{The Basics}
Name: Kris C
Age: 33
Profession: Stay at Home Mom, Homeschooler, Blogger, Writer.
How long have you been on this weight loss journey?
For the last 2 years. (After having my 4th baby!)
Weight Loss/Inches Lost:
35 lbs
(Kris, before and after!)
{Your Story}
What was your “low point”?
Seeing myself in pictures at the end of my last pregnancy. I had gained far more than the recommended amount. I was the biggest I’d ever been and felt terrible about how I looked. I felt heavy and lacked energy.
How did you get started?
I joined Weight Watchers, and started working out with the FIRM videos in my home.
What is your workout routine and eating plan?
I got up every morning at 5AM and worked out for an hour, and followed Weight Watchers recommended eating plan, tracking points for everything I ate and drank.
{Help Us!}
What are your top 3 favorite resources that helped you along the way?
Weight Watchers was a huge factor in making my weight loss possible. I don’t think any other program would have worked as well for me at the time. The FIRM videos were also really good, I had several so I didn’t get bored from using them.
What one piece of advice would you give to someone who is sitting on the sidelines and waiting?
Get off the bench and start working towards your goal. You’ll definitely never get there if you don’t try. Allow yourself to try, and fail and try again. YOU can do it. Pray for strength. Praying and seeking God in this weight loss venture was a huge factor in my being able to stick with it.
What one piece of advice would you give to someone who is in the process but is feeling discouraged?
Change your routine. Do something else. I hit a plateau, I stopped with the videos and started the couch to 5k program, 6 months after starting that program, I just completed a 10 mile race. Change is good!
If you are a parent, how have you balanced everything?
The balance is the hardest part for me. I have to wake up very early to exercise, otherwise it would not happen. The upside is, if I can get it done before the kids are all up, then it’s one less distraction from being with them. I won’t lie, it’s hard!!
Anything else you would like to share?
I want to encourage people to just start somewhere. I settled for years and believed that I was just ‘designed’ to be a size 14/16. I just accepted that and gave up, for years. One day I decided that was enough and that I would at least make a serious effort. Even if I hadn’t lost the weight, but had gotten healthier, I could have then said that was true. But I say, don’t settle. I think as stewards of what God has given us, we have a responsibility to care for our bodies and treat them with respect. This includes eating decent foods and trying to live a healthier lifestyle. I am definitely not there completely. But I am trying. Don’t settle! 😉
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Kris, you have some EXCELLENT words of wisdom for us! How encouraging! Thanks for sharing your story!
Do you have a Shed Story that you want to share? We want to hear it! Please contact me below or clare@peak313.com to be a part of the series! Stay tuned because I have many more women with more inspiring stories to come!
Thank you Claire, for featuring this here. You are an inspiration and encouragement!! I am so thankful I got to meet you and take a run with you at Relevant! 😉 You bless us with your enthusiasm and loving spirit!
oops, sorry, I mispelled your name! So sorry, my friend!
Aweseome Kris! Thanks for sharing your story!! I love it!!
Thanks, Joy! I am so humbled by that ‘before’ photo… when I look at that, I am amazed at what God has done with me. Such a work in progres… Blessings, sweet sister-friend!
Your story means a lot to me. After baby #5, I am stuck on a plateau and feel the same way you did… maybe I’m just stuck here forever now. But, it’s great to see if you persevere, you can make a change! Thanks for sharing!!
Jenny, I KNOW how that feels. You will get past the plateau. Just don’t give up. Give yourself a break and set realistic goals! 5 kids keep you very busy, so just hang in there and know that eventually, you can hit your goals! I will pray for you! I am so thankful that you were encouraged!
Kris, you look AMAZING! i love how you said you used to think you were just meant to be a size 14/16. way to take charge! you’re such an inspiration!
Ann, bless you, you are so kind. I feel like it is a constant battle, but I definitly have a better perspective now than I did before…I now see that change is possible! So glad you stopped by to comment! Bless you, friend!
Oh I loooove this story!!! Wooohooo Kris!
Thank you for sharing your story, Kris! You have been a blessing of encouragement to me today. I was a size 18 earlier this year and am down to a size 14. The weight is coming off much slower now and I find myself discouraged and thinking maybe I am just suppose to be a size 14??? But, I KNOW I need to lose more weight for my health. So, I NEEDED to hear what you said. I have got to change some things up, keep pressing on and get down to a healthier weight!
You look healthy and strong, and you are being a great example to your children!
Oh Nikki. I feel your words in my bones, sister. Believe me I DO! I had so many ups and downs and fought the hard fight, and am still, I might add! I got down to a size 8, but not without a lot of hard work, and continuous prayer. And it is NOT about the size. It really isn’t. It’s about being a good example to our kids, it’s about being HEALTHY and a good steward, and it’s about caring for my husband enough to take care of me. Looking good for him motivates me, and knowing that I can race around the park with my kids and not feel like I need to lay down, motivates me, and knowing that my body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, therefore I should treat is as such! Here’s another post I wrote about this same topic: http://alwaysalleluia.com/2011/06/14/greenhouse-temple/ I am SO thankful for you and know that I will be praying for your journey! You can do it! Don’t give up! 😉
I also should add I wore size 14s in junior high and high school. So I am about to enter a foreign land to me. I don’t know what it looks or feels like for me to be a size 12, 10, or 8.
Please hear my heart – it is not about the numbers anymore to me. It is all about being healthy and strong and a good steward of this body the Lord has given me.
Blessings to you, Kris and thanks again for sharing your story!
Oh i hear you, I do! I too was a *larger* size for most of my life. The last time I worse a size 8 I was in middle school! It’s new territory that definitly has made shopping more fun 😉 I’m so proud of you!
Great job, Kris! I am trying to lose weight after my 2nd (and last) baby! It’s not easy. It takes discipline and perseverance, but I was able to fit into MY jeans yesterday. I’ve lost 10 lbs since Sep 1. It feels great. You look fabulous!!
Thank you so much for your story! I’ve had 3 babies in the 3 years my husband & I have been married, and with my first pregnancy, I went from a size 12 to a size 18. Not having any time between pregnancies to lose the weight, I finally got the chance after #3 was born this April (on his daddy’s birthday, too!) I have several workout DVDs & my hubby bought a treadmill; but I just feel like I don’t have enough time in the day to exercise! Reading your story has renewed my determination to restart my exercising routine! THANK YOU!!
this is a great story – what amazing results. I just can’t get started. I did Weight Watchers – and I cheated. I know what is bad for me – and I still buy it (hating myself). I am a slave to food. And I know Jesus sets me free – but its like, yea ok, chomp chomp. I can even be disgusted with myself – and turn and eat something bad cause it just doesn’t seem to ever change.
Stef, I get that. I really do. I’m a comfort eater. If I have a bad day, I reach for junk food. It’s very hard, even now, I have to watch it. I just keep praying for strength. On my own I do not have the will-power to change. God has helped me in this process and it is only by his strength I have come to where I am. But I am always just one or two snacks away from slipping into that place of filling the voids with food. I encourage you to keep praying for strength and for freedom from that bondage. I will be prayingfor you too! Christ is your strength, my friend!
Kris! What an amazing story! Praise the Lord! You look great! 🙂
bless you, Melissa. God is my strength. I have such a terrible weakness for poor eating habits. This comes from much struggle and effort, all by His grace! 😉
Just read this! Thank you for sharing your inspiring story! This is yet another encouragement in my goals…thank you! Good job, and to God the glory!