I believe it’s never too late to change your weight story! You can try to convince yourself that you’re too old or too set in your routine to change, but I am not buying it.

Yes, we do have to adjust our weight expectations as we age, but this doesn’t mean we have to give up hope for maintaining fitness or a healthy weight. Rather, we have to fashion a lifestyle around food that inspires us to be consistent.

About a year ago I started noticing that my friend, Kristin, was literally changing before my eyes. Kristin is the kind of friend who constantly makes me laugh with her quick, slightly-sarcastic wit. She herself would be the first to say she’s never been skinny.

I remember her recounting a vacation she and her husband took to Thailand. They went to tour the Grand Palace. After entering, the guard informed her that she would have to wear a cover-up over her shorts because they allowed “no sexy.” She then pointed to herself and quickly replied, “This body has NEVER done sexy!”

Change Your Weight Story

Still, despite a lifetime of struggling weight, Kristin has found a way to turn things around at midlife. I asked her a few questions to find out what finally got through after all these years. Maybe something in her story will inspire you to change your weight story.

1. Ever since I’ve known you, you’ve been transparent about the fact that excess weight has always been part of the equation for you, yet you never seemed to let it define who you are, why is that?

Well, I saw my mom worry about her weight and then worry about mine and my sister’s. She would bribe us with money to lose weight….. I REALLY like food and money wasn’t that big of a deal to me, so I told her I was happy the way I was.

As I got older I realized it was a control thing… Then, I truly found Jesus and knew that if He loved the mess I was I knew I needed to love the mess I was. I knew I didn’t want to be the “fat girl” or “fat mom,” but I really didn’t think I could change.

2. About a year ago I noticed something really cool. You joined a Zumba class and would post such fun pics of your experience. How instrumental was that class in setting the stage for where you are today?

It changed my life!! I was hooked the first time I went. It was so fun and it didn’t feel like exercise…. I started losing weight and was amazed.

3. Besides the zumba, what else helped you make the necessary connections toward real success with your weight?

My instructor took interest in me (could be because I was texting nearly every day with funny quotes or encouraging words and questions galore). She told me the next step was to clean up my eating. Make it simple… you are not on a diet, just change one small thing a week.

I started following nutritionist on Facebook and my friend started a blog, so at that point I was taking in a LOT of information. My instructor kept me focused and kept reminding me it’s a journey and a life style change, not a quick fix. Just take it one meal, one snack at a time.

4. At this point in your journey, what are the top three changes or tips have helped you the most?

• Being reminded it’s a journey.

• Don’t wait until Monday to “start again,” if you are going to eat again today, get back on track right then!!

• I can’t fail! It’s my life, so it’s my journey.

5. One of the biggest struggles with weight is keeping it off after you’ve lost it. How do you feel at this stage? Are you scared or optimistic about the future?

I’m not scared at all because I’m not going back…. I just started clean eating 98% of the time. I love how I’m feeling and can’t wait to see what changes might come. Literally started last week and lost 5 lbs, so we shall see

Each of us has our own weight story. At this point, you may not be able to change how your story started, but you have the power to write your own ending!

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