Kristi lost 74 pounds

Let’s show some love to Kristi!  She lost 74 pounds in 10 months and has shared A LOT of detail about the hard work she has done to lose the pounds and get healthier.  She has a very touching motivational story about how her mom inspired her that I just love.  Here is what she had to say:

What was your motivation?

My main motivation for wanting to lose weight was to become healthy for myself and my family. I have always struggled with my weight from childhood as most of us have. My family never cooked a small meal, only spreads of food. My mother, who passed away a year ago, really wanted me to get healthy and lose weight. She herself was beating diabetes and high blood pressure and had lost over 60+ pounds by walking around her apartment complex every morning. In late 2011, at my heaviest weight, I was diagnosed with the dreaded high blood pressure. I was devastated about taking high blood pressure medication as I have never had to take medicine daily before. Then in May of 2012, I became extremely sick one day at work and that night ended up in the emergency room. I couldn’t understand what was happening to me and later found out that in addition to high blood pressure, I now suffered from acid reflux disease and it would require the removal of my gallbladder. Watching my 60+ year old mother walk every day and lose the weight, helped motivate me to begin to do something along with my ailing health. Although she passed away unexpectedly in August of 2012, she was able to see me begin the weight loss journey as I had lost some of my weight prior to her passing.

How did you change your eating habits?

My eating habits have drastically changed. Fast Food does not exist to me. There is absolutely no nutritional value in it what-so-ever! This is not to say that I never break down and give in to the cravings of Mickey D’s fries and a large sweet tea. I do. I’m human but the difference is it’s not often or nearly what it used to be. I no longer eat beef….and if I do it’s a very very small portion as not to upset my acid reflux! I no longer drink my calories away with sodas and fruit juices. Instead I eat fresh fruit. juice and drink plenty of infused water. If I must have a soda it will not be a dark soda, as those are the worst for your health. I also began cooking for myself and planning meals. I use websites such as Pinterest to find quick, easy, and healthy meals. I also have a core group of friends who are always talking about becoming healthy and we tend to share recipes and weight loss tips that we can all benefit from. Breakfast is a MUST and no eating past 8pm if you can help it. I study food and its nutritional values and have begun to use what I call reverse psychology on food in order to obtain maximum nutrition from my food. I study food because when you know better, you do better! And for those foods I just can’t say no to, I always remind myself, everything in MODERATION!

What did your workout routines look like?

My workout consists of walking, walking, and more walking. Just like my mother, I walk around my apartment complex and throughout the neighborhood. I walk whenever I have free time, even during my lunch hour at work. I’ve also added handheld weights to my walking routine to help tighten up lose skin on my arms. I am slowly but surely working up to jogging, but I am a work in progress. I am a homebody my nature and so I always want to be in the comfort of my own home. I have slowly but surely come out of that shell and have become more active outside of the home.

What was your starting weight?  What is your current weight?

My highest weight was 343 pounds. My current weight is 269 pounds. I am not at my goal weight, which is 220lbs.  However, I am sharing my story as I would hope to inspire other young women to let them know they are not alone and they too can lose weight. Do not get discouraged and do not give up! My blood pressure is now under control and I have so much energy that it feels amazing.

How long did your transformation take? 10 months