My Body Carried the Story
- Yvette Leverette
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
My Body Carried the Story
By Yvette Leverette, Certified Nutritionist
I’m a nutritionist. I’ve taught others how to eat for energy, how to fight disease with food, and how to reclaim their health. But what I don’t always say out loud is this:
I, too, struggled.
I know what it’s like to gain weight and not understand why. To eat clean and still feel heavy. To look in the mirror and not recognize the person staring back.
It wasn’t because I didn’t know what to eat. It was because I didn’t realize my body was carrying more than food.
It was carrying my story.
The Timeline I Couldn't Ignore
In November 2017, I adopted a vegan lifestyle. I felt empowered, in control, and vibrant.
But just months later, the ground beneath me began to shift:
August 2018: I saw my grandmother for the last time.
October 2018: A family member had heart surgery, I had a hysterectomy, and our finances changed drastically.
Early 2019: My grandmother passed. My blood brother cut me off. My daughter contracted scarlet fever. My family moved in with a friend. I was eating out constantly—buffets were my escape.
June 2019: I moved to Richmond. October: I started college again after a 16-year break.
2020: COVID hit. My marriage struggled. One of my daughters acted out. I battled depression. I saw a therapist. I gained weight. I blamed myself.
And through every transition, trauma, and tear, my body kept score.
What I didn’t realize was that while I was surviving... my body was absorbing it all.
More Than Food: What I’ve Learned
As I look back on this timeline, I can now connect the dots. It wasn’t just what I ate. It was what I felt, what I carried, what I didn’t have time—or space—to release.
Weight is not just physical. Sometimes, it’s emotional. Sometimes, it’s hormonal. Sometimes, it’s spiritual.
Here’s what most don’t know: Stress raises your cortisol levels. High cortisol increases fat storage, especially around the belly. Grief disrupts your gut and appetite. Depression can slow your metabolism. Anxiety throws off your hormones.
You can eat the cleanest salad in the world and still gain weight if your heart is breaking or your mind is in overdrive.
So if you're wondering why your body won’t let go of weight, ask yourself: What else am I holding onto?
Why I’m Telling You This
I work with people every day who feel stuck in their wellness journey. They’re doing everything right—but getting nowhere. And I want to say this to you with love:
It’s not your fault.
Your body is not betraying you. It’s protecting you. It’s remembering what you never had the time to process.
The trauma.The grief.The pressure to be okay.
But there is hope.
Today, I’m healing. The weight is coming off—not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I’m finding peace. I’m rediscovering joy. I’m creating space for myself.
Because now I understand…
My body didn’t fail me. It faithfully carried the story of everything I had been through.
To You, Reading This
You’re not just a body. You’re a vessel of experience. And sometimes, healing begins not with changing your diet, but with acknowledging your story.
Be kind to yourself. Give yourself grace . And know that it’s never just about food.
Because your body, too, might be carrying more than anyone knows.
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