Some of you have noticed (and thank you so much for your sweet comments! :)) that Kevin and I have lost some weight recently…
I have been putting off writing this post because I don’t want to seem like I’m bragging or fishing for compliments… But I wanted to share my story, because before all this, I really wanted to lose weight and I just didn’t think I could do it. But now that I know I can and know how to do it, if sharing how I did it helps just one person, it’ll totally make it worth putting it all out there! :)
I had been wanting to lose some weight recently- these past couple of years I put on a few “happily married” pounds! :) But I just honestly had no clue how to really lose weight.
I had always heard platitudes of simply “Diet and exercise!” – but it just seemed so overwhelming without the details, especially since I’d never done it before!
See, I tried dieting, but I really wasn’t good at anything too restrictive. I hated feeling like I was depriving myself. I knew I wouldn’t stick with something like that. Two years ago, I really got serious. I did the Couch to 5K program. I went from completely sedentary to walking and then eventually running a 5K 3-4 days a week. I cut back my calories (although apparently not enough, because I didn’t really know how much to cut) and cut back on sweets, too. I was really, really good for the full program- 8 weeks.
And I didn’t lose a single pound.
I didn’t lose any inches either, for what it’s worth.
After that, I pretty much gave up. I figured if I couldn’t lose weight by “diet and exercise!” – then I felt like I just couldn’t do it on my own!
Recently I was talking with a couple of my friends and they were having success with Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig type diets- the kind where they send you the food. Both of them saw results on the scale the very first week! And I would read updates on their blogs and they were consistently losing weight every week.
After my previous experience of trying it on my own and not losing a single pound- even after 8 weeks, I really thought the only way I could lose weight was through a program that sent you food.
I wasn’t quite ready to do something like that though. Mostly because they were so expensive! I didn’t want to spend that kind of money. But also because I had Kevin to think about- I didn’t want to leave him to fend for himself while I was dieting, but I also didn’t want to cook dinner for him and not be able to eat it either! :) And also I was a little worried about the taste- and could I really eat boxed food only for that long?? And how would I survive in the “real world” with real food? Would I really learn anything?
Then someone said something about the Nutrisystem diet that really stuck with me.
She said the Nutrisystem diet was a “1200 calories per day diet. Nothing more to see here.” Nothing more to see here – that really stuck with me. I don’t know, did I really think the boxed diet foods they sent you were super specially formulated to help you lose weight?? :laugh: Or something?? lol. I’m not sure. :)
About this time the new Healthy Choice commercials (with Julia Louis Dreyfus) were airing *all the time*. So I thought, hey, if I really wanted to give one of these type diets a try, I could do it myself with Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine foods, etc. Just to see if it would really work. This is something I can do- I could try it for one week. I can keep track of my calories. I didn’t know if I had the discipline to count/track my calories, but having the frozen meals would help and it would only be for a week. I can do this. It will be worth it if actually works!
So the first week, here’s what I did…
Breakfast – 200 calories – I had my regular cereal that I always ate for breakfast, Oat Cluster Cheerios Crunch. (Won’t be giving that up any time soon! ;)) But this time I used a measuring scoop for the cereal and milk (3/4 cup of cereal and 3/4 cup 2% milk) so I knew exactly how many calories I was getting.
Lunch – 300-400 calories – For lunch I would have a frozen “diet” meal, like Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine, or Smart Ones. There were a ton of Smart Ones meals that I really liked! :) I also really like the Lean Cuisine Pepperoni Pizza. Or sometimes I would just have another bowl of cereal and a piece of fruit. If it was one of those days. ;)
Dinner – 400-600 calories – Dinner would be harder, I thought. I still wanted to be able to cook dinner for us at night- but what a PAIN it would be to figure out the calories in every single ingredient I used, add them all up, divide it by the number of servings the dish made, BLAH! I would never have the patience to do all that!! But then I found a tool called Recipe Analysis at CalorieCount.com. All I had to do was copy and paste my recipe into the site, put in the number of servings it makes and it calculates everything! It told me exactly how many calories were in a serving- and having to put in the number of servings helped me know how much to put on my plate!
