I'm Not The "Fat Girl" Anymore!
An abusive relationship and emotional obstacles led Kris82m to her life-changing moment. She is now using Calorie Count to put herself back on track, physically and emotionally. She’s successfully lost 55 lbs and loves herself for making the decision to get healthy again.
She contacted us through our Share Your Story feature, and provided the following answers to our questionnaire.
1. What made you decide to lose weight this time? Did you have an "Aha!" moment?
I did have an "Aha!" moment, but the reasons I chose to diet I wouldn't wish on anybody. I was in a really bad mentally and physically abusive relationship for 3 years. When I finally came around, I went home to the house we rented and found another woman walking out of our house. That made me wake up and realize just what kind of person he was. Of course his main target of mental abuse was me being overweight and he would tell me nobody else would want me so I can't leave him. Well I finally did, and I vowed to never give anyone else the chance to use my weight as a control tool!
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I never tried any programs per say. I just would diet and eat healthy, follow tips from websites, other people. I've tried different types of eating healthy like low carbs, low fats, fruits and veggies only, and found the best way to lose weight and be happy was just to eat healthier and eat less.
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?
I ate the things most people do when they're overweight like stopping at McDonalds and getting a Big Mac and fries, ice cream and chips at night, big servings of lasagna, potatoes, etc. So when I dieted I cut all that out. I started eating chicken, turkey and fish for dinner, sweet potatoes, wheat bread, wheat rice, lots of veggies and fruits etc. I'm not big on exercise and at the time I worked 8-5 so I was tired after work but I made it a point to stop and go walking on the park trail at least 3 days out of the week for about an hour. I wanted to lose weight more than I hated exercising! The most important change for me was the weight loss of course as well as my attitude change after I lost the weight. I was always somewhat of a bitter teenager, always jealous of other girls, not popular in high school and picked on, so when I lost my weight I was 23 and I felt good. I no longer had a chip on my shoulder or felt myself hating everyone that was thin. I made it a point to change my resentment as well.
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
I didn't use Calorie Count the first time I lost weight. I went from 220 pounds down to 115 by the age of 23. I kept it off almost 2 years just by maintaining my healthy lifestyle with a few cheat treats every now and then! Then I met my husband at 24, we got married and over the last 2 1/2 years we've been married I gained 60 pounds back! I got happy, and my husband loved me no matter what, so I got comfortable I guess. I tried to diet for the last year with no success. I signed up for Calorie Count a year ago and never stuck to it. Then with my friend's wedding coming up, I ordered my dress about 6 sizes to small back in January and I told myself this is what's going to make me get back in shape again! So I signed back up for Calorie Count and I'm sticking with it this time. It's so motivational and I've learned so much! The calories I thought I was eating... I was so wrong! Calorie Count lays out for you everything you need to know about what you eat. I realized how many calories and fat I really was taking in, learned to adjust my diet and get my calorie count down. It's nice to see how many calories you eat in a day, how many calories you burn just in your normal lifestyle, then how much you burn from added exercise. It's so simple and everything is right there, they do it all, which takes the guess work away from you. One less thing to worry about while dieting! So now I'm back on my mission to get back to the weight I used to be, I'm not going to be that fat girl again! So from the time I started the diet this time around I was 175, now I'm down to 157! And closer to fitting into the dress!
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
Everything is a challenge; it takes hard work and lots of willpower. Giving up the foods you love is hard, and exercising if you don't have anyone to do it with is even harder! I am not motivated to get my butt out and walk, but I do it because in the end the results will be well worth it!
6. How long did it take you to see results?
The first time I started dieting I lost the majority of my weight in the first 7 months then it slowed down some, but I still got to what I wanted to be! Now, I started losing weight the first week I started eating healthier again, and it's progressing steadily! I don't weigh myself often, once every 2 weeks or so I just go by how my clothes are fitting me. One of my biggest weaknesses is, if I don't see a change on the scale I get discouraged and mad and think "what's the point?" So I pig out that day, depressed. The best thing for me to do is just stay away from the scale for long periods of time so that way I'm bound to see at least some weight loss, and that will make me feel good!
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
It took me a long time to realize I was a success the first time around, the real jolt came to me when my best friends and I decided to have some fun and we both slipped into my size 22 senior prom dress, AND we zipped it up over BOTH of us! I thought to myself, wow...I really did lose all that weight, I lost a whole person! Literally, one prom dress for one big girl, and two 115 pound people can fit into it together! That opened my eyes wide to what I had accomplished, I couldn't believe it!
