was under-eating across the board. My body wasn't getting enough calories, carbohydrates, healthy fats, or protein to recover, build muscle, or perform at its best.
Looking back now, it makes perfect sense why I felt the way I did.
The Signs My Body Was Begging for More Fuel
The scale didn't tell the whole story. My body had been trying to tell me something for a long time—I just didn't know how to listen.
My Sleep Was Terrible
One of the biggest struggles I faced was sleep.
I relied on prescription sleep medication because falling asleep naturally felt impossible. Even after sleeping, I rarely woke up feeling rested. I just assumed that was normal.
Today, I sleep without prescription medication. Prioritizing proper nutrition, building healthy routines, and giving my body enough fuel made a bigger difference than I ever expected.
My Recovery Was Awful
I remember finishing a half marathon and barely being able to walk for days afterward.
At the time, I thought that meant I had simply worked hard.
Now I realize my body didn't have the resources it needed to recover. Research from the American College of Sports Medicine consistently emphasizes that adequate energy and carbohydrate intake play an important role in recovery and athletic performance.
Fast forward to today, and I'm training for my first 50-mile ultramarathon this fall. I can run three days each week, strength train, and recover in a way I never thought possible.
The difference isn't that I suddenly became tougher.
The difference is that I finally started fueling my body.
My Gut Health Suffered
This was probably my biggest wake-up call.
Over time, I developed serious gut issues. Digestion became something I constantly thought about, and my body felt like it was under stress all the time.
Healing my gut wasn't an overnight process, but learning how to consistently fuel my body became one of the biggest pieces of that journey.
Today, my digestion is healthier and much more consistent. Having regular bowel movements is one of the ways I know my body is functioning better than it used to. While normal bowel habits vary from person to person, consistent, comfortable digestion is an important sign that your body is being supported. It is, however, a standard to be pooping at-least 1-3 times a day.
If you've ever struggled with gut health, you know just how much it impacts your quality of life.
Why Undereating Can Hold You Back
Many people think eating less automatically leads to better results.
Sometimes, the opposite is true.
When you consistently under-eat, you may notice:
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Less energy throughout the day
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Poor workout performance
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Slower recovery
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Difficulty building or maintaining muscle
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Increased cravings
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Brain fog
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Poor sleep
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Hormonal disruptions
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Digestive changes
Your body wants to keep you alive first. If it doesn't have enough fuel coming in, it starts conserving energy instead of helping you thrive.
That's why eating enough isn't "giving up" on your goals—it's often what allows you to finally make progress.
If you'd like to learn more about fueling your body for your goals, check out the LJW Core Nutrition program!
Where I Am Today
Today, I'm well over 100 pounds.
Years ago, that thought probably would have scared me.
Now, I'm incredibly grateful for it.
I'm stronger than I've ever been.
I'm sleeping naturally.
I'm training for my first 50-mile ultramarathon.
I'm recovering faster.
My gut is healthier.
Most importantly, I have a completely different relationship with food.
The smallest version of me wasn't the healthiest version of me.
The strongest version of me is.
Your Next Step
If you've been stuck believing that eating less is always better, I want to challenge you to think differently.
Instead of asking yourself, "How little can I eat?" try asking, "Am I giving my body enough to do what I'm asking it to do?"
Track your intake honestly for a few days. Pay attention to your energy, sleep, recovery, workouts, and hunger—not just the number on the scale.
Sometimes the breakthrough you're looking for isn't eating less.
Sometimes it's finally eating enough.
If you're looking for personalized nutrition guidance, accountability, and a plan that fits your lifestyle, I'd love to help.
👉 Book a nutrition consultation here!
Remember, your health is about so much more than a number on the scale. Fueling your body well gave me my life back, and I hope it helps you see that becoming stronger is so much more rewarding than simply becoming smaller.
