Hi. My name is Kristen Danielle Mendoza. I am 44 yrs. old and began my health journey back in end of September 2024 with The Lab! I decided to start this health journey because I am diabetic and I also high blood pressure. I lost my mom a few years back at 64 because she didn't take care of her diabetes and high blood pressure. I have two special needs boys, now 13 and 11. One is Autistic and one is in remission right now from Cancer. I really got tired of feeling sick everyday and worried I can't leave my boys, because they are very young and need their mom! I also had very bad digestive issues and it was all taking a huge toll on my life. I started my journey back in September 2024 at 255.8, and now today July 2025 I am 209.0. I haven't reached my goals yet, but I am working hard every day to get there. I know I can and will do it! Coach B and The Lab Fam. have been a huge support and motivation to my success! I love and appreciate them all!! Just know and understand that a health journey is not perfection! I worried and got discouraged on this path because I wasn't being perfect. I am learning it's about being consistent, educated, and to keep going each day to better myself and continue learning. I thought the weight and muscle would come soo fast, and it didn't. It days, weeks, and months of putting the hard work in, and doing it even when you don't feel like it. I let the scale discourage and dictate my mood for the day and I am now realizing it's just not all about the numbers. Its also about how I feel, look, my body composition. I recently just had an appointment for my diabetes and my A1C is now down to 6.1, which is HUGE coming from someone who 2 years ago had a A1C over 14. So no, I am not where I want to be, but I am heading there!!!