Name: Kim Ulmanis
Age: 31
Starting weight: 277 lbs
Height: Short. Kidding. It’s 5’4
Hi! My name is Kim and this is my weight loss journey.
My weight has fluctuated constantly since my teens and has been a regular source of ridicule and judgment. From my own father to the high school jerk to the random person on the street, I’ve dealt with the remarks that come with being fat.
When I was in high school I dropped from a size 22 to 16 by exercising often (better known as bad dancing in my bedroom). Thanks to being young I managed to stay that size for several years until I went to college. My weight steadily climbed from the 175-182 pounds I was used to then 190, 200, and 215. The junk food combined with a nonchalant attitude all contributed to the weight gain.
By graduation, I tipped the scale at 215-220. I tried diets, Curves (lost 20 pounds but had to quit), tried everything. I lost then gained it back.
Fast forward 5 years to today which has included several moves, job loss, divorce, re-marriage, and now a sedentary lifestyle I’ve hit my highest weight. When the scale read 277 coupled with realizing I barely fit into the largest pant size available at Lane Bryant, it changed me. It was the wake-up call I needed. I let my weight spiral out of control.
I made plans to join Weight Watchers and spent January 2012 getting my head in the right place. During that first month, I dropped 6 pounds (9 if naked…which I don’t think you wanted to know). In February, I finally joined Weight Watchers and attended the first meeting.
Scared and worried I’d fail, I walked into that first meeting cynical as ever. But as I told my husband the day before that meeting, “I have two choices: I can quit now and nothing will change or I can suck it up and go and become a success”. It was the personal memo I needed to kick my own behind.
With over 100 pounds to lose I know I am in a fight for my life and my well being. I know the road is long and the choices made today, tomorrow, and the next day will affect the long-term outcome. I am on a journey to a better me, not a race to the finish line. There will be roadblocks, frustrations, worries, setbacks, and of course victories. But I am determined to do it and I know I will do it.
