Lighter Portions Helped Kristie Lose 60 Pounds

Every week, we introduce you to bloggers who share their weight-loss journeys and hefty doses of inspiration with their readers. This week's featured blogger is Kristie from Lighter Portions.

Name: Kristie Kinch

Age: 21

Start weight: 163

Current weight: 113

My weight loss approach: About four years ago I got tired of being unhealthy and unhappy with myself. I knew I wanted a complete lifestyle change -- a change I could keep up with and maintain for the rest of my life, meaning no crash diets, no quick fixes, just old fashioned hard work, determination, and healthier choices. I started out slowly, gradually introducing exercise, healthier foods and more reasonable portions into my daily life. I relied on food journaling and calorie counting to keep me accountable, and was constantly reading up on healthy tips and food ideas to introduce into my changing lifestyle.

I soon discovered the rush of endorphins after a good workout and eventually learned to love running, strength training and just getting my body moving! No gym membership necessary -- I did (and still do) all of my workouts with a treadmill, a handful of workout DVDs, hand weights and my own body weight. It took a bit over a year to accomplish the majority of my weight loss and I've spent the last three years losing the final stubborn pounds, maintaining, and improving on my now healthy lifestyle. Now I work out five to six days a week, focusing on running and strength training, and I fuel myself with plenty of fruits, vegetables and all-around healthy eats. Nothing is off limits but I try to keep less-healthy fare to a minimum and focus on consuming foods that are nutrient-packed and make me feel my best.

Why I wanted to blog about it: I've always been interested in food and when I first discovered the community of food and health blogs during the earlier stages of my weight loss, I was instantly drawn in. I thought it would be a great way to help me keep track of and be accountable for the foods I was eating, let out some of my thoughts surrounding the daily struggles of making healthy choices, as well as to get insight from others about what steps to take next in order to improve my healthy lifestyle.

The best part of blogging is: Being part of a whole community of people who share the same love of food and healthy living as I do, and being able to give and receive tons of great, positive feedback and advice from people all over the world. The things I've learned since starting to blog are countless and indispensable, and I'm still gaining new ideas through blogging every day.

Best comment I've received: I get excited about every single comment I receive -- the kindness and positivity of others always puts a smile on my face. I especially love when people tell me I've been inspiring to them and ask for advice. It means a lot knowing that I can pass on what I've learned to help others work towards their own goals.

What's next for my blog: I'm hoping to put up more blog features such as recipes, healthy eating and workout tips, and a detailed weight loss story in the near future. I'd also love to start incorporating more general lifestyle content in regular posting that touches on all aspects of creating and maintaining a healthy, happy and positive lifestyle.

Find out more about Kristie and her healthy habits by checking out Lighter Portions for yourself.

Kristie's not the only who's had success through blogging -- check out our range of inspirational writers who've become healthier through telling their story.