Wednesday, March 3, 2010

indestructible

I have become indestructible.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Wellness class and Boy am I sore.

Wellness class and Boy am I sore.


So today was the first workout in my wellness and fitness concepts class. I'm very pleased to announce that it was a GREAT work out. All kinds of different activities! Jumping Jacks, Push-ups (GUY ONES!), Running, Jogging in place, Leg lifts, and many more. It was kinda of weird doing these exercises around my entire class of around 35 or 40. But, I felt better as I told myself "They are NOT looking at me...they are exercising too! Calm down. No one is laughing." It was good. However, My Professor didn't have time to weigh us all today...or do the body fat percentages....that I thought we were suppose to do today...so I have no idea when we will be doing that. Since I didn't get to weigh in class, I'm going to weigh sometime this weekend while I'm at home. I will update with that as soon as possible.


BOY AM I SORE.

Monday and Tuesday night I worked out on the treadmill that is down stairs in the lobby of my dorm. I got a good work out both nights. However, I think I pushed it a little too hard. I could only do 30 minutes both nights...because of sharp chest pains. I think I was just going too fast or something. I'm fine now. I don't think it was anything serious. Then today...well that workout in class. It's been a while since I actually put a huge effort into working out...and I SURE do feel it. I love the feeling though. It may sound weird but...it makes me feel good to know I worked it...and I'm sore for GOOD reason! It's my Iron Clad Decision to lose this weight. It makes me feel good about the road to come. It's going to be amazing.


Oh, and Calories. No problem.
I'm feeling good about this. This is IT.


"Reach toward your goals,
Jump towards your goals,
Walk towards your goals,
Run towards your goals,
You're sure to burn those calories!"


-Ambeee

Sunday, January 10, 2010

New Motivation for DECISION 2010 and Turning 20 years old

New Motivation for DECISION 2010 and Turning 20 years old


Hello blogger world, it's been a while.

I would be a liar if I said I haven't struggled. It's been a whopping 5 months since my last blog update, and I'm being honest with myself. I haven't lost a pound since. Actually I have most likely gained a few. Last time I weighed I weighed exactly 274. What my dad actually weighs now. I want to first say that I am so proud of my daddy. He has come a long way and I know he is going to continue to jump towards his ultimate goal. Second, I need to CATCH up to everyone in my family. I am now the heaviest in my little family of four. I could have been almost to my goal by now. But I guess I can't sit and talk about the "I could of's" and the "I should of's." What is important to me now is stopping this war with myself.

I have been overweight since third grade. I remember one particular incident in the third grade where we were making those identification cards in case we were ever abducted. I remember weighing in at 90 pounds. 90 pounds isn't a lot at all, but for me a third grader it was the road to obesity. I remember some boys getting a look at my weight and laughing at me because of it. I can't begin to explain the amount of pain being overweight has caused me.

For part of my childhood and for all of my teenage years I have been my own worst enemy. I'm tired of defeating myself before I even get started. On January 4th 2010 I turned 20 years old. This is a wake up call. I want my time to shine. I want to feel beautiful. I have been heavy for WAY to LONG. I'm DONE. This time I WILL make it happen. I refuse to allow the rest of my life, now adult life, to be in the devastating company of morbid obesity.


For starters, I have enrolled into a Wellness and Fitness Concepts class. We will engage in physical activities every Wednesday. We will need workout clothes on those days. This first Wednesday we will be weighed and our fitness levels will be thoroughly tested. My professor will also be measuring body fat percentages and measuring what are individual heart rates need to be while engaging in cardio exercises for optimal weight loss results. Wednesday my workouts are taken care of. The other six days are going to be filled with exercise. Some sort of physical activity whether it's walking, hitting the gym, or even just playing some sort of sport or game. I have to get up and move. Another thing is my calorie limit. Calories are so hard to watch in college. I wish the food on campus had calorie counts. But I have decided to beat this calorie uncertainty by eating at the school cafeteria, which will allow me more options to make good choices. Instead of eating at the school grill, which is basically like fast food. Decision 2010 will also include cutting pop almost completely. I have never been much of a pop drinker. But here lately it seems like it's all I want to drink....especially coke. I never knew how much I liked coke. I say cutting it out "almost" completely because I have to remember I can still have some coke if I want it every now and then. My dad brought up a good strategy for that very thing. Get a value sized coke from just about any fast food restaurant (value sized is usually a dollar, and usually is the smallest size available - most likely an 8oz cup) and ask them for plenty of ice. That way you get that wonderful coke taste for about 60 calories or so.

