I’m not a nutritionist, personal trainer, or medical professional.
I don’t work for any company, endorse any diet plan, nor am I paid to promote any product.
I’m just a normal woman who got tired of yo-yo dieting and finally decided to change my lifestyle for good.
I realized that diets don’t work. In January 2009, I decided I would lose the weight no matter how long it took and I started slowly changing my sedentary life to an active one and my unrestrained eating to a moderate, clean, vegetarian diet.
Today I am over 120 pounds lighter. No pills, no rules, no plans, no shots, no surgery, no supplements. I ate less, ate better food, found the joy in exercise, and learned to appreciate my body.
But there isn’t only one way to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. Every person has a different set of circumstances in life and we need to take this into consideration so we can find something that will work in each individual life. Nobody can tell you how to do this. You truly have to take a journey yourself.
I cried, your story was so close to mine, so I relived some pain. I can’t believe what a wonderful, engaging writer you are. I was truly moved, and I thank you for sharing this with me. I am grateful to learn so much more about you, and I will keep coming back. Amazing…
Hi there,
I’m currently working on a short video about body image, and have to come up with a board about dieting. Most of the other stuff was pretty easy, advertising, exercise, what would barbie look like as a real person… But I’ve never tried to loose weight or anything, so all I can come up with is scales and tape measures and they aren’t stunning visuals. If you would pick some visual representation of the diet industry, what would it be?
I my research I came across your blog, and your writing is so powerful, I just kept reading. Thanks for sharing all this, I hope lots of women come across your blog.
The diet industry? A steaming pile of poo, lol
Maybe a shake in a glass, like Slim Fast. Some pills. A whole stack of books with ridiculous promises written all over them. Food with all kinds of “health claims” If it’s supposed to be about healthy eating and not “dieting” per say, maybe an athletic runner and a bunch of veggies and fruit? Sounds interesting!
Nice.
I’m currently going through an eating disorder/at the beginning stages of dealing with it, and your musings about body confidence and perfectionism are really poignant. Thank you, and good luck with YOUR endeavors.
I’m glad Hannah! You are one of the people I’m trying to reach out to. We hear so much about the perfect body and the bikini body and blah, blah, blah that it can start to seem like it’s all that life is about- especially for women. And to me it’s no wonder so many people have eating disorders. We’re practically forced into it. Hope you find a way to make peace with food and your body! You are worth it.
so inspired by your story. I am at the beginning of my weighloss journey.
Such sensible advice! Thank you!
Wow. You look fab! I can’t wait to take an “after” picture. Congratulations!!
You are so amazing! Congrats on your weight loss and everything you got out of your journey. I am trying to make a lifestyle change with my life, exercise and eating habbits. I was using Phentermine and it worked, but I don’t want to use any pills or anything to lose weight. It is so hard to keep my eating in line though. i find myself overeating often and eating just to eat. I ready about your journey and you did, that is such an accomplishment. You are so strong. I am hoping to gain some strength and will power to keep my overeating at bay.
Thank you Amber (and the rest too!)
You can do it. Every day, just do a little better. It will get frustrating sometimes and there will be ups and downs. Just remember that if you make a mistake, you just pick yourself up and keep going. I’m really glad you decided to stop taking Phentermine. A lifestyle change needs to come from inside if it’s really going to stick.
I recommend the book “On Eating” by Susie Orbach to you. It really helped me to understand some simple ways to listen to my body. Best wishes to you!
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement! I just ordered On Eating today, can’t wait.
As someone in the midst of my own weight loss journey (a phrase I like, even if you don’t), your blog really speaks to me. I’m doing Weight Watchers, which seems to work for me, especially the emphasis on real food (mostly plants, not too much). Honestly, your blog was like reading my inner thoughts, expressed by someone who has completed the journey. I look forward to reading more as you continue maintaining your weight!
Congratulations!
Hi there, I’m on day 23 of my personal journey from 199 to 161 pounds. Nine pounds are already gone. When looking for “thinspiration”, found your blog. Congratulations for your tenacity, working hard on mine… I’m in Weight Watchers diet, counting points, changing bad habits. My problem is “to keep on the loss”, quitting after some time, never reaching my goals. This time, the chubby husband (chubby… love is blind!) is counting points with me, but, due to shyness, we’re not attending at the meetings, but using my booklets to guide our choices. I think the hardest part is to finish the diet. To keep on track, not quit.
Also looking for thinspiration photos, but not looking for Olsen twins or semi-dead people! Where do I find other thinspiration (like your photo) with REAL women in 50′s or 60′s?
Keep the good job!
XOXOXO Ana Ozz
Ana, check out the weight loss forum Three Fat Chicks On a Diet. There’s a category for before and after pics of REAL people
I lost weight with Weight Watchers and have kept it off for years and I think the reason I did was because it changed my eating habits and I could eat real food, it wasn’t a fad diet that you can not maintain forever. The meetings really helped me but now I hear they’ve come up with a different point system. Thanks for your site, I am glad you are showing people something healthy that isn’t a gimmick. Ana, that is great to get your husband on board. I wish I could get mine, makes it tough when he wants to eat at the Mexican place in our neighborhood twice a week!
