A few days ago, the web editor for Woman's Day emailed me and asked about the rights to the before photo the magazine used in my weight-loss story. More specifically, she wanted to know whether Yahoo! could have permission to use the photo as it wanted to publish the story on its site.
"Sure," I thought. "No biggie."
And then this.
Me, my photo, my story, was on the main page.
Wow. Just wow.
I know there are many of you visiting because of that story and Yahoo!, and I want to thank you for not only stopping by but sticking around. Feel free to explore Healthy Strides, taking note of my About page, before and after photos and the story of my journey.
I never expected to be the center of so much attention.I am truly grateful and humbled by the comments and emails I have received.
I hope to respond to each email over the weekend and answer any questions left in comments in an upcoming post(s). If you have a question, do not hesitate to email (my address is on the right side of the home page) or leave a comment.
I look forward to sharing my thoughts and words with you.
And for those of you who were here before ... I heart y'all and always will.
You are a true inspiration! Congratulations and thank you for sharing your story!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! You are quite an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
ReplyDeleteWow...anonymous and I said nearly the same thing. :)
DeleteI found you on yahoo...wonderful story...I read your blog and listed it on my blog as one I follow...you are an inspiration. A midwestern who gives others hope for good health! Keep up the good work...now I can check up on you from my blog...thanks!
ReplyDeleteI saw your picture and was like "HEY!! I know that girl!" :) congrats girly!
ReplyDeleteThis is truley a wonderful story although I have not got to read 100% of the story I plan on it and it may be tonight as I snuggle on the couch and stay warm. I signed up for this site and I have not figured it out as far as how to add a friend to stay in tune with your blogs I would love to do just that. I also have some questions I would love to run past you.. Thank You
ReplyDeleteAnd please email me at lissafroggynurse@yahoo.com or lissafroggynurse88@gmail.com
I can't wait to hear from you
Lissa
I'd like to say "congratulations!"
ReplyDeleteI began my weightloss expedition in July 2010, to date I've lost about 134 pounds. Being originally from Fort Wayne, your article caught my eye.
I'm always excited to see another success story that is based on making the decision to change your lifestyle, not quick fixes. I think being able to inspire others to do the same if always a wonderful pay off for all the hard work.
Thank you for sharing you story.
Like many, I found you on Yahoo, but what an inspirational story! I've just recently begun and have a long way to go, but I've gathered some valuable tips from you and will continue to follow you as I work through it. Keep up the great work!! And thank you for sharing your story :)
ReplyDeletethe story is what brought me here. first let me say congratulations. :) you are truly an inspiration. i myself am struggling with weightloss. i've made some progess and will continue. thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI just joined WW a week ago Wednesday. While checking my Yahoo today I came across your story. What an inspiration you are. I have learned in the last several months I used food as a way to cope through the loss of my Dad and brother and having two babies back to back. No more. I am changing my life around. One day at a time. I am down 6 lbs in my first week on WW and already feel better. I have tried quick fixes in the past but realize now it is all about a lifestyle change. I am so thrilled I have found your blog and plan on reading it all over the weekend and continue to follow!! Congrats again on all your success!!
ReplyDeleteI never read the articles on yahoo, but I did today.
ReplyDeleteI was so into your story and then I found out you had a blog! Love it.
Thanks for giving me some inspiration - I really need it.
And check out my blog if you get the chance.
http://www.thechattymommy.com
This just proves anyone CAN do it I also lost over 100 pounds it took over a year I still struggle as for me it is an everyday decison to be healthy and fit very proud of you and your sucsess
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Every story of someone finding their own power is an inspiration to me, but as I am watching a loved one battle obesity, every story of someone waking up to their own ability to choose a better path gives me much needed hope for her. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI just got home from an exhausting run which led me to plop on my bed, take out my laptop, and read Yahoo!'s daily news.. that's when I saw your article! I've never red your site before, but I felt so ashamed that I could only run __ miles in ___ minutes. I mean really ashamed.
ReplyDeleteBut your story just enlightened me that I'm in the beginning. I'm going to get better. This is going to get easier. I can do it.
So thanks for your story. I'm not obese, but you my friend, are a fighter. That's inspiring!
By the way, you look FABULOUS!
Dude - you are FAMOUS! SO so cool!
ReplyDeleteYou ARE an inspiration - in so many ways. Congrats on reaching so many people!
This is so awesome! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteCongrats -you're just awesome and I'm thrilled for you!!!! Nicely done!!!! Wooo girl - keep up the awesome work!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou look great!!! Thank you for sharing your story with us. You are truly an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome and you are a true inspiration!
ReplyDeleteYou are such an inspiration!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story.
Doris
www.doris-socialworker.blogspot.com
This is great!!! Hey Rachel Ray...Are you noticing this story yet???
ReplyDeleteI would just like to say what an inspiration you are. I love to read stories about people who have lost 100+ pounds because that's what I have to do to get into a healthy weight range. I liked your tips in the article on Yahoo as well. I hope that one day, I will be in your position saying that I did it! You look great by the way.
