Grab a cup of coffee or tea, because this is going to be a long one friends…
Today I wanted to share with you guys how I lost 50 pounds. I want to be real with you guys, and I wanted to open up and share my story. Firstly though, make sure you’re following me on Instagram. There we continue this conversation and it’s my favorite places to build community with awesome babes like yo self.
Before I get into the post, I hope you read the title because it says how I lost 50 pounds and got happy. Let me start out by saying. Your weight is not your worth. AT. ALL. I’ve gone through an eating disorder. I’ve been there. I’ve believed the skinnier I am the more worthy I am, I belived those lies that I told my self again and again. I’m here to tell you, you beautiful woman, your weight is not your worth.
This is what I did, this is what worked for me. I’m not trying to tell you what to do, I’m not even saying this is right or wrong, As the title says, this is just my story.
What I did and It sounds simple, I started changing my thinking. My attitude and my outlook on myself and my life. Because of that, mentally and physically I began to change. I respected my life more and because of that, I fed my body the right kind of nutrition and lightly exercised.
I really believe that unconsciously I just started feeding my body what it needed. I think I stopped binging, stopped starving myself, and when I worked on self-love and fully accepting myself it all fell into place.
So how did I do it?
You simply decide you are going to be happy.
I began to recognize my self-worth and I’m beautiful in the skin I am.
So you have control over your feelings, I feel like we all know that right? We DON’T have control over what happens to us but we have control over our reaction. At least that’s my belief. Now, I am a firm believer of crying it out, sometimes we need a damn good cry to feel better. You have to move through it to get through it, that’s what they say right? But after you have that good cry you have the choice to move forward or dwell in that right?
Also, this seems simple too but If you start telling others you’re doing great or terrific or awesome you will start instilling this into your brain, and you will start to create circumstances and events that will make you feel happy, terrific and awesome etc.. Not sure how it works, but it works.
So what else is the next step besides telling yo pretty self you’re gorg every day? Fuel your brain with something that will inspire and empower you. When you’re home grab a few uplifting books and audios. Love Gabby Bernstein (That Woman changed my life.) Listen to good and uplifting podcasts. Just start flooding your brain with positive and uplifting things, and things will change.
Also, make the decision to surround myself with like-minded individuals who inspire me, who are motivated to do good things and who are really, lovers of life. It’ll inspire you to do the same.
Now not to say that I don’t have my moments. I am human. I do have my moments of frustration, but I pray hard for a lesson to be learned. When I’m upset, I ask myself what’s the lesson and those thoughts will flood in. But life is life pretty babe and things happen but if we can take those situations and learn from them, I think then that’s a beautiful thing.
How I lost the weight.
So for me, with happiness weight loss sort of just happened. I’m sorry I don’t have some random fitness routine, or meal plan… I really don’t. Backtrack to High school I danced a lot I was a competitive dancer, I loved it, it was my life, but I was always stuck in comparison. I was stuck with constantly comparing my body and my talent to other girls. In high school my highest weight was 175 lbs not saying that that’s a bad weight, it’s just where I was, and it was something that I was not comfortable with.
In high school, I ate alright. I mean, I enjoyed a big mac every now and then but for the most part, I ate okay, and I was dancing almost every day. So I had a lot of exercising but could not seem to lose any weight.
But when I wanted and focused on how I wanted to feel, that is when physically I started to change. I made a dream board (not a Pinterest one) a physical dream board. I put images on there of people who looked happy, who ate healthy, who had the lifestyle I wanted. I would look at it and feel inspired instead of looking at it and think oh I don’t have that. I would stare at my dream board and tell myself yes. I can do this, I can have that, I am worthy of that.
With that, I exercised lightly and fueled my body with the right foods.
I also compared my knowledge to everyone around me, people in school, etc.. I was told by a teacher that I was the dumbest student in my class. I had to study in a different room and take tests in a different room because I couldn’t concentrate and had major anxiety when people would get up and hand in their tests… Doctors put me on all types of ADHD medication. I hated them; they made me a complete zombie my personality was numbed by them… So began to flush them down to the toilet… True story, sorry Mom and Dad. Also, that was probably bad for the environment, and I’m sorry, but my 15-year-old self-was too stupid to know that. Hah… .. Get it?
Anyways, it wasn’t until end of senior year that I started listening to audios and reading books. I began to be obsessed with the information I was learning. It floored me how a thought goes into the universe and how it affects other physical matter. Learning about energy and learning how your thoughts can physically change the structure and molecules in water. This stuff BLEW my mind. I began to be obsessed with this. I ate, drank, slept information. (I would have headphones in and audios playing while I slept) I was a sponge, and I realized learning this information made me feel good. I began to be a positive, happy and uplifted person and more importantly, I started realizing my self-worth.
