Once upon a time I lost over 100 pounds. I didn’t regain everything I lost, but I came close enough that I could no longer deny that something needed to change. It’s been a slow, sometimes painful process, but I’m currently only a few pounds away from my lowest weight as an adult – 284 pounds.
I know I’m still heavy, but after losing over 100 pounds (again) I can honestly say that I feel good. I suppose I’ll feel better if I continue to shed the excess weight, but one major difference this time around is that I’m at peace. I’m okay with it if people don’t life or accept me, but the truth is that most of them do. I’m okay if I’m not attractive to the average guy on the street because I’m married to an extraordinary man who’s never hesitant to tell me and show how much I mean to him.
I love Jesus, my family and my friends. I’ve lived in some pretty interesting places like Oklahoma, Los Angeles and New York City, and I’m thankful for the life that I’m living now in downtown New Orleans.
My hobbies include reading, spending time with the people who matter to me, knitting, attending concerts, traveling, watching football and baseball, swimming, singing and riding my bike. I also enjoy baking, talking on the phone, having coffee and playing Scrabble, Rummikub and Bananagrams.
I have a big heart and big goals, and I have the audacity to believe that I can change the world. I also realize that change begins in me so I’m working on that with the help of God.
We’ve been given one life, and I want mine to make a difference.
47 Comments
Doreen
June 12, 2011 at 12:26 pmGood luck to you. I too love Richard Simmons. I do his Sweatin to the Oldies tape all the time. I’ve had it for many years now. I also bought a small trampoline which I use as well.
I’m sorry to read about your incident with Southwest. What they did is terrible.
Kenlie
June 16, 2011 at 8:33 pmThanks Doreen,
Richard is even better in person than I had imagined! Keep up the fantastic work! =)
Tanya
June 15, 2011 at 6:59 pmI was so happy to read that you got to meet Richard Simmons! I wish I could do workout videos in my apartment, but I live on the second floor of an apartment (and have laminate wood floor, so the sound travels BADLY!)… so, I’m off to the gym most days. Love reading your blog!
Kenlie
June 16, 2011 at 8:34 pmYes Tanya, I can see why your neighbors downstairs might be happy that you go to the gym..ha I just came in from the track. We just have to do whatever works for us. =)
Thanks for being here!
HS @ Our Debt Blog
June 16, 2011 at 3:00 pmomg! nice Ray Ban’s girl 🙂 My kinda girl LOL.. Keep up the good work and the fashion.
Kenlie
June 16, 2011 at 8:34 pmHa..thanks…a girl needs a few good pairs of sunglasses, don’t you think? =)
Nicky
June 17, 2011 at 6:51 amI love what you said there at the end. You’re so right, we’ve only got one life to live. I want mine to be extraordinary too. I love your blog and am really inspired by you as we both work towards our journeys. 🙂
Tina
June 17, 2011 at 9:11 amWHY I am I getting all these comments in my google reader all of a sudden?
Kenlie
June 17, 2011 at 12:53 pmI’m not sure Tina….I’m looking at this on my iPhone, but I’ll take a look on my laptop to figure it out. My blog has gone through a lot of changed recently so something is probably just confused…sorry..!
Hyla
June 17, 2011 at 1:38 pmI am also Tina!
Joan
June 17, 2011 at 6:02 pmIt’s not just your blog Kenlie. All the blogs on Google Reader are doing it.
Dawn
June 17, 2011 at 6:02 pmI’ve been following your blog and the situation with the airline with a huge amount of compassion for both you and your mum because I dread every flight..that I’d be asked to book two seats, might be told I was too fat or my own personal fear that the lap belt wouldn’t fasten.
I read with absolute horror another truly dreadful story, this time in the UK.
A mum tried to book her lovely, capable independent 12 year old daughter on a flight as an accompanied minor to visit her aunt in Scotland, a flight of less than an hour. Its entirely normal here for airlines to look after unaccompanied minors. British Airways said they did not accept such bookings from young people with Downs Syndrome. They have now admitted this is NOT their policy and a mistake has been made. Dreadful
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2004004/BA-turns-girl-away-Downs-Syndrome.html
Courtney Gosvener
August 6, 2011 at 11:46 pmWow so glad I stumbled upon your blog! I have been in a frozen “do nothing” state for a while now and makes me realize I just need to “Start” and stop thinking about “I have 138 pounds to lose”. It just seems so daunting!!! I have to lose 1/2 my body weight to reach the WW goal set by plugging in my height and weight. I will take losing even 100, but it would be nice to be the lowest ever adult/teenager/preteen weight!!!!
