Chapter 1: No More Diets

Mariana sat at the kitchen table, staring at the sad, lifeless salad in front of her. A single grilled chicken breast, a handful of spinach, and a few cherry tomatoes—just like every other meal she had eaten for as long as she could remember. Her mother’s voice echoed in her head:

"You need to take care of your body, mija. No one likes a girl who lets herself go."

She hated those words. She hated feeling hungry all the time. She hated watching her friends eat burgers and fries while she picked at a dry piece of lettuce. She hated living in a body that felt more like a prison than her own.

But today, something inside her snapped.

She pushed the plate away and stood up, ignoring her mother’s disapproving look. "I’m going out," she muttered, grabbing her purse.

Her stomach growled as she walked down the street. The scent of fresh tortillas and sizzling meat from the taco stand made her mouth water. For years, she had avoided places like this, fearing the judgment, the guilt, the extra calories.

Not today.

She stepped up to the counter, her heart pounding. "Tres tacos al pastor," she said, her voice firm. "Y una Coca-Cola grande."

Minutes later, she took the first bite. The soft tortilla, the juicy, seasoned pork, the tangy pineapple—it was perfect. She closed her eyes, savoring the explosion of flavors. For the first time in years, she ate without thinking about carbs or sugar.

One taco turned into three. The Coke, ice-cold and sweet, fizzed against her tongue. She wiped the grease from her lips and let out a satisfied sigh.

"Why did I ever deny myself this?"

As she walked home, a comfortable fullness settled in her stomach. A warmth spread through her body—not just from the food, but from the realization that she was finally in control.

She wasn’t going back.

That night, Mariana didn’t bother with another salad. She ordered a cheesy pizza, something she hadn’t eaten in years, and finished half of it by herself. For the first time in her life, she went to bed full.

And it felt amazing.

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