Then I began to bring in some amazing people in my life. Matt came into my life a year or so after. He is a Godsend and my angel. No joke, the first day we hung out I told him alllllllll about this stuff. Everything. I remember we sat in my bug for hours listening to music, and we just talked about anything and everything. I dunno how he didn’t think I was a wack. hah, no joke tho.
So I get that this seems like A LOT of fluff. If you want to learn about how the brain works go ahead and do that. But if you just want to make the decision to be happy, just start looking for the gold and lessons in “bad” situations. You will change, you’ll start finding the good in things and people by habit. You’ll create awesome things in your life, and I know you’re capable of that. You honestly have the power to be, do, and have anything you want in your life. The way you start is to take 100% responsibility for your life and to take small actions to become happier. This takes time; it’s one of those things that is a minute to learn and a lifetime to master. But you got this.
So all of this is kind of the reason why I started my blog three years ago. I wanted a place to document things like this post, I wanted something to keep me inspired, happy and motivated and a way to keep me in check. I wanted a place where It would force me to constantly grow my knowledge to be able to share stuff like this with y’all! I hope you had a little take away from this and if you made it this far, seriously THANK YOU! You’re tha bomb.
If you want things in your life to change, you have to change things in your life.
Lastly, though you’re perfect. You’re here for a reason you’re wanting change in your life maybe this post was just planing the seed but I’d love for you to come join the cool babe gang in my private Facebook group. You can join here! It’s a group of amazing individuals who have that urge for something more, maybe its weight loss, maybe it’s creating a community of like-minded awesome babes like you, maybe its a business goal maybe it’s a relationship but I believe you are who you surround yourself with and I want you to come be apart of happy people. I want to create a space/community where we can all open up, share and relate. I think it’s important to have the support. I want to support you and I want you to support me so come join and hang out. Love you babeeeeezzz. xo
Click here to read about how I worked through my eating disorder.
My Instagram << My jam, come hang! See you there!
Click here to read about how I worked through my eating disorder.
Good for you, lady!! So happy for your happiness and the journey you will continue on. 🙂
your amazing <3 love your story and your constant happiness 🙂
Kristin enjoyed reading your story you are an inspiration to many and being so young and coming so far and having all those thoughts racing through your head hats off to you!!!! You will have a very bright future whatever it holds because you have determination!!!!
Kristin you are as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside!!! I am so blessed that in just a few weeks you are officially my daughter (in law) You are a pure joy, inspiration, and the biggest blessing! Thank you for sharing such a huge part of you with all of us! You are loved and adored way more than words can express!
aw, this post is so uplifting! congrats on your hard work. i’d love to know what books you were reading!
xx alwaysem
amazing post, wow! just stumbled across your blog and now im here to say. love your positive mind set! xx
Wow. Congrats on the weight loss! I recently gained some weight and am looking to lose, myself.
I’ve worked really hard to change my environment over the past two years, and to remove the negativity from my life. So far, it’s working, and really paying off. Now I need to focus on getting back on a health weight track. I LOVE this post. Thank you for sharing it.
I just discovered your blog, and I’m so glad I did! It’s such a cheerful space. I love how you described your physical inspiration board and your mindset towards it. It’s so easy to see how you want to look, and then start comparing yourself negatively- like man, I’ll never look like that, or why can’t I look like her? I love that you looked at it and thought- Yes, I can do that and I am worthy of that. Such a different mindset, and it seems like your mindset was a total game changer! Great post, can’t wait to read more.
xx- Lynn-Holly Fisher Wielenga
Kristin, I absolutely loved reading about your journey and it makes me even more excited to meet you for lunch today! I went through a similar weight loss journey my senior year of college and it was definitely a transformative experience — inside and out. Thanks for sharing your story — it definitely touched me!
Congrats on reaching your goal and maintaining it. Weight has been an issue that my wife has struggled with her whole life.
Congrats! I lost about 30 pounds 11 years ago. Unfortunately it (and more) came back when I had my daughter. I should get back on track, but it’s so hard when I’m home all the time and the kitchen beckons.
WOW! What a big change indeed! Me, I already lost around 10 lbs but I won’t stop there. Hopefully, I can beat your weight loss figure.
Congratulations! I always felt like the first 10 lbs was the hardest, you got this!
What a lovely post. I know exactly what you mean about the people who find joy in tearing you down. I had a similar moment in Nov/Dec, where I basically realized who ‘had my back’. It was really hard at the time to cut out these toxic ‘friends’, but it was the best thing for my health and happiness. Best of luck and can’t wait to read more!!
Thanks so much Meg!! It’s great that you noticed the ‘toxic’ people in your life. The people you surround yourself with, is so incredibly important! Thanks for sharing! x
Wow, what an incredible story and an inspiring read.
