Talking about my weight or body image is not something you see on here often. What you do see me talk about A LOT is what new diet or healthy eating kick I am on.

My weight isn't something I'm obsessed with but I will admit, I think about it a lot. It was a constant reminder growing up when my family would mention how skinny I was and didn't fit in with the family. I was blessed with a high metabolism I guess. Where did that go?

Prom 2005

Always being the "skinny" family member definitely contributed to my concern over any and all weight gain. I saw a pound creep up and I instantly became concerned. I went through diet pills, weight loss strategies and ran like a fiend just to keep the pounds off back then. Not smart, Krista for your college self who did none of those things.

My sophomore year of college was my heaviest I've ever been. That weight won't be disclosed as I am still a little embarrassed that the number got up that high without it being contributed to a new life being inside me.

I was in love, just joined a sorority that I loved and was happy with my life. There was a kitchen downstairs where it was easy to indulge in pizza rolls and chicken fingers. I definitely did not have a scale to monitor the weight gain. I saw pants getting tighter and I loved my sweatpants but it was ok. I was happy.

In the same dress, 2010

Then, I ended up with a knee condition in the spring of 2010. For 3 months, I was a medical mystery. 3 MRI's, physical therpay for no reason, 4 X-Rays. No one knew why my knee was the size of a basketball and I couldn't walk on it. Turns out it was that tricky meniscus. Had some surgery, physical therapy and somehow the weight just fell off.

That summer, I lost 20 pounds. Typing that I still can't believe that I was that heavy to be able to lose that much and not even be near the 100 mark. (not saying that is EVER my goal) I felt absolutely amazing and my blood pressure was under control again. I could run and workout and I actually wanted to.

Naturally, I had to go on a shopping spree. I was a whole new person coming back to college my junior year. I felt free and had to battle some things and new clothes would help me take on the world. Cue my "skinny" jeans. As we all know as, the jeans that linger to a period when you were at your "best" weight.

Skinny jeans!

Since I put on those skinny jeans, I have obviously not kept up with that weight. It has been a constant fluctuation with ups and downs, ups and down some more. It creeps up then I realize and do something about it.

Put some back on. Spring 2009.

Christmas 2009. Weight off again.

Engagement Pictures 2012. Up again.

On our wedding day. Way down. Thanks stomach flu!

As you can see, after college, I lost another 10 pounds. Not as much booze I think. But then I moved on my own, got engaged and loved my job. It was the happy weight you see in my engagement pictures. That then came off during operation wedding weight loss and stomach flu.

And those skinny jeans? Those jeans still sit in my closet. Circa 2010. I can't say they just sit there and collect dust because they don't. I pull those jeans out on a regular basis. They are how I know I am gaining weight or losing weight. Or might be carrying a little extra in the love handles.

It might seem like I am obsessed with my weight. And I would say yes and no. Carrying a few extra pounds, no big deal. But too many of those pounds look and feel different on a 5 ft. 2 in. person than someone taller. It also affects how I feel overall. I feel more tired and just overall blah.

It's part of why I keep the skinny jeans. I felt like I could take on the world when I first bought those skinny jeans. I felt sexy. My blood pressure dropped, my skin improved. I was living life and really enjoying it. Those skinny jeans are more about how I FELT in them rather than what I looked like.

If I gain a few pounds, I don't stress or worry about it. I hardly get on the scale after operation wedding weight loss. But I do get concerned when I start to feel the weight gain. My blood pressure, my skin, my overall well being.

I might opt to toss those skinny jeans come spring cleaning time. Or I might still hold on to them. Still haven't made the full decision if I really still need them around. I have put on some of the newlywed pounds but I will call that my happy weight and I won't let my skinny jeans tell me any different. 

Do you have skinny jeans? How long have you kept them?

The Thankful Project | An Expectation

Expectations. They can be what someone else expects of you, what society expects of you or what you expect of yourself. Expectations are what drives us as a people and a society. The one expectation I am thankful for is having the expectation to be a MILF.

Now, you might laugh or think this won't be something serious. But hear me out.To me that acronym means so much more than a mom who is super hot and boys have fantasies about. To me, it is a symbol of a mom who is pretty darn awesome. And might look hot on occasion.

I see a milf as a supermom. A woman who wants to be the best version she can be for her family. I want that mom car that will make me look super cool when I take my kids to dance class, soccer and the many other activities they will participate in. And maybe blast my Carrie Underwood in.

I want to work hard so I have that pool to lay out by and watch my kids have friends over for pool parties and are able to create those memories. Friends were never in and out of my house growing up do to the distance it required for them to get there. SO if I am able to provide that spacious house and great backyard for my kids to enjoy with their friends, I think I do deserve a nice suntan once in awhile.

I want to keep myself in the best shape for my kids and husband and myself. looking good is also about being healthy. And I want to live a healthy lifestyle to be around for my grand kids and maybe even great grand kids. My mom is missing so many moments with her kids and won't even get to see her grandkids. Something that always hurts me and I know, God willing, I want to be here for all of this for my kids. I also want to pass that healthy lifestyle onto my kids. So if that keeps me looking great, well that's a bonus! And plus, I've heard when you dress nice, it keeps you feeling young. Win!


You can agree or disagree with me. As I am not a mom yet, I know that is a tough job. But I want to excel at it and I have given myself the expectation to hold up to give my kids the best mom they can have. The coolest mom they can have. The mom that they are proud of. And that's my version of what a milf really is.

And the expectations to be that is what drives me to work so hard now to be that in the future and give my kids that great future. And I am thankful that I may have this, albeit strange to some, expectation for myself.