Dessert/Snacks – 200 calories – I often had extra calories left over for dessert or an afternoon snack. There are a whole range of *delicious* single-serving sized desserts and treats out there that I had *no* clue about!! :) I hate to even call these desserts “low calorie” or “diet” because they do *not* taste that way. At all. They are delicious. My absolutely favorite? Weight Watcher’s Fudge Brownie Ice Cream. Oh my- It comes in a single serving 6oz cup- and it is *extremely* decadent and filling. And guess what. Only 140 calories. Oh yeah. Other favorites are Skinny Cow Ice Cream sandwiches (BIG sandwich for only 140 calories), Weight Watcher’s Giant Latte Bars (huge ice cream bar, tastes better than anything at Starbucks, and only 90 calories), and Weight Watcher’s Giant Cookies & Cream Bar (kinda like a Nestle Crunch Bar, 140 calories). And best of all, I could find it all at my regular grocery store (Kroger or Publix).
So now I could pretty easily figure out exactly how many calories I was eating for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desserts/snacks.
For a week I stuck to the whole 1200 calories a day thing. I tracked my calories on SparkPeople.net so I wouldn’t lose count during the day.
At the end of the first week I had lost 2.2 lbs.
I had *never* seen results like that before with anything else I’d tried. Seeing those results on the scale at the end of the week was enough encouragement for me to stick with it!
After 11 weeks, I had lost 20 lbs. And to date, I have lost a total 30 pounds.
I went from a size 10/12 to a size 4/6.
It’s been about 5.5 months since I started- Kevin joined in about 9 weeks ago and eats 1500-1600 calories a day. He’s lost 23 lbs so far! :) It’s really nice to have a calorie counting partner, and I’m so proud of the healthy choices he’s making- he’s started running at the gym at work during his lunch hour and ordering vegetables as side items instead of fries when he eats lunch at the cafeteria.
Some other things I did that I think helped make a difference?
The first, and probably most important thing- I switched to drinking only water. Since June 1st, I have had nothing to drink but water. Honestly, this was probably the hardest thing I did. I mean really, does anyone really ENJOY drinking tons of water?? I know I didn’t. It took probably 6-8 weeks before I didn’t reach over for my glass of water and wish it was something else! But now I can honestly say that I don’t miss it at all- and I actually crave water now! I feel healthier now that I’m drinking more water, and I have gotten several compliments on my skin lately- I didn’t really put two and two together until someone mentioned that it might be because of all the water I’m drinking now. But maybe so!
Another thing- and I don’t think this has anything to do with my weight loss, but it certainly has made me feel tons better- I started taking a multi-vitamin. Now I absolutely hate, hate, hate taking pills. Especially those giant horse pills they call multi-vitamins. And especially every day! Won’t do it. So what’s a girl to do? I found One-A-Day Vita Craves! :) They’re like fruit snacks!! Now the name is deceiving because you actually get to eat 2 of them a day (yes, I said *get* :)). And I have to say… They’re delicious! :blush: They taste like the sweet, chewy fruit snacks of my youth. :) My favorite is the sour gummies. I just keep the bottle on the table and take them after dinner so I don’t forget. But I wouldn’t forget because I actually really look forward to taking them every day! lol! It’s like a little sour fruit snack! lol! And I can definitely tell- they have made a huge difference. Everyone has noticed how much more *energy* I have now!
And one other thing I changed- and this one my doctor got on me about doing- I started eating *more* during the day and *less* at night. I used to be really bad about getting busy during the day and forgetting to eat- and then eating all my calories at night. “Running on empty all day, then filling the tank up before putting it in the garage at night” as my doctor put it. It was hard at first because I am usually not hungry *at all* first thing in the morning. But now I try to balance my calories throughout the day and not eat anything within 4 hours of going to bed- and I’ve noticed that now I am hungry first thing in the morning and it’s easier to get more calories in during the day now! :)
What’s been so great about doing it this way is that it’s something I can do myself- and anyone can do it. And it’s FREE! :) It doesn’t cost a thing. And I still get to eat all the foods I enjoy. We spent a week at the beach this summer and I ate what I wanted. It was indulgent and delicious, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The difference this time was that the “free for all” eating ended when I got home- and the next day I was right back on track. I am counting calories, but I’m still happy and able to enjoy myself without feeling deprived. I give myself one “cheat” meal a week- if Kevin and I want to go out to a new restaurant, or have dinner with friends, or have company over and make all those ridiculously sinful desserts you’ve been seeing me post about… :) It’s okay- I don’t stress out about it, or worry about the calories. All those things I’ve posted, I’ve been able have! It’s definitely not an every day or even an every week thing- but after counting calories and not cheating all week, it’s okay (and even good!) to give yourself a little reward. ;)
Now here are the obligatory before & after pics. ;)
If you have any questions about what I did, please don’t hesitate to ask- I’d love to help in any way I can. :)
Edited to Add: Check out comments #23 and #117 for some of my answers to your questions! :)
Thanks so much for looking!
