I have decided to move my blog to a place where we can begin anew. My new blog entiteld "The Journey" will be a place where we can inspire, encourage, and lift each other up throughout our weight loss, maintenance and lifetime journeys together. I hope that you will join me. It's going to be an exciting ride.
I first wanted to thank everyone so much for the tremendous outpouring of care, concern and support that I have received over this last week after announcing my decision to leave the Kimkins program. I want to assure you all now that I am still in very good health. Many were concerned about my previous post's statements regarding the side effects that I encountered due to my quick weight loss. The doctor's bill of clean health that I received approx a month ago was accurate and not manipulated. All of my symptoms have been addressed and corrected. My hair is no longer falling out, and I have lots and lots of new growth. My mensus are normal now as well after working with my OBGYN to regulate my cycle.
I know there are lots of questions flying around for me and my friends as to why we did what we did in regards to the Kimkins program. I wanted to clarify something for those of you who may think we have an "inside" and know things that led us to our decisions. This is not the case. In my instance it was a lack and refusal of information which brought me to the decision that I felt was necessary to make.
As the Public Relations representative for Kimkins I had compiled a list, from my own experience and concerns, of questions for Kimmer. I felt as the PR rep for Kimkins I could ask these questions for my own clarification and need to be able to address any issues that may arise. I do not feel at this time that it would be appropriate for me to publish the questions that I asked because I do not want to add to speculation or gossip that seems to be abounding right now. Maybe in time if it becomes relevant I will summarize them. However, I asked my questions and Kimmer's immediate response instead of answering me, was to terminate our relationship with me as the Public Relations director for Kimkins, with an offer to continue as a moderator which I refused and left.
Again, I want to appologize to anyone I may have hurt or discouraged in my departure. It was the people of Kimkins that kept me going many many times. You are all wonderful and I love you very much. Please know that my leaving had nothing to do with you. I still believe in the program as a valid basis and foundation for what has the potential with some modification to be a good dietary regime.
I am still out of town vacationing with my family and will write more when I have the opportunity. Take care my friends, and continue the journey with strength!
To all my dear friends at Kimkins,
Over the last several weeks I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching, researching, praying, crying, reading, and reaching to confirm and determine for myself thoughts and viewpoints that are my own. God places each of us specifically where He wants us to be at given points in time so that, unknowingly even, we can have tremendous impact on this world. Such a time came for me when I discovered Kimkins.
I was at a point of desperation that many if not most of you know all too well. I had lost control of my life and my eating habits. I was centered in a lifestyle that served me. I ate what I wanted because it felt good. I turned to food as a comfort and a friend when I should have been looking up. I titled my blog when it began “My Total Transformation” because I truly believed that is what the Lord was going to be doing through me. And it has been.
I do not and have not ever denied that Kimkins worked for me. I was elated that it worked. FAST! I followed the plan to the letter, measuring weighing, counting carbs, proteins, fats, and yes even calories. The quick loss just fueled my motivation to want more. The compliments flew at me as quickly as the pounds were flying off and my head swelled. People were noticing me and I wasn’t hiding any longer. People liked what they saw when they saw me. For those of you who have struggled for so long like I have, you know what an amazing feeling that must be. But, what was I doing? Really? Had I traded one selfish obsession for another?
My reasoning was that because the program was working so fast that it had to be good. Never having low carb dieted before I never even considered doing “research” and blindly accepted the first thing that sounded reasonable to me. After all, we’ve all been raised that Low Fat is good, and now Low Carb is the way to go to really get those pounds off. But, I also have discovered that I believe there is a certain order to the way that God created our bodies to function. He would not create something for us that was not healthy. After all… didn’t He look at His creation and say “IT IS GOOD.” So while I do agree and whole heartedly support that there is everything to be said for protein sources to be lean, and eating fresh vegetables, there is also something to the fact that God created things like whole grains and fruit for our bodies as well. However, I saw those things as a short term sacrifice for a long term gain. But sacrifice at what cost?
I must confess to you at this time that I did have some side effects of my drastic weight loss. Neither one was of concern to my doctors and were reasoned out and treated. But, I feel as if I do not disclose them to you, it would not be honest. My hair began falling out the month before I began maintenance. I upped my biotin intake to no avail. Becoming concerned I started asking different stylists and they recommended a certain scalp treatment which after increasing my biotin levels even further seem to have stopped my hair loss. The other side effect I had due to the loss of estrogen was a loss of my monthly cycle for about 5 months. Again, this has been corrected by my doctor and is no longer of concern.
My time with Kimkins was filled with love, support, encouragement, and most of all friends. I love you all dearly and I hope at this time you can accept my reasons for needing to move on, some of which are my own. I want to encourage you all though. Do not let my leaving discourage your weight loss efforts. Many, many of you have told me that I inspired you and showed you that there is hope that you can lose weight and finally have a chance at a “normal” life. This doesn’t have to change. Please continue in your journey, however, I do want you to be safe. Please make sure you run your eating plan by your doctor. Show him your menus and guidelines. Just because you are eating low carb does not mean starving yourself. Your body does have certain needs which for your health you cannot ignore. Low carb does not mean high fat. It does not mean no fat either, though. Really look at how I inspired you. It was your heart, the way you view weight loss. I showed you that it is possible, but YOU have done the rest. You made up your mind and determined that this would be your time. It still is. Don’t lose hope, you can make a better healthier life for yourself.
God brought Kimkins into my life at just the right time. He taught so much from my time there, things that are good that I had never known or forgotten. Portion control, learning to listen to my body, and the phenomenal strength there comes in numbers are just a few of the amazing things that I discovered during my journey. Believe me when I tell you that God has used each of you to touch my life in a way I never dreamed possible. I know that with each of your support maintaining my weight loss is not just a pipe dream, but a reality.
Weight loss maintenance is not about the program. It is about the person. True maintenance begins in your heart. Learn to listen to your body and feed it what you know is good for you. Know what will only take you back down the path that you do not want to go.
There is so much more to say, but I do not feel this is the time or place.
I am not leaving my friends. Please do continue to contact me through my blog here, and via email. I would love to speak with you. This is not the end…. But a bright new beginning. I have so many things that God is working in my heart to share with you all. I am excited and joyful over what He is going to accomplish in my life. I will eventually find a new home to begin posting on again, but for now, I am going to take some valuable reflection time with my family and a time to discover all that He is bringing to me. I look forward to a new journey with all of you!
