Week One

Things started out great.  I started using My Fitness Pal to help me keep track of my calories (which they suggested were 1480).  I have not had a diet coke in two weeks and I try to walk the dog whenever I can.  Then came the family gatherings.  I had two in one day; a baby shower and a cook-out.  I really tried to be good at the baby shower but by the time I got to the cook-out all bets were off.  I had two pieces of cake!!  Instead of jumping back on the horse the next day I just repeated all of my bad habits over and over again!!  So here I am, just over a week in and I have gained weight!!  No surprise there.....my body seems to want to weigh 291.  I am so upset with myself and I really want to sit down and have a pity fest but I have to go to work soon. 

So here I am, sitting here wondering if I will ever be able to do this.  We go to Disney in less than 4 months and I am seriously worried that I will not fit on the rides.  I have to get my butt in gear but am in need of some serious help.  This is so hard and if you have never been overweight and a food addict you just don't understand.  Try to think about giving up your favorite thing in the world and you might understand. 

So here goes.  I am going to stay off of the scale until July 1 so that I will not get discouraged and will have to make myself walk more.  I have to do this!!  I am miserable and I want to be able to keep up with my husband and kids!!

DAY ONE

Sometimes it just takes a good book to motivate you to change your life.  I am going to school to be a librarian so almost every book is a good book to me.  At work last week I picked up a book titled 1 Year, 100 Pounds: My Journey to a Better, Happier Life by Whitney Holcombe.  Whitney was a miserable overweight teenager and decided to change her life.  She did this on her own without the use of weight loss surgery, programs, or drugs.  If a 14 year old girl can figure this out, surely I can!!

I decided to write this blog to help me keep track of my progress.  I don't expect anyone to read this or follow me but if you want to....thats great.

First Whitney suggests that you have to accept the challenge to change your life.

I, Amanda Dekker, accept the challenge to try my

best to reach my goal weight in one year's time.  I am

ready and willing to do whatever it takes to 

healthily change my body and my life.

Second, Whitney asks that we write down a list of goals that you would like to achieve.  I have many but am going to keep it around 10 for now.

1.  Lose 100 pounds in one year.

2.  Help my family become healthier and more active.

3.  Exercise at least 3 times per week.

4.  Be more positive on a daily basis.

5.  Be able to walk around Disney World in October without becoming winded or in pain.

6.  Be able to ride on the Harley with my husband for more than an hour.

7.  I will be 40 in three years and would love to run a mini-marathon in Disney World.

8.  Be able to ride all roller coasters without the worry of not being able to fit!

9.  Learn how to swim.

10.  Go on a cruise.

Okay, so not all of these goals sound weight related but they are.  I have always let my weight hold me back from my goals and dreams.  I have become so accustomed to being morbidly obese that I have convinced myself that I am not missing out on life.  Well I am missing out and I want to start changing things now!!

There is no quick cure!!  This is going to be hard and has to be a lifetime commitment.  That is not to say that I will never eat a candy bar or french fries again but I will have to eat them sparingly.  

Okay, here we go!!

Wednesday June 4, 2014.

Starting Weight = 288 pounds

Goal Weight =  188 pounds by June 4, 2015.