I was overweight before I had my children (anywhere from 220-240 lbs). At my heaviest I was 265.5 lbs. This didn’t look good on my small 5′4″ frame. I knew a change had to be made. I was tired of hating the way I looked and feeling miserable. I couldn't shop for nice clothes. I got winded walking up a simple flight of stairs. I never wanted to go out and do fun things because I was embarrassed about the way I looked. I would quietly stay in the house with my family, eat, watch tv, play games and use the computer. That's the life I knew and the life I grew accustomed to. I LOVE my family - but I secretly hated myself inside. Anytime I had to meet new people I would look down not wanting to make eye contact. I was the shy one. I suffered from being incredibly shy and always felt like people judged me before they even knew me. It was incredibly hard feeling this negatively about myself. I would try to diet over and over again in a struggle to lose weight. I could lose 8-10 lbs in the beginning but eventually always put it back on because I had starved myself or became bored with the food. Deprivation would kick in, along with boredom and stress, and I would be back to my unhealthy eating habits in the comfort of home at a heavier weight than when I started. It was a vicious cycle. Each time I failed, I got more and moredepressed and continued to think less of myself. "Why can't you do this Kimmy? Why are you such a failure?" I constantly blamed myself inside and with each blame ate more and more. It was HELL.
During my second pregnancy I decided enough was enough. If I was going to keep up with *2* children I needed to make a change and FAST. I wanted to set a good example for my children and be a healthy, active mom. My kids deserved the best and I finally realized *I* deserved the best too.
Step 1 involved learning HOW to eat properly. I was pregnant - I obviously couldn't go on a diet and I couldn't workout except for walking. I decided to search and review everything I could find online so I could be ready after the birth of my son.
I had my C-section on May 9th, 2005 (the day after Mother's Day). My son Alexander was 7 lbs, 12 ozs and I fell in love with him immediately. I remembered the promise I made to myself (and him while I was carrying him) that I would eat healthy and get myself in shape once and for all. My day 1 began the minute he was born! The clean eating started in the hospital where I wrote everything down in my scribbler. When we got home I started tracking calories online and learned all about Fat/Protein/Carbs.
I was completely skeptical when my nutrition tracking software told me I wasn't eating enough. "Yeah right!!!" but I decided to put skepticism aside and try something new. "What else do I have to lose?" I ate the recommended calorie intake for my size (which was roughly 1800 calories at the time) and the weight started falling off. I couldn't believe it! I was eating more and losing weight. I was beyond happy and my relationship with food has never been the same!
Recovery from my c-section took 6 weeks but I managed to lose 25 lbs walking and monitoring my calorie intake every day. This was from May 9th - July 1st, 2005. My exercising involved walking around my little block in Montague - which took me roughly 20 minutes. It was less than half a km but a real challenge for me. I did this faithfully with my family each day, along with my calorie tracking and the weight continued to come off.
During my 6 week checkup my doctor gave me the okay to exercise - I couldn't wait! I debated joining Curves but it was really expensive compared to our local gym and didn't have a pool. I HATED the thoughts of working out in a co-ed gym. I thought people would stare or laugh at me (guys in particular). I had joined the gym years before but never used my membership. I struggled with an internal battle of whether this would just be another "waste of my money". I again remembered my commitment though and decided to join the gym. I had lost 25 lbs on my own and wanted to continue seeing success. I was 240 lbs and desperately wanted to get back to at least 220 (my old high school weight).
I met with Wendy Chappelle on July 2nd, 2005. I was extremely nervous and shy. I remember thinking to myself "What this fit woman must be thinking of me looking to join the gym. Does she think I will fail? Does she think I'm lazy? Are other people looking at me? OMG I want to RUN - I don't belong here!" Yes - I really had *ALL* those thoughts running through my head all at once. I kept going though and walked up to the desk to meet Wendy, who was extremely kind. I remember her first question to me was "What can I do for you?" I remember sitting there stunned for a few seconds feeling like I should blurt out "Isn't it obvious?? I'm FAT and need to lose weight?" I didn't though. Wendy was extremely kind and made me feel comfortable. There were no pre-judgments on why I was there. She genuinely wanted to help me out. I explained I had lost 25 lbs on my own and was looking to start a weight/cardio routine. I started off with a simple weight lifting routine done 3 times a week, every second day. One exercise per muscle group with 3 sets of 12. I did 20 minutes of cardio a day and religiously tracked every calorie I put in my mouth. The weight kept coming off and with each loss I was determined to keep going!
I remember the first day after my weight training routine I hurt like hell. "There's no way I can do that again!" Day 2 was my rest, but I was still hurting by Day 3. "I don't think I should go. This doesn't seem right." Everything I read online assured me that the discomfort was normal - my body simply wasn't used to being challenged with weights. I did my Day 3 and surprisingly enough - felt fantastic! The recovery period got easier with each workout. The more I got into my routine the better I felt. I *LOVED* working out with weights and immediately got hooked. The inches started falling off and I knew there was no turning back.
It took me a year to reach 139 lbs. A lot of hard work, sweat and tears (of joy) but I am here! People that meet me today call me tiny and don’t believe I used to be overweight until I break out the pictures. I love it.
I still track my calories - it’s something I will probably do for the rest of my life. I don’t find it a hassle - I consider it a part of my daily routine. It has worked very well for me so far.
I have maintained my weight loss for 4 years now and feel fantastic! Since losing the weight I’ve had a number of people approach me with questions on how I did it, what to eat, etc. I decided to take my new found lifestyle a step further and became a certified Personal Trainer through CanFit Pro in August of 2009. My company Shape Your Weigh was registered in September. My goal is to reach and help as many people as I can that are scared to join a gym and workout. I want you to know that it _CAN_ be done regardless of where you are right now. It’s a lot of work but worth every step along the way!! I have been there. I know how scary it is and how you feel. Please know and believe that you can do it! If I can do it – ANYONE – can! I will never go back to the way I was. If you want to take the path to a healthier lifestyle then contact me. I can show you the weigh!
Amazing story. Love the pictures, but the honesty is what makes it real. Congratulations on getting healthier and for helping others get there too.
Posted by: Mike Schoeffler | 02/09/2010 at 08:33 AM
Thank you Mike. :)
Posted by: Kimmy | 02/09/2010 at 08:41 AM
I have had several colonoscopies and all surgeons have said I have avery convoluted colon I have tried every laxative known with little result The second day after trying holy crap was wonderful I cannot say enough.No more blockage,no more abdominal pain THIS STUFF WORKS. THANK YOU
Posted by: James o' Farrell | 12/10/2011 at 07:49 PM
Hello,
I've just stumbled upon your website and I'm very inspired. I'm just beginning my journey to complete health and I think your posts are such a great read. Seeing your before/after photos and your great advice give me the surge of motivation that I really needed! Thank you!
Posted by: Angela Ambrose | 03/02/2012 at 02:17 PM
Thank you Angela!! Best of luck on your journey :) Feel free to message me or drop me a line anytime if you have any questions at all! :)
Posted by: Kimmy | 03/03/2012 at 08:25 PM
This has to be the most amazing feeling in the world!! Congrats!! You deserve it!!
Posted by: Cassie | 07/13/2012 at 11:52 AM