I love you all,
Christin
How many times during our weight loss journeys do we think this? We're faced with seemingly impossible situations and end up caving and giving in... then we think... "I blew it." But how often does it stop there? In "The Thin Commandments" Dr Stephen Gullo refers to this as the "I blew it" Syndrome. We fall down and instead of getting right back up, it turns into a spiral straight downhill. One bite, turns to a whole meal binge, which turns to a whole day, which leads to a whole week and before you know it, you're right back in your old habits and way off track. Then one day you look up and wonder how on earth you got there!
No person gets fat off of one pasta dish or a few hors d'oeuvres. What happens is though that when the "I Blew It" Syndrome kicks in we lose control... the problem is not with the food.. it's with the mindset and behavior. Dr Gullo lists the issues that arise when we let this mindset take over.
"
1) Sets up an impossible tension in your life: that you have to be either perfect or a failure.
2)Lets your mental screen go blank, so you shut down everything that you've learned about food management.
3)Lets mistakes pile up, which drowns your motivation, skews your perspective, and overwhelms your willpower.
4)Destroys focus on your eating and weight control. (Studies all show that staying focused on your eating behavior is what makes you a winner.)
5)Is self-defeating. It cuts off learning from the mistake and locks you into a pattern of repeating it.
6)Only helps you learn that you're gaining weight, which is obvious.
7)Ruins your chance to cut off the mistake and keep any weight gain small and temporary
8)Keeps you from proving to yourself that you can stop and correct the error.
9)Turns a few minutes of unwise eating into something that will take days, months, or even years to make up for.
10)Paralyzes you into a mode of helplessness that lets one mistake end up becoming thousands of calories
11)Doesn't do justice to your intelligence, your life smarts.
12)Doesn't make you lose weight; it only makes you lose hope.
13)Doesn't answer the most important question of all: What went wrong in this situation and what could I do differently?"
When you feel the "I Blew It" Syndrome taking over it's time to take a step back. Physically tell yourself - "STOP IT!!!" By doing this you regain control. You remind yourself that YOU not FOOD has the power. You have control of what you put in your mouth. That bag of chips does not open itself up and pour itself down your throat. So you ate 1 handful... so what.... STOP! Get right back on track and you will succeed knowing that you have overcome a potentially very detrimental situation.
Make yourself a strategy for what to do next time you start to slip. Plan out daily menus and activities. Bordom is never a good thing on a new way of eating. Get out and get moving! You'll get your mind off of what you had wanted to do in the first place. Determine to yourself that no matter what you do or where you are, good choices will be availble. If you are going to be somewhere that you KNOW there will not be an acceptable option, eat something before hand so that you won't be tempted to give in when the opportunity comes. Even if it is not necessarily on your program or way of eating, having the mentality that you will find a way can be empowering. A good choice even when not the "best" choice is better than a bad one!
So promise me something... Promise you'll never say "I Blew It" again... you didn't blow it... just STOP.
Well I have another menu to share with you today! I am so thrilled to be living this maintenance lifestyle with you. It is such a freedom to be able to eat healthfully and love what it is doing for my body and lifestyle! I have so much more energy now. I love to excercise and get out! This afternoon actually we're planning on going for a family bike ride when my husband comes home. How exciting to actually plan on something like this and know that I can participate and enjoy the time together instead of huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf not 10 minutes into it!
So here we go.... My Maintenance Menu for today!!!
Breakfast: Berry and Cheese Crepe and 3 slices of Lean Turkey Bacon
Morning snack: Dannon Light and Fit Carb and Sugar Control Vanilla yogurt with 1/2 cup of fresh cranberries, 1 slice of GG Scandinavian Crispbread w/ Organic Peanut Butter
Lunch: Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad w/ Red Wine Vinegar and Olive Oil and Alfredo Chicken
Afternoon snack: Whey Protein "cookie" w/ FF cream cheese, celery sticks
Dinner: Grilled Steelhead Trout, steamed brocolli, organic brown rice
Dessert: Faux Peach Cobbler
Calories: 1509 Fat: 54 Carbs: 79
Even desserts can be fun and exciting on this new way of eating without being laden with sugar or extra white carbs. Here's one of my favorite summer time treats w/ a low carb twist!
Faux Peach Cobbler
1 medium fresh peach (or sliced frozen unsweetened peaches, about 3/4 cup or 8 slices)
0 Calorie Butter Spray
Cinnamon and splenda (or liquid stevia is good too) to taste
Fat Free Whipped Cream
Slice the peach into a microwave safe bowl and spray a few times w/ your butter spray. Sprinkle the cinnamon and sweetener to taste and toss lightly to coat the peaches. Microwave for approx 1 minute. When you remove it, stir once more to make sure the peaches are nice and tender. Top with a little fat free whipped cream and enjoy this light and refreshing summer dessert!
5 years ago I bought a 5 Year Term Life Insurance policy. When I purchased it, it was all I could afford because I was very overweight. What a "coincidence" that it came time to renew after I have lost 100lbs and recently had a clean bill of health from my doctor. So we called my agent and began to discuss my options as far as rates, terms, and coverages. In our discussion, we realized that in comparison to my previous $100K 5 year term policy, I could now afford a $250K 20 year term policy for the same price as what I had been paying.
This really got me thinking about just how much money I am saving by getting my weight under control. So I decided to do the math. This same policy that I have purchased if I was still overweight would have cost me roughly $402.50 a year. I now qualify for a much better rate of $232.50. That is a savings of $170.00 a year. Over the 20 years of the term that's a savings of $3400! And this does not include what I would pay if I had any "extra fees" added on for additional health problems such as cholesterol, high blood pressure, standard obesity charges, etc...
Take a look at this quote from a recent article on Insure.com:
"If you're severely overweight, you'd better budget more money for life insurance.
Steve Zitney, a senior agency consultant with State Farm, says a person can be denied life insurance at his company if the person is "grossly overweight or dramatically obese," even if he does not have any other health problems. The company will also charge higher premiums if your weight is significantly more than it should be in relation to your height.
If a 40-year-old, 6-foot-tall male is 270 pounds, he will have to pay 15 to 20 percent more than a person of ideal weight, Zitney says. If the person weighs 300 pounds or more, Zitney says that figure jumps to 30 to 35 percent.
Many other large life insurers take a similar approach to underwriting. David Potter, a spokesman for The Hartford, says people who are at 150 percent of their desired weight will see an increase in premium. Again, in these cases, the more weight you carry, the more your premium will be. "It's possible to be rejected by weight, but it's rare," Potter says. "Most of the people with weight problems do have other health problems, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol."