Kim Andrews
August 17, 2011 at 1:07 amKenlie, I met you in Richard Simmons class tonight. I commented on what a beautiful name you have. I noticed your warm smile and shining personality. I am happy I came across your blog. Watching your determination in class and now reading your blog has really motivated me. Keep up the positive attitude. Look forward to seeing you in class again 🙂
Brooke
September 27, 2011 at 11:48 amGirl, you rock! I am a new follower and I love everything so far! Keep it up and keep making me have a positive attitude!
Katy
October 28, 2011 at 12:12 amI am a new follower and I just wanted to say GREAT job, you are so gorgeous. I am on my own weight loss journey and you are amazing inspiration!!!
Jillian
November 9, 2011 at 4:03 pmi just stumbled upon your blog and just want to say WOW! good for you for how far you’ve come and your devotion to where you are going! your smile and spirit are contagious (even just through your blog) and you make me want to be friends with you! (i don’t mean for that to sound as weird as it probably does!)
keep up the great work — you inspire us all!!
Hoda
November 11, 2011 at 6:05 pmGreat job dear! What a determination u have! Plz never stop
beliving in urself and that nithing is impossible.
Lots of support from my side 🙂
Hoda
Deborah (Schmiet)
December 1, 2011 at 12:44 amWow, what an inspiration you are! Congratulations on your achievements to date.
Deb
Nik
January 9, 2012 at 1:00 amOMG! You are too cute and brave! I happen to find your blog by accident, but I think it’s a sign, because the timing could not be better. Thanks for being such an inspiration…well done!
James
January 27, 2012 at 2:12 pmThanks for the blog, keep up the good effort!
Jeanne
January 31, 2012 at 9:11 amKenlie,
Love your inspirational posts – The only limits in your life are those that you set yourself.
Keep up the good work and be proud.
Lacy
February 9, 2012 at 9:24 pmWow! I look forward to learning more about you and your journey! I, too, enjoy recipes from Skinny Taste and Hungry Girl! We also share a similar taste in music 🙂 You are such an encouragement and simply beautiful. Glad we are friends!
Andrea - Making It Healthy
February 13, 2012 at 11:48 pmI love your story…congrats on taking the bull by the horn and making it happen! I’m looking forward to following you on your journey and losing weight right along with you 🙂
Phil
May 4, 2012 at 2:51 amKenlie, your honesty and sincerity are obvious. This may not sound like encouragement, but it is. The weight loss shouldn’t be the goal. That’s the reward. The goal I think is to live your new lifestyle for the rest of your life. Science says it will be difficult. Much more difficult than a naturally thin person to maintain. You have to accept that. But you can never slack off. A few days, yes; while you’re sick, yes, but otherwise, never. Never. It must become who you are, not just a program you are currently following. I really want you, and others like you, to make it!
Mommy Bags
May 4, 2012 at 9:33 amLove your story, blog and your courage it is awesome to see in this crazy world we live it. I caught your story on our local news this am. I am looking forward to reading your blog and getting to know you. BTW love Gina’s Skinny Taste recipes. I also need to get Gillian Michaels Shred I try and work out almost everyday but I think I need an extra kick in my ass.
Cassandra
May 7, 2012 at 12:04 amHi Kenlie,
I just saw your interview on the Today show. Sorry you and your mom had to go through that. People can be very hurtful. You’re a stronger person for going public with what happened. Good luck on your weight loss journey.
xo,
Cassandra
Charlie Carriere
May 7, 2012 at 2:47 amJust wanted to add my voice to the positive comments. I admire what you’re doing, personally and legally.