Congratulations, Amanda!! You look amazing! I switched from processed foods to eating clean and it has made me feel beautiful inside and out. I’m a much happier and healthier person. My skin looks great. I tried it to lose a few pounds. I have lost the pounds but have gained so much more out of the whole lifestyle change! Congrats again!! Keep up the great work!!
That is so wonderful. I am truly happy for you!! You worked hard and it paid off cuz you look fabulous! :)
Thank you for sharing your story. And your before and after pics – you look amazing! Good for you! :)
You have NO idea what you just did for me by posting this! Maybe sounds stupid, but you are an answer to my prayers! I have done the “work my A-off” and haven’t lost anything either! It is incredibly difficult when that happens. I have felt at a dead end, don’t know where to turn spot for a long time. Having 4 kids and battling depression for 6 years has really, really packed on the pounds and created really bad habits! When I was reading this I was thinking “duh!! why didn’t I think of this??” I’ve tried those Smart Choice meals and they aren’t too bad. I never thought of doing a “program” with it. Thanks for all the wonderful links you added too. I didn’t know such things existed!! Thank you thank you for posting this. You really have no idea what you have done!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! Jaime:)
Oh, and also, you look INCREDIBLE!!! You really do. You have completely inspired me!
Congrats! That is an amazing accomplishment. Thanks for posting your story. :)
Oh also, maybe I missed it while reading, but what have you been doing for exercise????
Thanks so much for sharing your story! You made it seem very easy to do. I love that you said it did not cost anything, because I have tried gyms, weight watchers, and all the other weight loss places that cost a fortune!
Your pictures are great! Congratulations and thanks for the encouragement! I can do it!
Thank you so much for sharing this, you have no idea how much it inspires me to start. I also have put on about 20 pounds since I got married and I feel it every day. I can’t wait to start this and really see how it goes. I should take a before picture and after like you did to really see the difference. :) Thanks again!
This is only my second time to your blog and this post was EXACTLY what I needed today. I’ve never been a “skinny” girl but after being put on bedrest with my son, I gained several extra pounds. He is now 10 months old, and I have been wanting to lose this extra weight. I decided today that I wanted to take control and get back to my “normal” weight, but I didn’t want to have to do something that I knew I couldn’t stick with. THANK YOU SO MUCH for posting this! You have just given me the motivation I need to get on the right track. Maybe I WILL get to wear that bikini next summer when I go to California. lol
Amanda,
I ran across your blog by a google search for scrappy blogs and i am SO glad I did. This post is amazing and inspiring. YOUR HOUSE, OH EMM GEE. you have inspired me in more than weightloss! may God continue to bless you and keep bloggin’ WE LOVE IT!
you look great! I had noticed over the last couple of weeks that you had shed some pounds…CONGRATS! It’s always so hard especially when all we see are “fad” diets and we don’t ever get told the information that makes them work. I had the same “duh” moment with a friend, she just counts calories and it really does work. I’ve used a site called Calorie King and it can help you out a lot! Thanks for sharing your story, it’s definately inspirational and encouraging!
I had wondered if you had been losing weight. You look great girl! I started Weight Watchers about 12 weeks ago and have lost about 13 pounds so far…I’ve decided that most “diet” programs don’t work. It all basically comes down to eating right and exercise. You gotta burn more calories than you consume. So excited for you and hope I can join you in “30 pound” loss!
Awesome job — especially to do it on your own. That takes serious commitment. And, yes, you do look great.
Wow Amanda, what an inspiration you are!!
Wow! I had noticed that you looked great in your recent pictures, but couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Thanks for the inspirational post!
Hey Andrea! I drink just plain water, but Kevin prefers the 0 calorie flavored waters. :) He likes Aquafina and Fruit 2-0 the best (he doesn’t like the taste of the Dasani flavored waters because of the Splenda I think).