8. How do you prevent relapse?
Well, for two years I prevented it by looking at myself every day, reminding myself how hard it was and that I didn't want to ruin all my hard work, how much better I feel and look! I put a picture of me heavy, on my fridge and I carried pictures in my wallet of me heavy. I never hesitate to tell people I meet or know that I used to be heavy and show them the pictures. I wasn't embarrassed to show them how big I was, I was proud that I wasn't that size anymore. And to see the look on peoples' faces from before to after really helped me stay on track. Then unfortunately I gained some back because I met a wonderful guy that I married, and cooked wonderful dinners for him and it became harder to hold onto willpower, because the food was right in front of me every day. My husband loved me no matter how I looked so my willpower started slipping and I slowly gained 60 pounds. So now my heavy pictures are back on my fridge and in my wallet and I'm getting this willpower back!
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I'm a better person inside and out. I feel so much better and have so much more confidence! It's a wonderful feeling to know how much you accomplished and how hard it was to accomplish it. Really nobody can truly understand just how hard it is except other people who have accomplished it themselves. It's easy for people who have never been heavy or had to struggle with weight to say "big deal eat one, it won't hurt". They don't understand just one can send your willpower over the edge.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Let yourself cheat once every couple weeks! Once ever couple weeks I will have that hamburger I want, or that ice cream I want. I tell myself I can have it any time I want but I don't want it today. I'll wait till tomorrow, then the next day, and once in a while I will have that treat I deserve! It won't set you back any, it will actually help some! Your body gets used to your diet and lifestyle after a while and stops burning calories as effectively. Sometimes you have to shock your body!
- Don't give in to what other people say to you. I found it the hardest to resist food at family functions because I always had my family saying things like "one day won't hurt, big deal you're not going to gain weight from one meal". However, when you go to families houses and functions a couple times a week in the summer, then that one day will hurt if its 2 and 3 days a week. Just tell them "I am eating what I want and I want that chicken and fruit salad"!
- Put up a picture of your heavy self on the fridge, it really did help me!
- Don't weigh yourself a lot if you're one that gets frustrated and disapointed easily. Stick to once every 2 weeks. As long as you keep track of calories eaten and calories burned on Calorie Count, you'll know you're eating healthy enough to lose weight so you won't need the scale for a couple weeks.
- Last and most important, always tell yourself you're so strong and capable! Always congratulate yourself for doing so well, and love yourself for the great decision you made to get healthy!
If you would like us to feature your success story, you can submit it here. The most insightful stories will be featured on this blog and in the weekly "Success Stories" newsletter.
Comments
I am sick to death of people who have lost weight dissing how they were before as if the "fat girl" were a horrible person. If you don't love who you were when you were overweight, you will NEVER love who you are becoming. Why do you think you kept regaining the weight? When you talk about yourself when you were overweight as if she were another person or someone so unworthy, I find that very offensive.
I do wish you much success, but give your old you a break and remember that many of us here are struggling too and hearing you put your "fat" self down is demoralizing.
To Kitty, above. Kris didn't love who she was as a very overweight teenager, for good reason. She states very clearly that she was bitter, jealous of thin girls, and picked on. Not a real lovable picture, and understandably not someone she wanted to continue to be.
Kris, what I've gotten from your story is that you changed INSIDE and out - and while you may have gained weight while in a good relationship (who hasn't???), you have maintained your positive sense of who you are - and understand that weight has nothing to do with your value as a person. Congratulations most of all on your great attitude- congratulations on your perspective - and all the best to you! You'll get in that dress.
Way to go! Express yourself any way you want to ;P
Keep going! Don't give up!
Find the motivation from within and never let it go.
Congratulations...! My fav quote was: "I wanted to lose weight more than I hated exercising!" That is how I lost weight, I just wanted it more than anything else!
Way to go! You have conquered way more than weight loss! God Bless!
I am down 120 since last year! Hoping to keep it off with the same changed mentality!
See my profile for my blog link!
Chris
WTG go you on all fronts :) and like others have said I'm cool with you saying it any way you want x
You look beautiful and now you know what a beautiful TOTAL package you are:) Gosh, I knew abuse a lifetime ago and when I look back I get amazed how another human being who feels so crappy about themselves can so easily pick out their "prey" and drag someone else down to nothing....
