As with many people living with lymphedema, weight loss is a significant part of Alicia’s story. It took years for her to find the right strategies for managing both. She discusses her challenges, what works, and how she shares her daily ups and downs with humor and authenticity on social media.
Many Years of Swelling
Alicia has experienced swelling in her legs for most of her life. “I remember the first time I started noticing swelling in college,” she says. “I just brushed it off as the ‘freshman 15.’”
Her symptoms, including swelling, pain, and heaviness, gradually worsened over the years. Her primary care provider offered diuretics without naming or explaining her condition, leaving Alicia with no clear pathway to manage it.
Work, Travel, and Pain
Life continued with increasing swelling, pain, and discomfort, worsened by Alicia’s travel-heavy job as a corporate trainer. Her swelling would spike after long periods of sitting on planes or standing while training, and she sometimes gained 10 pounds in fluid after a trip.
With the swelling, Alicia developed significant knee pain and sensitivity. “Pants that fit my waist would be too tight around my legs, and even my cat bumping into my leg would hurt,” she says.
TikTok Comment Leads to a Diagnosis
A key turning point came in the form of a message from a nurse who followed Alicia on TikTok. The nurse urged Alicia to get evaluated for lymphedema, a condition of the lymphatic system that causes fluid to build up in tissues.
The nurse worked for a doctor local to Alicia, which led her to a specialist who diagnosed her with lipo-lymphedema. This chronic condition causes an abnormal buildup of fat (lipedema) that damages the lymphatic system, worsening lymphedema.
After many years of swelling and pain, Alicia began a formal treatment plan, including physical therapy, custom compression, and self-massage for fluid drainage. Her provider also prescribed intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) and connected her with a local Lympha Press representative.
Relief With Fitted Compression and Lympha Press
“Before my diagnosis, I was just looking at generic compression options, the one-size-fits-all garments you find online. Now, my physical therapist has me in garments that actually fit my legs, and they’ve been really, really helpful,” Alicia says. She also received a Lympha Press IPC device with leg garments. The device uses rhythmic pumping to inflate and deflate the garments, reducing swelling in her legs.
Proper compression and IPC have made a huge difference. “On my most recent trip, I came back and weighed less than when I left,” Alicia says. “Finding the right management tools was definitely a life changer.”
Weight Loss Ups and Downs
Like many people with lymphedema or lipo-lymphedema, weight loss has been a significant part of Alicia’s quest for better health. She tried to lose weight multiple times over the years, and her first serious attempt was with the Atkins™ Diet.
“With Atkins, I lost weight, and I lost it fast, but I gained it back just as fast when I stopped,” Alicia says. “It was discouraging, and I didn’t want to continue because it was so restrictive.” She tried various other approaches, but often became overwhelmed when she tried to stack too many strategies at once.
A Weight Loss Wake-Up Call
In 2018, Alicia became more focused on her weight loss efforts, joining a gym and starting a weight loss-dedicated Instagram account. She began posting, but she was self-conscious about her legs and wasn’t comfortable being fully transparent online.
A pivotal moment came during a work trip where she struggled to walk through the airport and barely fit into the plane seat. When she weighed herself, she was 403 pounds. “I realized that something was wrong,” she says.
Strong Weight Loss “Whys”
Alicia knew she needed to find a way to lose weight that would stick, and that started with clarity about her reasons for doing it. “I wanted to be able to travel without pain, fit into airplane seats, go to concerts with friends, and buy clothes in a store,” she says.
At nearly 40, Alicia’s age is another motivator. “I’ve spent most of my life overweight, and I’m lucky to have gotten to this age without heart problems,” she says. “I wanted to focus on my health to prevent anything like that from happening.” She’s not always motivated to stay on track, but in those moments, she relies on her whys.
Radical Transparency Online
In 2025, Alicia started a TikTok account, this time committing to full transparency. She shows her whole body, including her legs. She also began posting everything she ate and did in a day, including slip-ups. Most importantly, she kept her tone unfiltered, funny, and real — which her audience loves.
The act of filming and posting online makes Alicia think twice about her choices, which keeps her focused. “It helps to hold me accountable because I know I’m going to show what I do and put it out there to be judged,” she says. “I own up to everything I do, and people actually love that even more.”
Success Through Simplicity and Healthy Mindset
Alicia prefers gradual progress, which includes embracing a habit-based, psychologically kind approach that she can feel good about as she goes. Her weight-loss strategies are:
- Start with calories only: She uses a calorie deficit as the foundation, which keeps things simple.
- Layer in macros gradually: Once consistent with her calorie intake, Alicia increased protein, paid more attention to fat, and started adding more fiber.
- Stay flexible: She allows any food in moderation as long as it fits within her calorie target.
- Reduce temptations: Alicia doesn’t allow overly tempting foods in her house. She stocks only foods that will keep her on track.
- Utilize support: She found a coach who fits her personality and weight loss style, who supports her and creates food and movement regimens for her. Her coach understands that due to her lipo-lymphedema, she can only exercise when it’s tolerable.
Alicia approaches weight loss with the intention of doing 1% better with each choice, rather than perfection or all-or-nothing thinking. She has an analogy for handling slip-ups: “If you were on the biggest, most awesome road trip of your life and you made a wrong turn, would you go back home? Would you let that ruin your whole trip? No, you wouldn’t, because a wrong turn doesn’t ruin the trip,” she says.
Alicia’s Message
Alicia recognizes that being healthy and losing weight is challenging, but she’s always encouraging and optimistic. “When people ask me for advice, I’m very transparent with them,” she says. “You have to accept that it’s hard, but also that you can do it. You’re capable of more than you think. Just start with one tiny goal, hit it, and build from there.”
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