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Heather, here is a good tool to use to calculate the number of calories you should be eating per day:
Calorie Target Calculator
When it asks though, I would choose “sedentary”- even if you fall under one of the other categories. :)
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Elizabeth, I didn’t really come up with any new, “healthy” recipes… Just used portion control on all the favorite dishes I already knew and loved! :) I cut back on the oil and butter when I could, and tried using fat free and lower fat ingredients when I could. I wouldn’t sacrifice taste for lower calories, but like fat free cream cheese and sour cream work great, can’t tell the difference at all. Love the 2% shredded cheeses too. And I have mentioned these before in my recipe blog too, but I really like the Perfect Portions chicken- individually wrapped, 130 calorie chicken breasts. The only thing I normally don’t like to substitute is heavy cream with something like half and half or (shudder) milk (lol)- just gotta count the calories on that one. :) I’m also a big fan of soups- they are *very* filling and usually low calorie- here are my two top favs right now:
Cheeseburger Soup
Cheddar Chicken Chowder
And like here’s how I would “modify” one of my existing recipes, like Red Beans and Rice…
First- skip the olive oil- just skip it all. :) Throw the sausage into a cold pan, then heat it up over medium heat- that’ll render plenty of fat from the sausage to use in place of the oil. It definitely won’t stick to the pan either. You can even drain off all the fat it renders to cut down even more, but I don’t. If you make the dish using 1 lb of sausage and 1 can of red beans, and divide that into 4 servings and serve each plate with 1/2 cup of cooked rice, (you can also skip the butter in the rice- I do) it’s about 575 calories. (Did ya get all that? lol). Not too bad- but you can also modify it- only use 1/2 lb of sausage and double the beans- use two cans. When split into 4 servings and served with 1/2 cup rice, it’s only about 475 calories. Even better! But! If you use 1/2 lb sausage and 1 can of beans, divide it into 4 servings and serve with 1/2 cup of rice… It’s only about 385 calories per serving! And very filling too.
I used the Recipe Analysis tool at the CalorieCount.com site to figure all that up and play around with the numbers.
wow…congrats you look great!
Hi Amanda! Well, I’ve been following your blog for over 6 years now and it’s funny – I never noticed your weight gain, but I recently started noticing how much weight you’ve lost! You look fantastic. I just started down my path to a healthier diet this week. My two older kids are getting married next year and I want to look good for the wedding. Not to mention all the cute clothes I can buy once I’ve lost the weight. I have 40 pounds to lose so wish me luck! Thanks for all the tips. Oh and in case you haven’t tried them yet – Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches are the best!!
Cheers!
Liza
Congratulations Amanda! I also have been losting weight for the last year, but not too much, because the only thing I did was being carefully with sweets, butter and very fat or heavy dishes. The truth is that I didn’t count calories, but now I’m not loosing more weight so I think I’m going to start counting calories too. I also like doing “Pilates” I don’t know if it’s the american name for this sport. But If you know what I mean I recommend it to everybody because it’s not a hard sport, it’s so funny and very good for your back and neck. If you lost weight and if you have some more vitamines you will fell better, It’s true!! Anyway I’m very surprising, your husband has a gym at work!! Oh my god, here in Spain it seems imposible!! All the best for you Amanda.
Congrats Amanda! You look great. This is a really inspiring story just for me to get healthier in general. Thanks!
Congratulations Amanda!
Thank you so much, this has been sooooo inspirational. You have done really well and are looking ace.
Thanks again for all your tips.
YAY Amanda!!! You Go Girl!!!
Your Weight loss is absolutely wonderful!! I am so thrilled that you are so thrilled! I’ve fortunately never had a weight problem, except I can’t keep weight ON me…but many, many friends have had weight problems and I know how you feel. There is nothing worse than wanting so badly to change and not knowing how or it just not working out. That part is horrible BUT it sounds like you’re a pretty Sharp Cookie!! (Good thing you didn’t leave Kevin behind!!) I’m sure you feel loads better and Kevin too.
You should take great pride in your accomplishments. It does NOT sound line bragging at all. You very well stated the facts and explained things so that anyone desiring to lose weight could read, take tips from and achieve themselves.
Kudos to you!! YAY Amanda!! YAY Kevin!!
(Your Cheering Crowd Here!!)
Hugs!
Joni
GREAT JOB!!!
Thanks for sharing Amanda, I thought you’d lost weight when I saw the pictures of you with your new car. You look so healthy and happy. I’ve been looking for a website like Sparkpeople for ages, so I’m very grateful to you for showing the way. Losing weight isn’t rocket science, but getting motivated and focussed is very hard without the right tools. I’m also a great believer in eating moderately at home, and darn well enjoying yourself when you go out, but this only works if you don’t go out all the time LOL! Thanks also for all the other great things in your blog, I’ve been following for some time, just haven’t commented before now.
