A social media influencer has said how a series of small lifestyle changes transformed not only her appearance, but also her energy levels, skin and confidence.
Elena Assimakopoulos, 28, told Newsweek she had long described herself as having a “moon face” because of its naturally round shape. Looking to improve her overall wellbeing ahead of her wedding, she began introducing a handful of gradual daily habits in 2025.
What started with a few simple adjustments eventually evolved into what she calls “habit stacking”—adding manageable changes one step at a time rather than attempting a complete lifestyle overhaul.
“I believe in changing two to three things weekly, as you will not be able to make sustainable changes if you try to overhaul your life completely,” Assimakopoulos said.
The Seven Habits Behind the Transformation
Assimakopoulos said these were the changes that made the biggest difference over several months:
- Waiting until after food, water and electrolytes before drinking coffee.
- Taking a blood test that revealed elevated cortisol levels and low iron were affecting her face.
- Replacing spin classes with Pilates, which she says helped reduce inflammation and facial puffiness.
- Cycle-syncing workouts rather than pushing through intense cardio sessions during the luteal phase of her menstrual cycle. It improved recovery, and her cortisol level came down.
- Walking 10,000 steps a day, which she described as reducing inflammation “better than any serum.”
- Prioritizing whole foods while cutting back on sodium and artificial sugars.
- Spending time each day with her legs elevated against a wall, which she credits with helping reduce puffiness.
The Habit She Says Made the Biggest Difference
While she says each change contributed to the overall transformation, Assimakopoulos told Newsweek she is “genuinely obsessed” with the daily leg-elevation habit.
She said the combined lifestyle changes helped her lose more than 19 pounds, improve her skin and increase her energy levels.
In addition to the wellness changes, Assimakopoulos has incorporated cosmetic treatments including microbladed eyebrows, lip staining and the use of an LED face mask.
She said, however, that the biggest shift was not physical but psychological, with the new habits helping boost her confidence.
Learning To Listen to Her Body
Assimakopoulos said the most difficult adjustment was learning to embrace intuitive eating—the practice of responding to hunger and fullness cues rather than following a rigid diet plan.
Although it took time to develop, she said it ultimately helped her build a healthier relationship with food and her body.
Offering advice to others, Assimakopoulos said: “Choose two to three habits you want to change and focus on the smallest thing you can do to make them easier.
“Maybe it’s putting on your workout clothes in the morning to make sure you exercise or placing a dry brush next to your shower so you don’t forget to use it before you wash.”
Why She Decided To Make a Change
Assimakopoulos said the transformation began after she realized work had started to dominate her life. Long hours meant her health and wellbeing had slipped down her list of priorities.
Ahead of her wedding in August 2025, she decided it was time for a reset.
She has since documented the journey on social media through her Instagram and TikTok accounts, hoping to show others what can be achieved through gradual, sustainable changes.
“I want to empower women to make small changes to get hotter, richer and fitter, because when you are more confident, more opportunities come to you.
“When I understood that, my life dramatically changed, and I want everyone to live the life they truly want,” Assimakopoulos said.
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