It’s all about choices
Oh yes...that is me in the right in the red shirt and sun glasses...what a difference a year makes!
I had the most amazing weekend. My husband and I went to Wisconsin Dells with our entire family. We played miniature golf, raced go-karts, hit baseballs in the batting cages, swam in the wave pool, went down water slides and even rode on the roller coasters. Some of these things I have not been able to do in years because of how overweight I was. I felt like a kid again. I had so much fun and it felt great.
I couldn’t help but notice a number of overweight individuals. I was not judging. I myself still have weight I need to lose. I noticed them because I identified with them. That was me last summer. I remember what if felt like to be so uncomfortable with my own body. I remember what it felt like for my sister to call me to see if I wanted to take the kids to the beach with her. I wanted to go. I wanted to build sand castles, play in the water with the kids and have fun in the sun. When it came time to put on my swimming suit I felt so uncomfortable. It eventually got to the point where I would turn down offers to go places simply because of how large I was and how uncomfortable I was.
I was scared to sit on outdoor furniture for fear it would break. I would get invited to gatherings and I would always worry about how it was going to be set up. Where would I sit? Am I going to fit? There was one time I actually had a business meeting in the morning at a restaurant. The three gentlemen arrived before I did and sat in a booth. When I arrived I was so mortified when I tried to squeeze in. It was clearly obvious how uncomfortable I was but no one mentioned the elephant in the room (no pun intended). I could go on and on and on about a million stories just like this.
To get to my point…I had an amazing weekend. One of the most amazing weekends I have had in a very long time. As I looked around the theme park and watched people who were the same size I use to be it dawned on me. I was exactly where they are now last summer. That was me. I do not know what surprised me more. The fact that my life had changed so quickly or the fact that I made the choice to live that way for so many years. I now realize it was my choice. I choose to eat the food I ate. I choose to not exercise. I choose to be uncomfortable in my body for so many years. That was my choice. My message to you is…I choose to live that way and you may be choosing to live that way too. Making the right choices is not easy. I still struggle with it every day. Do you realize that if you found the strength to make the right choices, by next summer you could be living a completely different life? Even if you stuck with the rate of losing 2 lbs a week for the next 52 weeks you would be down 104 lbs before 4th of July next year. That is life changing weight loss and you can do it! Dig deep and find the strength to make the right choices.
For a little encouragement I posted the picture on top. This was taken less than a year ago.
47 comments
Permalink1
You totally rock and when i look at you now and then i see myself and keep trying to emerge from this fat suit im in. I love reading your blogs and wish you would write two or three a day lol. It would be nice of you to put up where and when you will be speaking. Again you are completely inspirational and i know thats why you did the show. I just hope to be an inspiration to myself.
Permalink2
Kristin - that picture is AMAZING! What a difference a year makes, indeed! I am on my way to living a different life come next year. Can’t wait!
Permalink3
Hey Kristin,
Thanks for the blog! Every blog I read I become more and more inspired. My new years resolution this year like many other years was to loose weight. This year I actually am keeping it. Like you said, 2 pounds a week, that’s what I been doing, with a week or so “girlie” setbacks, 20 pounds down. 50 more to go by December 31. I WILL do it. I am the one who is taking control of my life, I am making choices for myself. I am living my life SO different! A lot of it is thanks to you. You are the most inspiring woman in the world! Thank you so much!
Keep it up! You are worth it sweetie! We all are!
Permalink4
I have had those exact feelings you have had!! You said losing 2 lbs for the next 52 weeks is 104 lbs but that is the healthy way losing 2 lbs a week. I am happy if I lose .5 a week. It doesnt have to be fast. Especially when you get to the last 30 lbs like me it stinks and goes really slow. I have lost 140 lbs in 2 and a half years roughly!! I have soo much in common with you. I have those exact feelings when I go somewhere and I used to not fit into things!
Permalink5
Wow you sure look great i am so proud of you .I go ever week to WW i am doing pretty good so is my daughter. Pound or to a week summer will be harder with camping
but will still keep trying
Permalink6
I too enjoy every post and it is as if I had wrote it myself. Except for this one, I can only wish to be in your shoes a year from now. I don’t see myself this huge gal, I see what is inside and what is see resembles you. I will get this weight off. For myself and for my son. He has been kicked out of school twice in the last two years of elementry school for fighting a kid that keeps making fun of me. He is a great kid and should not have to defend his love for his mom.
You rock and if you are ever in St Louis MO I want to know. I will be there!
Permalink7
Lots of Aloha to you! almost 80lbs down in 6 months and those little daily choices add up to millions and millions of choices made over time. I made a choice to continue my weight loss in Hawaii, a new start in a place that has lots and lots of places to swim and work out and be healthy. As my 23rd birthday creeps up in a month, I look forward to spending it ( for the first time since I was 10) below the 300’s and the rest of my 20’s at a healthy weight. Thanks for being brave enough to be honest about your journey!