Congratulations to your new life:)
I'm just a little confused. How did they get the figure of 55 lbs in the beginning?
Other than that, amazing story, so inspirational. Thanks for giving me more motivation. The more positive stories like yours that I see help me know that it is possible, that I can reach my goals, and that I'm not the only one working on it. Way to go darling, and good luck on the dress!
Oh and btw, how tall are you? I'm always curious, if you don't mind my asking.
I am right there with you. I lost 70 pounds after my first baby. Then lost 50 pounds after my second baby, but slowly let it creep back on because even though I feed my family healthy food, my kids eat all day. Now I am back down 10 pounds and have 15 pounds more to go. My favorite trick when the kids and my husband are snacking is to put in white strips on my teeth. They take a while to dissolve and then my mouth has that strong taste so I don't want to eat.
Been there done that, except I was 106lbs wringing wet in my violent marriage, taking prizes in bikini contests and he STILL said I had an @ss on me like a bus and shouldn't wear jeans (I'm 5'3") ...
One major diet problem I have in my current marriage is that my second husband (God love him) LOVES me so much that he loves me anyway I come. Which isn't helpful because it isn't really an incentive to lose weight after the first one who starved me!!!!!!
Two discoveries:
1) I like savoury food. I find just a slice of the right pizza (or maybe two on very thin crust) is sufficient. If I eat the foods I like to taste, I eat less.
2) The guy in the Ad agency downstairs at work lol ... he's HOT eye-candy. HOT HOT HOT and always flirts with me. This is a further incentive. Odd I know but as hubby loves me no matter how I look, I'll take any motivation I can get (and as it's only flirting, hubby doesn't mind - he knows me haha!)
I would like to know, though, what weight you were in the right-hand picture because (without being rude) you look a bit rounder than 71kg would be (we work in metric here in NZ); I was 71kg when I fell pregnant (which wrecked my figure - pre-eclampsia, etc).
Another thing which has stuck with me is a line from the movie "Bring It On" where the toss-pot coach says "diet: take whatever you're eating now, and HALVE it." OK, maybe a little extreme in real life if one doesn't eat much, but by and large he's right. I still find myself serving up bigger portions for myself (I LOVE my veges and will put loads of each kind on without thinking about the jam-packed stomach afterwards LOL) but this quote repeats in my head and I take some off and am still OK.
I absolutely commend you for your efforts - I'm on my way down the scales too but have found I have an underactive thyroid and using T3 is sorting that out as well as regular exercise, watching what I put in, etc.
Original Post by: kris82mOriginal Post by: rhcpgirl23I'm just a little confused. How did they get the figure of 55 lbs in the beginning?
Other than that, amazing story, so inspirational. Thanks for giving me more motivation. The more positive stories like yours that I see help me know that it is possible, that I can reach my goals, and that I'm not the only one working on it. Way to go darling, and good luck on the dress!
I originally did loose 105 pounds, but since I gained some back she only wanted to use the weight im at now as pounds lost, instead of what I lost originally and then gained (unfortunatley) 60 pounds back.
So originally It was a total of 105 pounds lost, from 220 pounds down to 115 pounds. Maintained 115 for 2 years, then slowley gained 60 pounds of that back over the last 2 years. I got happy I guess...found a guy who loves me more than anything and I got comfortable and let myself slip! So now im on the road to weight loss again because I refuse to ever get that heavy again and im glad i realized it before it got too bad! So now at 165...shes counting from 220 to my current weight now...
Good luck on your weight loss as well...I hope everyone gets the motivation they need to be healthier!
Oh ok, thanks for clearing that up for me :)
Yeah I've got a man who loves me like crazy too, unfortunately he's never seen me fit or healthy, but that just motivates me more. I want to show him what he's been missing haha.
We do the long distance since we're both in school, but we've held it together for over 4 years now. When he comes to visit I just want to smother him with delicious homemade cooking or take him out to nice restaurants. But lately I've been realizing that I don't have to do that for him to have a good time with me. I can cook healthy for him! And we can go on hikes or play some basketball or anything else besides eating and watching movies! Oh the revelations! I'm very fortunate that he's so supportive. Even when I'm feeling down on my self-image, he's there to tell me that I'm beautiful, every inch of me, in every way. Here's to great men!
