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Show TIMES January_]JL20Q6_ Photo by Beth Young Krlstlne Bailey points out how she uses a checklist with exercises and calorie intake to help keep her on track with her healthy goals. lands Hill military wife on national show BY BETH YOUNG Hilltop Times staff Kristine Bailey just wanted to say thank you. The Hill military wife had no idea that her words of gratitude would lead to a television appearance. As with many Americans, Mrs. Bailey struggled with a weight problem. In 2001, after her third pregnancy, she found herself carrying 250 pounds on her 5-foot 2-inch frame. "I knew there was something I needed to do but I didn't know what," she said. "I just let about 100 pounds pack on - I was a big comfort eater." Looking for guidance, Mrs. Bailey turned to the book, "Self Matters: Creating Your Life from the Inside Out" by Phillip C. McGraw. Although not a weight loss book, it helped her to shed 82 pounds by helping her learn about what caused some of her unhealthy behavior. "I was able to make healthier food choices just because I had redefined myself," Mrs. Bailey said. Because of how much the first book helped, after she gained back some of her weight following her forth pregnancy, she got another book by the same author, "The Ultimate Weight Solution." Following this book's advice, Mrs. Bailey was able to lose a total of 120 pounds. "I haven't been in the 130s since high school," she said. The author of the two books that helped Mrs. Bailey to lose more than 100 pounds is better known to most as Dr. Phil, host of his own daytime television series. After e-mailing the show to thank him for his inspiring books, Mrs. Bailey was surprised by the response asking her to appear on the show. "The Dr. Phil Show chose Kristine as an outstanding example for millions of people who are eager to lose weight and take control of their own lives," said Adam Bittner, who handles media relations for the Dr. Phil show. "She is a remarkable woman and is destined for great things in the future." As she walked on the stage in a fitting black dress, Mrs, Bailey was met with thunderous applause from the studio audience. For most, losing weight is a reward in itself; for Mrs. Bailey, being on the show was a bonus for all of her hard work. "The weight loss is the thing I am the most proud of," she said. "Although I was nervous, appearing on the show was so much fun, I would do it all over again. Photo courtesy of Peteskl Prod. Inc. and CBS Paramount Domestic TV -- Mathew Imaging Kristine Bailey poses with Phillip C. McGraw, better known as Or. Phil, after appearing on the show, which featured guests who had succeeded in losing weight. ometimes I can't believe it was just little things every day that helped me be the way I am now." — Kristine Bailey Seeing yourself looking your best on television, gave me a little more self confidence." While on the show, which featured several guests who had lost weight, she got several surprises. One of which was the chance to talk to her husband, who is currently deployed in Iraq. The show had connected him by telephone, and in front of all the viewers, he had the chance to say how proud he was, calling her "one hot mama." "The whole experience of Kristine getting a chance to thank Dr. Phil in person on his show has been really exciting for the, both of us," said Staff Sgt. Eric Bailey, 75th Civil Engineer Squadron HVAC technician. "Even though I am separated from her right now I was still excited for her and I could feel through e-mails and phone calls just how excited she was too." Throughout her weight loss journey, Mrs. Bailey says her husband has been very supportive. She said he has always loved her at any weight, but she has been e-mailing him photos. Sergeant Bailey will be returning from his deployment by the end of this week and his wife cannot wait for his return to show off "the new me." "I was already anxious for our reunion, but now I can barely contain myself," he said. "It's awesome how Kristine was able to shed the weight after having four kids and then be able to loose the rest all on her own these last four months." The changes that Mrs. Bailey made to lose the weight will be with her for the rest of her life. She said that the books didn't tell her how to lose weight but helped her to tailor a plan that fits her life. She has a permanent check list in her kitchen that helps her keep track of her calories and exercises, which include sets of toning exercises everyday and 40 minutes of cardio five days a week. "Yes, it's been hard but no harder than being overweight," she said. "It's hard being overweight, physically and emotionally. You're tired and self defeating. Just from losing the weight I have so much more energy. You have to stop making excuses. Sometimes I can't believe it was just little things every day that helped me be the way I am now. When you achieve a goal you shine a lot more." Now that she has achieved her goal, Mrs. Bailey enjoys helping others reach theirs. She created a weight loss support website, http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/hillsweightlossbuddies, for those who want help or want to give help. The group has more than 30 active members. After the show many members of her family have been inspired and are working toward becoming healthier. The benefits losing weight just keep coming for Mrs. Bailey. The Dr. Phil show gave her a shopping spree, which will come in handy for her all-expensespaid trip to Hawaii that the show also gave her in honor of her upcoming 10th anniversary. "The show was a whirlwind," she said "I was surprised because I came to say thank you and they are giving me stuff." Mrs. Bailey also said that it took a lot of friends back home to make the show appearance possible. Her mother flew to Utah to watch her children and other military wives pitched in to help. "I need to thank Ericka, Monique, Vanessa and Danielle," she said. "They made this possible for me. With my husband deployed, there was no way it was going to happen otherwise. It really impressed the producer who flew out to interview me. She was so impressed by how much military wives are a family." Photo by Beth Young Now at her lightest since high Kristine Bailey said that pregschool, due to exercise on her nancy caused her to "pack on the elliptical machine and toning expounds." She was at her heaviest ercises, Kristine Bailey Is feeling following her third pregnancy. her best. Courtesy photo |