I have set a weight loss goal of 100 pounds by the end of 2010. I think that is a fair goal. If I lose more, GREAT, but I think it is important for me right now to set a goal that doesn't feel overwhelming or unreachable. Tomorrow will be the first day of the rest of my life. The gym will be back in my schedule and maintaining my calories will be a must. I want to have the dramatic before, in progress, and after photos. I want to hear that four word wonderful question that mean so much "Have you lost weight?" I want to feel in shape and comfortable in my own skin. I want to look AMAZING. I want to make my family proud, but most of all I want to make myself proud. It's up to me. I CAN change my body. I CAN have the body I have always wanted. It's time to make that happen. No more time will be wasted.







ONE DAY AT A TIME REACH YOUR GOALS


-Amber



Sunday, August 30, 2009

Wellness Center and Week and Weekend Plans

Wellness Center and Weekend Plans


First of all I would like to say that I'm going to really work hard to get a blog update posted everyday or at least every other day to keep myself on track and to fill you all in on my life at college. The weight loss journey from a college student prospective. I have been busy, and I have said this before. However, I spoke with my dad about it. He told me I should at least try to post something everyday for my own benefit. Even if it is only a short paragraph. Just something. He is absolutely right.


WELLNESS CENTER!

Thursday night I was overloaded with homework. The Wellness Center is open to 11:00pm Mon-Fri. Perfect isn't it? Well I studied from about 4:00pm to 9:45pm with a dinner break in that time, and I STILL wasn't finished with all the studying/homework. But at 9:45pm I made a good choice. I thought to myself: "Okay Amber, yeah you are not finished with your homework, BUT you don't have much left. Why don't you hit the gym, then come back and finish your studying then?" I thought it over, and almost decided to stay in my room to just finish my homework. However, I knew that once I was finished I wouldn't have very much time for working out and there was also that chance I would just say: "Oh well, it's pretty late now and I wouldn't have much time in the gym anyway maybe I should just get to bed." I didn't like the thought of missing another workout! I didn't like the thought of me making the excuse not to go and get my sweat on. So I opted for a break from my work load and a good 45 minutes at the Wellness center. It felt so great to workout there again. The amazing feeling after working out is like no other feeling in this world. No other feeling.



This week the plan is simple. Strict on calories as always. The difference is I MUST get back into the gym. I plan on getting in there everyday this week. I'm sure I can do it. I'm just going to have to work around my homework. I have a 4 to 6 page essay to write this week. It's due Thursday. So that is the most important homework assignment I'll have to work around...the other work should be pretty simply to navigate through. Through out the week, I also plan on giving you all an idea of what I eat while I'm up here at school in the form of pictures. I'll also work on getting those dorm room pictures up soon! :)

Oh! And This week I'm also going to try and get into the clinic to weigh! So updates on that soon as well! :D


Weekend PLANS! I'll be going home this weekend for Labor Day Weekend! I'll arrive home Friday and leave home on Monday. I'm excited to be back home for the weekend. Workout with my family and try that new homemade low-cal pizza my dad is crazy about! haha. I love and miss my FAMILY like crazy. I miss them so much when I'm away at school. I'm so proud of them all. They make me want to do my best everyday. They keep me going. They keep me strong. They are there for me whenever I need them, and that my friends are what families are for. Dad, Mom, Sissy....I love you guys! You have no idea what you guys do for me everyday. I can't wait to see you all on Friday.


And Courtney, you are not going ANYWHERE Friday. So don't even make any plans. Sissy is coming to town, and I miss you.


Decorate yourself from the inside out.



-Amber

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Dorm room done and decorated, almost and Sweating to success.

Dorm room done and decorated, almost and Sweating to success.


