Get to know your Mamavation Mom Applicants! – Guest Post – Kimberly

As some of you may or may not know, last campaign I was honored to be included with some of the most AMAZING and remarkable women I’ve ever met – in ‘real life’ or online.  One of those is the next applicant for Mamavation Mom in my series to get to know the applicants.  Over the last few months, I’ve gotten to know her and have become so close to her that I honestly feel as close to her as I’d imagine I’d feel to a real life sister!  She has been through a LOT these last few months and still manages to keep a smile on her face and offer motivation and encouragement to anyone who needs it.  May I present to you Kimberly – (@christlikemommy)

My name is Kimberly, and I hope to be the next Mamavation Mom. If you have been following Shelley’s blog for any length of time, then you know that she was recently a Mamavation Mom, and she rocked it! I was in absolute amazement at her before and after photos. I really wanted to be a Mamavation Mom for campaign 6, but didn’t get to. It just wasn’t meant to be. However, this time is my time to shine!

I started noticing that I weighed more than girls my age when I was in middle school. The extra fat had caused me to look like I was developing more quickly than the other girls, and the kids took notice. In the sixth grade my nickname was “Jello”. I was embarrassed and hurt, but didn’t know what to do to stop gaining weight. We had a few nutrition classes throughout middle and high school, but nothing that influenced me enough to quit overeating, and quit eating junk. In high school I rarely participated in gym class. I came up with a list of excuses to sit out during all the activities. My mom would even write me notes to get out of gym class. I started working my first job when I was a junior in high school. I would leave school at Noon, go to the nearest fast food joint, go to work, and then when I got a break at work, head back to the same fast food place. For many years fast food was my only food group. I met my husband in 2003. We have been married for 5 wonderful years. When he and I first met, I weighed about 230 pounds. In our first 2 years of courtship I gained over 40 pounds. We ate out at a fast food restaurant almost every meal, then snacked a lot and drank 24 ounce sodas while watching TV. Fast forward 5 years and here we are, two kids later and still overweight. Neither of us are a very good example for our 2 boys. I have lost a total of 80 pounds since 2007, but through pregnancy and sickness, managed to gain it all back. I have tried every diet, read every book and even took some weight loss pills. I finally came to the realization that no matter what book I read or video I watch, I am not going to lose weight until I make a major lifestyle change. I believe that the 7 weeks of Mamavation Mom boot-camp is what I need to help me turn my life around. I want Leah and the Mamavation coaching team to help me turn my life around. I have so many reasons for wanting to become a Mamavation Mom, most of which you can read at my blog, Christ Like Mommy. Make sure to check out my 10 days of “Why I want to be a Mamavation Mom”.

If you want to show your support, please tweet the following, or head on over to the Mamavation Facebook page and let Leah, @bookieboo know that I inspire you!

“Hey @bookieboo! I want @christlikemommy to be the next #Mamavation” Mom. She has my support!

Huge thanks to Shelley for allowing me to share my story on her fabulous new blog!

I hope you’ll join me in supporting ALL of the applicants by tweeting your support.  Make sure you check Kimberly out at her normal bloggy home to follow her journey – Christ Like Mommy