This was how I found you! What a blessed day for me!

Because I can't make it until 11:30, I watched the show today online. I thought it was a very well done show, and that Kim did a very good job making her points (when she could get a word in edgewise, that is). Meme was also very well informed and well spoken, and took a lot of heat. However, Marianne will NEVER be able to convince me that she is perfectly happy being as heavy as she is and that she is a perfectly healthy woman. I am working on losing the extra 40 pounds I am currently carrying and it is hard. But it is harder not being able to run around the playground with my little Granddaughter. It is harder breathing heavy when I run upstairs. It is harder when I'm tying my tennis shoes and I have to unbutton my jeans first so I can bend over and breath at the same time. There's no doubt that 40 extra pounds on my frame is unhealthy for me - just ask my aching knees. Marianne spoke of the huge problem for obese people of being judged because of their heaviness. When someone is walking down the street smoking a cigarette, you can bet that a lot of people are judging that individual and thinking of how that person is harming their health. It is the same thinking when someone walks past an obese person -- that the obese person is seriously harming their health. I see no difference in the two.

I certainly appreciate you as a weight loss resource Kim, but to be quite honest, I was a bit turned off by the title of your book, "FINALLY" THIN. I've been "big and beautiful" aLL of my life--- and I have never had a desire to be thin. A person that can really carry more weight than the average woman, I generally look at least 50 pounds LESS than what I actually am. I even fool doctors, who don't view me as obese, until they put me on a scale.

According to nutritional guides, I would certainly be considered obese by "the number of pounds" on the scale. However, more important to me than losing weight is being in control. Writing down what I eat and counting calories on a daily basis does it for me. In this regard, I have figured out exactly how many calories I must eat to maintain my weight and what it takes to lose a few pounds a month.

I agree with the woman who commented on the importance of patience. I am 66, some say look like I'm 40 and I'm in better control over my appetite and what I put in my mouth than I have ever been, even though I'm a slow loser. I've lost 10 pounds a year over the last 4 years, swimming an hour a day, 3 days a week for the last 13 years. If not swimming, than I do a strenuous water aerobics in the deep for an hour or more.

Most important, after only losing 20 pounds, I had lost several inches,--7 from my waist, 5 from by bust, 6 from my hips, 3 from my biceps, 3 from my neck, 3 from my calf--a toal of 27 inches with just a 20 pound lost. Even though I lost more weight, no more inches have come off. Yet people are constantly asking me if I've lost weight. Some even comment that I look like I've lost 100 pounds. I marvel at that. Usually when I get such comments, I will have gained a few pounds.

I'd surely love to lose 50 more pounds for health reasons, but if I don't, I won't sweat it cause I really have no desire to "BE THIN!"

Kim, I love your story I bought your book and I am doing WW on-line. I would love to do yours on-line too but I have to watch my money, that is why it is online and not at the meetings.
I am sick of everyone trying to find blame and a fix. I know how I got here, I know what I did, and I know what I need to do to make changes. There is no miracle. I am healthy but very overweight and it depresses me more that anything because I know what I need to do...why can't I get it right!!! The government can do it for me, a pill cant do it for me, it has to be through me!! having support with WW and great people like you being there for us helps, but I am the one who has to find the ah ha moment!
thanks for all you do Kim, I bet your meetings are even better!!You look great and your story is wonderful.
mary anne

I think that one very relevant question would be "fat to whom" I don't consider anyone who is more than a size zero to be fat. All I have is my own experience in getting healthy, which has included losing 48 pounds and keeping it off for more than a year - so far - I can tell you that I have more energy, a better self image, and, along with an exercise plan, am in the best shape of my life. At my highest, I was 200 lbs, and many people said "you aren't fat" so, I suppose it is all relative.

I'm not interested in putting labels on people, however, the national statistics show overwhelmingly that obesity and heart disease/diabetes are related. Just because one person can be overweight and not have health issues, doesn't mean that being overweight isn't dangerous for the majority. I know of people who died of lung cancer that never smoked, but no one is going to convince me that smoking doesn't cause lung cancer.

Dr Braxy - - you took the words right out of my mouth. Dido and bravo to you! Good luck on turning your metab around. I just want healthy choices - this whole skinny or you need to be under a certain # amount - who makes up these rules -skinny or size 2 doesn't always look like the greener side of the track -as I see a whole lot of very sick (small) people too. it appears you can be happy , feel your best and life is good ----when you are healthy mind, body and soul whatever the size... :0)

Oh my gosh -- I'd love to watch it with you! Uhh -- Especially when you hear MeMe speak. :| And, may I add, I could hug you for the support. k

Aaaaahhhhhhh!!!! I'm so sick of the misinformation about fat people and the always negative spin placed on it when the reality is, not all fat people are unhealthy and not all skinny ones are healthy. I'm overweight, though in the midst of losing, and have ZERO health concerns. While my smaller counterparts struggle with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and the like, I am very active, healthy, and vibrant...AND Fat. I eat pretty healthy though would often miss meals and eat dinner at 10pm due to time issues and therefore messed up my metabolism. Still, I would absolutely LOVE it if someone would stop saying we're all pitiful, unhealthy lard-butts and realize that not everyone can be painted with the same brush. You either have media saying fat people are the devil or you have the opposite end telling us being huge is perfectly fine. NEITHER IS CORRECT!!! It also doesn't help that they frequently ask people who were 'lonely and suicidal but then lost weight' to speak on behalf of the rest of us. What about those of us who are beautiful, big & desired women who are losing weight (or not!) because we want to, not because we felt worthless until we got skinny? You can't get a realistic picture when the panels are always made up of extremes. This subject really irritates me and if I watch Nightline on Monday, it will ONLY be to support Kim. But anytime someone other than Kim speaks, I'll be throwing low-fat snacks at the tv. :o)

Sorry, it was taped on the 5t and airs on the 22nd. No one missed it yet! :)

They took audience questions and the gentleman standing up was upset about what he perceived to be a "negative" outlook on overweight people. We were listening to him voice his opinion. It will be very interesting to see what spin ABC puts on all this.

I want to know what ya'll were talking about in the second page on the bottom. Everyone looks so GLUM!!!!!

it airs Feb. 22.

Tammy

I think it is an error on the 5th. She stated they taped it the 5th if you read the blog. so thinking it will air on the 22nd.
I guess we all need patience.

Hi Kim,
I am a bit confused??? How can I stay up and watch it on Feb. 5, when you emailed us on 2/10??? Was it on TV on 2/5 or did you mean 2/22? I hope it is 2/22 because I really would love to watch it. You have been my inspiration. I first met you at the ice cream parlor/farm in Shelton and then at your book premier on 12/30/08. You introduced me to your leader Beth, and I have been with her ever since. I am now 40 lbs thinner and have kept it off with the help of your emails and Beth's meetings. I am even doing water aerobics at our local pool 3 times a week. Please keep insiring us all. Judy