I’ve made a bunch of big changes in my life recently too (leaving my cushy job, breaking up with my boyfriend, etc)…and after a few years of being unhappy with my weight, I decided to join Weight Watchers. Sure, it’s not for everyone, but I’m told it works and I liked that it’s not a fad diet. I’ve already become so much more aware of what I’m putting into my body…and realized quickly that my portion sizes are an issue.
Best of luck in your continuing journey – in life and blogging!
Jackie
Something About That
Jackie I love that, and thank you! Congratulations for making the decisions and realizing that you are worthy of something better. A lot of people get stuck in the rut of “when this happens then I’ll be happy” and that’s so not how it works. So I congratulate you on making those tough decisions to be happier. You’re an inspiration!
This is so inspiring. I’m not heavy but recently I’ve been gaining a little weight and found myself unhappy with how I feel and look. I’m trying to work on it and I know that happiness and weight loss will come hand in hand eventually. Thank you for sharing your story.
Melissa, thank you so much! Make a dream board, it seriously helps so much and as fluffy as this sounds, give yourself positive affirmations. Tell yourself you can be, do and have anything you want, and you are worthy of it. This toooootally isn’t just for weight. It’s for whatever goal you’re trying to accomplish!
Thanks Kristin, that sounds like an amazing idea. I’ve been meaning to make a vision board lately but just haven’t got around to it. I’ll definitely include some of this in there.
great post dear…inspiring 🙂
kisses from dubai ♥
http://www.mahryska.com
Thank You, so much!! 🙂
There’s plenty to be learned in loving and living! I like this share that you’ve done.
Thanks so much Amanda!! xx
You’re great, Kristin. I know we haven’t known each other very long – and heck, we only spent a few hours around each other – but I pride myself in having an amazing energy-radar. You, my lady, have that certain je ne sais quoi that just draws people in! 🙂 I loved reading this.
xoxo, Bruna
Ahhhhh!! Bruna! Thank You, you’re seriously way too nice!! Love you girl!!
congrats girl !
M
Simply Sutter
Thanks Lady!! xx
You are an inspiration to so many! Thank you for sharing your story! <3
Shelley, thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and stopping by, I really appreciate it! Also, thank you for the oober sweet compliment! xx
I feel like you were writing about my life! I am totally on board with the thinking and manifesting and have come into this way of life after going through extreme challenges. Thanks for sharing because I feel that people will benefit from your wise words!!
Anne! Thank you so much for your kind words and stoping by!! xo
Which books have you read that you would recommend? I would love to read as many as you would like to share. I love this!
Hi Tahnee! Here are a list of the books I read!
Magic of Thinking Big By David Schwartz
Magic of Believing By Claude M. Bristol
Ask and It Is Given By Esther and Jerry Hicks
See You at the Top By Zig Ziglar
It Works By RHJ [only 3 dollars and its marvelous!]
The Go-Getter By Peter B. Kyne
As A Man Thinketh By James Allen
The Secret By Rhonda Byrne
How To Have Confidence and Power in Dealing With People By Les Giblin
Hope this helped!! 😀
Thank you so much!
Darlin, you seem real nice, but you state in your first paragraph that folks tell you they have a “bad husband/wife” and that you are “100% in control of how you feel.” Obviously, you have not been through the dissolution of a bad marriage, and don’t sit there and counter that you “rid your life of negative people.” Getting away from your parents or siblings is a natural move. When you have children or share a life that’s dependent on two incomes, it’s a different story. Ah, youth. You’re not 100% control of how you feel. Wind up homeless after leaving an abusive man and have your children say, “Mom, we need more food.” And then say that to me. It’s misleading to your readers, especially to the younger ones who haven’t experienced life’s hardest knocks.
Hi Susanne, I am so happy you brought this up, and I totally get where you’re coming from! I want people to understand is that although they may not have control over the situations that come into your life. You do have control over your feelings. (It’s okay if we disagree on that!)
You’ve stated “You have not been through the dissolution of a bad marriage” and although you’re 100% right about that; I have not. But, I have gone through a couple bad situations in my life. Although at the time I let myself get super angry, upset, and I defiantly cried A LOT. I tried my hardest to look for the gold and to find the good out of it and tried to look at the “bigger picture” and what lesson could be learned from it.
Now I look back and say wow If I hadn’t gone through this, I wouldn’t be the person I am now.
Whatever you’re going through I seriously send so much love and prayers your way. I hope that God can present something beautiful to you because it sounds like you’ve gone through a lot, and you deserve a whole lotta love. In fact, I’d love for you to shoot me an e-mail.