Even if you are just moderately overweight, life insurance could still cost more. People who are slightly overweight can be disqualified for a "preferred rate," which is a lower premium that rewards people who are healthy. For example, a person who is 20 to 30 pounds overweight and does not have high blood pressure or diabetes might get a normal rate, but they won't see the preferred rate."
So losing weight for me not only saved my life - it's saving me money too!!
Hola Amigos! I have a busy day today and so I wanted to make myself a breakfast that would last me all morning as I will not have time today for my usual mid-morning snack. Got creative in the kitchen and.... the TexHombre Omelet was born!!! :)
This was so filling I actually could not even finish it all! Maintainers enjoy!
TexHombre Omelet
1/2 cup Egg Substitute
2 Eggs
1/8 cup (or 2 tbls) of LF cheddar cheese
sprinkle of chives
sprinkle of minced onion
salt/pepper to taste
2-3 tbls of Pico de Gayo
2 slices canadian bacon
1 slice LF swiss cheese
1-2 tbls salsa
1 tbls sourcream (I make my own "Southwest style" by mixing in just a little taco seasoning into the sourcream)
1 tbls Red Enchilada Sauce
1-2 slices fresh avocado
Create your omelet by mixing the first set of ingredients well and pour into a non-stick sprayed skillet. Wait till omelet sets before flipping. After you turn the eggs over, layer the swiss cheese, canadian bacon and pico and fold one side over the filling to melt the cheese. Flip entire "package" to complete cooking.
After removing from the heat, spread salsa and avocado over omelet and then top w/ sourcream and drizzle enchilada sauce over it all.
Cals: 491 Carbs: 14g Prot: 52g Fat: 24g
This was such a nice variation and one I will definitely keep in my repertoire! Happy Wednesday!
PERFECT!
I went this morning for my first physical since losing the weight. I had gone in ahead of time for lab work so that he would have all my blood work and results so we could go over it all.
Here is a run down of what he found:
Cholesterol - Ideal = <175 Mine = 163
Triglycerides - Ideal = <100 Mine = 69
LDL (bad cholesterol)- Ideal = <100 Mine = 75
Cholesterol/HDL ratio - Ideal = 1.0-5.0 Mine = 2.2
HDL (good cholesterol) - Ideal = 50< Mine = 74!
One thing he also told me is that having a high HDL like that can only come from a good diet and exercise! I do both!
I also asked about my current maintenance calorie level. He said that actually by eating at a level like I am of now on average 1400 calories a day... I am actually INCREASING my life span! Studies are now showing that actually someone maintaining a REDUCED calorie diet/maintenance program are INCREASING their chances for a longer life!
I think it can be agreed that eating the way I did on my loss program is not how I will be eating the rest of my life. Neither is drinking shakes twice a day or pre-packaged meals. No one will continue their WEIGHT LOSS way of eating their entire lives. What I do think though is that Kimkins taught me the fundamentals of good eating. I can eat and maintain a healthy Low Fat Low Carb lifestyle for my whole life! Kimkins prepared me for a future of good eating habits. I eat my protein now lean and properly proportioned. I can listen to my body and know when I've eaten enough. I can spread my calories throughout the day so that I never feel deprived or like I have to binge.
So without further fanfare - I give you another day in my life!
Today was a bit of a rush day with my doctor's appointment this morning. So I opted for a very light breakfast before I left and then another decent sized snack when I returned. I'd also like to note here that I have not included all that I drink in a day because well.... it would take too long! On average I drink around 60-80 oz of water (regular or flavored) in a day plus diet sodas or Crystal Light as an alternative. Not to mention my morning coffee ;)
Breakfast - Almond Breeze Milk Shake w/ Whey Protein
Morning Snack - Cottage Cheese and Strawberries w/ Almonds
Lunch - Peanut Curry Chicken, soy chips and Summer Salad (lettuce, strawberries, almonds, Low Fat Feta Cheese, and Pomegranate Hibiscus Dressing)
Afternoon snack - Drank a lot of water and a soda: see notes on dinner
Dinner - Tonight we are hosting our small group from church for a build your own Taco Salad and Ice Cream Sunday social! My plan for today was to really watch what I ate throughout the day so that I would not stress tonight about what I am eating. So dinner plan tonight:
Taco salad w/ guacamole salsa and queso, and a SMALL serving of homemade vanilla ice cream!
Calories today (excluding the ice cream): 1285 Carbs: 63g
I get asked all the time to share what I am eating now on maintenance. In looking over my lists I realized something. Sometimes it is hard just looking at a food list or diary to know really how people are eating and what they are doing to make their plan work for them. I thought I'd take a minute and share with you what one of my days on average looks like.
**Please note: The recipes menu I will be sharing here is maintenance standard. But hopefully maybe for those following their own low carb plan or planning ahead for their own maintenance programs this will give you something to look forward too! :)
Today's menu:
Breakfast - Fiber One Berry Medley with Coffee
Mid-morning snack - 1/2 Almond Breeze peanut butter chocolate milk shake w/ whey protein, low fat cheese wedge
Lunch - Turkey and Swiss Lettuce wraps, dill pickle spears and Diet soda, 1 small purple plum, 1 Carb Smart Ice Cream bar for dessert
Afternoon snack - celery and southwest dip, turkey pepperoni chips, Diet Pepsi "float"
Dinner: Tamago Egg Sushi w/ sauteed mushrooms, Edamame, side salad.
Total cals: 1209 total carbs: 90g Total protein: 110g
I believe my carbs were a little higher than usual today because in the berry medley I added about 1/3 of a banana today and had the ice cream bar this afternoon. But all in all this is a very good representation I think of how I can eat now on a daily basis!
I wanted to share the recipe for the Fiber One Berry Medley because this has become such a staple of my maintenance diet now!
Fiber One Berry Medley:
1/4 cup Fiber One Cereal
1 tbls Almond Meal
1 tsp Flax Meal
1 scoop vanilla or berry flavored whey protein
2 tlbs Low Fat or Fat Free Cottage Cheese
1 (serving)cup of Carb Control Yogurt (strawberry or vanilla)
1/2 cup mixed berries (I love strawberries and blueberries)
Splenda to taste
Mix all together and enjoy this nutritious and filling breakfast!
