AmandaHope
New member
Hello, everyone!
I'll start by introducing myself. I'm Amanda, I'm 22 years old, and I weigh 263 pounds.
I've lurked here for a few months and was always so jealous reading about everyone's successes[be it 5 pounds or 50!]...and I kept wondering why your successes couldn't be mine, but I was too lazy and afraid to do anything about it...until yesterday. Yesterday I read an article in the January issue of Glamour Magazine that was a real wake-up call.
Part of the article stated that being even 40 pounds overweight could make you up to three times more likely to die earlier than a woman your age who is at a healthy weight. I was terrified to even glance at what it said about women 100 or more pounds overweight, which is the catagory I fall into.
I took a deep breath and looked to the bottom of the page where it said that "Being this[100+ pounds] overweight puts an incredible strain on your heart. You're also more susceptible to extreme sleep apnea. "You're basically suffocated by the weight against your chest," says Caroline Cederquist, M.D., of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians. See your doctor now - you owe yourself a better future."
Now I had an answer as to why for the past year or so, I felt like I could barely breath when I tried to sleep on my back. I had never realized something so simple could be weight-related.
It took that simple little article to make me realize that becoming a healthy person isn't something I can afford to put off. I want to live a long, happy, and HEALTHY life. I'm ready to do what it takes to look better, and most importantly, feel better.
So starting today, I'm going to eat right and *gulp*...exercise. I know this path isn't going to be an easy one, but then again, nothing good ever comes easily. There is no day but today!
I look forward to talking to all of you, and sharing our ups and downs. With each other's support, I truly believe we can all accomplish our goals. I wish you all strength and determination, and please know that I'm cheering for all of you!