Permalink8
I love the blog. Good point about the 2 lbs… it took me 23 years to get this way dealing with it one week at a time is good idea.
Permalink9
I can relate to this blog so much. I’m down 76 pounds in roughly 2 years. It’s been such a battle. I’ve had some rough spots in that time but I’m determined. I used to turn down invitations to go to places because I had nothing to wear or I was ashamed of what I look like. I also hated having my picture taken. It took me so long to realize what I was doing to myself. Now I’m 40 pounds from goal and I can’t wait to get there. I want to live the life I’ve always wanted.
Permalink10
Yes, the booth is bad… but for me, it’s the dreaded plastic lawn chairs! Yikes!
I want to take my kids to the dells! Right now I’m not going b/c of my weight - that will all change soon!!
Permalink11
Man I’m there,Kristin. Sat outside of the gym to night for 15 minutes because it was packed and everyone I seen going in was fit. Finally it hit me “the fat girl” needs to be in there more then them all!! So I went in and guess what nobody said anything and I had a great cardio workout.
Permalink12
This reminder felt like a personal gift to me. Thank you.
Permalink13
Even though I am down 22 pounds so far and feeling great, I still have a long way to go. I have had that swimsuit moment every single year. This year my thought was “I wouldn’t run around in front of my parents and friends in my underwear and bra, why would I wear this in front of them?” Yikes. I have done my 22 pounds in 11 weeks with 58 pounds to go. Its easier when I focus on the 2 pound weekly goals instead of the larger 80 pound goal… eventually you turn around and go “holy cow - 22 pounds” It feels great. My girls and I are traveling with my brother and parents to the Dells’ Wilderness in late August. Looking forward to THAT swimsuit moment! Thank you Kristin. You keep me going.
Permalink14
You know i cried today reading this blog. Cause it is right where i am . i am trying to make the right chose but emotions seems to be winning right now. i just feel like i am drowning myself in my own bad choose.. i dont what else to say . But you look amazing and i so get what your saying cause that is me right now…
thank you so much
peggy
Permalink15
Last year, did you know how beautiful you were? I think what is most amazing is how LARGE your heart still is and continues to be. I met a woman today that lost 180lbs (and has kept it off for 10 YEARS) and it took her 3 years. She said, well it doesn’t matter how long it takes, three years will pass no matter what….thanks again for the inspiration
Permalink16
You are so right! For 5 years I have tried to lose weight. “Tried” but I didn’t work very hard at it and those were choices that I made. Just like now this year I made the choice to give it my all. So far I have lost 20 lbs. It has taken a long time but that is how it goes.
Permalink17
I think I need to mention how many overweight KIDS there are at all the pools every year…it amazes me!! That is why we as adults need to make the right CHOICES, so our kids can see us and follow in our “good” footsteps! If Americans were in better shape and made better choices, there wouldn’t be the healthcare dilemma there is right now. Kristin, you should be on some national healthcare boards!!! You would be an awesome spokesperson. Keep up the good work and being an inspiration to me and many others!!!
Permalink18
Once again, reading your blog is like a page out of my own journal. The water parks, lawn furniture, restaurant booths…anyone who carries the kind of weight I do, has had those kind of experiences and feelings. Thank you for sharing yours And thank you for the positive encouragement.. and boy did I need it. Your are right.. it is MY choice. Thanks again.
Permalink19
Yes i too was able to go on park rides i was unable to a year ago. I only started my weight loss 6 weeks ago and am 49lbs lighter. That changed my ability significantly when i went to the park recently. I will be able to sit on rides next year with my husband not just my kids.
Little reminders make all the difference why we are doing this for ourselves.
Finding one reason and either taking a picture of it or buying a mug from that place you want to ride rides or purchasing a pair of jeans for you a special event in a month or 2 makes the whole difference in your mind.
Thanks Kristen.
Permalink20
I would like to add….that just because you don’t ALWAYS make the right choices, does not mean you are a failure and should throw in the towel. We are human, we will NOT always make the right choices, for whatever reason…but that’s ok…as long as we don’t ever give up.
Permalink21
I can relate. Thanks for having the courage to blog. I have been trying to lose for a while and the progress is so slow. I have been overweight almost my entire life. I have had a few fat moments like you described in the booth. Its not fun. Keep smiling and inspiring. You have no idea the impact you have on so many.
Permalink22
WOW… I never thought of 2lbs a week = 104 lbs lost … 2lbs a week seems like nothing to loose but if you look at it that way it’s amazing… It’s on!
