Krystel is the mom of two and an Army Wife. In addition to Army Wife 101 she is the Co-Founder of SoFluential.com a digital media agency that connects brands with the military market.
She has appeared on MSNBC ,FOX LA and formerly was a weekly contributor to HLN's "Raising America". She has written for various outlets including Sheknows and Lifetime and is a big fan of cupcakes and french fries.
by Army Wife 101 | 18 Comments
18 Comments on Journey To A New Me: I’m Coming Out
Good luck with your journey ,i have lost 35 pounds in 2011. I didn’t get serious about losing until my health was threatened by it back in august. I’m one of those women that can carry my weight well too. But being over 200 pounds was killing me. I wish you well with the journey. You can see my journey in pictures on my facebook page.
Sylvia
You can do it hon. Before we moved to Germany, I joined Weight Watchers. No expensive food or crazy food to buy (unless you just want to, I loved their little bars, but it was just a nice little snack and not necessary). WW’s is just common sense with accountabilty. For me personally I NEEDED that weekly accountability of going to the meetings every week and getting weighed in. I always thought (before joining) that everyone would know my weight, they don’t….just you and the leader. It helped me learn proper portion sizes, it was encouraging to be in a room full of people who struggled like I did. I lost 40 lbs in 6 months. After I have this sweet baby, I’m going back to what I learned from WW’s. I have a friend who’s going to be my accountability partner. I’ll be cheering you on. I don’t know if you plan on it, but a food journal is a great thing to have. To see what you’re eating and how much. A food scale is good to, so you can literally see the portions you’re eating. Personally what I loved about WW’s is, nothing is off limits, it’s just portion control and realizing you can’t eat brownies every single day, but you can have a brownie once a week. Oh and don’t forget about eating out, those places are killers in portion sizes and all that other crap they load the food up with (which of course is often what makes it taste so good! LOL). From one big girl to another, you can do this.
I really appreciate the encouragement Christy. I tried WW a few years back and it really does work but as usual we PCS’ed and I got lazy.I did love the freedom to eat what you want in moderation though. Thanks for sharing your story , it really is motivating to hear others say they have been there.
This was very helpful. I too am a plus size military spouse and nothing that I have tried helps me lose the weight. I will try the leggings (at least once) to see how it goes. I have the long sweater to go with it so we will see. Thanks again!
Good luck! Remember that it is slow process, but we are all here cheering you on! The farmers markets around Bragg should help out a lot, and there are always people looking for walking partners if you need to get out more.
You are a wonderful inspiration! Would it be okay to put you on my list of Beautiful People on my personal blog (http://catherinestaat.wordpress.com)? I love how you are real about all areas of life and you say exactly what you mean. So needed on the net.
OMG I am honored! Thanks so much for even thinking of me. I am truly humbled and appreciate your kind words. Thanks again and I have added your blog to my reading list :) Please come back again!
I wear my weight really well too. I do good with eating. My problem is exercising. I saw this idea on Pinterest the other day: Take a jar and put a dollar in every time you work out. Set a goal for yourself (like 200 dollars and give yourself a reward). I think that may help my motivation.
You know what Dana it’s pretty much the same thing here. I think people think when your bigger that you lay and pop cake and chips all day when in actuality my biggest problem is that I probably don’t eat enough and I definitely don’t exercise. Great tip on the money jar, that’s a hell of a motivator :)
Hey Lauren! Thanks for stopping by I will be sure to stop by your blog from now on as well :) Me and my mouth lol but I am glad you get that it’s most likely just a NY thing lol!
Im with you! I actually weigh 170 and i need to be in the 130s. I can feel my back and spine hurting more and more every day and inside i know what its from. I am getting a treadmill this spring and plan on giving it my all. Cooking and dining out has to change too. Here’s to a better healthier us ;)
I like the money jar idea. With the apple cider vinegar, did you drink it or take a pill? I read the benefits and it sounds good, even for gout which my husband has.
Good luck on your journey. I hope to lose 20 pounds myself and never find them again!!!
I think the ACV sounds interesting and worth a try! How much do you take? I have been googling the heck out of it, and haven’t found too much. How much do you take? Do you take the pill form or drink it with water?
Wow, that money jar sounds AWESOME! Sounds like an amazing motivator! What a great way to I really want to lose weight too… I am short at 5’3” and weigh probably 180-195 lbs, but everyone thinks I am lying when I tell them that… Apparently, I too, carry my weight “well”. But when I am down to two pairs of jeans, and one doesn’t fit right… That really means I need to get on it…
I tried to start back in August, to work out and everything. But I unfortunately lost interest in about a month. That also coincided with my dog getting pretty sick for like, three days, and shin splints from Jillian Michaels’ work out video…
Husband is deploying soonish and I am hoping to start then, for sure… Since I will be able to make and eat what I want. And he will have to deal with it when he gets back! LOL.
I am right up there with you, girl! I did lose 23 lbs in 2011 and I am trying to continue this year. I am alot ike you, people say I carry my weight well…when I tell them how much I weigh, they say I’m lying. I wish wish you well on this journey and pray that you reach the goal you have set for yourself! There will be ups and downs, but when you feel discouraged…keep on pushing!
I wish you lots and lots of luck on this journey its not easy I know they say if you BELIEVE and I know you can do believe anything is possible…I do know there is a other Army Wife who is in a Biggest Looser contest and if she wins she is trying to find someone to take with her to the Biggest Looser Ranch Im going to send her email and see what she would think to take a other Army wife who would benefit, the only tricker is if she wins I would go but Im not able to because of my health conditions a big bummer so good luck on behalf of someone who knows : )
Good luck with your journey ,i have lost 35 pounds in 2011. I didn’t get serious about losing until my health was threatened by it back in august. I’m one of those women that can carry my weight well too. But being over 200 pounds was killing me. I wish you well with the journey. You can see my journey in pictures on my facebook page.
