Ask Kristy

Since I appeared on The Morning Express on HLN on Monday and on AOL on Tuesday, I have received several emails from people inquiring about me and my journey. Below you will find some of the questions and my answers.

"What did you eat? Do you have a diet plan that you do not mind sharing?"

What I eat now and what I ate when I first started my journey are very different. My nutritional plan has evolved over the last 3 years into one that mainly consists of fresh vegetables, fruits, and occasional lean fish. I have written a program, the MOVE YOUR BODY Transformation Program, based on what I did to lose the weight. It includes an exercise plan and nutritional education, in addition to goal setting and positive thinking education. The program does not tell you what to eat. You get to decide that on your own, but it does utilize a program to monitor your calorie consumption and calorie burn.

*NOTE: I do not use the word "diet." I don't like the word, mainly because, in my experience, diets do not work. Diets are inherently set up for failure. A diet has an ending- a goal weight, at which time you will stop "dieting." As many people have experienced, when you stop dieting the weight tends to come right back and usually brings a few friends (in the form of additional pounds) with it. Instead, you will hear me refer to a nutritional plan. My lifestyle and food preferences have changed over time. What and how I eat make up my nutritional plan.*   

"Is there any possibility of us - you and I - emailing to each other re: my progress, etc. I feel so alone in this ongoing endeavor to lose weight."

As part of my program, I offer a virtual coaching component. It is $10 per month and you will be part of a private group of people who are all on the MOVE YOUR BODY Transformation Program. They have proven to be a huge support to each other, as well as having the accountability of weekly online weigh-ins and other tips and motivation from me.

"I'd be interested in knowing how you did it. .... How are you keeping it off?"

I made a lifestyle change. I stopped drinking sodas, stopped eating fast food and processed foods. My main menu consists of fresh veggies and fruits. I do still have some things outside of that (such as turkey, fish, and cheese or cake and ice cream at a party), if I really want them, but those are few and far between.   

I also exercise daily. That is a huge change from the 372 pound me. I am much more active on a daily basis. When you are ready to lay all excuses aside, you can do it!

"I have been on and off diets for year and really don’t have the time or the money for a gym membership. Any tips you can give me would be greatly appreciated."

My biggest nutritional changers (and coincidentally money savers) were cutting out sodas, fast food, and processed foods. I look at every label before I purchase something and if the sodium content is over 500mgs per serving, I do NOT buy it. If it is under 500mgs per serving, I will compare all of the available brands to find the lowest sodium and lowest calorie option. Grocery shopping will take a while at first, but once you get to know which products and brands are better for you, it becomes much quicker. Shop the outside aisles (where the fresh produce and fresh foods are) of the grocery store.  

As far as exercise, you can start walking around your neighborhood or at a park. If you have stairs in your house or nearby, you can walk up and down those a couple of times a day. I suggest exercising for at least 30 minutes EVERY DAY! Yes, I said every day. It was the only way that I could stick with it. It has to become a habit that you do every day. Once you get in the habit of walking, your body will crave healthy (non-fried) foods and it will be much easier to make better choices.  

If you have any questions for me, please feel free to email me at kristy.moveyourbody@gmail.com. I will be happy to answer them for you! Visit my website and blog at http://moveyourbodytransformation.com/.  

MOVE YOUR BODY!!  Have a wonderful weekend!!