Awesome!! I appreciate your post–it has definitely motivated me to get off my ever-increasing tail and do something! Every Christmas at our big family get together, I tell myself that I’m going to be skinnier next year, but it never happens. Maybe if I start NOW I can be skinnier this Christmas!!
THANKS!
Amanda- I just have to say that I am so inspired by your story and it couldn’t have come at a better time. I have been struggling with my weight for about 5 years now. I was a size 4 about 7 years ago and I am not pushing a size 14. I am so miserable with it and unable to get into all those *smaller* size clothes that are just staring me in the face when I walk into my closet. I am definitely going to try your method and see how it works for me. I don’t like going on **diets** either because depriving myself doesn’t work for me. I will definitely have to get back into Jillian’s 30 day shred because I felt so good when I did it. She is a maniac but she is good. I appreciate you sharing your success with me. I only hope that I can stick with and see good results.
Angel
Way to go!! I did this myself about 4 years ago, lost 30 lbs., and the weight has stayed off. The water was the key for me! Congratulations!!
I had to have a full hysterectomy at 30 and gained 30 pounds with in the 3 months following and have been slowly gaining more ever since. I’ve not been able to shed it, even after doing weight watchers for a full year (along with my husband, who lost 62 lbs!). I went into another well known weight loss center and they basically laughed in my face. Just because I’m not obese doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be allowed to try to lose weight. I’m only 5ft tall so 30 lbs sits heavier on me than on taller women. I went from a size 2 to a size 8/10. Everyone says I’m still slender – they think an 8/10 is still okay, but that’s a big jump for my frame and I feel very uncomfortable and unwell. I admit was a bit skinny to start with, so I’d be happy loosing just 15 lbs. I gave up sodas and juices a couple of years ago, gave up bread for the most part, and gave up sweets entirely. I drink only water and milk. I am required to drink a lot of milk because of early onset menopause (osteoperosis), and I *forced* myself to change to skim (yuck). Still, I am slowly gaining and not losing. My admittedly unsteady attempts at exercise (difficult schedule)hasn’t helped either. I just asked Santa for a Wii Fit and a stationary bike last night (wink,wink). Thanks for the websites and other suggestions. I am going to check into them!! I hope I can be just as successful as you!
I just have to add in that I am always so inspired by your newsletters. It’s so funny that just after I decided to try changing my food habits, you posted this email with more tips! Thanks so much! You’re an inspiration to all of us. :)
Since i have been battling weight issues a good friend told me about your success. My hats off to you for getting your mind in gear and how you stuck to it and lost weight.. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 2 months ago and had to start watching what i eat and drink. Soft drinks was the hardest switching to diet instead of the real thing. Just doing that i did lose 10# however i seem to be at a plateau at 308.. Seriously, the only water i get right now is if i drink tea…. I am going to try to “just” drink water and i have to start walking of which its just hard to get motivated after work even though we have a treadmill sitting by the tv. Anyway, keep up the good work, your story has sparked inspiration for me…. May you have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!
You do look fantastic Amanda! Congratulations on your weight loss…and you will inspire so many people to take the next step!
What an inspiration girl! And thanks for the interesting info and facts too! I myself have put on a “couple” of happily-married/had a baby pounds so it is always encouraging when someone else succeeds losing those pounds – thanks for the jumpstart!
You go girl!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing your story. You look awesome.
Congrats! SparkPeople is a great site, eh? You look very fit–especially in your new clothes! I suppose it’s time for me to get serious. Being conscious of intake seems to be a big key–hundreds of calories sneak in without even noticing. Think of it this way–if your exercise level stays the same and you have an extra 200 calorie snack above and beyond what you need to maintain your weight, you’d put on about an extra 20 pounds a year. EEK!!!
{WOW} YOU LOOK AMAZING! WHAT A GREAT SUCCESS STORY. I KNOW THE WHOLE DIET AND EXERCISE THING ALL TOO WELL. AND NEVER DO I LOOSE ENOUGH POUNDS TO EVEN NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE! I’M GOING TO TRY THIS WHOLE 1200 CALORIE INTAKE, AND HOPEFULLY MAKE IT WORK FOR ME. THANKS FOR POSTING YOUR SUCCESS AND THE PICTURES DIFFENTILY MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND MAKE ME WANT TO DO IT! {WAHOO} FOR YOUR 30 POUNDS!
You look AMAZING!!!!!! Congratulations on sticking to it!
