Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Low self-esteem had nothing to do with the new and improved Christina Kim, who now turns heads and has people asking, "Is that you?"
Kim choreographed an offseason weight-loss program that matched her vivacious personality, hiring a posse of problem-solvers that helped trim 33 pounds off her 5-6 frame.
The entourage included enough help to make a Hollywood star envious. Kim spent six weeks visiting relatives in South Korea and hired an acupuncturist, a dietician, massage therapist, personal trainer and yoga instructor. She also ran 9 miles each day, a distance she's decreased now that the season has started.
"I like to view things in life as a game, not as a win or a lose, but the playing aspect of it," Kim said Tuesday in Rancho Mirage, Calif., site of this week's Kraft Nabisco Championship.
"I never really had a bad self-image. I never said to myself, 'You're so fat.' I was never that person. That's just a waste of energy."
Kim wants that streamlined look to carry over into her game as she shoots for a first major title. A two-time winner on the LPGA tour, she's off to a slow start this season with ties for 13th, 49th, 55th and a missed cut.
Kim ranked 19th on the money list last year and helped lead the USA to victory in the Solheim Cup. Her intense makeover, though, was a personal challenge rather than a confidence issue.
"To see if I could do it," Kim said. "I've struggled with my weight for many years, and I thought that's the only way that I could do it and lose my winter coat."
The bill for Kim's six weeks of sweat: approximately $6,000. "I actually struck a deal with them, so I got a discount," she said. "That's with like having a 30-man team ... well, not 30, but there were a lot of people that were willing to help."
Her massage sessions literally helped beat the fat off her. Three times a week, Kim saw therapists who specialized in kyung-lak, a form of Korean massage that includes hitting certain targeted areas of the body.
"They would beat me with bowls. It's not like relaxation massages. This is the stuff you couldn't tell them the pressure was too hard," Kim said. "I did that 31/2 hours per visit. I could have a baby now, my threshold of pain has gone up."
At 22, she's considered a part of the LPGA's young pack of stars, albeit with a vibe and style that often includes a beret or pigtails on the course. "These girls are young, they're good-looking, they are athletic, they're vibrant and they dress cool," Juli Inkster said.
They dress up, too. Upon returning from Korea, Kim joined Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis, Cristie Kerr and other LPGA players at Academy Awards parties thrown by Elton John and another by Rolling Stone magazine.
"People say, 'I didn't recognize you.' I wish I could feel the same, but I'm not anywhere near where I want to be," Kim said. "But it's a good feeling to know that people see the difference. I'm 33 pounds lighter with everything I do. Good stuff."
New name, old golfers: The Women's Senior Golf Tour has renamed itself The Legends Tour and has four tournaments on the schedule this year, concluding with the Handa Cup on Dec.16-17 at the World Golf Village. The Handa Cup will pit a 12-player U.S. team against an International team.
*Competitive fire fuels busy Gulbis, 3C
To see more of USAToday.com, or to subscribe, go to http://www.usatoday.com
© Copyright 2006 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