Donja Meuleman
May 7, 2012 at 3:01 amWow Kenlie, I admire your courage and perseverance. I read an article on Dutch News Today about you suiïng the airline company as they demanded you to buy an extra seat on your trip. The article had your weblog in it and as being overweighted myself and my struggle to fight the prejudices society has I decided to take a look. My goodness, you lost a lot of weight already, I’m proud of you and what you did. I do understand the point of view of the airline though but that doesn’t take away my admiration for what you accomplished so far. You did this all without surgery I understand reading your story ? Super ! Continue the good work and kick some ass ) Greetings from a too cold Holland. Donja.
Sarah
May 8, 2012 at 8:29 amHi Kenlie! I just found your blog and I wanted to give you major props on your weight loss journey! You’re looking fantastic and I think you’re doing a great job getting healthy. As much as I wish for a magic weight loss cure, I think your attitude and approach to weight loss is great. I’m excited to continue reading about your journey.
Amelia
May 11, 2012 at 7:19 pmI just wanted to say that I think you are a beautiful person. My weight is going up and up. I had 2 kids (plan on having at least one more 🙂 and the weight won’t come off. I do not like how I look but I am trying to love myself for who I am. Things are rough at times. I yo-yo diet and think “ok tomorrow I will start dieting again and working out.” The whole process is depressing for me, but I plan on sticking to it someday! Anyway, I found out about this blog when I heard your story about the flight. In my opinion, I think that maybe some of the seats should be made bigger to accommodate “larger passengers.” Would it be that big of a deal to make some of the seats a little bigger? I do not think so. You are doing a wonderful job and look great! Keep up the good work! 🙂
Janet
August 26, 2012 at 4:27 amHi there Kenlie! I just nominated you for inspiring blog award. Here is a link to instructions on what to do next.
http://frozencream.wordpress.com/2012/08/26/inspiring-blog-award/
Liana
September 4, 2012 at 1:21 pmI love what you have done so far! I’ve just started blogging again after a loooooooooong break and many of the weightloss bloggers I followed before no longer post. It’s great to find some active blogs.
Cathy
October 3, 2012 at 3:06 pmKenlie, you are amazing! I wanted to start by saying that. 100 pounds, wow. And you are beautiful! I started reading Kelly’s NTTC blog because I got a recommendation on the Jenny site. I am on Jenny also, about five months now and 27 pounds. I have a ways to go too. I really enjoyed all the posts and pictures about that Fitblogging weekend — and it made me really jealous I wasn’t there (even though I don’t blog) 🙂 I saw all the pictures of all you cute bloggers and I just thought I would stop to say hello and congratulate you on such a great job 🙂
rick
October 29, 2012 at 11:51 pmWow, I just found your website, your are a beauty for sure, I hope you reach all your goals. You may have heard of this before, but if you haven’t, I am a fan of dr. joseph Mercola at mercola.com. He teaches a workout called HIIT, or high intensity interval training. His method is called peak 8 and here is a link to a video with phil campbell who is an expert at hiit. The whole workout is 20 minutes and much more beneficial than steady state cardio. Take care and I wish you you the best.http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2012/02/10/phil-campbell-interview.aspx
Sylvie @ StruggleswithaFatA
November 14, 2012 at 5:53 pmNice to meet you! I’m a new blogger and hope to achieve the success I’ve seen on blogs such as yours. Any advice is greatly appreciated. 🙂
Dan
November 19, 2012 at 10:00 pmKenlie… I’m really glad I met you the other night. This is amazing. You’ve got me motivated. And I’m going to share this with friends. Good luck.
Kelly
December 29, 2012 at 5:46 pmI’m so glad I saw this blog!! I’ve lost over 200 lbs (started at about 400) and am struggling to lose the last 40 . It’s definitely hard and it definitely requires a lot of dedication, but it’s worth it. The gym is now something I crave…and veggies? I crave those too!
As far as the rude comments, etc: don’t let them get you down. I still get called names (my identical twin sister “grew out of” her weight problem in middle school while I continued to balloon and still calls me “fatty” or “fat stuff’ on occasion when she’s angry) and I have family that actually makes getting in shape sound like an STD–something detrimental that they can catch. I let it roll off my back and know that in the long run I’ll look and feel better about myself, which is all that really matters.
