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.