I have a friend named Kim, who blogs about her life at “To Dream the Kimpossible Dream“.

I absolutely love Kim and think she’s a wonderful fun friend. She also inspires my socks off! To date Kim has lost over 100+lbs. Completely amazing!

I wanted you to know more about my friend and her journey…

Lauren – *When was the moment you realized you wanted to become healthier?

Kim - My younger sister got married on March 21st of 2009.  I squeezed into my dress.  I should have ordered a size 26, but I ordered a size 24 because I was in denial.  At the reception, I was sitting next to the best man and since he was left handed and I was right handed our arms kept colliding.  I scooted my chair over and when I did so, my zipper ripped down the entire length of my dress.  It was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life.  That was the beginning of the end.  I started realizing how miserable I was in mind, body, and spirit.  On July 6, 2009, I decided that enough was enough and it was time for me to choose my health as a means of seeking happiness.

*What’s your daily diet like?

I follow the South Beach Diet.  I like to vary it up to keep life interesting, so here is a sample menu.  Breakfast:  Whole wheat sandwich thin spread with Laughing Cow lite cheese; Kroger brand Carb Master yogurt; hard boiled egg.  Snack:  24 almonds.  Lunch:  big salad made with spinach leaves, mushrooms, colored peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, and shrimp using a low fat/low sugar dressing; sugar-free pudding.  Dinner:  Spaghetti – 1/2 cup whole wheat spaghetti noodles mixed with 1/2 cup of spaghetti squash served beneath a crockpot sauce that has been simmering all day.  I make the sauce with 96% lean ground beef, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, garlic, onion, zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms, and black olives.  Dessert:  Raspberries – I eat the whole container of them.

*What exercises do you do? Do you like? Do you hate?

Lately, I’ve been focusing solely on running since my very first half marathon is just over a month away.  I’ve been working on getting 2-3 short runs (2-3 miles) in per week plus one long run in on the weekend (8+ miles at this point).  Normally, I would be hitting the gym 2-3 days per week doing the elliptical and the bike plus the long run on the weekend.  I have taken a couple of yoga classes and would like to take some more, but sadly my work schedule doesn’t allow for it right now.  The elliptical is my favorite thing to do – love it!  I hate doing the weight machines, but only because I feel very self consious since I haven’t had any proper training on them and question as to whether or not I know how to use them correctly.

*What’s your proudest moment while losing weight?

It was actually when I finished my first 5K – The Rockets Run back in January.  I started off nervous, but excited.  The excitement quickly faded to dread as I actually started running and wondered what I had gotten myself into.  I pushed myself beyond what I thought I was capable of and got so emotional that I teared up as I crossed the finish line.  Whoever would have thought that I could run 3.1 miles?  Certainly not I, but I did and it felt amazing.  That’s when I truly realized how far I had come and that nothing was going to stop me from seeing this through.

*How do you stay on track?

Some people go with the mentality that everything in moderation is okay.  I think that is true only if and when you are in control.  I started my journey with the thought process that cheating was not okay.  I went over 10 months on my “diet” without cheating or straying or whatever you want to call it.  How did I manage that?  The same way I still manage my diet plan…I custom order my food in restaurants, I bring my own food to parties, and I create my own healthy versions of holiday favorites.  I also carry snacks with me just in case.  When I did stray, was I able to get right back on the wagon?  Yes.  Why?  Because I had learned how to be in control.  Don’t get me wrong.  I have moments of feeling out of control when I get stressed or upset or whatever, but I just know that those times are when I cannot or will not stray.  I still have 60 lbs to lose and even once that weight is gone, I will still be fighting this fight!

*What’s your advice to someone who thinks they can never lose weight?

I would ask them to dive deep and find out why they think they can never lose it.  Most likely they will say it is because of how many times they have tried and failed.  None of that matters because you can’t change the past…what matters is the here and the now.  If you truly commit to making this lifestyle change – mind, body, and spirit – then you can and will do it.  Start by picking a diet plan that you can commit to and then commit (no cheating)!  Next, pick some form of exercise you will enjoy participating in.  I started off doing water aerobics twice a week.  Finally, decide on some award system for yourself that is not food based.  Remember that a positive outlook yields positive results!

Thanks Kim! Be sure to hope over to Kim’s blog and follow along in her journey.

So tell me, what are your proudest moments?

Tagged as: Chat, Fitness, Health, Weight Loss

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