ReplyDeleteHi, I saw your story and went to your blog. I saw the post about the running store moving to a new location. Our running store moved also, so I put two and two together...we live very close. I am in Naperville. I am inspired by your journey and hope I can learn from it. I am a former athlete who needs to drop about 70 pounds. Any tips you can share about good gyms or trainers in our area, I would appreciate.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, CJ
congrats, i too am a cincinnati girl, skyline lover, lol....my big change is to not get a regular 3-way but a small....baby steps....i am around 235 right now and hoping that i too can lose....my daughter did weight watchers and lost...but quit and gained a bit back, its hard but it is doable...ty for inspiring me to make better choices....its a start!
ReplyDeleteWow, I came here from the Yahoo article, impressive what you have done! Encouraging! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI tired juice fast and it is super healthy and 100% success. I have inspired many friends to do it and they all have lost 0.5 - 1 lbs per day. I have blogged about it in my blog if anyone wants to try it. I think doing 5-7 days fast every 3-4 months is a great thing. lifeandprana.blogspot.com is my blog.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI followed the yahoo link, congrats on making the front page! You can add me to the list of people you've inspired! I too come from an obese family, and compared to them I am "the skinny one" - in reality, I've steadily put on a pound or two every year - seems like no big deal, but it's really added up over the past twenty years. I'm only 5'3" and the weight shows. Thanks for sharing your story - you've encouraged me to not give up!
ReplyDeleteLove your story and love your blog. You are so inspiring! Keep up the great work you are doing!
ReplyDeleteWow your story is so inspiring to me as I too have begun a weight loss journey and am blogging about it. It can be very intimindating to have so much weight to loose and is exciting to hear of someone achieving their healthy goals. My blog is jenniferlpina.blogspot.com if you have time to check it out.
ReplyDeletej'ai vu votre histoire sur yahoo, pui ssur votre blog..
ReplyDeleteje salue vos efforts, je suis impressionnée par votre parcours, vous êtes fabuleuse vous pouvez être super fière de vous... et votre maman du ciel vous regarde, c'est certain...
magique votre perte de pods, magique. quelle belle récompense pour vos efforts, encore bravo !
ann, from belgium (brussels)
Hey bloggy bestie - I speak French - can help you with this one :)
DeleteSo awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteGood for you. It takes a lot of discipline to go the direction you've gone. Indeed, yes we all CAN.
ReplyDeleteHearty congratulations, Kimberly. Wishing you ever more success on your journey. Loved the idea of the PBB with C&H. Sounds delumptious!
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed! I needed some new motivation! Keep up the great work...it's so worth it. And, congratulations on being a new mommmy!
ReplyDeleteLike you I have been overweight all my life atleast 30 to 80 lbs over. I have been having trouble walking and I have had to have 3 joints put in now 2 hips and left knee. This makes it hard to excerise because of the rules of joints. I have went to my Dr. and asked for help to lose weight. I started out at 243 have lost down to 200 no more. Have have went from size 18 -14. I dont like to count calories after 3 days I say bye bye. I work in a supermarket in a Bakery dont eat what we make. If you can find a way that I can lose weight without going nuts for me and my husband then we will try. I will be 60 this MAY my husband will 56 yhis June. He weights 256lbs .
ReplyDeleteYou do look great and congrats to your weight lose. Thank You
Sherri
Hello! Call me 509 431 4534 .I have way to you and your husband.Thanks.
Deletecongrats to you. I came here from your story too. My husband has high cholesterol and needs to lose some weight so your story was a natural for me to read. You should be commended for your efforts!
ReplyDeleteI too was over weight. In 2009 I went to the Three Rivers Festival in Fort Wayne and they also on one of the days had free health screen.
ReplyDeleteI didn't have high cholesterol, but could see that if I didn't do something it would be dangereous.
I start to watch what I eat, not diet, but lifestyle change.
I start to walk 15 min at a time and at the time only had a small room to walk in, but I had to motivate myself.
I would do up to 7 times a day of 15 and watch what I ate and I went from 184 lbs down to 120 lbs.
I'm here from the Yahoo page, as well, and just wanted to let you know you inspired me to go for a walk last night! Congrats on all your success and your little guy, as well! My baby just turned one and I have been eating to cope with all of the lack of sleep...as a result I weigh more now than right after he was born. So, I think I'm ready to start moving, get this weight off, and just live a more healthful life - for myself and my whole family. Thank you for your example!
ReplyDeleteCongrats and thanks for being so motivating. I will read more of your blog. I'm curious to find out how you handled social events.... Anyways, thanks again. I'm down 12lbs from the start of the year!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing feat! I am very much in awe of you. I have been struggling with my weight for about 15 years now. I've lost 41 lbs and then gained about 20 back. I'm fighting my way back but it is a struggle for me...the food!!! The food always the food. I read your story on Yahoo. I just wanted to say that although I don't know you, I am proud that you've been able to accomplish what you did. my goal seems so far away but I just have to stay the course. Reading your story reminded me that it will NOT happen overnight. I believe in the process. Never give up and congratulations to you. Much success to you in all your endeavors.
