Amy’s glo up

[amy_c]

Let’s start with some context - I’m Amy, a 22 year old student in Canada. Grew up with terrible eating habits in an obese family. Now in an intense course that keeps me at school from 8am-10pm on most days (goodbye, cooking and barre), and on a very limited budget. Without wanting to assign any blame, because of my upbringing, I didn’t feel as bad just going for the cheap junk food options and no exercise (“that’s the student life”, right?). But even under these limited conditions I feel I can do better.

My weight has always kept me pretty insecure, and the one time I did lose weight the right way a few yesrs ago, I just felt like I could do so much more because I wasn’t worried about how I looked or how much space I took up or what others thought. My food habits also kept me a bit depressed even. So I know this isn’t just going to be for the aesthetic - my energy levels and confidence have benefited from healthier habits, and I’d like to do that again.

My current eating and exercise habits are absolutely horrible. Be shocked if you will, but my daily eating habits literally consists of pizza and bubble tea. “Oh, but Fresh Slice is whole wheat and organic and bla bla”, but not really an appropriate option for daily nutrition, to put it nicely. It’s the cheapest option, but there are definitely other cheap, healthy options I know of that I could feasibly include in my daily diet.

I’d like to start with small steps - including fruit in my diet at least once a day, going to the treadmill in my building twice a week for 30 minutes. I don’t have any number goals, but I would like to have healthy habits by the time I graduate (summer 2019).

Anyway, wish me luck and I will keep everyone updated!

 

[Cate]

Welcome to the forum Amy. Small steps in the right direction, including fruit at least once a day & exercising more, should help you move towards being healthier. I wish you lots of luck, plus determination & resolve. Cheers, Cate.

 

[Kym]

Hi Amy: this is the best forum to be in for support. Welcome

 

[amy_c]

Thanks so much guys! I really appreciate it. ^^

Update, Feb. 2: clearing my room has been basically cleaning out 3-4 McDonalds bags, 2-3 pizza boxes every time. I think I’m at a point where I have to admit that I’ve formed eating habits based around shame - I always ate out instead of bringing food back to the cafeteria to eat with my friends because I didn’t want them commenting on the fact that I was eating pizza everyday, I always took my food to eat in my room to avoid my roommate’s comments. They’re trying to be helpful, I know, but I chose to continue my bad habits in isolation instead of using that accountability as positive reinforcement.

Cleaning out my room today is still no different. Some McDonalds bags, a box of sugar cookies I didn’t even like that much. Whenever I put my thoughts into writing, I realize just how visceral my approach to food usually is (it really isn’t a logical approach). I think that’s the biggest change I want to make above a numerical or visual one right now.

I think I’ve figured out a good system for eating well within my budget. My habits might still be a hybrid between that ideal system and my unhealthy ones, but I just want to make sure I’m making progress. Already added two rows in my habit tracker to keep me accountable for 1) not eating McDonalds and 2) not drinking soda.

Yesterday, I brought the frozen meals I know are still cheap but much healthier than pizza (real vegetables and protein, it’s been awhile). I ate with my friends at both lunch and dinner. Not the most amazing thing ever, but I think the fact that it was such a casual ordeal helps.

Well, here’s to small steps.

 

[Cate]

Well done Amy. I think if we only ever ate in front of other people we would all have less of a weight problem. Those small steps you made will add up & become big steps. You are already making progress

 

[Kym]

Thanks so much guys! I really appreciate it. ^^

Update, Feb. 2: clearing my room has been basically cleaning out 3-4 McDonalds bags, 2-3 pizza boxes every time. I think I’m at a point where I have to admit that I’ve formed eating habits based around shame - I always ate out instead of bringing food back to the cafeteria to eat with my friends because I didn’t want them commenting on the fact that I was eating pizza everyday, I always took my food to eat in my room to avoid my roommate’s comments. They’re trying to be helpful, I know, but I chose to continue my bad habits in isolation instead of using that accountability as positive reinforcement.

Cleaning out my room today is still no different. Some McDonalds bags, a box of sugar cookies I didn’t even like that much. Whenever I put my thoughts into writing, I realize just how visceral my approach to food usually is (it really isn’t a logical approach). I think that’s the biggest change I want to make above a numerical or visual one right now.

I think I’ve figured out a good system for eating well within my budget. My habits might still be a hybrid between that ideal system and my unhealthy ones, but I just want to make sure I’m making progress. Already added two rows in my habit tracker to keep me accountable for 1) not eating McDonalds and 2) not drinking soda.

Yesterday, I brought the frozen meals I know are still cheap but much healthier than pizza (real vegetables and protein, it’s been awhile). I ate with my friends at both lunch and dinner. Not the most amazing thing ever, but I think the fact that it was such a casual ordeal helps.

Well, here’s to small steps.

Amy:
Congratulations on taking a step