Sylvia
Thanks so much Sylvia. I will be sure to check out those pics and a health scare is quite scary. I am glad all is well and hi-5 on losing 35 pounds!
You can do it hon. Before we moved to Germany, I joined Weight Watchers. No expensive food or crazy food to buy (unless you just want to, I loved their little bars, but it was just a nice little snack and not necessary). WW’s is just common sense with accountabilty. For me personally I NEEDED that weekly accountability of going to the meetings every week and getting weighed in. I always thought (before joining) that everyone would know my weight, they don’t….just you and the leader. It helped me learn proper portion sizes, it was encouraging to be in a room full of people who struggled like I did. I lost 40 lbs in 6 months. After I have this sweet baby, I’m going back to what I learned from WW’s. I have a friend who’s going to be my accountability partner. I’ll be cheering you on. I don’t know if you plan on it, but a food journal is a great thing to have. To see what you’re eating and how much. A food scale is good to, so you can literally see the portions you’re eating. Personally what I loved about WW’s is, nothing is off limits, it’s just portion control and realizing you can’t eat brownies every single day, but you can have a brownie once a week. Oh and don’t forget about eating out, those places are killers in portion sizes and all that other crap they load the food up with (which of course is often what makes it taste so good! LOL). From one big girl to another, you can do this.
I really appreciate the encouragement Christy. I tried WW a few years back and it really does work but as usual we PCS’ed and I got lazy.I did love the freedom to eat what you want in moderation though. Thanks for sharing your story , it really is motivating to hear others say they have been there.
TY for cheering me on :D
This was very helpful. I too am a plus size military spouse and nothing that I have tried helps me lose the weight. I will try the leggings (at least once) to see how it goes. I have the long sweater to go with it so we will see. Thanks again!
Cati go for it , just dress it up to how your comfortable wearing it. I am sure you will look the bomb :)
Thank you for visiting!
Good luck! Remember that it is slow process, but we are all here cheering you on! The farmers markets around Bragg should help out a lot, and there are always people looking for walking partners if you need to get out more.
You are a wonderful inspiration! Would it be okay to put you on my list of Beautiful People on my personal blog (http://catherinestaat.wordpress.com)? I love how you are real about all areas of life and you say exactly what you mean. So needed on the net.
xo Cat
Hi Catherine,
OMG I am honored! Thanks so much for even thinking of me. I am truly humbled and appreciate your kind words. Thanks again and I have added your blog to my reading list :) Please come back again!
Good luck girl! You can do it! Keep us posted and happy new year!
I wear my weight really well too. I do good with eating. My problem is exercising. I saw this idea on Pinterest the other day: Take a jar and put a dollar in every time you work out. Set a goal for yourself (like 200 dollars and give yourself a reward). I think that may help my motivation.
You know what Dana it’s pretty much the same thing here. I think people think when your bigger that you lay and pop cake and chips all day when in actuality my biggest problem is that I probably don’t eat enough and I definitely don’t exercise. Great tip on the money jar, that’s a hell of a motivator :)
Hey Lauren! Thanks for stopping by I will be sure to stop by your blog from now on as well :) Me and my mouth lol but I am glad you get that it’s most likely just a NY thing lol!
Im with you! I actually weigh 170 and i need to be in the 130s. I can feel my back and spine hurting more and more every day and inside i know what its from. I am getting a treadmill this spring and plan on giving it my all. Cooking and dining out has to change too. Here’s to a better healthier us ;)
I like the money jar idea. With the apple cider vinegar, did you drink it or take a pill? I read the benefits and it sounds good, even for gout which my husband has.
Good luck on your journey. I hope to lose 20 pounds myself and never find them again!!!
I think the ACV sounds interesting and worth a try! How much do you take? I have been googling the heck out of it, and haven’t found too much. How much do you take? Do you take the pill form or drink it with water?
Wow, that money jar sounds AWESOME! Sounds like an amazing motivator! What a great way to I really want to lose weight too… I am short at 5’3” and weigh probably 180-195 lbs, but everyone thinks I am lying when I tell them that… Apparently, I too, carry my weight “well”. But when I am down to two pairs of jeans, and one doesn’t fit right… That really means I need to get on it…
I tried to start back in August, to work out and everything. But I unfortunately lost interest in about a month. That also coincided with my dog getting pretty sick for like, three days, and shin splints from Jillian Michaels’ work out video…
Husband is deploying soonish and I am hoping to start then, for sure… Since I will be able to make and eat what I want. And he will have to deal with it when he gets back! LOL.
I wish you the best on your journey!
I am right up there with you, girl! I did lose 23 lbs in 2011 and I am trying to continue this year. I am alot ike you, people say I carry my weight well…when I tell them how much I weigh, they say I’m lying. I wish wish you well on this journey and pray that you reach the goal you have set for yourself! There will be ups and downs, but when you feel discouraged…keep on pushing!
I wish you lots and lots of luck on this journey its not easy I know they say if you BELIEVE and I know you can do believe anything is possible…I do know there is a other Army Wife who is in a Biggest Looser contest and if she wins she is trying to find someone to take with her to the Biggest Looser Ranch Im going to send her email and see what she would think to take a other Army wife who would benefit, the only tricker is if she wins I would go but Im not able to because of my health conditions a big bummer so good luck on behalf of someone who knows : )