ReplyDeleteI just started to look for ways to lose weight and I came along your article! I am a 23 year-old girl, I weight 210 pounds and my height is 5`10... The truth is I have always been fat, and I didnt have a problem with it until about a year and a half ago when I met my dream guy! And now I want to be perfect for him, I want to be perfect for me, and I dont want people judging me anymore I want to look good in my wedding dress and I want to be like any other girl wearing pretty little dresses... I hope your blog can help me along my way!
ReplyDeleteVery cool! Congrats.
ReplyDeleteI just read about your story on Yahoo and came right to your blog. You should be so proud of yourself! What an amazing accomplishment. I hope your story will be an inspiration to others. Best of luck to you always.
ReplyDeleteI found your site because Yahoo put your story out there. I plan on staying here until I read everything! I've also posted your blog to my blog's face book page for others. Your story is inspiring as are you. I tweeted and signed up for your to receive your posts notices. I would love if you liked my page on face book (you can find the link on my blog) and posted your stories there for my followers. You are inspiring. Donna
ReplyDeletehttp://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com
I too came by because of the story on Yahoo.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your amazing journey! You are truly inspiring.
I'm going to post a link to your blog on my Healthy Challenge blog.
I saw the article on Yahoo and wanted to read it. When I saw your name, I thought I remembered a Truesdell from my childhood in Ft. Wayne. Then, I saw you ARE from Ft. Wayne... I think I went to school with your sister in law. :)
ReplyDeleteI love you blog! It is so entertaining, inspiring, and easy to relate to. I spend so much time bashing Ft. Wayne, and today you actually made me feel proud to come from the same town. If you can have this wonderful weight loss with the same resources that are available to almost any Midwesterner, then maybe I can too. Your recipes all sound like foods that I would actually eat, and when you work out, you face the same challenges that I do (except I'm terrified of having kids.) You seem to overcome all sorts of hurdles and keep a positive attitude about it. You are inspiring the whole world now!
congrats, my friend! you have worked hard and DESERVE it!
ReplyDeleteHi Kimberly,
ReplyDeleteI never comment on anything but I found your page and I had to say that I do feel inspired. I have been fit and healthy before, and like so many others, I allowed work and live to take over, putting myself last.
Congratulations on your weight loss, and I wish you continued success in meeting your goals. And thanks for inspiring the rest of us to take back our lives, and stop saying "Can't".
Thanks for putting it all out here to inspire us all to healthy lives! I began my quest to better health in December. My first day at the community pool I swam 4 lengths in 30 minutes and was whipped. Jan 19th I swam 40 lengths in 30 minutes. The old athlete stuck in the fat ladies body is fighting her way out! My goal is to lose 100 pounds, I've lost 12 to date and already feeling the benefits! Thanks again I'll be following for further inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome!! I am sure you are so proud of yourself and your accomplishment!!! =)
ReplyDeleteHow very very cool! Congrats lady!
ReplyDeleteYour story on Yahoo really inspired me today! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your weight loss. My mother passed at the age of 56 and most of the women in my family don't make it to 65. I know it is time for a change but I was actually looking in to weight loss surgery.
DeleteYou are a very strong reminder that it is possible to do it on your own if you put your mind to it and stick to your plan. Keep up the good work!
Congrats! Yes, I am here because of the Yahoo story also. Seems we have both been on this journey. Mine started 2 years ago , Feb 18th, 2010. To date, 85lbs gone, only a mere 10 more to go. Your statement about removing the word can't from your vocabulary really hit home for me. I completely understand, as I CAN now too! Thank you for sharing your very inspiring story.
ReplyDeleteGood for you!! Keep it up. I love hearing your story, not only because you are loosing weight but because it has changed your outlook on life. Now you feel you CAN do anything you put your mind to. That is the truth!! Keep going! Have a wonderful and healthy life both physically and emotionally.
ReplyDeleteI too am here because of the Yahoo story, but I'm so happy that they featured your story. YOU have given me inspiration, and I want to thank you for that! Keep up the hard work, and thank you for sharing your story!
ReplyDeleteYou really are amazing! Congrats on your weight loss!! It's great reading success stories like yours. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteI added you to my blog roll! You are really inspiring.
yahoo story, too! so inspired but I do have a question. how do you think your "mindset" finally changed? I find that I make the decisions to do better and no matter how sincere they are...my old self takes back over. I keep wondering when it will "kick in"> nothing seems to make it change- health issues, body issues...nothing. Tell me how you got the mindset?
ReplyDeleteI wish I could pinpoint when my mindset changed and how. I think allowing myself to feel proud of the work I was doing. It's so easy to say, "I only lost .5 pound" with a feeling of failure. But, I began to celebrate the little things. I allowed myself to feel proud.
DeleteI'm so very proud of you, Congrats! You are so inspiring, always and I'm glad your story can reach so many. :)
ReplyDeleteVery cool Kim! I knew you way back "when." :)
ReplyDeleteWow, congratulations! You have a great story and it deserves a wider audience!
ReplyDelete