Kathleen Found a Love of Dancing

From: Fallon, NV

Starting Weight: 193 lbs | Current Weight: 116 lbs | Weight Lost: 77 lbs

Tell us about your weight loss journey – how did it start? 

I’ve battled my weight since 9th grade, when I was 152 pounds. And now I’m a grandmother with grown grandchildren. I’d go down some then up even more, but never got to that healthy-for-me weight. In 2015, at my highest known weight of 193 I was just sick but had that mindset that “I’ll never be able to lose this weight.” Nevertheless, I started logging and tracking my food on Lose It, but I wasn’t consistent. Then, during routine health care visits, I’d be told that I was diabetic. I’d lose a few pounds and then be told that I was pre-diabetic. This went on over several years, the diabetes yo-yo game of diabetic/pre-diabetic. When the high blood pressure and hypothyroidism were added to the mix in May of 2021, I got serious. I didn’t want to have diabetes or high blood pressure and all that would come along with those conditions. So, I set up my calorie plan to lose 1lb per week, which was the most I could lose and stay within a safe and healthy calorie budget of 1200. Then I started logging everything and sticking to my calorie budget. At the time I started, I was down to 171.6 from my known high of 193, with 51.6 to go to my healthy weight of 120, which I reached May 30, 2022. Then I wanted to get to 113 for a buffer zone, and my last pre-pregnancy weight. So, I’ve slowly taken off another 4 up to today, when I’m 116 with 3 to go. I feel about 30 years younger now. I have great energy and dance 5 or more days each week. I work around my ranch, cook, bake, sew and quilt, all without getting tired or having pain. And the chronic pain I had throughout my body is gone. So slow and steady and then sticking to the maintenance plan is definitely the way to go. I hate to see people fall into the “I can’t do it” trap, as I had for so many years.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced during your weight loss journey?

During my weight loss journey, I was very surprised to learn that I’d been eating 2 to 3 times as much food as I needed for satiety during each meal. I never thought I was eating much at all. I was also surprised when I quit crazing things such as pizza and fried foods, and actually became averse to having them, knowing how they would ambush my journey to a healthier me. But one of the biggest surprises of all was losing the chronic pain throughout my body. I thought it was there for life and due to aging.

What’s a new healthy habit you’re embracing?

Keeping hydrated, regular physical activity, eating healthy meals within my calorie budget, logging meals, tracking steps.

What’s your best advice for others working toward their health and fitness goals?

Set goals and be honest and consistent in tracking. But don’t get down on yourself when you slip up, just get back at it.

If you’re inspired by Kathleen’s story leave her some shoutouts in the comments below!