Permalink23
I can so relate to your story, it makes me want to cry thinking that I’m the same way. I want to lose 90lbs to be the size I want to be and understand what it takes to do it it’s just that I lose my focus. Thanks for the encouragement you bring me when you write you blogs.
Permalink24
Every entry in your blog gets me “fired up” to exercize, Kristin. I’ts great to hear you enjoyed the “Dells” so much. It’s such a great place to enjoy your family and make memories. And think of all the exercize you got in the baseball cages, walking aroung the water park and walking up the steps to go down the water slides!! I am proud of you! Was it hard to make good food choices?? I am heading there in July with my family and hope to be another 8 to 10 pounds down. I hung a cute swimsuit in the kitchen to remind myself to make good choices!!
Permalink25
I think that everything you have been blogging is amazing! These are real things and thoughts that people really feel. You are truly an inspiration. I really enjoy reading your blogs.They keep going.
Permalink26
they keep me going.sorry typo.LOL
Permalink27
Another great post that we can all identify with! I have lived in northern Wisconsin, surrounded by lakes for over 6 years. I adore the water but I have never been out in a kayak. I can’t fit in one. My goal is to be out paddling by next summer. And with your help and inspiration I am on my way!
Permalink28
I just love you Kristin! How else can I say it???
I took a cruise in February 2008 and decided while on the ship to change my life. For that trip, I had not even packed a swim suit. The thought never crossed my mind…that’s how out of the question it was to me.
I took another cruise in March 2009 and had accomplished my goal to change my life. I was 70 pounds lighter than the cruise just a year earlier. I packed 3 swim suits and wore all of them!!!
One day at a time and one pound at a time. I still have about 20-25 pounds to go, but I know I’ll make it.
As you said in one of the BL episodes, “I’m worth it,” and realizing that is more freeing than losing hundreds and hundreds of pounds.
Keep the blogs coming please. I’m here with you for the long haul baby.
Let’s go parasailing together next summer!!!
THE SKY IS NOW OUR LIMIT!
Love,
Jen Torres
Permalink29
Thank you for your encouraging words, you have remained true to yourself and it shows to everyone one mini interview on BL you said If I can do this, anyone can!! You were so stoked at where youd come and i forever have that excitement and your face in my head.YOu are to poster child for motivation and determination and proof of it can be done at a high weight, now I just need to figure out how to accomplish mine. God Bless thank you again. Love reading your blogs.
Permalink30
I have another question (I have a million questions!)
Were you guys in therapy while on the ranch? If so, have you continued it? When I saw Helen on the finale, I was shocked IN A BAD WAY. I thought she was way too thin and I wondered how hard it must be for you all to stop once you’ve reached your goal weight. Life is not all about weight, but I’m sure yours revolves around it while on the ranch and after. So I wondered if they have you take steps to address all the other issues as well? It’s sad to me to think people might go from not truly living and enjoying their lives because of the fat to not being able to really live their lives because they’re obsessed with calories and weight. I’m assuming when you’re very overweight, the goal is to be healthy and be able to really LIVE, but when you get down in weight, then I’m sure it can become about LOOKS. That’s not necessarily bad, but it can be dangerous, I think. Just curious about your experience with this!!
Permalink31
I was absolutely shocked about Helen too. I wondered if BL had any requirements about health, like not taking diet pills or starving yourself. Not saying she did, I don’t know for sure, but there definitely seemed to be a difference between healthy contestests and… well… Lets just say everyone else looked a lot HEALTHIER, even if she was the skinniest.
Do they talk about how NOT to lose weight?
Permalink32
Thanks for the encouragement and the blog…please keep writing your stories…they are very inspirational. I so relate to them!!!!!!
As far as the BL goes, to me you were the most funniest, and joyous person on the show…it wasn’t the same when you went home!!!
Permalink33
Kristin,
You have no idea how much I needed that today. Your post was the perfect push I needed. I have lost 30lbs since Jan. and have been on a “plateau” for the past 4 weeks. 3 years ago I had a premature baby that passed away and I was dealing with the anniversary of that. I want to move past this plateau, but was feeling very overwhelmed. Reading this helped me realize I can get through this by just continuing to make one choice at a time. I desperately want to try to have another baby and to do so need to loose some more weight so I am starting making my good HEALTHY choices again right NOW!
Permalink34
Kristin: Thank you. I am battling life threatening diseases and because of you I have finally gone to the nutrionist and I have an appointment with a specialist next month. I too, have battled being overweight all my life. My first diet in 3rd grade. I am so tired of being big. I refuse to get in a swimsuit. I refuse to go places because of my weight. Yes, I choose to make the choices I do and it sucks. I know if you can do, I can too! I do have it in me. I want to live to see my kids give me grandkids. I want to grow old with my husband and I want to live!!!!! You are a gem.
