Kristi's Health and Weight Loss Journey

When would you say your weight loss journey began?

I was in kindergarten the first time someone commented on my weight. I remember my teacher pulling my mom aside to tell her that her daughter was “starting to get a little chunky.” 

I’ve struggled with weight ever since. 

Growing up, my two older brothers were always smaller than me, which confused me because I was the girl, I was supposed to be smaller. 

When I was in the eighth grade, my focus shifted from comparing my size to my brothers to comparing my body to the other kids in my class. 

As if middle school isn’t scary enough, around that same time, my dad experienced his first of what would be several heart attacks—the beginning of a long road of heart disease. 

After his quadruple bypass surgery at the local hospital, they told him that he could expect to only live maybe another eight years. It was a real eye-opener for me.

After his quadruple bypass surgery at the local hospital, they told him that he could expect to only live maybe another eight years. It was a real eye-opener for me.

I realized his genes are my genes and if I wanted to live a long, healthy life I needed to get serious about my health and weight. 

Not long after, I started Weight Watchers with my mom. I learned I love nutrition, and knowing what’s in food, and what it does for your body (In fact, it was my minor in undergrad!). 

That summer I lost 20 pounds and started my own journey of losing weight, gaining it back again, and navigating this thing called a “balanced lifestyle.” 

How do you stay motivated?

Risking my health just isn’t an option for me anymore. Early in life, supporting my dad’s health journey kept me focused. After my son was born I wanted to be healthy for him. Now, my own health, my dad’s health, and my son’s health keep me motivated.

Twenty-three years into this journey, I’ve definitely had, and still have my setbacks and weight fluctuations. But even through the (quite literal) highs and lows, I try to view it more as a lifestyle change—instead of, you know, just something that you have to do temporarily. 

Even though it's slow, I know what I'm doing is working. So I just keep doing that. 

How do you manage the setbacks? 

It’s so tempting to get caught up in a setback, to let one misstep turn into a full-blown, downward spiral. I work really hard to not let that happen (though it definitely does from time to time).

I’m sure “getting back on it” means something different for everyone, but for me, it means not waiting. I'm not the type of person who will wait for New Year's Day to get back on track. If I slip up at breakfast, I’m going to reset at lunch—it’s a practice and skill I’m really proud of.

I think the word practice is key here. Knowing that it’s an ongoing process, a lifestyle, helps me not get completely derailed by one (or several) “slips.” Perfection isn’t the goal. The goal is to keep going.

Perfection isn’t the goal. The goal is to keep going.

What would you say is one of the most difficult parts of your journey?

I’m just always fighting against the “all or nothing” attitude. I see it in all areas of my life—academics, work, caring for my family. 

I feel as a woman there are so many expectations in so many areas of life. We’re kind of expected to do it all and if we aren’t doing all of it all at once, it feels like a failure. 

I’m trying to rework that sense of failure and urgency and remember that things take time and that is okay. It doesn’t mean I’m failing or that I’m not doing enough. 

My most recent challenge has been losing the 75 pounds I gained while pregnant with my son. Last fall, I started to crack down and I've lost about 25 pounds and counting. 

Even in that success, my tendency is definitely to want and expect all the weight to come off instantly and when it doesn’t I get frustrated and start thinking that I can’t do it. It’s easy to forget it’s a slow process when you’re in it.

I try to stay motivated knowing that I've done it before and I can do it again. I try to switch my focus from the end result, take a step back, and focus on and trust the process. By this time next year, I know I'll be there…or at least closer. 

I’m enough. What I’m doing is enough. It’s working, I just have to keep going.

What do you think has been most helpful for you in your journey?

Even though I'm aware of my health history, food is one of my vices. Late at night when I’m watching TV after a long day, it’s hard to say no to some ice cream or a bag of chips. I’m still working on that mental connection I have with food. 

But the small changes and balance make the lifestyle easier to manage. I make attainable goals instead of drastic changes that feel out of reach.

If I really want a cheeseburger, then I get the cheeseburger, but skip the fries. As hard as it is, I get the side of broccoli instead.

I also really enjoy salmon, but my husband hates fish so I never cook it at home. That makes salmon a healthy and special choice when I’m out. And if I’m getting the salmon, maybe I’ll indulge in the fries.

All those small changes add up.

How has your weight loss journey impacted other parts of your life?

In so many ways, but one of my favorites is I met my husband through my weight loss community. 

I’ve been involved with Herbalife for a long time. It’s a weight loss program that focuses on 80% nutrition and 20% fitness. They promote having an active lifestyle and the distributors set up fit camps and activities. 

My distributor at the time organized a weekly dodgeball league with some of the other distributors in the area and that’s where I met my husband eleven years ago. 

We would always try to get out at the same time to chat on the sidelines. He would always make me laugh and we clicked and became one from there. 

Can you tell us a little bit about your experience with breast augmentation after weight loss?

