Introducing, another priorfatgirl!

(Originally posted on www.priorfatgirl.com on April 14, 2009.)

I have something special for ya'll today! I've been thinking a lot about why my blog has gotten so much excitement. While I would like to think its "ME," I think its more when we see someone who we think has "figured it out" we wanna do what they do. I will share more about my journey over the next couple of weeks.

In the meantime, the biggest message I hope you all have gotten as you read my blog is that anyone and everyone in this whole flippin world can do what I did. This isn't rocket science, this isn't a super secret trick I did. This is common sense, butt-bustin' hard work. Every day we each make decisions as to what we do with our free time and what we put in our mouths.

And to prove this point, I found another priorfatgirl! I would now like to introduce you to Amanda, a priorfatgirl. She has lost 50lbs and is going strong on her journey for another 30lbs. To start, I asked her some questions just to get to know her. Check back every 2 weeks and see how she is doing!

And make sure to leave a comment and tell Amanda how great she has done!

Amanda, at her heaviest:

Amanda, 50lbs lighter...a priorfatgirl

Describe yourself in three words: effervescent, passionate, animal-lover

How did you get to your heaviest weight? I went to college a tad overweight and became less active each year. Throw in eating junk all the time and drinking at night (probably followed by more junk food), and I gained about 25 pounds in four years. The only real activity I had was trekking around a huge university campus and working retail jobs where I moved around for entire shifts. Essentially, I had always eaten like crap and I never really worked out unless it was disguised as something else.

Then I became a grown-up — DUN DUN DUUUUUN.

I got a job sitting at a desk for eight hours a day. It seemed like there was an endless supply of free food — bagels, donuts, pizza, cake. I don’t even LOVE those things, but come on, it’s all free! When it was time to go home, all I did was eat dinner, watch TV and go to bed. Do the math.

Junk Food + No Movement = 35 pounds in 8 months

How much weight have you lost & in how long? I’ve lost 50 pounds in 11 months. I was 219. I can’t believe I just typed that out loud. Well, now it’s out there and it can’t haunt me anymore. NEVER AGAIN!

What made you decide you needed to lose weight? I always thought that, if anything, at least I had a pretty face … and even that was grossing me out in pictures. I went to Mexico a year ago with two of my best friends, and although I had an amazing time while I was there, I was utterly disgusted by the pictures we took. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at them, and I hid them away for the past year until I needed my before (and NEVER again) picture.

What is your theory to your eating? Are you on a special diet or program? I began Weight Watchers on May 12, 2008. The program taught me true portion sizes and what a nutritious diet really is. I can’t believe I used to get through entire days without even a bite of a fruit or vegetable! Now I crave them.

What is your workout plan? OOOooo. You caught me. I still haven’t fully incorporated exercise into my life. I was rockin’ it a few months ago, but it’s definitely tapered off to almost nothing. The nicer weather has inspired me to get back into it, though. Just today I walked a couple of laps around the lake near my apartment. I believe every little bit counts, though, when it comes to moving more. I park far away from my destination. I always take the stairs in my apartment — no matter how many trips to and from the car are required. I do curls with my shopping bags when I’m at the store. (The last one’s my fav. Try it!).

How do you know this is going to work? How are you going to make this a lifestyle instead of just another diet? This is going to work because, when I set my mind to something, I don’t quit until I reach — no, surpass — my goal. It’s too bad I never set my mind to being healthy before …Also, I allow myself to eat anything I want. That doesn’t mean I actually EAT everything I want, but I keep in mind that nothing is banned. That’s gotten me into big trouble before.

What is the one thing that keeps you motivated? FREE CLOTHES! OK, OK, I paid for them at some point, but shopping in my own closet is amazing. When I put on stuff from a couple of years ago and actually look better in it now, there’s no feeling like it. Also, call me vain, but I love compliments … and I’ve been getting a lot of them lately :)

What is one thing you know now that you wish you knew before you began your healthy lifestyle? WATER WATER WATER. It’s amazing. It makes your skin fabulous. It keeps things moving (if you know what I’m sayin’ …). It cures headaches. Even if I go overboard with food one day, I know everything will even out if I drink water.

What do you still struggle with now and how do you get through those struggles? Working out on a regular basis. I make A LOT of excuses, but I do have one trick: If I need to work out in the morning, I’ll go to sleep in my workout clothes.