Hi, I’m Damilola (Darmiey). Here’s my journey so far: I’m a Nigerian mom of two who’s been on more diets than I can count. From keto to cabbage soup cleanses, I’ve tried them all. And while I’ve seen the scale go down more than once, somehow, the weight always came back, and often brought a few extra pounds with it.
After years of crash dieting, guilt, and the exhausting cycle of “starting over” every Monday, I reached a point where I had to ask myself: What if I stopped chasing quick fixes and started focusing on balance?
This blog is a reflection of that decision. I’m not a nutritionist nor a certified fitness expert. I’m a regular mom who’s learning how to take care of herself without punishing her body, giving up her culture, or feeling like she has to choose between weight loss and joy.
What This Blog Is About
Here, you’ll find a mix of everything that makes up my journey:
- Low-Calorie Nigerian-Inspired Recipes: Because contrary to what diet culture might say, our traditional meals can absolutely be part of a healthy lifestyle. I’ll share lower-calorie tweaks and meal prep ideas that don’t sacrifice flavor. Many times, I’m unable to make the traditional versions because I don’t have access to a lot of ingredients.
- Family Meals: I cook for myself, but also for my husband and two little ones. I’ll share meals that are family-friendly, kid-approved, and still aligned with my personal health goals.
- Faith & Encouragement: My relationship with God plays a huge role in my journey, especially when it comes to mindset, discipline, and grace. Expect faith-based reflections and reminders that health is also spiritual.
- Workouts That Fit Real Life: No two-hour gym routines here. Just realistic, effective workouts that I manage to squeeze in between mom duties.
- My Hobbies & Real Moments: I’ll sprinkle in a bit of lifestyle content too, from grocery finds to my favorite kitchen gadgets, and everything in between.
Why I’m Sharing This
Because I know I’m not the only one. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re doing everything right and still not seeing results, what it’s like to feel judged for the food you eat or to be told that your cultural meals are “unhealthy” by people who’ve never even tasted them.
I want to encourage other women, especially fellow African moms, that you can lose weight, feel strong, and still eat your rice, stew, plantain, and swallows. You don’t need to erase your culture to be healthy. You just need the right tools, a mindset shift, and support.
What You Can Expect
I’ll be posting recipes (with nutrition info!), meal prep ideas, workout routines, honest thoughts about mom life, and faith-filled encouragement. Some posts will be raw and real. Others will be full of color and flavor. But they’ll all be from the heart.
You can also find me on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube at @darmieysjourney, where I share meals, lifestyle, and fitness content in real time. And if you’re interested in faith-based content, I cohost a YouTube channel with my sister called The Faith Starter Kit, where we introduce new believers to the teachings of Christ in a simplified and encouraging way.
Let’s Do This Together
If you’re tired of the extremes, tired of the pressure, tired of giving up your favorite foods just to fit into old jeans, welcome. You’re in the right place.
Let’s build something sustainable, choose progress over perfection, enjoy our food, honor our bodies, and lean on God through it all.
Thanks for being here.
✨ Let’s stay connected!
Subscribe for updates, recipes, and encouragement, or drop a comment below and tell me what you’re hoping to find on this journey.
— Darmiey