Permalink35
Your post today has touched me today more than other days. Today I went with my fiance and daughter to Six Flaggs and I was too fat for one of the lap bars to come down and I had to get off the ride, while everyone watched!! My family was support and didn’t just avoid the topic. My fiance told me he loved me and supports me on this journey to get fit. And vowed to take me back later this summer when I can go on ALL the ride with no fear of not fitting!!
So you are right it all comes down to choices~~ I chose food as my comfort and now I am chosing outside my comfort and eating healthy and exercising daily.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. You will never know how many people you inspire by just being honest.
Permalink36
Kristin, I found your website today and I am so thankful. I’m trying to indulge myself in any kind of encouragement I can find. I recently hit my maximum weight of 350 lbs and I’m 28 years old. I’ve been overweight my whole life, but in the past few years I’ve let if affect my life in so many ways. Going to a place with public seating (movie theater, concert venue, etc.) is pretty rare because at most places I don’t fit in the seat. Today my husband and I were sitting in a waiting area with about 50 people and I had an open seat next to me. 25 people decided they would rather stand than sit in the only seat open, next to me. I feel so awful
I watched you every week on the Biggest Loser. You were the most comparable contestant to myself and every week I cried watching you and the other contestants reform your body and mind to be a happy and healthy person. Thank you so much for reaching out and helping others. You are beautiful!
Permalink37
You are right. It is all about choices. Your blog brought tears to my eyes because I can totally identify with the old Kristin. I struggle with my size and always worry about how others view me and if I will “fit” in. Both of my parents are suffering from diabetes and I have recently started feeling changes in my own body in response to my sugar consumption. It scares the heck out of me and is yet another sign that I have to do something now. Thanks for your blog and for your continued inspiration.
Permalink38
Thank you so much for all of your inspiration. I have struggles with my weight nearly my entire life. I want to lose 30-40 lbs and can’t get motivated. I always feel tired and can’t make myself do it. My biggest fear is for my son. He is 9 years old and weighs 110 lbs. My biggest problem is meals and making him excercise. We went to a water park a few weeks ago and he said the slides weren’t fun because he had to climb the stairs. It really breaks my heart. I also work at a supermarket looking at food all day long. I seem to want to eat all the time, mainly out of boredom. Thank you so much for all you do. You really are my inspiration. Thank you for making me realize that I, I mean we can do this.
Permalink39
I am sitting at work with tears streaming down my face. God, Kristin…your blog sums me up. You are in Wisconsin I am in Georgia and we have never met, but you touched me today. You are such an inspiration on my journey. I am down from 347 to 334. I am gonna do it this time.
Maybe when I am fit and rich, I’ll create a gym just for big people. You can’t be under a certain weight to go there…or you have to have been considered overweight at some point to go! When I am there I just figure I am motivating the skinny folks to run harder ; )
Permalink40
Kristin, how inspiring! You’re so right… in a year, our lives can be changed for the better by only losing 2 lbs. per week consistently. I printed out your “Dig deep and find the strength to make the right choices.” and have taped it to my office bulletin board where I struggle the most! Thanks for blogging… it’s so encouraging to read your posts!
Permalink41
Kristin,
As I read your words, It really touched me because I felt as if I could have written this myself. I had all made all the poor choices in the past that lead to my obese, and non energetic lifestyle. Just as I recently had made the choice to live a more healthier one. I will continue to find the strength to make the right choices not just for myself but for my family as well.
Permalink42
that was beautiful, and so very true … thank you for speaking to those of us who are still there
Permalink43
Kristin I think the same things my son wants to go to an amusement park and wants be to ride with him but can’t. It is so hard to tell him I will not fit in the ride. He is 8 and just don’t know why.
Thank you for always speaking from your heart.
Your are such an on going inspiration to me.
Permalink44
I read your blogs and think it is me talking - I feel as you did last year. For the first time ever I have the chair issues and more. You are right it is within us - it is just finding it and doing it that is always the problem. You are inspiring and reading your blog really makes you think.
So where are your latest pictures? Lets see the picture of you this year - pictures talk - so get some on here so we can see how you are looking today!!!
Permalink45
Wow. I am in TEARS. You do that to me, Kristin! In a good way, of course. Thank you for being so vulnerable and open.
Permalink46
Kristen, i just wanted to say that you are the most beautiful woman on the show. Inside and out. May God bless you and may He give you wonderful life, great children and blessed life. I bless you and pray that God’s face will shine upon you and your family. You have touched my heart and God’s heart as well. We truly love you, and wish you all the best in this life!
Permalink47
I saw agree with you! I was nodding through the entire post..now that I am doem almost 45 lbs I feel more free to go to the pool, or play sports with my 3 daughters..finally I am happy being a loser.