THANK YOU THANK YOU!! I love this post. I was worried when I started reading it was just going to be another boxed food ad. I am just starting the C25k program so I was a little sad to hear you didn’t see anything from that. But then I read you are on SparkPeople! I found the site last year and I love it. I watched what I ate and did exerice for 3 months last year and lost almost 15 lbs and then I fell back into my out routine (my best friend moved and she was my greatest motivator.) Just about a month ago I found my way back to the site and I’m already seeing results. I have a 1,300-1,700 range a day and while I use an elliptical I needed to mix it up so I started C25k this week.
I keep saying I don’t want a diet, I want a lifestyle change. I need something I can use for the rest of my life. Just learning the calories of things or having general ideas will help me forever – I’ve learned what a real portion looks like. I can have a piece of cake and not feel like I’m cheating.
Thank you SOOO much for the encouragement and great motivation. This post is great!!
Amanda-
Congrats, you look great! Thanks for stopping by yesterday and leaving a comment, you made my day!
Hey Amanda! You look fabulous! I totally noticed your weight loss over the past few months (from pictures that you’ve posted on facebook). Congrats on sticking with it, you’ve totally motivated me! I even sent this link to my mom and she loved it as well!
Glad I could help! It was my son (12) winning a two-month supply of Nutrasystem foods at a charity auction that led to my realization after years of wondering that there was “nothing to see here.”
I’m so glad I could inspire you – and myself! (Down 23 pound so far – you blow me away!)
I needed to see a doctor (you know that part we almost ALL gloss over in the “getting ready to lose weight” articles? Yeah, don’t do that. Go See Your Doctor!)
I also needed to
a) Eat Less
b) Move more
I know right? Who knew!
I’m so glad you have had such lovely results. I’m still a work in progress and your sharing your success is inspiring!
I have been thinking to myself that you and Kevin did look like you were smaller :)—- thanks for sharing the easy no big $$$$$ plan-
mamajax
Good For you! And thanks for sharing. It is always inspiring to see that someone lost weight in a healthy practical way.
oh and I forgot to ask – do you drink milk at any meals? or are you strictly only drinking water?
You are absolutely beautiful – inside and out!!! Thanks for taking the time to tell us your weight loss story!!
You look absolutely BEAUTIFUL Amanda!!! Great job on sticking to your plan!! You look really awesome & keep it up :)
I’ve been thinking about doing something too. I wanted to lose weight before I got pregnant and then especially now! I have cut back on the amount of soda I drink and am trying on other things – however, it is hard! I might try this and see what I can do. I just saw a recent pic of me and it upsets me to see me that way. So thanks for posting!!! And you look GREAT!
Congrats! Losing weight is challenging-both mentally and physically but it can be done – so thanks for sharing your story to inspire others! I have a similar story- I lost over 50 lbs and have kept it off for 5 years now, expect this past year I gained 10 back that I am trying to lose and it’s much harder than the first time! I created my own plan too. I ate between 1200-1400 calories (no less than 1200 because that is super dangerous and also it made me feel terrible, headaches,no energy, etc if I ate less). 5 meals a day, three meals between 300-400 calories and 2 snacks around 100 in between meals so that I was eating every few hours. I did eat frozen meals but some had way too much sodium for me so I started eating lots of lean protein (veggie burgers & hotdogs, chicken, tuna, turkey burger) and unlimited fruits/veggies. I exercised 5-6 days weekly, cardio and strength training (yoga, running, pilates, taebo, jillian michaels shred, p90x, chalean extreme – I mix it up so I dont get bored). Lots of water and coffee :) and multivitamin. I had a cheat day or two a week so I didn’t feel deprived or left out when I went out to dinner with friends-but never overindulged and got back on track for the next week. Since losing the weight and because I am much more active I eat 1400-1600 calories daily. My recent weight gain of almost 10 lbs came from this summer when i was in study abroad program in the Caribbean where I was unable to exercise daily and ate everything they handed me! It was hard to keep good habits,but I will go back on the 1200-1400 calorie plan and increase my workouts to drop the extra lbs.
Thanks again for sharing your story Amanda! I think it’s very important for people to know that they can lose weight and don’t have to have any fancy equipment or expensive diets.
Amanda, Thanks so very much for posting your weight loss tips….and how you did it!! I’ve only been a subscriber for a few weeks, so I didn’t notice the weight loss, but I can say when I looked at your photos from your hike I noticed how much your skin glowed. Thanks again…………you’re an inspiration!!!!