This week the Stronger U Member Spotlight is shining down on Kimberly Brooks Lindquist, who has been working with Coach Kenny Barber. Congrats, Kimberly!
What’s your name? (First and last names, pretty please)
Kimberly Brooks Lindquist
Who was your Coach?
Ken Barber
If there was one thing you could say to your Coach, what would it be?
I just want to thank him for always giving me his words of wisdom and all of his encouragement when I needed it most.
Tell us a little about you. Where are you from? Are you a parent? What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I was born and raised in California before heading to the east coast to go to college at Penn State. I have lived in New York City, Chicago, Tampa, and New Jersey before moving to Houston, Texas thirteen years ago. I have a 16-year-old son who is a junior in high school and plays football and is my greatest accomplishment in life. My free time is usually spent watching my son play sports or just spending time with family and friends.
What was the moment that made you decide to join Stronger U?
I was so unhappy with my weight and how I looked and felt. My friend Ericka Good posted on her Facebook page her Stronger U story and photos and I was intrigued. I reached out to her to find out what she was doing. She told me about this program and said that if she could do it then I could do it. Because I was so unhappy and at my rock bottom with my weight and how I looked and felt I knew I was ready for a change. At first, I was hesitant that I wouldn’t be able to stick with it, but having Ericka there to answer questions and give her support and encouragement made it easier to navigate this program.
Is there anyone from the SU community you would like to shout out?
I want to thank my friend Ericka Good for sharing her story because that was the moment that made me believe that I could make a change in myself. I also want to give a big thank you to this AMAZING Stronger U community that was my daily inspiration as I navigated through my journey. This community is like no other as they champion your successes and help lift you up when you are feeling low.
What dieting experience did you have previous to Stronger U?
Before Stronger U I think I tried just about every fad diet out there on the market with no success. The weight I lost through these diets I eventually gained back and then some. I have learned that all these diets may only be quick fixes to weight loss but definitely not sustainable.
What were your eating habits like before joining Stronger U? Did you prep your meals? Did you eat out regularly? Did you think you were already eating healthy and in moderation?
I never really thought that I ate horribly before Stronger U. What I realized after joining Stronger U was that I was eating the wrong amounts of food and the wrong kinds of food. I also had a love of all wine so that was the biggest change that I had to make on this program.
Why do you think Stronger U worked so well for you compared to other programs or diets?
I never felt like I was on a “diet” while doing Stronger U. I was still able to eat all the things that I loved. I learned to substitute healthier options for the foods that I loved to eat so that I was still able to enjoy them.
What was the biggest challenge or change when you first started with Stronger U?
The biggest change that I had to make when starting Stronger U was eliminating all the wine I was drinking.
What was something you regularly ate while on Stronger U that people wouldn’t expect you to eat on a diet?
Grilled cheese sandwich
What does your typical week of eating look like? How many days a week do you meal prep? Do you have certain meals you make most often?
I typically tend to eat the same things for breakfast and lunch and then switch things up at dinner. My husband is currently in his second session with Stronger U so dinners tend to be simple and easy to track. My husband was such a huge support to me during my journey so it makes me proud to see him and his success now on this program. In the beginning, I meal prepped all the time because that was the best guarantee at hitting your macros. Now that I have been in maintenance for about nine months I don’t meal prep anymore. I still weigh myself every day out of habit and track my food most of the time. The best thing about this program is the knowledge and the data that you have about your body so that if you feel like you need to tighten the reins a bit you have all the information you need to do so. I have been able to enjoy life with food and maintain my weight and success that I had with this program.
How much weight did you lose with Stronger U?
52 pounds
How did your waist measurements change with Stronger U?
11 inches in the waist
What were 3 major non-scale victories you experienced with Stronger U?
- I turn 50 on January 25th and I am the same size I was in my 20’s!
- It may sound vain, but I love having my picture taken now.
- I am the happiest I have been in my life.
Outside of the scale, inches, and previously mentioned NSV’s, how has your life improved thanks to your time with Stronger U?
I am more confident and feel great! All the aches and pains from the extra weight are now gone. Stronger U allowed me for the first time to work on myself and become the best version of ME. I went from not liking myself very much to loving myself and the person that I have become on the inside and out. I would never trade this experience for anything in the world.
What are 3 tips, based on your experience, that you’d give to new members of Stronger U to help them see success early on?
To all the new people that have chosen to embark on their own journey, on the days that you may struggle or feel that you don’t have it in you to succeed remember your WHY. Remember why you joined SU. Remember the goals that you have set for yourself. Remember that you have an entire community here that will champion your successes and help lift you up when you are feeling low. Remember that there is no one more important than YOU and that YOU are worth all the work that you have to put into this program to succeed.
If someone is thinking about joining Stronger U, what advice would you give them before beginning their journey?
My advice to anyone thinking about joining Stronger U is to jump in with both feet and never look back. The beginning may be hard to navigate but it does get easier. And I promise if you put in the work you will not only see the results but you will also be able to keep the weight off with all that you learn in this program.
Interested in learning more about Stronger U? Email us at info@strongeru.com or to schedule a free informational phone call with someone on our Member Experience Team just CLICK HERE! Can’t wait to hear from you!