My congratulations to you...I don't think you were putting down your heavier self, but rather recognizing WHY you were heavier before and how emotionally damaging it was to you.
I think what you have done and your story is simply wonderful. Best wishes to you.
Thank so much for sharing this. Parts of your story were like reading a page from my diary, especially being a bitter teenager in regards to the skinny girls.
I especially liked your tip for of not weighing yourself frequently. That has always been my biggest downfall. The number doesn't seem to reflect my hard work, so I give up. In fact, just this morning I was going to weight myself, but I knew that I would just feel miserable if I did so, no matter what the number said. I'm just going stick with your advice and adhere to my Calorie Count values and leave the scale at the doctor's office for the time being.
Original Post by: kris82mYes definatley here to great men. Mine tells me how beautiful I am all the the time, I just wish I COULD get him to eat healthy food, and go on walks with me, or play tennis cause thats one thing I love. But while being great to me, I swear I have married the laziest, most uncaring about himself, man in the world. And get this...Hes 6 ft tall and weighs 190...Dontcha hate men who just stay thin nomatter what! lol
@lucylockett- that picture on the right is me now at 165.
Haha yeah, mine's 6'4'' and 160. It makes for some awkward looking photos, what with me being 5'7'' and like twice his width haha. He got amazing genes, me not so much.
Congrats! Way to go girl! I'm also on my own mission... So far down 15lbs. for the past 6months..From 200lbs to 185lbs.. I've been on a plateau this 3 months but with determination, I was able to lose again bit by bit...
So, in my terms 74kg! Cool - great effort. I am endeavouring to head back there ASAP. I've managed to kill nearly 11lbs finally in the past couple of months.
My hubby is 6'4" and 250lbs (but he works out so looks more like a tall 'john cena'). Arnold Schwazenegger was 248lbs ripped and he's about the same height and build as my hubby so gives you an idea. But we look a right pair - tall, handsome and built with short, wide and flabby .... I reckon some girls must be wondering what the hell he sees in me (especially his 5'10", 143lb ex-wife).
More power to us I say!! :)
Great job!...and as for the boyfriend that cheated, you lost over 150+ pounds without lifting a finger 
. Kudos to your husband who loves you unconditionally and you for taking control of your body and life. Stay fit and healthy for you girl...
Congratulations! I have issues with sticking to the healthy foods (I'm always a weakling when it comes to sweets), but I'm going to try my hardest now. Thanks for the tips and inspiration!
P.S. You look gorgeous!
Wat to go! Glad this calorie count has helped. i am hoping this will help me too.
Original Post by: kittylasswadeI am sick to death of people who have lost weight dissing how they were before as if the "fat girl" were a horrible person. If you don't love who you were when you were overweight, you will NEVER love who you are becoming. Why do you think you kept regaining the weight? When you talk about yourself when you were overweight as if she were another person or someone so unworthy, I find that very offensive.
I do wish you much success, but give your old you a break and remember that many of us here are struggling too and hearing you put your "fat" self down is demoralizing.
I agree, it's like "people made fun of me for bein fat so I'll lose some weight" that's a stupid reason to lose weight, cause aren't you just givin into them?
What an inspiring story! Thank you for sharing your journey. You look great, and most importantly you look happy. I am happy for you too. Well done!!
Don't take it personally, I was speaking in general. And only thinking of the title.
Original Post by: kittylasswadeI am sick to death of people who have lost weight dissing how they were before as if the "fat girl" were a horrible person. If you don't love who you were when you were overweight, you will NEVER love who you are becoming. Why do you think you kept regaining the weight? When you talk about yourself when you were overweight as if she were another person or someone so unworthy, I find that very offensive.
I do wish you much success, but give your old you a break and remember that many of us here are struggling too and hearing you put your "fat" self down is demoralizing.
She didn't hate what she was on the inside, she's still the same on the inside, but now she's healthier, happier and more confident.
Maybe you don't appreciate the choice of words, but she's sharing her success story to help people like us, not to offend us, so maybe taking things the way they're meant would be a better idea?
Kris82m, you look fantastic! a truly inspirational story 
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Honey don't ever let anyone tell you by words or actions that you are less than worthy of love and respect. As you know once you feel love and respect for yourself you are not willing to accept less from others. You go girl!