I'll be posting more menus as time allows. Learning to eat healthy on maintenance has been such an exciting adventure. I can't wait to share more of my finds with you!
This last week was the 4 month maintenance anniversary of my 100lb weight loss. I have learned so much about myself / my eating habits / my mentality regarding weight loss over the last few months it makes my head spin. But, to celebrate and reward myself for 4 months successful maintenance, I finally did something I've been wanting to do for a long time. I CUT MY HAIR!!!! Not only that, but colored and highlighted too! Check out the new doo y'all -
Here it is straightened (btw, I'm w/ one of my best friends in the whole world here.. I've known this girl since I was 4 years old!!!):
Here it is curled! (taken this AM):
I am finding this to be an adventure that only parallels my weight loss journey. I am so excited to share what have learned every day with others knowing that they too can achieve permanent weight loss success just like I did. One of the other main questions that is repeatedly asked of me is about maintenance. So I wanted to share with you some things that I am learning.
Keeping the weight off is the mark of true accomplishment. By setting a structure around your personalized diet program and incorporating healthy eating habits, you can make your new slim self a permanent way of life. There will always be things around us that are tempting and desirous. When you learn how to deal with those issues before they arise you can succeed at permanent weight control. Honor your history and where you came from. Respect the fact that there will be those things that may need to be permanently omitted from your diet. For me, that includes all white breads/flours, white rice, white pasta, and refined sugars (for the staples on my diet, and now diet = WAY OF LIFE!). At the same time, THOROUGHLY ENJOY your new life and the things that you can partake in.
When you recognize that while you may not be able to have your favorite cake once a week anymore, you may find that if you set a specific occasion in which to enjoy 1 piece, and contain yourself to that 1 piece, you can find contentment and enjoyment in that moment. Learn to look forward to and anticipate those special occasions. Then, after the moment has passed, look back with delight and complete satisfaction that you DO NOT have to have more, but you can look forward to the next occasion with joy. When you approach food situations with a plan of attack already in place, you can with confidence and clarity enable yourself for success.
Know your triggers! Learn what foods are difficult for you to resist over-using and create healthier substitutes. While it may be difficult for you to resist containing yourself to just 1 cookie, you may be able to be completely satisfied with 1 small cup of Low Fat Low Carb yogurt with a sprinkle of cocoa added for a chocolate flavor or some fresh fruit. By substituting lower carb healthy alternatives you will not only feel better about yourself, but you will be content knowing that you are finally living the healthy lifestyle that you strive for.
So what am I eating now?? Well... my day consists of around 1400-1500 calories and on average 60-70g cbs which is what I am primarily watching still. I have 1-2 servings of a high fiber lower carb grain product (Ezekiel Bread, GG Scandinavian Crisp Bread, LC tortillas, Fiber One cereal, etc...) 1-2 servings of fruit (most of the time it's berries or melons because they have higher antioxidants and lower carb) or nuts, and the majority of my diet is made up though of as much of the LC green veggies I like and normal portions of lean proteins still. I still prefer egg substitute or egg whites to whole eggs. I still trim all the fat off of my meat before eating it (for the most part). I also enjoy normal portions of LC LF dairy products too; LF sour cream, LF cream cheese, LF cottage cheese, LF shredded cheeses, LC yogurts, and even the occasional LC Ice Cream (!!*gasp*!!).
You mean you can actually eat good and maintain that loss??? YEP!!! The key that I have learned is being VERY attentive to what my body is telling me. Learning that and to eat in moderation is one of the greatest things that I think I learned from my journey. The lesson that I have now been working on for the last month has been to eat "normal" without measuring and weighing everything and going by what I KNOW to be a correct portion size. As you can see from my pics.... doing good so far!!! :)
That about wraps it up for me for now! I am working on few projects that I hope to share with you all very soon... but for now... wish me luck in my endeavors! :)
I've been assisting people on their weight loss journeys now for several months since I lost 100lbs. One thing that I have seen on a regular recurring basis is the question about what to do when you hit a stall. People as me all the time... did you? What did you do? Let's face it. The reality is that we ALL will hit stalls in our journeys. Whether it is 1 day or 5 or 7. It happens. This is part of dieting that we have to accept. Our bodies have to take a break and re-adjust. The key is - what do you do when you stall? This is the question of the ages I guess. But probably one of the hardest that those who are actively dieting have the hardest time with.
In the past... if I would hit a stall I would eventually give up and quit my diet. But why? Did I feel it wasn't working for me anymore? If a stall is inevitable at one point or another then why did I give up? Handling a stall is really a 2 part process as far as I can see.
1) It is the opportunity to re-evaluate what I am doing. Have I changed anything in the last week that could be cause for upset within my losing process? Many times I would be able to look back over my food diary and pinpoint where I had changed things up which in turn caused my loss speed to slow down. This is how I learned some very important lessons about not messing with what works!
2) A choice has to be made between 2 REAL FACTS. I can do one of 2 things. That's it. No other options! I can either stick to my plan, or I can go off of it and give up. WHAT?! Give up is an option? It is the only other option. You either stick to your program or you don't. It's that simple. So then you have to determine what happens with each option.
As far as I can see that part is simple too. If you stick to your program you WILL lose again. You cannot sustain a low cal/carb/fat diet and NOT lose. It's simple math! If you need to maintain 3500 calories to maintain 1 lbs and you are consuming less than that, then you will lose! If you go off of your program.... you will gain. Period. End of story. Most people when they go off of plan due to a stall simply return to their previous eating habits. It was these eating habits that got us fat in the first place, so what is the point of returning to them?
We then complain that this plan or that one didn't work for us because WE made the choice to go off. This is the crucial time when really we need to buckle down, re-evaluate and if it truly is a stall, get tough. Show your body that you WILL NOT give in to it's pitiful cries for comfort foods. You know what is best for you.. not those fat cells that are withering away - screaming the whole time.... "I'm melting... I'm melting" OK Wicked Witch fat... it's your time... now scoot!
Well it's been 2 full weeks since the magazine debut. And what a time it has been. I never in my wildest dreams expected such an incredible response. I guess in my head I knew that millions of people would be reading about the program and seeing my face every time the went to the grocery store, but it never really sunk in until I saw the membership at Kimkins EXPLODE!! Holy Cow! Our cozy little community jumped from around 3000 in membership to over 24000!!! That's over 21K new members in the last 2 weeks!
