No More Excuses for Amanda

[amandabanana]

Well I joined here yesterday, so I decided to start writing a journal here so I can keep track of my thoughts and progress. I've struggled with food for a long time at the age of 19 I hit 200 lbs, and now here I am at the age of 27 weighing 285. I don't want to stay this way one minute longer, I feel like I'm stuck in someone else's body and I need to change my lifestyle or I'm going to run into some serious health problems.

So yesterday I just put myself in this mindset that I'm going to work as hard as I can to take this weight off. I feel good about this decision and I know I can do it. I'm currently at 285 lbs, and I want to kind of break up my weight goals a bit so it doesn't seem too overwhelming. I'm going to set my goals in 40 lb increments, and once I've lost 40 lbs I'm going to treat myself to something I really want (not food).

Today I've been feeling really good. I worked out this morning and had a nice breakfast, which I normally wouldn't eat. But I'm pushing myself to eat more throughout the day instead of eating a large supper and then bingeing late at night. The one thing that's surpising me is that I know I have to eat enough calories for my body to function well, especially since I'm exercising more, so I'm finding that I'm actually eating more than I used to, but choosing healthier things to eat.

So I think I'm off to a good start. Unfortunately where I live there's no gym or anything like that in my town, so I have to work out at home, but I have a few workout vids I've been doing and my sister and I have been going for walks every evening.

 

[catiew21]

I have no doubt that you can do it! You are so motivated - and congrats on losing the starter-pound! Your mindset sounds great. Keep the determination up and keep posting!

 

[laumau]

Sounds like you've got your head on straight Amanda! Congrats on your first pound and keep up the good work!

 

[nataliejo]

Hey ... Just wanted to pop in ..
I saw your cute nic in the October Challenge. I love your nic... my sister used to be called Joanna Banana lol so it took me back to old memories

Well, You have already lost pounds ..that is so awesome! Keep up the good work hun ......

ttylaterz
always
natalie jo

 

[amandabanana]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone!

Hey ... Just wanted to pop in ..
I saw your cute nic in the October Challenge. I love your nic... my sister used to be called Joanna Banana lol so it took me back to old memories

Well, You have already lost pounds ..that is so awesome! Keep up the good work hun ......

ttylaterz
always
natalie jo

Haha yeah, actually people usually called me Amanda the Panda, but I like to use Amanda Banana online, it just sounds funnier, even though it doesn't exactly rhyme!

But anyway, I've been doing really, really well. I've been doing this new "lifestyle" for a week and I've lost 5 pounds. So it's definitely a good start. I'm trying to keep between 1,800 and 2,000 calories a day, I'm eating breakfast every morning, which I used to never do. And I'm doing exercise videos at least once a day and walking the trail with my sister. I'm planning on getting a few dumbbells to help strengthen some muscles, etc too.

My biggest challenge is going to be this weekend, my family is having Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday, I know it's extremely early, but my family has ours early because of my parent's work schedule. So I'm going to try and eat just small amounts of the things I like and allow myself one piece of pumpkin pie. So wish me luck!

 

[amandabanana]

Wow it's been a long time since I've posted. My family had Thanksgiving early and I did pretty well, I had turkey, a little bit of stuffing, a little bit of mashed potatoes w/gravy, some corn, a roll, and I splurged with 2 pieces of pumpkin pie. Since then I've kind of lost focus a bit and 'fell off the wagon' so to speak. I ate at McDonald's a couple of times and we've ordered pizza a few times, and I've been staying up too late and snacking a lot. So I'm going to try not to deprive myself too much of some of the things I love, just try to not eat it as often, make it a special treat for myself. As far as exercise, I've been doing pretty well, and I think that has helped me to not gain any weight when I've been eating out and doing the late night snacking, I've actually lost a pound.

So far since I've started losing weight, I've lost 10 pounds. At least it's a start and even though I kind of got off track, I know I can keep losing weight and my goal from now until Christmas is to lose at least another 10 pounds. It's been getting really cold lately, usually in the 40s so I haven't been walking as much, but I'm going to try and bundle up on days where it's at least 40 because when I'm walking, that will help me warm up too so I figure I want to try and get as much walking done as I can before the winter.