I spent my first night back in my dorm room last night. When I arrived in my room after class yesterday, I was greeted by big full boxes and stacks of full plastic bags. I had a lot of unpacking and decorating to do. I started working on my room at around 3:30pm yesterday and finished at about 10:00pm. I say finished, however it is not quite done yet. I still have quite a bit of posters to hang around my side of the room. The room still feels empty if I don't have my personal touches painted on the walls. I won't feel like it's "My room" until I get it all done. Once I complete it, I plan on taking some photos of my room for everyone's viewing pleasure! So look for that coming soon! :)


School has been pretty busy the last couple of days. Today was only the fifth day, but I have had so much homework to do in those last five days. There should be a law against giving students homework the first week back to school! In fact, tonight's blog will be cut a little short due to World History homework! But I wanted to update and let you guys know what is going on! Hopefully I will get to post a longer blog and award my blog awards to the lucky 15 in the next few days.


My World History class has been the hardest class I have had yet. It's not that it is difficult. It is the professor has a different way of teaching. He doesn't just make us buy a big heavy text book and make us take notes. OHHH NOOO. That would be WAYYY too easy right! At least I think so. Actually in reality his teaching style is probably the easiest one out there. We read from the History book at home, and then all we do in class is discuss what we read. He calls on us at random and we are to explain to him what we thought the reading meant and give the readings importance. Doesn't sound hard at all, right? It is difficult to me because I don't like being called on. When I am called on in class and expected to give a correct answer...I feel like the WHOLE WORLD is just staring at me. I begin to feel very uncomfortable. I begin to feel like they are staring at me because of my weight, and not because they are all expecting an answer to the professors question. I start to feel very awkward in my own skin. I begin to sweat and sudder. I have determined it is soley because of my weight. When people stare at me like that, it automactically triggers in my brain that they are looking at me with disgust because of the way I look. That's how I felt the first day of World History. However, Monday was different. I had thought it over, and I informed myself that the only reason I felt like that the first day was because of my lack of confidence in myself and the way I look. The first day he had called on me. I didn't know what to say. My palms were sweaty and I could feel the stare of what seemed like everyone in the room. Monday like I said was different though. This Monday I walked into that classroom actually hoping he would call on me. Hoping he would single me out for an answer. But he didn't, but next time he does...I will be READY! Tomorrow I have World History, before I go to bed tonight I need to read from my book, and be completely ready to take on a question.


Sadly, I have not yet been back to the Wellness Center. However, I will be going to workout there tomorrow night. My next blog post I will fill you in on that, and it will be good. :) I'm eating right though, following my calories to a T I am very happy to report! I need to find a location to weight in at. I think I can at the health clinic here in town, but I want to check with them to make sure it's alright, which I will do very soon.


Thank you to everyone who supports me. Your kind and supportive comments really give me that extra boost I need to stay focused. You don't know how much that means to me.




REMEMBER: TOUGH COOKIES DON'T CRUMBLE



-Amber


Some BEFORE and "IN PROGRESS PICTURES"

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Around my heaviest.

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Mom, Courtney, and me. All of us at our heaviest. Before I left for college last year.

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My Graduation party (2008). I wasn't so happy on that day. I felt so ugly in my gown.

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Fat face graduation day.

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In progress, SUMMER!

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Sissy and me in progress.

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In progress, SUMMER!

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Family In Progress! Before I left this summer!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Busy, busy, busy and Getting back into the swing to get that A+

Busy, busy, busy and Getting back into the swing to get that A+


School starting back up brings back the crazy schedule. Classes, Studying/Homework, Writing papers, Part-time job, Working out, Writing my blog, and Finding time to myself. I haven't yet been to my dorm since I moved in. My boyfriend currently doesn't have a working car to get to school in. He lives about 20 minutes away from the college campus. So, I have been staying at his house to give him rides to school. This effects my schedule. This weekend he will be hopefully getting a car to use at least to get to school. I'm looking forward to staying at my dorm, and unpacking everything to get situated in my room properly. I want to get my routine back. I have kinda been in a slump lately. I haven't really done much exercise. I have been eating right though. I haven't derailed from my calorie counting. However, I feel just horrible when I don't get my workout in. I know I have no excuse not to do SOME type of exercise. I just prefer the comfortable SWOSU Wellness Center. That provides a wide variety of exercise equipment there for my using pleasure. I can't wait to get back into my routine. My routine is very important I believe to my success, especially being on my own at school. I need that routine to keep me focused. I know what you are thinking "Yeah, but Amber life throws you situations and it might not follow your routine, then what?" Well, I am still working on that. I know my day isn't always going to follow my routine. But getting back to school, and getting back into the groove of things. I need that routine to guide me the first couple of weeks being back. That routine is my modivation. Monday night I should be settled into my dorm room, and before bed Monday hit the gym. I can't wait to tell you all about the Wellness Center!