I have received countless emails and notes informing me that they have joined because they found my story in the magazine inspirational. Each one special and touching in their own way. Every day I sit in amazement reading my messages and emails in awe. Can it really be true that the Lord has used me to touch so many? And how many more will still find inspiration in my story? Well, I'm here to say, if anything, these people have inspired me.
Part of what makes maintenance so hard I think is not seeing the scale going down every day. When we get into the losing mode, sometimes it's hard to watch the scale remain still and realize that it is perfectly normal for it to stay that way. Even fluxuate up and down 5 pounds or so. It can be an emotional roller-coaster. I find it very difficult sometimes not to want to see the scale shooting back down.. but I know in my heart that I am where I need to be so it doesn't need to go any further.
This is why I LOVE the Kimkins community. I posted on Friday that I was feeling down because my weight had fluxuated up due to being out of town at my sister's wedding. I am so touched that the supportive response that I got back from all my Kimkins friends.
In February of next year we will be cruising to Cozumel, Mexico! Please stop by and read all about it. I am so flattered that she has asked me to come along to help and even speak a little to our friends that attend with us. I'd love to meet you too so please come by, check it out, and sign up! It promises to be such a good time and I know personally for me, I cannot WAIT to meet some of these fantastic people that I have grown to know and love through this program.
Editor's Note: Please note that the Kimkins Diet has been proven to be a dangerous Very Low Calorie Diet. Please see my article HERE for further information regarding new developments about this program and my decision to step away.
I was contacted this evening by a radio talk show in Springfield Illinois. The host had read the article and wants to speak with me on a live radio interview tomorrow morning (6/4) at 10:10AM Central time (11:10 eastern, 8:10 Pacific and 9:10 mountain). I am so excited about this opportunity. The Lord is so good to me! I would love to have all my fellow Low Carb fans join me and listen in! The interview will be broadcast live over streaming audio so log on to hear it!!!!
The website is: www.wmay.com and just click on the listen live link at the top!!!
Wish me luck!!!!
I know that in my post a month or so ago I said that the entire process was sureal... but man oh man....
I received my pre-copy of Woman's World today and there grinning back at me with the biggest smile was.... ME!!!!
I still can't believe that I am on the cover of a NATIONAL magazine! Here is a preview of the cover (and yeah... you'll have to buy it to read the whole article). But thanks again to everyone that made this a reality. I never knew such a thing was even ever a possibility for me.
I give you.... Woman's World:
Editor's Note: Please note that the Kimkins Diet has been proven to be a dangerous Very Low Calorie Diet. Please see my article HERE for further information regarding new developments about this program and my decision to step away.
I've been saying for quite some time that I was going to begin writing about the book I've been reading "The Thin Commandments" by Dr Stephen Gullo. So here we go. This book is one of the most powerful that I have read regarding the psychology behind permanent weight loss. As I've been reading I have had the reaction over and over and over... "well duh!! NO WONDER I HAD TROUBLE!" In reading this book I have come to learn so much about myself, my eating habits, my ups and downs, and how to conquer the self-defeating habits that have plagued me for almost 30 years!!! Paring what I have learned throught my weight loss program and this book, I know that I will have success in my maintenance.
In the book Dr Gullo goes over 10 steps he says are key to overcoming the battle of the bulge. I will cover one commandement a post and insert my own experiences and thoughts as I learn.
The First Thin Commandment: Strategy Is Stronger Than Willpower
I cannot tell you how many times this has been my downfall. The old adage, those who fail to plan, plan to fail really is true. What I never realized is that it wasn't a lack of willpower like I'd accused myself of so many times, but a lack of strategy! WOW!!! I'm not a weak person afterall! Just an unprepared one! ;) LOL How often have you been sitting at home in the evening, watching TV or doing your evening routine and gotten the dreaded "munchies." For me, this was (is) a common occurance! The reason that we have such a hard time when those episodes hit is that we have failed to plan exactly what we are going to do when they come. It will inevitably arrive. You will get hungry, you will be tempted and you will get the cravings. But the key is what you do when those moments arrive.
By developing a planned out strategy for those times you can know exactly what to do and where to go with those cravings without stressing about caving or giving in to the craving! What a load off! "The realm of food is not a big world, but a small village." It is finite. We know what those foods that we crave taste like, we also know that it just doesn't work for us. The same scenarios will continue to come up over and over, but what the difference is THIS TIME is you know better, and have developed a strategy to overcome! "...successful weight control is not about doing what is 'normal' - it's about doing what works for you. You should not be concerned about the norm - that's the preoccupation of the insecure - but about what brings you the success you deserve."
There are a few points that Dr Gullo goes over that are key to developing your strategy (I will expound on these points in later installments.... stay tuned!!):
Food History - You have your own personal patterns that you have developed over your lifetime in regards to your own trigger foods. By recognizing what your triggers are and honoring your past food history, you can develop your own personalized plan in how to deal with those foods when the temptation arises.
Food Desensitizing - Techniques that defuse cravings are a powerful tool in order to develop and maintain a strategy.
Breaking through food "baby talk" - whooo boy. I could take an entire post to talk about this one. In childhood we learned unknowingly already how to talk down to ourselves and self-defeat when it comes to food. "I've been so good... I deserve it... But it's not fair... It's my treat..." Yadda, yadda, yadda.... can you hear the whining??? I love this quote from the book "Where food is concerned, even the most mature adults often act like children - like children who want their way no matter what, blocking out the negative consequences of their eating." Come to think of it... I will dedicate an entire post to this because this is so vital in my mind and one of the key reasons that people fail to keep the weight off once they reach goal.
Containment- There is a fantastic technique that I'll talk about later that will help us turn mess ups into learning experiences so we never again have to face the "I blew it" guilt.
There are so many other good points in this one chapter - my book is turning colors from all the highlighting that I'm doing!
I'll be going over so many other points that I don't have time to go into today, but I believe this is going to be a fascinating topic to continue ongoing discussion about. I'd like to leave with this last thought.... Thin is a lifestyle, not some arbitrary number on a scale. We must remember that even though we lose the weight, we never lose the vulnerability to those foods. Sooooo work on your strategy to overcome! Remember, you don't lack willpower, just planning!
Special thanks to my dear friend Regandy for the following post. She really hit the nail on the head this time!
"I start over every day.
Every day is a NEW opportunity. Every day is another clean slate. Every day! I have NOT been perfect with this way of eating... HEY I HAVEN'T BEEN PERFECT AT LIFE EITHER!! But I'm still living.. and I'm still trying.
