Kipp Hodnett before and after.
So, here's the story:
I was never one to work out, but I was completely in love with food and cooking, but I kept fairly busy while in grade school with band and sports, but after high school my weight rose until I was almost 500 lbs. I tried to go on a mission, but my weight loss attempts failed, and at that moment, I was around 440's and was told to get down to 350 and re-file. Nothing worked for me, but I didn't really know what I was doing, nor could I muster up the self-discipline to keep at it, which I've since learned is the key.
After several years, I went through college and started losing weight. After graduating and teaching for a year, I was diagnosed with diabetes, and had seriously lost a lot of muscle mass. Upon the diagnosis, I stopped drinking all sodas (I've returned to them, but diet, and I'm trying to start the weening process off of that.) and lost 15 pounds in the first week! I continued that trend for the next few weeks and began working out with the Wii, using the EA Active personal trainer games. Just before my diagnosis, I had lost all of my health insurance, so my doctors worked with me (I still have crazy medical debt, but oh well, I'm working on it.) and got me into a grant program and I was able to begin seeing a nutritionist for free. The new stuff I learned from that, and the exercise, combined for my success.
My new eating habits were simply ratios of non-starchy veggies being half the plate, a starchy vegetable being a quarter, with a lean protein filling the other quarter. I found that making my own food was better than going out, and that my own cooking chops improved greatly!
That pic was probably my heaviest, close to 500, down to about 280-ish. Sadly, I've gained quite a bit back through grad school, approximately 60-70 lbs., but I'm trying to finish my degree so that I can get back into the swing of things like I was. I want to get down another 100-120 lbs. and begin running, but I'm still very self-conscious about my weight and looks, especially while running. I haven't quite been able to get over that even though I know I can run. It hurts though, especially because of the weight loss!
This whole situation definitely gave me a new appreciation for physical health, and it's importance in preparing for a mission and church service in general. I still have a lot of work ahead of me, but I'm hoping to continue the work I've done in reversing my diabetes, but I know I've taken a huge step back over the past year while focusing on my school work. I'm trying to start the Couch to 5k program, and restart my commitment to the EA Active series and eating well.
It's always a journey, and I do hope that I can achieve my goals and help others on theirs as well.
Kipp Hodnett
I was never one to work out, but I was completely in love with food and cooking, but I kept fairly busy while in grade school with band and sports, but after high school my weight rose until I was almost 500 lbs. I tried to go on a mission, but my weight loss attempts failed, and at that moment, I was around 440's and was told to get down to 350 and re-file. Nothing worked for me, but I didn't really know what I was doing, nor could I muster up the self-discipline to keep at it, which I've since learned is the key.
After several years, I went through college and started losing weight. After graduating and teaching for a year, I was diagnosed with diabetes, and had seriously lost a lot of muscle mass. Upon the diagnosis, I stopped drinking all sodas (I've returned to them, but diet, and I'm trying to start the weening process off of that.) and lost 15 pounds in the first week! I continued that trend for the next few weeks and began working out with the Wii, using the EA Active personal trainer games. Just before my diagnosis, I had lost all of my health insurance, so my doctors worked with me (I still have crazy medical debt, but oh well, I'm working on it.) and got me into a grant program and I was able to begin seeing a nutritionist for free. The new stuff I learned from that, and the exercise, combined for my success.
My new eating habits were simply ratios of non-starchy veggies being half the plate, a starchy vegetable being a quarter, with a lean protein filling the other quarter. I found that making my own food was better than going out, and that my own cooking chops improved greatly!
That pic was probably my heaviest, close to 500, down to about 280-ish. Sadly, I've gained quite a bit back through grad school, approximately 60-70 lbs., but I'm trying to finish my degree so that I can get back into the swing of things like I was. I want to get down another 100-120 lbs. and begin running, but I'm still very self-conscious about my weight and looks, especially while running. I haven't quite been able to get over that even though I know I can run. It hurts though, especially because of the weight loss!
This whole situation definitely gave me a new appreciation for physical health, and it's importance in preparing for a mission and church service in general. I still have a lot of work ahead of me, but I'm hoping to continue the work I've done in reversing my diabetes, but I know I've taken a huge step back over the past year while focusing on my school work. I'm trying to start the Couch to 5k program, and restart my commitment to the EA Active series and eating well.
It's always a journey, and I do hope that I can achieve my goals and help others on theirs as well.
Kipp Hodnett