My first day of class was this last Wednesday. The day went well. Bascially all it really involves is meeting your professors, and the professors explaining what all the class will be focused around and certain rules and regulations that particular professor has on things like his/hers office hours and contact information, attendence, homework, grading proceedures, and stuff like that. Pretty boring, but good day overall.


I have chose my schedule this semester to give me plenty of time for workouts and the part-job I will need to obtain very soon.

My current class schedule is:
World History - 10:00am - Only on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Foundations of Education - 11:00am - Only on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
College Algebra - 1:00pm - Only on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
English Composition II - 12:30pm - Only on Tuesday and Thursday

(Side note: Books in college are WAY to expensive. I spend $400 on the books required for all of these classes. Not including any other school supplies! Right now your mouths have dropped to the floor, I know right! Good GREIF!)

So, I'm completely done with class at 2:00pm everyday. That leaves a lot of time for other things.

However, I'm not sure what my work schedule will look like, since I'm not employed at the moment. Hopefully it will still leave plenty of time for studying and I will just have to make time for my workouts. I just I'm just worried about how tight my schedule is going to be. I get stressed out really easily. I didn't get as many loans and grants as I did last year, so that's where the part-time job comes into effect. I also have a lot of studying on my plate this semester with History, Math, and English. Core classes that require a lot of writing and studying. But I will NOT let a busy schedule mess up my weight loss journey. Too many times in the past, my schedule and day to day life has won. This time my exercise is going to be just as important as a homework assignment. The way I see it my grades are important to me. In school I try my very best and do everything I can to make that A. I see now that I have to put that same effort, that same goal into my weight loss. I have to treat each day as if I am working towards the ultimate grade I want for my body. I am going to have homework everyday, whether or not any of my professors assign something, and that homework will be GET INTO THE GYM. Get your exercise in. I don't want a zero for the day. I want a 100%. My calorie counting is only 50% of this equation. Consistency is the key. I have to be consistent with my working out. That is the game plan, and it is sure to work.



A big thank you to all that gave me a BLOG AWARD! What an honor! I'm so pleased you all like my blog, and I will try my best to keep the blog postings coming as time permits. I understand I have to pass the blog award on to 15 lucky fellow bloggers. However, I do not have the time to do that tonight, it's already 12:38am and I have class at 10:00am tomorrow! But I will pass out the 15 blog awards this weekend for sure! Also anyone that can help me with HTML on this site, it would be much appreciated! I'm still new to the site, and I would like to add maybe a nice new layout of my choice and some neat little things to the side like some of you have updating blog readers on your total weight loss to date and other various things.



The blog is being cut short tonight. I wanted to make a real long and interesting indepth blog tonight. But time has run out! I had homework tonight reading for History class and it took up most of the evening. Thank you all for reading and leaving me comments. I think your support really will help me along my journey and getting to my final goal! And I hope that I can do the same for you!


The sky isn't the limit. There are no limits.



-Amber

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Motivation list and Meeting the same room mate all over again.

Motivation list and Meeting the same room mate all over again.