Having a breast augmentation wasn’t a matter of “if”, but “when.” I had a consultation many years ago, but the vibes with that particular plastic surgeon were off and I wasn't quite where I wanted to be weight-wise so I decided to wait.

Around the time I was ready to have another consultation, Dr. Blau opened his Amelia location in New York. It’s funny how things work out when they’re supposed to. I had a virtual consultation with Dr. Blau and felt comfortable immediately.

He was kind, but honest, and super easy to talk to. He walked me through having a breast lift vs. not and helped set realistic expectations that allowed me to make an informed decision for myself.

Since having a breast augmentation, I feel more proportionate and confident, especially at work. 

I’ve always been school- and career-oriented and felt fairly confident navigating academic and corporate spaces. I went to college right after high school, got my business degree, continued to get my MBA, and have been in a male-dominated tech field for years.

Now, even as I heal and wait for my final results, I find I hold myself higher and feel more secure not just in my clothes, but in my interactions at work. 

It's a big confidence booster and just makes me happier in my day-to-day life, which I think changes the way I move through the world and interact with others.

Do you think your health journey affects the way you parent?

As my son prepares to go to Kindergarten, I can’t help but think back to my own life at that age. After my teacher broke the news to my mom, I don’t remember ever really receiving or seeking any guidance on food and nutrition.

I carried all the consequences of ignorance. I was bigger than the kids in my class (and they noticed) and I didn’t really understand why. I was out of breath on the playground, but didn’t really know what that meant. I didn’t know our bodies could talk to us and tell us when we needed to eat—I thought food was an activity, not an energy source. 

I thought food was an activity, not an energy source. 

I'm trying to change that for my son. I'm trying to educate him on the different types of foods that fuel our bodies and the others that don't do much for our bodies. I’m trying to instill and lead by example the benefits of an active life. 

I want him to see us move and play together as a family. I want him to know what protein is and what it does for our bodies, what foods have a lot of it, and which ones don't. I want him to understand that all foods have their pros and cons. 

I want him to have the tools and knowledge to make balanced decisions for his body. But mostly, I don’t want him to have to worry about his health or mine. 

I also think my health  journey allows me to be there for my son. Not just in the long run, but today and everyday. 

I also think my health  journey allows me to be there for my son. Not just in the long run, but today and everyday. 

It’s easier to move around and chase and play with him, to go on adventures, or play in the yard with our dogs. 

Getting up and down off the ground and kneeling to give a hug after school, all of that is just more comfortable when I’m healthier. 

Just like the small changes add up in weight loss, the small day-to-day interactions add up in the relationship with my son.

How do you care for yourself and your son during big life transitions like starting kindergarten? 

I don't agree with having to choose between caring for yourself or caring for others. I believe that you can do both, but it's effing hard (if I’m being honest). 

As cheesy as it sounds, caring for yourself is caring for others and even if it wasn’t I still deserve to be cared for. 

I’ve realized how true that is through this whole thing.

Seeing my dad’s health decline inspired me to take better care of myself—not just for my benefit, but also to help him take better care of himself. 

Today, taking care of myself means I get to take better care of my son. 

Eating well and staying active means he and my husband eat well and stay active. I work remotely and every chance I get, I ride my indoor cycle while I work—taking care of my body and my to-do list. 

Don’t get me wrong. It definitely takes planning and being intentional, and sure, there are weeks it doesn’t work out and eat a box of crackers for lunch. 

Perfection isn’t the goal, remember? I just gotta keep going.

But on a practical level, I’m planning to make a conscious effort to stay organized and on top of meal-planning—that always sets me up for success.

What would you say to other people interested in starting their own health journey?

I think you need to find your why. Find what motivates you deep down. Something that's gonna stick. Because if it's not the right reason then maybe you'll have more trouble than not. 

My journey started with my dad and I being each other’s why. It makes me feel really special to be his motivator and to be on this lifelong journey together.

Early on, I told my dad, “I want you to be here for my wedding.”  And he was there for my wedding.

And then later when he was struggling with his weight, I tried to motivate him with, “You have to be here when my son is born.”  My son is five now and my dad's still here.

My dad is almost 70 years old now. I honestly can't believe it. I'm so proud of him. 

He started his heart disease journey at age 42. His parents didn't live past 65. I know his days are limited so I always tell him how proud I am of him. 

He's still overweight and still takes his medications, but he's still trying. He's still kicking and staying active. 

He takes lots of breaks and stuff, but whatever. He's almost 70! Holy crap!

What started with an effort to support my dad’s health has become a true family affair. 

To this day, I still educate my parents and son about what's on the nutrition label. My mom always asks me if the food she’s buying or preparing is “Kristi-Approved”—she’s so cute.  

I don't know how much I've actually helped, but preventing heart disease for as long as I can for myself and my family makes me feel important. 

The truth is, when it comes to starting or continuing your journey, there's really no right or wrong answer. 

Keep reminding yourself of why you're doing it, have that on the top of your head, and just keep doing the things that work for you.