My ultimate goal with Sunny is to have people leave my blog feeling better than when they first stopped by. I get my blog is not for everyone, and that’s totally okay! But if I can help one person, then it’s all worth it for me.
Life is not easy, but it sure is freaking beautiful. There is no doubt that life throws us a curve ball, and we get in slumps. But ultimately if I can help my readers find the gold in most situations, then I feel like I’ve achieved my goal.
I truly appreciate your feedback, Susanne! xo
I hate that you started off you comment calling her “Darlin”. How rude and degrading.
Ahhhh, but you do have 100% control of how you approach each day. You handle people and experiences differently when you change your approach. Also, being a single mom from the time my twins were 9 mos old, having to LEARN to live on the money I made alone and care for my children alone I can say that, YES you do have 100% control of the people in your life as well. Just like some of the wealthiest people can live amongst you, some of the poorest people can as well. Be Happy and Love each day for it could be your last
I am in the same boat as you were before you lost your 50 pounds. I’m currently in the 160s and would love to just be healthy, not necessarily skinny. Thank you so much for posting this. I needed to read it and know that someone else was able to do it! I know our bodies are all different, but I find comfort in knowing you made some healthy changes, including your views on life, diet changes, and lightly exercising, and got great results! For the last week I’ve been really trying to exercise and eat right, but have been so hard on myself about it. It makes perfect sense to take a new, positive approach about it! Again, thank you so much for sharing your story. I’m so glad I came across it!
Thank you for sharing this post. I agree with everything you are saying! I watched my parents go through a bad divorce and I watched my father be abusive to my mother. To the contrary of Susanne’s comment, I feel as though that is almost worst than experiencing it. I think you have extremely encouraging words to the youth! Not misleading what so ever. The world needs more people like you; positive, happy, vibrant people! If Susanne had more people like you in her life, she would not be so miserable and degrading to you.
Could I bother you to recommend a book that led you onto happy, positive thinking? I am generally a very happy and positive person, my friends and family tell me so anyways. But lately I have let my weight get farrr ahead of me, far from where it used to be or where I would like to be. With that change, I am slowly loosing my confidence. I would like a book that I can read now and then again with lots of information on positive thoughts and actions. I really appreciate you taking the time to write an article like this!
Thank you,
Amy
Kristen, I found your site via Pinterest, and what a pleasant surprise! I’ve always been the “glass half full” personality type, but even we contagiously happy people have slumps as well. I’ve struggled with weight my whole adult life. I’ve lost close to 15 pounds since January but seem to have hit a wall. I had surgery which landed me in the recliner for a while, and it’s hard to get back into the healthy diet and exercise routine once it’s broken. This has given me motivation to get back at it. Thanks for your encouragement, and I’m totally going to make a dream board! God bless you!
I am impressed by the way you answered Susanne’s critical comment. Susanne has obviously been through some horrible times and my heart goes out to her. However , when you try to be more positive you automatically attract the kind of people who can help you get through those horrible times. Becoming bitter keeps you in that dark place. And yes, Susanne, I am certainly no youth and HAVE been through some of the things you described. Choose to make it through, pray for strength, and read some of the books suggested in this blog.
I like the advice. I think to a certain extent that forcing a smile can end with a genuine smile and changing perspective can change one’s attitude, and that surrounding yourself as much as you can with positivity and balance boosts one’s own positivity and helps create balance in one’s life.
I would however like to point out that there also seems to be a huge correlation between hormone production and mood. Seems like hormones mess with everything, from appetite to happiness to mental stability in general. I found getting my hormones in balance really helped combat depression and gave me a good starting point to use techniques like the ones mentioned in this post to take it to that next level and get my diet and daily physical routine in order. I am also extremely fortunate to have a best friend who has supported me and even PUSHED me when I was laying there ready to give up. (tearing up just thinking about it)
That being said, I have also gotten the impression from my doctor that losing the weight (I went from 160 to 118lbs.) and eating healthy affects hormone balance… in a good way! So, good luck to anyone reading her blog and this comment. I really mean it! If you’re trying, I’m proud of you and just keep trying. I’m rooting for you.
Thank you for giving us an insight into managing our lives a little better so we come away at the end of the day confident we did our best. Your advice was awesome and completely well worth the read.
Carol thank you so much for taking the time and leaving a sweet comment. It truly made my day! Blessings! Xo
This is beautiful, and you are beautiful my friend. I remember my mother-in-law giving me the best piece of advice a few months ago…you choose your own happiness. I’m a firm believer that you have complete control over your emotions, and even if someone is trying to get a rise out of you, you have the power to remain positive and happy because you choose to be. Love your story and I hope all is well in the mitten!!
xoxo
Katelyn
Great article! I’m new here. Do you have on your blog what you ate as well? Sorry if I missed it somewhere 🙂