By Liana Jacob
MEET the former food addict who comforted herself with junk following the sad death of her mum but has since turned her life around after shedding more than her current bodyweight of TWELVE-STONE in just over a year-and-a-half.
Factory worker, Kristen Bobo (27), from Wisconsin, USA, grew up as a chubby child but it wasnāt until her mum passed away in October 2004 that she began emotionally indulging in pizzas, takeout food and anything āfast and cheapā. This resulted in her reaching 25st 4Ibs and a UK size 32.
Kristen was bullied about her weight and hated herself and the way she looked, until one day, she realised she had enough, started eating clean and training six times a week; bodybuilding and cardio. Her new attitude helped her shrink to a slim 12st 7Ibs and a UK size 12 to 14.
āGrowing up, I had an amazing family, but my mum passed away when I was a child and while I was always a chubby kid, thatās when eating really became a problem for me,ā Kristen said.
āI was bullied quite often for my weight and that didnāt help my food āaddictionā either; I kept gaining and gaining until I hit my maximum weight.
āI can blame it on my life situation, but honestly, I just loved food and I cared more about eating than I did about my body or health.
āI hated myself; thatās the only emotion I had towards myself. Then I woke up one day and I realised I was done.
āI was done feeling like crap, I was done hating myself, I realised that I only have one life, one body and I want to make the most of it.
āI could barely climb the stairs in my house and I was just so sick of it. I needed to quit, I was terrified I would die. Iām an all or nothing type of person so the second I decided I wanted to do it, I just dove right in.
āI started learning about nutrition; what was good, why it was good. I educated myself on how to fuel my body, then after I lost around eighty-pounds, I started learning about fitness and I absolutely fell in love with it.
āIām in no way the same person I used to be; my life has completely changed. Iām happy, I have friends, Iām more open and I actually go out and do things. Itās a completely different life; I love it now.
āIām slowly learning to love myself and all of my imperfections. Iām very proud of myself. Iāve cut out junk food.
āI now eat clean and whole food, I watch my portions, I watch my sugar intake and I now do bodybuilding and lots of cardio.ā
Changing her mental state was the hardest part of the process for Kristen.
āIt took a long time for my brain to catch up with my body. When you hate yourself the way I did, itās really hard to love yourself enough to keep going, but itās so important to keep going.
āFigure out exactly what the bad food is doing to your body, learn how to fuel your body properly. Educating yourself on nutrition is the best thing you can ever do; Google is your friend.
āMost people just canāt believe it was really me; a lot of people call me their inspiration and ask for my help.ā
For more information visit: https://www.instagram.com/bobogetsfit/