From Chubby Teen to Sleek Queen: Julie K’s Epic Battle with Weight
By Josephine NjorogeJuliana Nduva, better known to her online tribe as Julie K, has revealed that she has been at war with her weight since she was 13.
The digital lifestyle queen and podcast maven opened up about her tumultuous journey, sharing the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
Julie K’s story isn’t just another “before and after” tale. It’s a saga. Think of a Netflix series with twists, turns, and cliffhangers. From the awkwardness of teenage years to the chaos of motherhood, Her life has been a rollercoaster ride. And no, it’s not one of those smooth, enjoyable ones. Think more along the lines of a gut-wrenching thriller with unexpected drops and sharp turns.
“I’ve always been the ‘chubbier’ girl in the group,” Julie admits. “My weight knows where to go (read hips) 😂.” But things took a dark turn when she entered motherhood. That’s when her weight spiralled out of control faster than a Fast & Furious car chase.
Imagine trying every diet trend like they’re the latest TikTok challenge. From keto to intermittent fasting, Julie did it all. She even hit the gym like Rocky prepping for a fight. Yet, despite her Herculean efforts, the weight kept coming back like a clingy ex.
“Despite trying many methods to lose the excess weight (diets, walks, gym, Intermittent fasting), I would regain all the weight back and some more. My health became a ticking time bomb and I had to make a very tough decision. This decision was the toughest one I had to make in my entire life.”
It wasn’t just about looking good. Julie’s health was hanging by a thread. The stakes were high, and the clock was ticking. With her boys needing a healthy mom, Julie knew she had to act fast. It wasn’t a choice anymore; it was survival.
“My boys need a healthy mother, mind body, and spirit. I need to be okay and that’s the choice that had to be made,” she said.
Julie had been eyeing Nairobi Bariatric procedure, the same way some of us eye a tub of ice cream during a breakup. She’d had over five consultations but always chickened out. Fear of the unknown was real, and making such a life-altering decision wasn’t easy for her. But then, in December 2023, she made the call that would change everything.
“I need your help,” she told them. And so, on February 26th, 2024, Julie underwent gastric sleeve surgery, a procedure as dramatic as a season finale cliffhanger. Let’s clear this up: this wasn’t about vanity. This was a health necessity, a lifeline thrown to someone drowning in obesity, a condition that’s as deadly as it is misunderstood.
“3 months ago, I had this life-changing procedure done. Gastric sleeve, metabolic surgery. No, it is not cosmetic. It is a life-saving procedure done on patients with obesity which is a serious disease and one of the biggest killers.”
The surgery wasn’t a magic wand. Julie’s journey isn’t a fairy tale where she wakes up one day looking like a Victoria’s Secret model. This is more like a superhero origin story. The surgery was just the start. Now, she’s armed with tools, but the battle rages on.
“I still have to exercise, and do therapy because food addiction, emotional eating, and poor eating habits are real and I have to eat very healthy. It is not a shortcut. This is just the beginning and I have up to a year to get to my ideal weight.”
Julie’s candidness about her struggle is a breath of fresh air in a world of Instagram filters and fake perfection. She’s not just losing weight; she’s reclaiming her life, one healthy choice at a time.