Keep up the good work!!
Steve
December 31, 2012 at 6:46 amHi Kenlie,
My name is Steve and I just found your page and really enjoying it. That’s awesome news that you’re halfway there before you know it you’ll have reached your goal. Good luck.
I have also lost a good amount of weight, 291 pounds lost about 2 years ago. I just wanted to tell you there is nothing more I wanted and the payoff is ten times greater than I have even imagined. I let myself out of a self created jail.
My timeline is below:
Highest weight 475, 1988
First diet down to 384, 1995
Loss of: 91 pounds
Re-start at 384 in April 2008
End 200 February 2011
200 Pounds Lost from Restart
Current Weight: 184 pounds
291 Pounds Total Pounds Lost
I can remember my first day on my lifestyle change, I stepped up on the elliptical and worked for a full 5 minutes, got off and headed upstairs… I stopped and said NO, I am going to do 20 minutes even if its in 5 minute increments. I am now doing 2 hour workouts per day because I enjoy it not because I have to.
I am currently having some small challenges on maintenance and need to get involved in weight loss. Either reading or helping in some sort of way. I never want to go back to the old me, the new me is so much more fun. 🙂
Happy New Year to you and your readers.
Good Luck to everyone,
Steve
Kim
January 20, 2013 at 2:02 pmI just wanted to let you know how amazing I think you are! I have not checked your blog (or any blogs) in a while and when I logged on today I saw that you were still going strong – good for you!! What an inspiration – you should be very proud of yourself 🙂
Sherri
March 5, 2013 at 2:58 pmGood luck on your journey! It’s seems as though you have an attitude that will take you to the end of goals. Keep up the good work.
Persistence and a positive attitude. You have both…
Julie Jefferson
August 2, 2013 at 12:17 amHi, Kenlie. I’ve enjoyed your blog for some time! You are so positive and motivating! Your recipes rock! Thank you for sharing your journey! My friends & I enjoy (and learn from) so many of your posts! Keep fighting the good fight! You show that it CAN be done! 🙂
Attempted Runner
September 14, 2013 at 8:00 pmNot sure if you participate or not, but I just wanted to let you know that since I enjoy your blog, I nominated you for the Shine On award! http://trainedtorun.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=674&action=edit&message=6&postpost=v2
Lea
October 14, 2013 at 11:31 pmI just wanna say I admire you so much! I myself have recently lost over 100lbs. I am a 21 year old college student and I have been big my whole life. One day I decided I had enough and started eating right and working out. Everyone was shocked at how fast I lost the weight from doing it the old fashion way. All my friends are tiny girls who all play a sport at my school. I have been slacking off these past weeks but after reading your blog I am determined to lose these last 50-75lbs to get to my goal. Thank you for the motivation and I can’t wait to read the rest of you journy
Lisa
July 23, 2014 at 6:26 pmI just wanted to drop you a quick line to say that I recently found your blog and that I love your style so much! In fact you have given me so many idea’s in terms of styles and I wanted to thank you for your blog 🙂
Currently I have been working to get my own blog going, which will be about revamping clothing (shoes, jeans primarily).
I was just wondering if you happen to have a sale section on your blog, or if you happen to be selling any items? The reason I’m asking is because I have seen quite a few items on your blog that I was wondering you would be willing to sell?
Thanks!
Lisa
Sarah Wayne
March 5, 2015 at 10:44 pmLong way to go girl. It’s great that you overcame all the problems and now you are stronger than ever before. I personally think that a person needs to face such situation where he/she gets to discover him/herself over again. this small bumps in our life surely make us stronger and give us courage to something beyond our expection.
your small little “about me” is definitely going to give courage to many other girls.
Keep up the confidence!
XOXO,
Sarah
PS: you look super cute in that photo!
Tyler Read
June 7, 2016 at 5:32 pmHi Kenlie,
We just want to say how impressed we are with your blog! You actually made our list of the Best weight loss blogs! (http://www.ptpioneer.com/top-50-weight-loss-blogs/)
Thanks so much for all the advice and inspiration you have provided to so many. You are one of the blogs I consistently refer to my personal training clients!
Cheers,
Tyler