I have binged. I have stalled. I have whined. I have pushed. I have cheered. I have cried. I have jumped for joy.
I have had some awesome perfect days. I have had some "squeaky" days. I've had some REBELLIOUS days! hahaha
I AM NOT ASHAMED TO ADMIT THAT I HAVE STARTED OVER MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT ON BOTH HANDS. That is the key. I REFUSE to give up. I REFUSE to think about what I did yesterday or last weekend. I try very hard to keep looking forward.
AND....
The weaker days are getting fewer and fewer... farther and farther between them. Would you beat your child for not walking perfectly within the first months of learning? Would you use as strong a language with a beginner "reader" as you would for yourself for not doing it perfectly? Would you toss out your child for not brushing their teeth because you have told them at least a dozen times what to do? I THINK NOT! Give yourself a break!!!
If you struggle with "perfection" -- determine to be ONE OF "THOSE" PEOPLE ....... start over every morning. I love a new day!
New day = new chance to get it right."
I was sharing my story with someone earlier this evening and I started thinking about this analogy... sorry guys...you won't get it. But ladies, this really hit home to me. I used my personal journey as an example, but please insert your diet program whatever that may be. :)
This journey kinda reminds me of being pregnant and expecting that first baby.... When you first find out, it's all exciting and there's the anticipation and the congratulations and on and on... I liken this to the first day of your diet. You're pumped and excited... raring to go. Then comes the first trimester when no-one knows that you're expecting and you feel like dog doo doo. This is the first weeks/month of your weight loss program No one but you can really tell that you're losing depending on how much you need to lose. You feel are just downright irritated.
Then the second trimester gives you hope... you're starting to show and you feel a lot better and can actually enjoy the pregnancy. This is those fast moving (for the most part) middle stages of the loss journey. People are starting to notice. You're still seeing good results on the scale and you can start really feeling good about yourself.
And then the third trimester..... you're done. You're ready for it to be over. The time seems to drag and drag..... this is the very end.... those last 10 pounds that you never thought you'd get to see.... this time the loss slows down. The goal is so close and yet so far.... BUT THEN!!! The reward for sticking it out in the PG is a beautiful new life... a baby..... Good news is... the reward for making it through the program.... A BEAUTIFUL NEW LIFE!!! You learn with that first baby how to love, nurture, protect, care for it as best as humanly possible.... You learn in maintenance... how to love, nurture, protect and care for your new body.... your new life.... cherish it.... Praise the ONE who gave it to you!!!
During the journey, time drags, even stands still sometimes. We think that it is taking forever, the end will never come. But then you turn around and all of a sudden, there it is. That thing that you have worked so hard for, that you have longed for and waited so patiently for is finally here. Now it's up to you as to where you go from here. We know that nervousness coming home from the hospital for the first time w/ the new baby. You're not sure how to take care of it. Wonder how on earth you'll ever be able to be all that you need to be for this precious child, this gift from the Lord. Same with your body.... you're finally here, and now, it's up to you to keep it up. You're nervous about adding in those first few foods. Wonder how it will effect you, do you know everything you need to to make it work.
We learn to raise our children by trial and error. Just the same, you learn by trial and error. Learn but never give up. Where would we be, where would our children be if one thing we tried didn't work and we just gave up the training??? It is a daily, sometimes even hourly battle/struggle. But the end result is so worth it. Always fight the good fight. Never doubt that you have done a good thing, and learn to listen to your body. It just like our children have ways of letting you know if you're doing a good job...
Wow… that’s about all I can say right now about these last few days. This program has done so much to change my life in so many ways. I think when you get right down to it… it’s changed not only my life, but that of my family, friends, and those around me too.
I am so privileged and blessed to be able to represent this way of eating in the manner that I have been selected. Woman’s World magazine and all those who put my trip together this week have been amazing. I have NEVER in my life been so pampered and primped and pawed over! I LOVED IT!!!! So here is my account now for my friends and those who are wanting to know my Cinderella story of your everyday average housewife from Texas turned Hollywood model for the day!
My trip began in Houston TX early Monday morning… I was accompanied by my wonderfully supportive husband on this whirlwind adventure. We arrived at the airport early to attempt at a seat change because of my recent knee surgery we were hoping to get bumped up…. Didn’t happen… this flight was booked solid. So we boarded and took our place on the last row of the airplane. Not the most choice spot, but I was too excited about what was to come to really mind.
When we arrived in LA the chauffeur was there to pick us up in a nice Lincoln Business Class limo which took us straight over to the photo-shoot in the Media District of Melrose. When we went into the studio we were introduced to the “team.” Makeup, hair, creative director, stylist, photographer, they were all there. Rested for a few minutes and then whisked off to begin the transformation process. From plain ole’ me to… “Ahbsolutely Fahbulus dahling….!!!!”
Soooo you know in the movies where they show a photo shoot and the model says crazy things to make her face look right? Loud music playing and lots of lights and “give me attitude” talk from the photographer. I was so taken aback!!! That really is the way they do it! I had to stop myself so many times from laughing. But all in all, it was an amazing experience. They even let me keep 2 of the outfits!
We took a taxi from the shoot to the hotel and got checked in. We were given a beautiful suite very near Malibu and Hollywood Blvd. We quickly got changed and decided to head out and get some touring done. Headed from there to Hollywood Blvd to take in the sights… Kodak Theater, Mann Chinese Theater, Walk of Stars, whirlwind… but we saw it all!
After our quick tour of Hollywood we went to dinner at Kama Shiro restaurant overlooking the LA skyline. We literally watched the sunset over LA with the “HOLLYWOOD” sign overlooking us. It was beautiful. Oh… and my dear sweet husband tried eel for the first time. Yes we are no longer country… we have arrived and are experiencing the high life at last!
After dinner my dear friend Ana and her husband picked us up from the restaurant and we went to have coffee over at Universal Studios! We talked a long time and walked around Universal taking in some of the sights… after Universal they took us on a driving tour of some of the other sights we had yet to see that day. Culminating with pictures on beautiful Rodeo Dr. Although it was closed, it was still incredible to see and at least learn about all the different things that happen in a day in sunny CA.
It was sad to see such a wonderful trip come to an end, but then all good things do don’t they? It just gives me something AWESOME to look forward to. Don’t know when, but I am definitely going back. California is everything that I imagined it to be and more. Yes there are downsides to everywhere, every town, but I still wanted to see more. This experience brings new a whole new meaning to the phrase “California or BUST!”
