My name is Amanda and I’m recently turned 22 years old. By all accounts, I should be in the absolute best shape of my life – but I’m not. I’m a good 30-25 lbs overweight.

I’ve been chubby my entire life. I have the cute baby pictures to prove it! (Flabby thighs and ROUND cheeks were acceptable at that age).

During middle school and into high school, I always felt “fat” and was generally larger than my peers. I dealt with all of the stereotypical teasing at that time in my life... I was painfully shy and never really felt attractive.

Now that I’m a young adult, I am very outgoing and have lots of friends... but I still struggle with this aspect of my appearance. I really feel as though it holds me back from being who I want to be.

The only time I ever was in anything resembling good health was my junior year of high school when I played sports and worked out regularly. Even getting back into THIS shape would be a major accomplishment!

I have never eaten healthy for any significant period of time and as my job calls for me to be on my feet constantly (I wait tables) I rarely feel like working out.

My goals are to not only eat LESS but to eat foods that are healthy for me. I have serious issues with “cravings”. I eat based on “craving” pasta (I am a carb NUT!) or pizza.

I plan to start telling myself that I crave GOOD foods. So I can train myself to eat those instead.

Additionally, I tend to lose control of what I eat when I consume alcohol. Which means (you guessed it!) NO MORE SOCIAL DRINKING. (Easier said than done when you’re twenty-two and single.)

I haven’t decided what form of exercise I’ll be starting... but I promise to have that figured out soon! Any and all suggestions are welcome! I really loved playing sports in high school but I have no idea how to find recreational games in my area now.

The main reason I desire a change is because I will be moving to a new city at the end of July and I really plan to be a “new, better” self there. I want to start slimming down NOW so I can take my good habits with me.

Thanks for listening. I hope to find the support and encouragement I need here.

hey- if you feel like you need to go out, try Diet Coke and Malibu- It's like 50 calories (not sure on the sugar). Also a great fake-out is Tonic with a lime. Even better if it is Diet tonic.

Alcohol seems to be my downfall. It didn't dawn on me that 45 minutes of cardio and 45 minutes of weights might be negated by that bottle (yes I said bottle) of wine at night. Now I limit myself to ONE drink on the rough days and at least think it is helping.

I have great workout videos to suggest if you aren't into going to the gym, but I'm not sure about namedropping. Hit me up if you'd like suggestions.