After Struggling to 'Keep My Figure,' Love Is Blind's Chelsea Blackwell Lost Over 30 Lbs. — and Is 'So Proud' of Her Journey

Chelsea Blackwell is opening up about her path to feeling better on the inside and out.

The Love Is Blind alum, 32, who appeared on season 6 of the series, says that despite living a “super healthy” lifestyle for much of her life, she began to notice changes in her body following her 30th birthday.

“Something just switched in my body where it was harder for me to keep my figure or feel good or lose weight quick,” she tells PEOPLE. “Obviously that comes with age, so as soon as I hit 30 I was like, shoot, we're struggling over here.”

After trying “everything,” Blackwell says she’s now found a wellness regimen that works for her and has yielded the “most progress and most results” she’s seen since first starting to recalibrate her routine.

“This is the best I've ever felt and this is the most weight I've lost,” Blackwell explains to PEOPLE, noting on Instagram that she’s lost more than 30 pounds. “You know, I'm so proud of myself for staying strong and sticking to the plan and really putting myself first, because I haven't been doing that.”

Since November, Blackwell has been following a plan set up by OPTAVIA, which comes with an assigned coach who has helped to introduce little things into her life that have made all the difference. 

“It's incorporating enough water, it's getting your steps in, it's making sure you're getting enough protein,” she says, adding that because she’s on a GLP-1 medication, it’s important to be more “mindful” about protein intake.  

“Those are common things that we know, but having them instilled in your brain and making it part of your daily routine is just something that we really don't prioritize as humans,” she says. “Being aware of them and being educated and having the support is just what's changed for me.”

She adds that she's always been good about working out, but only recently has it become “routine," including a run to start each morning.

Blackwell emphasizes that it's not just a number on the scale or how she looks in the mirror that matters to her, but also the mental health benefits that come with taking it seriously.

"When I take care of my body and put myself first and really use those tools and educate myself, I feel better," she says. "And when I feel better, my mental health is better."

As a content creator, Blackwell has shared a glimpse of her body transformation online, including the fact that she underwent a tummy tuck in addition to a breast augmentation last year. Despite facing backlash from some of her followers, the former reality star says it’s important to her to be open with her audience. 

“These are just struggles that I have in my daily life," she explains. "I'm showing my audience I've tried everything. I'm trying this and I'm trying that, and this is what works for me and this is what doesn't, and being honest and raw about my weight fluctuation. You know? I love following people who are honest and true and don't sugarcoat anything and don't say these lies to benefit themselves. These are things that work for me and I want people who feel the same as I do to feel like there's someone else out there who they can relate to.”

And for those who still don't support her sharing the journey she's on, Blackwell says, "You know, this is my body. This is my life. This is what works for me and this is what I've seen results with and this is how I feel so good. If that resonates with you, that's great. If it doesn't, then go somewhere else.”