From" Whole Earth Review Magazine" a couple years ago.
1. Regular flare-ups of a supportive network of friends and family.
2. Chronic positive expectations.
3. Repeated episodes of gratitude and generosity.
4. Increased appetite for physical activity.
5. Marked tendency to identify and express feelings.
6. Compulsion to contribute to society.
7. Lingering sensitivity to the feelings of others.
8. Habitual behavior related to seeking new challenges.
9. Craving for peak experiences.
10. Tendency to adapt to changing conditions.
11. Feelings of spiritual involvement.
12. Persistent sense of humor.
Thanks to one of my buddies for giving me this excpert. So Inspirational!!! Thank you Lee!
Editor's Note: Please note that the Kimkins Diet has been proven to be a dangerous Very Low Calorie Diet. Please see my article HERE for further information regarding new developments about this program and my decision to step away.
It's finally happened. This Way of Eating has officially become my way of life. I have maintained my 100lb loss now for almost 1 month!!! I have been so rewarded. Turns out that my story is turning heads other places than just Kimkins as well!
Woman's World Magazine has requested to do a story on Kimkins and have selected me to be the cover!! I'm still in shock about it but I know that this is where I am supposed to be right now. It is no coincidence that the Lord led me to Kimmer and her site. I have been so blessed by the ministry that has opened up to me in this. It is my goal to show people a new and better way that they can be living their lives. Herein lies the beginning of my new stage in life.
So 3 weeks ago a dear friend from Houston contacted me. She is a professional photographer (you can view her work here: Jamie Kutter Photography) and extremely gifted in this area. She was inspired by my story and thought I should have some nice pictures to go along with my New and Improved look. Long story short, I made a quick trip back to my hometown for my first experience with a photoshoot. Here's a sample of my first official "after" pictures:
I wanted to post here today an excerpt that I found regarding the DIET guide to emotional eating because it is definitely something that I have struggled with and deal with all the time. I was trying to explain to my mom about my lifestyle change this week. She was having a hard time understanding why now that I'm on goal I still won't eat "normal" foods.
What I told her was likening myself to a drug addict or alcoholic. Those people, once they overcome their addiction, must learn to recognize their triggers, the things that set them off on a binge or in need for a fix. Once they discover what those things are they do what is necessary to avoid them at all costs. For most of them, it also involves removing the temptation all together and not placing themselves in situations where alcohol or drugs would be. For those of us w/ food addictions it is much more difficult. We cannot remove ourselves from food. We must have it to live/survive. Therefore, we have to learn to control it by recognizing and removing our triggers. Those who follow the Kimkins way of life have learned that carbs for the most part are our triggers. For some it's salty flour carbs - pasta, chips, potatos, corn... for others its the sweet sugary carbs - cookies, refined sugars, etc... still for others, it may even be a combination of the two plus high fat foods such as cheeses and dairy products. The point is, in order to be successful at this type of lifestyle change, each person must learn to recognize his/her own triggers or "demons" and overcome them.
So, just as some alcoholics are eventually able to maybe have 1 drink every now and then only because they have recognized their demons and learned to deal with them, so I eventually hope to be able to add some higher carb items back to my diet on an occasional basis. However, I will no longer be able to endulge in my previous lifestyles regularity because I have learned to recognize my triggers and know that if I were to succumb to the "just one" that is so often presented to me, it would set off my emotional and physiological response to one more and one more and one more... thus cycling back into my previous destructive habits. Now... I have proven to myself that this method works for me. If I did dive into a certain "high carb" frenzy and totally give in one day, I could possibly say to myself...well I know the secret to getting it back off... so what's it going to hurt? Once again, that is the thinking that has caused me to fail every other diet that I've ever tried and put the weight right back on. Therefore, by my choice, I choose now and forever more to refrain from giving in to those certain food demons all together.
Here is the excerpt from the D.I.E.T. article:
"Traditional dieting strategies don't work for emotional eaters because the psychological aspects of weight management aren't fully addressed by most plans. Most diet programs don't deal with self-sabotage and the real reasons why we knock ourselves off track. To achieve lasting weight management success, emotional eaters need to go through the following four stages of change.
D - Discover: The first step is to discover our hidden emotional obstacles and understand the food-feelings connection that makes balanced eating so difficult. It's essential to tune in to our inner selves before we can attempt to change our outer appearance. We need to identify the self-defeating thoughts and attitudes, that lead us to sabotage our success with such frustrating regularity. Discovery is crucial because it's impossible to win the weight war until we know who the enemy really is.
I - Invent: Once we've discovered the emotional issues and self-defeating ways of thinking that have always stood in our way, we need to invent a new way of managing our lives and ourselves. It's time to break free from old habits and standard modes of operating. This requires that we invent healthier, more nurturing ways of thinking to combat those self-defeating tendencies.
E - Extinguish: The next step is to extinguish the old, unhealthy ways of thinking, feeling and perceiving as we adopt our newly-invented life plan. Healing old wounds and building new skills will help us deal with life's troubles head on and decrease our reliance on food.
T - Transform: Our final task is to transform our new insights, skills and healing into a positive lifestyle that emphasizes healthy food choices and regular exercise. After much hard work, one of my clients got to this stage and said, "I'm at the point now where exercising and eating right are emotionally uncomplicated." What she meant was that she at last felt free of her old emotional shackles and could now make the commitment necessary for the long-term task of successful weight management.
The D.I.E.T. Plan is a sometimes tough -- but necessary -- process for those of us with emotional eating issues. Remember: Until you deal with the demons, you can't tackle the fat."
Editor's Note: Please note that the Kimkins Diet has been proven to be a dangerous Very Low Calorie Diet. Please see my article HERE for further information regarding new developments about this program and my decision to step away.
It's still difficult for me to believe that I've actually done it. 100 Pounds GONE!!!! Thank you Lord for giving me the strength to make it through this journey... it has been incredible. 
Editor's Note: Please not that the Kimkins Diet has been proven to be a dangerous Very Low Calorie Diet. Please see my article HERE for further information regarding new developments about this program and my decision to step away.
Here are some of my new before/after pics!!! Not quite to my goal yet, but I am loving this so much!
This is about 240 at Christmas 2005:
September 2006 (no real change in weight):
AFTER - I have lost almost 90lbs now!!!!
Editor's Note: Please note that the Kimkins Diet has been proven to be a dangerous Very Low Calorie Diet. Please see my article HERE for further information regarding new developments about this program and my decision to step away.
