A Humble, Urgent Request

Posted on December 29, 2015

Call me Kristine.

I'm the girl you've known since childhood--the one still working off the baby fat long after her peers have embraced the awkward, gangly phase. (I never had one of those.)

I'm the girl who's always tried too hard. Been the first to apologize and the last still laughing at herself long after her peers have found confidence and embraced it.

I nearly called off my wedding because I looked horrible in my dress. (Consequently, I would have missed out on a decade of good memories and two beautiful children. We're still going strong!) Speaking of a decade of memories, I have--maybe--20 photos to show for it. I can dodge a camera better than most politicians dodge straight answers.

If you've made it this far--and thank you, by the way--I beg you to do one thing. Believe I can do this. I think I lost faith that weight loss, for me, is possible sometime between fad diet #2 and #200. I don't even know why I'm giving this thing another shot, but here I am.

Maybe you're thinking, "Believe you can do this? I don't even know you."

Yes. Yes, you do. I'm every chubby, insecure girl you've ever met with sadness behind her smile.

--K

Comment Now!

Kathy H.

01/02/2016 12:30PM

I do believe you can do this... you can! Because I know what you are feeling, and I've been there too. And I did do it... I just didn't keep at it long enough to hang onto it. But I'm doing it again. And I will do it. And so will you. You will do it. =)

Kristine likes this comment.

Kathy H.

You are writing my story too... we can do this. Keep in touch. =)

Kristine

Thank you for your kind encouragement, Kathy. I am determined to hang on 'til my knuckles bleed. I've started and stopped too many times. Enough. Let's get this done ... together!

Kristine

12/30/2015 12:03PM

You are so very helpful to me. Thank you for these great insights! Looking forward to being a newer, healthier version of myself one year from now.

Angie B

12/30/2015 10:02AM

Some other tips: (1) try to track your food intake using MyFitnessPal. It is a useful tool if you use it as a planning tool because it can help you make healthier choices especially at restaurants. It can also help you set a calorie goal based on your personal stats. Try tracking yesterday's food intake and then start tracking your better choices today and this should give you a sense of accomplishment and show you that the small a changes you are making do add up. Be sure to set a realistic calorie goal (1,200 is not very many calories, even for someone as short as me -- I am only 5'3"). (2) try to be active everyday, working up to at least 30 minutes. Walking is a great form of exercise that you can anywhere. I read a book called "younger next year", which is geared at males over 50 but the principles are relevant: you need to move your body daily for it to be healthy and strong. I believe that the authors put out a book for females too. (3) try to eat a balanced diet which includes good quality protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables, whole grains).

Angie B

12/30/2015 8:56AM

I still struggle with insecurities. I too was the chubby girl, the one who was compared as a child to her thin cousin who was one year younger. At my heaviest, my BMI was 32.9. I am now at a BMI of 22.5 with an ultimate goal of 20.4 (by the end of this transformer). It has taken me close to ten years to get where I am today. The first step was to realize that I needed to make a change and to prioritize my health. This is what you are doing and it is an important first step, which will ultimately lead you to be successful. My advice is to not try to make too many changes all at once, and to be kind to yourself. After years of trying different things, may I suggest a starting place? Try to fill half of your dinner plate with vegetables of at least two different colours.

J C. and Kristine like this comment.

Kristine

Love this, Angie. Thank you for sharing your story and for giving me a practical (easy!) tip. I will totally do this with lunch today. (And I'm all ears for whatever other ideas you share.) So grateful for this DietBet community and for your words of encouragement as I start this process.

Samirose

I just read your profile. What does it mean to be a runner-up in a DB game? How does that happen? I thought one either got to their goal and was a winner, and there could be lots of winners, or didn't. Or maybe the "didn't"s are the runners ups?

Karen L.

12/30/2015 6:07AM

Speaking of dodging the camera....my first grandchild is 2 and I have almost no pictures with her because I can't stand the way I look ...I can't believe it is ME in the photos, I ask my friend "do I really look like that?" Kristine I believe this diet plan is so different from the 200 we have tried that we are gonna succeed!!

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Kristine

Thank you for your words, Karen. They mean more to me than you know. YES! Let's succeed at this one, shall we?! Let's take pictures of our healthier selves ASAP.

SophieJay

12/30/2015 5:56AM

You've got this girl. That woman in a cape on the transformer picture? Your kids already see you like that. Now believe in yourself and let's get this done.

Kristine likes this comment.

Kristine

[Tears] Really, really want to feel worthy of that cape. Ready to take a step toward owning it. Thanks for your kind encouragement. Yes. Let's get this done!