The Beginning…

“From Discouraged to Determined: My Journey Toward Health and Hope” (Part 1)

In the fall of 2016, my husband and I decided it was time to make some changes. We committed to walking together every night after work. We were already trying to eat healthy, but we took it a step further—being more intentional and conscious about the choices we were making. At the time, we were living near Jefferson, Texas. The slower pace and quiet setting gave us space to focus on our health, or at least try to.

But let me back up a little.

In November 2014, we went full-time RVing. For the first year or so, we were stationary, which turned out to be a gift. We were parked next to some of our closest friends, and those days are ones I’ll always treasure. Not everyone gets to pick their neighbors, but in that season, we did—and I’m thankful for the memories we made.

Living in an RV gave us the freedom to travel. We’d stay in a place for about 30 days, then move on to the next location. In the summer of 2016, we were fortunate enough to be in Michigan, close to family and friends. After that, our path took us back south to Jefferson, then to Atlanta, Texas. The scenery kept changing, but internally, I felt stuck.

Even though we were walking, eating better, and trying to be healthier, my weight kept fluctuating. Nothing seemed to stick. It was frustrating and discouraging. Eventually, we made our way to Artesian Springs Resort in Newton, Texas, where we spent late fall and winter working on a big project: converting a bus into a motorhome. It was a busy season, but during that time, I started noticing my weight climbing again—and not just a little.

I didn’t recognize the person looking back at me in the mirror. I felt tired—physically, emotionally, and mentally. It was like carrying around a weight I couldn’t put down. The ups and downs had worn me thin, and little by little, discouragement began creeping in. I started thinking, “Maybe this is just how it is. Maybe it doesn’t really matter what I do.” It wasn’t a place I wanted to be mentally, and deep down, I knew I didn’t want to give up—but I was struggling to find a way forward.

I loved my family deeply. I wanted to be present, active, and able to move freely. But I didn’t know what to do. I felt stuck in my own body and unsure of how to change things.

By July 2017, we were back in Michigan. That’s when something started to shift. My husband and I went out for dinner one evening—just a normal night. During our conversation, he quietly said, “I hope you can find something that helps you.” It wasn’t a big emotional moment, but he meant it. He cared. He knew I was struggling, and he wanted me to find a way forward. That simple comment stuck with me.

Around the same time, I was feeling drained by a business I’d been working in. It wasn’t going anywhere, and I felt completely unmotivated. That’s when I remembered someone I had known for over 19 years. I looked her up and noticed she’d moved on from that business—but something else had changed, too. Her health. She looked better. Lighter. Happier.

Curious, I reached out to her. And she called me.

That call came at a time when things were really hard. We were living with family and doing the best we could, but it wasn’t easy. I was only getting about three hours of sleep a night, homeschooling the kids, cooking meals on our designated nights. My snoring had become so bad it was a health concern. My blood pressure was getting worse.  I was constantly running on empty.

I remember sitting on my bed one evening and feeling completely lost. I still had my faith in God, but it felt like I was just sitting in the dark. Friends and family from church asked how they could help, and all I could say was, “Just pray.” Because honestly, I didn’t even know what I needed.

But something in that phone call sparked hope. We talked, and I listened. And for the first time in a while, I didn’t feel stuck—I felt hopeful. I didn’t have a clear plan, but I knew one thing: I was ready to try something new. I said yes to changing my lifestyle.

And that was the beginning.

There’s more to this story, and I’ll be sharing it in the next post. But if you’re reading this and you’ve ever felt like you’ve tried everything and nothing’s working… I just want you to know: you’re not alone.

There’s always another chapter. Sometimes, all it takes is a quiet word of encouragement, a simple “yes,” and a little hope.

Stay tuned. The journey continues—and it gets better from here.

If any part of my story resonates with you, please know—you’re not alone. I’ve walked that road, and I’m here to support you.

If you’re ready to talk, ask questions, or take a small step toward feeling better, I’d love to connect.

Send me a message or drop a comment below.

Let’s take that next step—together. ❤️

~Lisa Cogswell