I attended my first weight loss support group meeting when I was 10 years old. Not because I was made to go, but because I thought I needed it. You know those people who struggle their ENTIRE life with their weight? Hello... my name is Christin and I am a habitual "yo-yo dieter." Can I get an AMEN? When I was even as young as 8 or 9, I was very aware that my friends were all smaller than me. Now if you ask me... no child should have that hanging over their head all the time. All throughout my pre-teens and through even the teenage years I would look at others and compensate for my over indulgence by thinking "at least I'm not as big as this person or that person..." Looking back, I could have gone one of 3 ways. Either I was going to become anorexic, bulimic or I would become a comfort eater. Seeing as I LOVED food so much... there was no way I was giving it up totally... I thought, maybe I'll just eat what I like then throw it up. No can do... unfortunately my body has a visible reaction to hurling that put bulimia out of the picture too. That left me at comfort eating.
I would see a thinner person, get depressed, and grab a candy bar. Then get upset that I gave in to my compulsion and eat an extra piece of bread or a little bigger slice of cake. Cookies were good too. Whatever was within my sights that sounded good at the moment of compulsion or needed comfort I'd grab. That wasn't the worst of it though, I was ashamed of myself, so there were many times that I would hide to eat my indulgence. After all, with a very popular brother in basketball and a sister in gymnastics and both in great shape, how could I let on that I had a problem? As if hiding while stuffing my face would make the calories and fat somehow disappear. I guess I was under the delusion that my increasing size would not be enough of a give away.
I wish I could say that I wised up as I got older, but the compulsion just shifted gears. I was still a whole hearted comfort eater. But for some reason the hiding seemed to become a moot point. So I took my habits into the open, unabashedly displaying my gross enjoyment of the culinary arts. Somehow in the midst of all of this a wonderful man who could look past my addiction married me. YES! Now I don't even have to worry about attracting anyone! I'm set!!! Then something happened….
Somehow something inside of me started to feel that it was time to give up my old ways and turn over a new leaf. So I spent WAY TOO MUCH money on an all out weight-loss campaign. I lost a lot of weight and I felt great. I was happy with my new look, my husband was happy too. I got pregnant. Now I had an excuse to eat what I wanted to because of course the baby needed it! Then my life fell apart. Those of you who know me know the entire story which will take an entire separate blog to go into, but the important part of this particular one is that we ended up losing that baby.
Of course I was devastated. Although I had not gained all the weight back that I lost, I was already in the downward spiral of bad eating habits again. I had not made the mental transformation that I have discovered is vital to successful sustained weight-loss. So here I was again, on the destructive path to obesity once again. I got pregnant again not that much longer after the first one and this time everything was good to go. I actually gained 70 pounds that pregnancy. I was amazed at how fast it all adds up plus baby! At the end of the pregnancy I was at a new all time high. That's ok…. it'll all come off once I have the baby right? WRONG. I was totally baffled at after having an 8lb baby how could I only lose 5?
I thought I was happy. I had a husband and a baby and everything seemed to be good! 2 years later I had only lost about 20 lbs from the 70 that I had gained. And here I was pregnant again. I did better with this pregnancy though, only gained 30. But ummmm…. Wait a minute… that means NEW HIGH. After that baby I did lose about 20 again (that seems to be my post pregnancy number). Went on with my life… seemingly happy, but still secretly full of discontent and angst against those in my life who were so thin and attractive. I seemed to have a vision problem as well. Although I knew in my head I was overweight every time I looked in the mirror, I just didn't see it. I have heard of people having distorted realities regarding their weight. Like an anorexic person seeing fat on their body when there is none. I seemed to have the opposite fantasy.
Truth be told, I guess I was just scared. I was so deep in the way that I had lived my life, eating whatever and however I wanted that it terrified me to think of changing they way I viewed things. I have come to the realization though that true change begins in the mind. I wanted the body, and mentally I viewed myself as having the body. But, just like any addiction, you have to admit you have a problem before you can do anything about it. I had to say to myself "Christin, you are fat. You are severely overweight, and you must change your lifestyle if you want to be there for your husband and children long term." You will never achieve long term success if you do not change your ideas and mindset about nutrition and weight-loss. Yes, we all want to see quick results. That's what motivates us and keeps us going when things slow down or you are craving just that little piece of chocolate (my weakness). But I had to be willing to accept even slow results if that meant making a better tomorrow for me and my family.
Once I came to the understanding with myself that I had to accept whatever came in order to achieve the results that I wanted (a better, healthier body for me that I wasn't ashamed of, and a future with their mother for my children). I began to do my research on what diet program would be the best for me that wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg to get in on as well. I had LONG dreaded low carb diets. I LOVE bread, potatoes, starches… you name it, if it had carbs, I was all about it. But, in my new mindset I knew that sacrifices must be made. I also had to assure myself that the sacrifices that I would be making now would be worth it long term, because I wasn't saying farewell to those things permanently, just temporarily until I could learn to integrate them back into my life in a healthy manner.
I knew that low carb diets were the ones that had the quickest results (again with the quick thing I know, but for someone that is overweight, you need results fast right?). If you too are overweight, you know what I mean about results. I looked all over for what would be the best option for me. I really couldn't stand all the fat that was allowed with some low carb diets. My dad did that and although he lost weight, his cholesterol went through the roof and he put it right back on. I learned about myself that I needed structure and a "list" of what I can and can't eat. These other low-carb/calorie diets that are out there are way too open about all your options. For me, the more options, the more chances for me to over do it.
So here I was, I knew I needed Low Carb, Low Fat, and restricted so that I knew what was ok and what wasn't. Then I found it. After doing searches for those criteria, one name kept popping up over and over. Kimkins. I decided to take the plunge and give it a try. WOW. First month I lost 30 pounds…. Surely there must be something wrong here… is this even possible??? The next month I lost another 20! I am VERY HAPPY to say that after 4 months on the program I have lost 80 pounds!!!!!! I have even taken the next step in my new way of life and begun training to run in my first 5K ever! And, in January of next year my goal is to run in a half marathon!
So this is me. Learning to love the new me. Learning to make a better life for myself. Committing before myself, my family, and now the world to never allow food to take control of me again. Committing to set a good example for those who look up to me. Committing to give my children and husband a future. Committing to be happy, inside and out.
Hello, my name is Christin, and I am no longer a yo-yo dieter.
Before:
After:
