From couch to Healthy. Post Welcome.

[acourtwdw2]

I am starting a journal today to keep me on track with my goals. I have been heavy all of my life. I have always been a healthy heavy person(if that isn't an contradiction i dont know what is). Since i've had a horrible year so far i this year i need to refocus my life on getting healthy, staying active and just feeling better about myself. I always said i would do the boston marathon before im forty but there is no way that is going to happen sitting on the couch.
Here is a little about myself:
39 years old, single and happy with it.
5'2 and weigh 300 lbs(was at 339 in July)
Live in Michigan with my sister and we have 3 dogs and 3 cats.
Walking my first disney race tot on Oct 27th. I enjoy walking and running but never do it consistently enough to keep weigh off.

My year so far had been extremely crappy!!!

I changed supervisor in January to someone i have never met( nice guy) but with him brought twice as much work.

Then my world turned upside down again, again, again, again, and again.
In March My Aunt passed away suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 55. She was finally happy, so we thought but found out later how her life really was.

Then in May one of my closest friends passed away from an anerusysm(sp) she was 37

Then in June my uncle had a heart attack and passed away at 55. He was active and retired from the Army but his heart couldnt take the heat of the day and his unhealthy eating.

Then in June the lump in my breast started to change and my doctor thought i had breast cancer. After the 1st biospy came back inconclusive(i found this out the day before my bday) i had a second bigger biospy that came back negative.

Then i was downsized again on July 17th ( i was downsized 4 years ago and lost 1/2 of my income). My supervisor could no longer afford to pay me as they are all independent and i took a position that is 100% commission.

I wasnt eating right and never exercised because i was unmotivated and my weighty crept up to 325lbs. I always watch the biggest loser and wish i could be on the show so they could show me how to eat and excerise.
Then i decided to start thinking positively about myself, what i do and start getting healthy. I have lost 25 pounds since July and have started to get more excercise. Over the last week i have started to back slide a little becuase i'm not excercising even though i am 3 weeks from tot race. I'm hoping by posting this today that it will motivate me to keep up with everything i was doing over the past couple of months and going foward. I read someone elses post today and it motivated me to post a thread hear and to start my making small goals and celebrate them. I already do this with my new career but not in my personal health goals so i am starting it today.

My 1st goal is to get into the 200's and excerise everday until i leave for wdw next wed.

I will keep you posted. If you dont see a post from me everyday call me out on it by either pm or post it here. I started to put that i wont be posting the 17th-31st becaue i will be on vacation but isnt that an excuse? I will try to post then but cant promise.

Your post are welcome here.

Amanda

 

[postesf]

Welcome to DIS!!!

This will be a great place for you! I've gotten a tremendous amount of support here on the WISH Journals and I know you will too!

Best of luck on your journey!

Stacie

 

[momof2minnies]

Welcome Amanda! Great job on your first success of 25 lbs.This is definately the place to keep you motivated. It is unreal how a bunch of strangers can keep each other going like this.I watch the Biggest Loser too and it helps keep me motivated as well. Start out small as we all do and you will be amazed at your progress soon.Keep on postin'.
Linda

 

[Caitsmama]

Amanda --
WELCOME TO THE DIS!!!! These are the best most supportive group of ladies you could *WISH* for!! Think of the positive in your life -- you lost 25lbs!! That is awesome! Change won't happen overnight, so baby steps is the key, and celebrate each victory, no matter how "small" it might be!!

 

[momof2minnies]

Hi Amanda,
Checking in on Day 2. How is it going? Lots of support here.Keep focused,let us keep you motivated-it does really help!
Linda

 

[DisDee]

Welcome, Amanda!!! This is a great place for motivation. Post regularly and you'll find it helps to keep yourself accountable. Don't give up...you are definitely worth it!!!!!

 

[acourtwdw2]

Today was another good day. I ate small portions for lunch and dinner but i forgot to eat breakfast. I bought shoes, tshirts and a new bra for the cruise and all of them were a size smaller than what i was wearing. ( i put normally but i'm not the same size i was. It was a great feeling. I walked forever today. We shoped for 7.5 hours today. We walked the mall twice plus 2 large shopping stores. I feel great. I will weight in tomorrow and post. Everyone have a great night and thank you for all of your support. It is great to hear from all of you.

Amanda

ps i got a present today. I can now post from anywhere i have a verizon wireless modem for you computer

 

[MIdanceMom]

Amanda,

Welcome to Dis journals. You will find some amazing people here to help support you. I am sorry that you have had such a horrible year. You are turning it around though.

Take care and Keep up the great work.
Beth

 

[acourtwdw2]

I think i'm stuck at 300. I got on the scales today and it says 300. No change for the week. I'm not sure why. I've been more active this week, watched what i ate. The only thing i havent done is drank enough water. It has been cold here so i've drank alot of coffee. I know if i dont drink my 8 glasses i tend to retain water. So for the rest of today i'm only drinking water. So to add to my goal for this week. I will drink at least 8 glasses of water and 1 more for every cup of coffee. I still feel better about myself and i know im moving in the right direction. Will post tomorrow i have to get back to getting things around for next week. I leave for 2 weeks on wed. I'm going to wdw for 4 days, on the wonder for 4 days then back to wdw.

Amanda C

updated Goals for this week:

Break 300, excerise everyday, drink 8 glasses of water each day.

 

[MIdanceMom]

Hi There,

Water makes a huge difference. If you don't like plain water try adding a flavor packet, a wedge of lime or some lemon. Don't let the scale frustrate you. When you aren't losing pounds, you are probably losing inches. I highly recommend taking baseline measurements, so you can track your progress. It is a great motivator when the scale isn't budging. I include bust, just under bust(bra band size), waist, abdomen(largest area), hips, thigh, and upper arm.

Take care,
\Beth

 

[acourtwdw2]

Thank you for the encouragment. My sister says the same thing to me. She loses weight alot quicker than i do. She has lost 19 inches since July when we started changing our lives. I will take those measurements tomorrow and post them so i have a record of them.

thanks again

Amanda

 

[acourtwdw2]

Day 5.
I was so busy yesterday i forgot to post. I spend the entire day cleaning the house, doing laundry, packing and sewing. I didn't even get a chance to go walk. I havnt got on the scales since saturday because i dont want to be disappointed. I've been drinking water and except yesterday walking each day. I posted my measurements. I am a little suprised by them. I guess i never realized how big i had gotten. I knew my clothes were tight or i had to buy a bigger size but it never registered. Well i'm not going to let it get me down. Off to get my hair cut and to try to make some money. Everyone have a great day.

Amanda

55 chest
53 Stomach
58.5 hips
15 upper Arm
28.5 thigh
22 calf
19 neck

 

[acourtwdw2]

Well 2008 started and My weight was near a all time high at 316lbs. I joined sparkspeople.com and have lost 14 lbs in as many days. They tell you how much you should excercise both cardio and toning. It is alot like the biggest loser plan but it is free. You log on tell them what your goals, health concerns, eating are and they will customize a plan for you with fitness and diet goals. I like it because i track everything i put in my mouth, it keeps me accountable and since i started i went over my limit 1 time (PF chang). They also have you set realistic goals and wont let you set a goal that is more than 3lbs per week. They also have a spot for blogging with people who are on the plan. It also helps i am really determined to do this. Every year i start something but never finish the 2nd week. I am now 2 weeks and still going. I feel really good because it regulates my blood sugar( i tend to be hypoglycemic) and i am sleeping well. My job might also be helping with the weight loss because im not sitting behind a desk and am less stressed becuase things are starting to turn around for me.

Last weekend was the marathon and i am so jealous. I am planning to do it next year and would love to do the goofy i am his biggest fan. Was going to type i will settle for just doing the marathon but why should i settle if i am able to accomplish the marathon that is a great feat and will be happy when its done.

Amanda

 

[acourtwdw2]

Hi Everyone,

Thought i would update you on Oprah and Chicago well on the train home. Oprah was amazing we did a show and a segment. We arrived early and sat around for 2 hours while they said that the morning taping ran long not sure if this was true because Oprah told us she had to go see the eye doctor because she had something wrong with her eye . The show was Dr. Oz and about your true age how it can be reversed. We sat in the back center of the studio on left hand side in the center of that section. We were sitting with these other girls pre show and one of the ended up right next to the other dr on the show. They dont know which day in Feb it will run but we know it will be after her birthday. Then they taped the segment which will air on feb 6th. It was Chris Rock via sattelite. Wow i loved that one make sure you watch it.
Today was pretty much Breakfast at tempo, Oprah, Back to hotel to pick up luggage, dinner at the station and know a train ride then a bus ride. We will be finally home around 1:00 am.

I cant wait to be back where i can eat at my normal times. I am someone who should eat at the same times everyday otherwise caution is thrown out the window and so are diets. Last night we were both hungery around 10 so raided the gift shop and got baked chips and a bag of m and m to split. Then breakfast was eggs cornbeef hash, potatoes and toast with homemade marmalade(sp) which i love. Then for dinner it was chinese take out. All the walking i did yesterday i could have lost weight but i gained it today. I will still lose next week because everything i ate in the last 2 days upsets my stomach and is already gone( i have a severe lactose intolerance problem and it flushes everything out of the system) I know to much info but it is the truth.

O well back on plan tomorrow.

 

[acourtwdw2]

My Excercise plan for the week.

I am going to take advantage of the certificate i won a couple of weeks ago. They said they would design a plan for me.

I am having trouble getting back on plan from the 2 days in chicago. I have been staying within my calories but in the high end. I also havnt been excercising. I really need to get started. I gained 2 pounds this week but i think it is water because i havnt been drinking it like im suppose to . I also need to spend some time with my parents but feel if i do i will end up munching with them or eating out of stress. I love them but sometimes they are just setting around complaing about there situation and this just gets on my nerves.

Well enough for venting today. Off to see the parents and then shopping with annette this pm

Amanda

 

[acourtwdw2]

My Pitty Party- I kind of feel like i'm spiraling out of control on my eating and not exercising. I am back up over 300 lbs. I had such a great start then i got stressed out and things just spiraled. I'm not sure how to get it back. I start each day saying im going to make healthier choices and log what i eat in my sparkspeople but by lunch i have killed it by either not eating breakfast so im starving or eating something cheap because i'm on limited funds. I love my what i do for a living but the not knowing when or where your next paycheck is coming from is stressing me out. I'm afraid to spend money on lunch when it needs to go in my gas tank.
I know alot of you are thinking then why did you just go to wdw. I actually went for business. I had a meeting with a client in the area which went great and you know you cant go to the area without visiting the park. We also made it part of annettes bday celebration. We got $54 each way for airfare, annual passes that exprire the end of the month and DVC so our cost was little. Annette decided to spring for the basic meal plan and that was great.

Well enough of the pitty party.

MY Fav exercise i would say is running/walking very fast. I love to be out side and when the weather is good i could walk forever. I also love to swim.

Why i dont do it_ I really have no good reason, i know i should do it everyday, i have a nice park to walk in which they keep the trail clear of snow and a membership to a gym which i never use. I can always think up an excuse why not to do it(dogs need out, i have an early meeting, my back hurts, i have a hang nail ) maybe its motivation, maybe its lazyness, maybe its because when i was younger i could do so much more than i can now and feel guilty because i've let myself get in the shape im in.

Sorry this is so long just thought i would let you know where im at. I havnt given up but i need some help and a buddy

 

[acourtwdw2]

Brenda I've been watching how much im eating and putting my calories in sparkspeople. I'm also on a ceral and fresh fruit kick recently. I have ceral every morning for breakfast and my snack is fresh fruit. I also have been very busy out in the field so i'm getting lots of activity. Today was the first time i didnt eat breakfast in a 2 weeks and i could really tell when i ate to much dinner. It still wasnt as bad as i was 3 weeks ago before i got control of things again.

March is a bad month for me because it makes me miss my grandma alot she passed away 4 years ago the 17th. She was like my second mother we were so close i probably new her better than her own kids. Then my aunt who I spent time fishing with every summer passed last March of several strokes a side affect of having a heart catherization on the 15th she was 54. I really dont want to put my family thru that so i am trying to take care of myself now.

Well i beleive im heading for another weight loss this week because i was walking past a mirrored window today and went wow i really do look thinner.

Sorry so long but i havnt posted recently.

Amanda

 

[acourtwdw2]

Well its the end of the biggest loser 4 on the Wish Thread and i am down to 284lbs for a total loss of 32.6 lbs since the 1st of January. I am really happy with my results and even though i would have loved it to be more i really feel i am moving in the right direction. Yesterday i was offered a job interview and even though it would be a consistent paycheck i declined the interview because i dont want to make 10 per hour and hate what i do. I love working for myself and helping people. Annette was way beyond mad about this because she thinks i should just get a job with a steady pay even if i hate what it is. I am almost 40 and dont want to spend even 1 moment of it in a job i hate. I think if i did this i would just be miserable and start gaining weight and lossing myself. I am just starting to find myself self confidence and my smile again. I know we need the money but if i really dedicate myself like i have over the last couple of weeks it will come in leaps and bounds. This weekend i am doing something ive never done before and that is hunt with my brother and niece. It is youth turkey season in Ohio and I am going to film my niece. I will be shooting but with a camera. Maybe some day i will do the hunting. It was impossible to find without paying a huge amount of money a pair of camo pants. We just finally made them. Well enough for today.

Im down 55 lbs since July

 

[dare2dream]

Hey Buddy how are you doing? I see you have a trip coming up soon? Tell me about it. How is your work situation these days? How is the weight loss journey going?

 

[acourtwdw2]

Hey Buddy how are you doing? I see you have a trip coming up soon? Tell me about it. How is your work situation these days? How is the weight loss journey going?

My weight is bouncing all over the place. I lose 10 pound i gain 10 pounds. I've done 2 5ks this summer and have a third in 2 weeks. Each time my race time has improved. After the last race i was unable to walk for 3 days because i threw out my back. Its crazy i have always had a little back pain when i get over a certain weight but this was because i was wearing the wrong shoe and i needed a new mattress. It is better now and I'm going to start my walking again this weekend to get ready for the race in 2 weeks. We are getting ready to do the EE Challenge in Sept and then the Princess 1/2 Marathon in March. We leave in 5 weeks and 5 days for a 12 day trip to WDW. We are staying at BCV for 4 days then doing the 4 day member cruise, then to AKV for 3 nights and then lastly BCV 2 nights. We will be there for the food and wine. I am also celebrating my 40th birthday at the world even thought it is 3 months late. My sister gave me a ton of presents for my birthday most centered around running. She also had a family party with all my favorite wdw recipes. Well work is work. I had to take a job that gives me a paycheck. Its not that i don't love what I'm doing because i went back into the field i was in for 13.5 years which i loved but didn't like the politics in the office. Its funny because the doctor I'm working for i cold called on her for aflac and she offered me a job. I had worked for her in 1989 before i worked for the other doctors. I really enjoy what I'm doing and she is great to work for but I'm not working for myself anymore. I dont have the freedom to come and go, or take time off without permission. I know this is a better situation for me but i miss that freedom and visiting my clients and cold calling for new ones. This weekend I'm volunteering at our local mint festival. Its long hours but I'm having fun doing it.

How are you? How is your weight challenge? Did your daughter have her baby?

Talk to you soon i have to get to bed soon. I have to be up very early for another long day.

Amanda