Kristin’s 69-Pound Weight Loss: Food 'No Longer Controls Me'
Weight-Loss Win is an original Yahoo Health series that shares the inspiring stories of people who have achieved healthy weight loss.
Kristin Lockridge is 33, 5’1” and currently weighs 120 pounds. But back in 2012, she weighed 189 pounds. This is the story of her weight-loss journey.
The Turning Point
It was Thanksgiving 2012 when I saw a family picture and did not recognize myself in the picture. I wanted it to be deleted. This was my turning point; this moment was when I finally had hit rock bottom with myself. I went to the bathroom and cried at my in-laws’ house. My husband, Lance, came in to check on me and I looked at him and said, “I can’t continue to live this way.”
The Changes
Right away, Lance and I ordered three The Biggest Loser workout DVDs online (“Power Sculpt,” “Last Chance Workout,” and “Cardio Max”). We also started Weight Watchers unofficially — meaning we didn’t actually pay for the program because I had done it before and knew how it worked. I knew how to count points, how many I should have per day, and all of that. I had just never stuck with it long-term in the past. When the first week was over, I was down four pounds! I was so happy with that!
Seeing that drop on the scale, I kept going. I kept telling myself, I’m going to do this the right way. There were weeks when I cried and cussed through my whole workout, and Lance would be right by my side, encouraging me, saying, “You wanted this, let’s get through it!” That reminder was what I needed. Whenever I felt like giving up, I thought of the results I was seeing, and how far I’d come, and it kept me going.
Just after we started this journey, I took out a notebook and wrote down my goals that I hoped to accomplish. The first goal was to lose 30 pounds before we left for a trip to Cancun for my 31st birthday. The second goal was to lose 10 more pounds before we took the kids to Disney a couple of months after that, in June. Goal three was to be down a total of 50 pounds by our anniversary on Aug. 9. Writing my weight-loss goals down made them real. It made me accountable to them. I hit every goal about one week ahead of schedule.
After I had lost 30 pounds (my first small goal), I was ready to join a gym. I had started reading articles about weight training — what to do and how to do it. I began taking a toning/lifting class three days per week and noticed that the more weight I lifted, the more the weight came off my body. But I didn’t just commit to strength training; I also tried spin classes and even took up running! I remember jogging my first mile without stopping and feeling a huge sense of accomplishment. I had not done that since high school! I got on a training schedule to run a 5K — a distance I’d never run in my life. The first time I ran that far, I broke down crying. I couldn’t believe that I had stuck with what I had set out to do! Since that first 5K, I’ve completed six half marathons and just recently completed my first full marathon.
Related: Laura Lost 98 Pounds And Proved She Could Do Anything She Set Her Mind To
The After
There are so many gratifying parts of having lost weight — like reaching a goal that so many people thought I could not, or would not, stick with, or not having to shop in the maternity section (even though I was not pregnant). I feel better than ever.
Now, I have started a Facebook page to share my story and connect to other women, and that has become the most gratifying experience from this whole life-changing journey. When I started losing weight, I had no idea that this was what God had in mind for me. It is such an honor and so humbling to be able to inspire people on a daily basis.
Kristin has lost 69 pounds over the last three years. (Photos courtesy of Kristin Lockridge)
Maintaining my weight loss seems to be more of a challenge since I do not have a number I am trying to get down to anymore. It can be hard to find motivation when there’s no goal you’re chasing. Now, for me, it’s just about staying fit and healthy and knowing that there is no end, there is only a lifestyle. At the beginning, I used Weight Watchers and counted points, then I transitioned into counting calories, and now, I love counting my macros (macronutrients). I got into counting macros when I started training for my first marathon several months ago, and I love it. Every day, I have a set goal of how many grams of carbohydrates, protein, and fat I aim to eat. Hitting those macro goals keeps me on track. There are so many websites that have information on counting macronutrients if you’re interested in seeing what it’s all about!
Related: Stephanie’s 145-Pound Weight Loss: ‘Avoid All of the Crazy Diets — Period’
When I was overweight, I hated working out, but now I hate when I cannot work out. I was once a girl who hated running and would say, “I only run if someone is chasing me.” Now here I am, one week after running my first full marathon in Nashville for St. Jude, so excited to run again.
I don’t restrict foods and I pride myself on that sense of balance. If I want something, I eat it — but I do so mindfully. For example, if I wanted a Snickers bar, I would get a mini one instead just to curb my craving. It always did the trick.
When holidays or a birthday comes around, I know there will be good food that I want to enjoy. I’ve started making healthier versions of some of those foods, but I love cupcakes and when it’s my birthday, I have one and I enjoy it! When I go on vacations, I don’t count or track anything, but I know once I get home I’ll get back to normal. There is no finish line in my journey. I just keep going forward. I finally found my idea of balance, which is eating wholesome food most of the time and indulging every once in a while. This is my life, and I plan on living it to the fullest! I control the food now; it no longer controls me.
The Struggles
I still struggle with the number on the scale. It is hard for me not to weigh myself every day because I always want to know where I am. I set an acceptable weight range and make sure I stay within it. When I start getting to the higher end of the range, I know I need to start paying closer attention to what I am eating and get back to the middle or lower part of my range. If I ever feel like I’m slipping back into old habits, I start paying more attention to my eating habits. But the truth is, I’ve changed so much over the last few years that I never really veer too far off track anymore.
Advice
The hardest part of starting to lose weight is being mentally on board. Weight loss is 100 percent mental. Once your mind is on board, then there is no stopping you from getting what you want. I know the beginning is always the hardest, but if you have your mind in the right place and you know that there is no such thing as a quick fix, you are going to succeed. I always tell my Facebook followers that this is a slow process. Do not make it slower by quitting! This is what I always tell people now: Being overweight is hard. Losing weight is hard. You have to choose your hard.
Weight-Loss Win is authored by Andie Mitchell, who underwent a transformative 135-pound weight loss of her own. Have a success story to share? We want to hear it. Tell us at [email protected].
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