K8, you are so inspiring. Thank you for your posts.
What a great story! Congratulations and well done! I wondered what height you are. I can’t seem to find it anywhere. Can you tell me? Thanks, Anne
Thanks! I’m 5’8″.
I just found your blog. I need help. I need to start this journey….
Thanks
L~
Really enjoyed your blog, and what an inspiration you are! Weight loss is such a tough journey! I am working on it every day and love to find new ways to be inspired so THANK YOU! I was wondering if you were vegetarian before you changed your lifestyle?
Thanks! I was vegetarian from when I was 13 to 25. I was not vegetarian when I started my weight loss. I’ve been back to being vegetarian for about 2 years now. I lost most of the weight before I went back to vegetarian.
You look great!
You look amazing! Congratulations. You and have undergone very similar transformations.
I have recently found your blog I have been trying to lose weight all my life like a yo-yo my Facebook is full of headless torso motivational posters that reming me daily what a failure I am I am now on a journey similar to yours of self acceptance and finding the joy in exercise I think you’re amazing your blog is intelligent funny and down to earth I love it thank you so much for taking the time to write it I love it!
Sarah
Thank you for the lovely comment.
-Kate
Very inspiring! I myself started my journey in January. I am down -47 lbs, I have 56 more to go to goal weight. I feel myslef slipping back into some old habbits URGH, it is so hard to maintain control, I need to focus and get back on track
Thank you for sharing your story 
What a wonderful thing you have done for yourself!
Wow!!! I’m in disbelief…our stories are so eerily similar I have chills!!! You’re just so incredibly REAL. It really bothers me how the majority of unhealthy people want a quick fix or need to rely on some sort of strict, ridiculous fad diet. You’re absolute proof that nobody needs gimmicks to get healthy.
GREAT job with this blog! It’s wonderful
PS I especially enjoyed your “No Packaged Foods” experiment. Very motivating!!!
Hi Kate, it was just by chance (although I do know that NOTHING is just by chance) that I found your website and Facebook page. I don’t really need to lose weight persay, but I am trying to gain back my sense of control over what I eat. Will power is my problem. I have a pretty good idea of what I can and can’t eat, but keeping myself away from those foods is my blind spot. Hopefully reading your story and seeing your recipes will be a help in finding that balance that my body needs. I can just imagine the amount of will power it took for you and constant dedication. You go girl!!!
Wow, I just came by your blog and you look amazing! What a huge achievement. I am also tired of the yo yo. I’m so done with it. You are the first blogger I’ve come across who is also maintaining your weight (among those aiming to lose or maintain). I look forward to reading your blog!
Incredible! I just recently found your blog and started following you on FB, too. Your posts are great and I love your no-nonsense, unapologetic attitude! Kudos to you for all you’ve achieved and all you’re sharing to help others… and putting up with from the riff-raff in order to do so!
Great Blog!!
I lost 291 pounds about 2 years ago and find maintenance tougher than the diet. I am in a seesaw battle each week, gain 10, lose 10… Thanks for all the work you put into the blog.
Steve
Kate, I found your story by accident last night. I decided to change my life one meal, one workout and one day at a time about 7 days ago. I weighed 257 last Monday. I cannot tell you how you have already inspired me. I have printed off copies of your 125 did’s and 50 didn’t's. I will stay in tuned and read my little heart out on your blogs. I think you may be my new BFF! HAHA! Donna
That is great to hear, Donna! Best wishes to you, you can do it! -Kate
Great blog,
I lost 291 pounds aabout 2.5 years ago and I agree. It’s all attitude and our mindset. You have to make it a priority and live the lifestyle change. Thanks for all your hard work and good luck.
Steve
Hello, just wanted to tell you, I enjoyed this post. It was helpful.
Keep on posting!
Awesome story and I agree with most of what you say. I lost 291 pounds a few years ago. My timeline is below, last 200 pounds were lost from a re-start of a diet gone bad.
I had a many of those for sure.
Highest weight 475, 1988
First diet down to 384, 1995
Loss of: 91 pounds
Re-start at 384 in April 2008
End 198 February 2011
200 Pounds Lost from Restart
Current Weight: 184 pounds
291 Pounds Total Pounds Lost
You have to make it a priority until it’s under control or you think you finally get it. Once you do and you reach goal then you have new problems, different and a lot easier to overcome.
Thanks for your story and congratulations on your weight loss, you look awesome!
Hello, I just nominated you for the first ever Missy Award.
Wow, you look fantastic! (Cute glasses too!) Congratulations on your weight loss. I’ve been vegetarian (not vegan) for 26 years and never had a weight problem. It’s just so much common sense, health wise, and as a bonus you are compassionate towards animals too.