1. I want to feel better about myself, increasing my confidence and self worth.
2. I want to be able to go in to any store, and buy clothes I like, not just the ones that fit.
3. I want to wear clothes that are NOT in the plus size section.
4. I want to look in the mirror and like what I see.
5. I want to walk up stairs without feeling like I could just fall over and die.
6. I want absolutely no one to ever refer to me as "the big girl."
7. I want to not be embarrassed what so ever to get my picture taken.
8. I want to see my reflection in a full length mirror and feel great about what I see.
9. I want to be able to show off my legs, and not feel like they are huge.
10. I want to lie in bed, look down and see my toes without lifting my head off the pillow.
11. I want to have no worries about what clothes in my closet fit or not.
12. I want to look forward to summer, instead of winter, where I can hide under my big winter jackets.
13. I want to love shopping. The question won't be "Will this fit me?" It will be "Do I have the money to get this?"
14. I want a regular size towel to fit all the way around my body.
15. I want to be healthy and live longer. Not being at risk for the serious health problems obesity volunteers us for.
16. I want to wear a bikini, and feel amazing in it.
17. I want to wear more feminine clothes, rather than baggy t-shirts.
18. I want to actually wear a tight little black dress, and look drop dead gorgeous in it.
19. I want to enjoy getting dressed in the morning.
20. I want to be able to tell people how much I weigh, and not get depressed about it.

Last, but not least:
21. I want to see everyone's shocked reactions to my dramatic weight loss transformation. Their jaws will hit the floor.


Today:
I woke up, and didn't go to the doctor. Let me explain. I will be getting checked out as soon as I can. But, today wasn't a very good day for a doctor trip. Plus, I may be able to get a free check up at the local clinic in Weatherford, instead of paying for the costly doctors visit.

The morning was busy. Dad, Mom, and I went to my college campus bright and early. We finished moving the rest of my things into my room and finishing up the paper work that the school needed from me. I was excited to get to meet my new room mate. However, I was shocked to find out that my "new" room mate is actually the second room mate that I had last year right before school ended. So I have already lived with this girl. Her name is Katie, and I think we got off to a pretty good start last year. I met her at this room mate party my dorm hall was having. A party specifically for finding a room mate. All of the girls needing a room mate were to attend. Of course, I went because my first room mate had belled on me, and I needed to find other room mate to avoid being charged for a semi-private room. I remember going to the party it was around January of this year. I was nervous. When I got down to the main lobby for the event, I was relieved to see that all the girls looked just as nervous and shy as I was. They were all standing around just looking at each other. Some of the resident advisers were trying to break the ice, and get everyone to socialize with each other. It was the most awkward experience of my life. It was like we all were there to meet up with a blind date or something, like we were trying to "pick someone up." I remember standing their wishing that someone would come up and introduce themselves to me, and then we could hit it off and claim each other as our new room mates. I walked around and tried to make random conversation with the girls, but I just did NOT bring out my outgoing personality at ALL. I couldn't quite open up. The party was nearing a end, and most of the girls had already paired up. I was left standing their with no one. Until I seen a girl standing off to the far right corner of the room. It was Katie. I walked over, and as I walked I just told myself I was going to be confidence. I was going to be the dominant personality. I was going to be the one that comes over to someone and strikes up the conversation without waiting for someone to come to me. I did just that. I walked over to Katie, and just started randomly chatting with her. After a few minutes we were both laughing, because I had shared my thoughts about this being like an awkward dating situation. It was going well so I had asked her to be my room mate.

So for the next couple of months she became my room mate. We would watch movies together. We would talk about random things. She would offer to help me with my homework. For the most part, we get along. It's just we never really got to the point of "okay, you are my friend now and I am your friend." We never got to the point of "hey let's hang out outside of the dorm room."It's like we never really "clicked" as friends, you know?

I wasn't really expecting her to be my room mate again, but she is my room mate. So I am hoping that maybe this year will be different. Maybe we can become closer, and hang out like normal friends do. Instead of feeling like we have to be friends because we live together in the same small room. Who knows maybe I can get her to go walking with me and be my work out buddy. She isn't overweight, but who knows she might want to work out a little and that might bring us closer.


Tomorrow will be a school night. For those that have asked, I am currently majoring in Psychology, but will be switching my major to Special Education (more details on that in my next blog). I'm actually excited to get back to my school routine and exercising routines. I will most likely be at my dorm tomorrow night. I will try to write my blog before bed if I can get my ancient laptop to get a internet signal in my room.

Also, those that have asked about the quotes I use. I usually get them from various websites on google. I usually do a search for Inspirational quotes. I tweak them for my own personal view of them and to refer them to weight loss.

Here is poem I found tonight on the internet. I thought it was the total truth about only losing a pound! Don't ever be discouraged if you lose one pound or even less than one pound, because the way I look at it...that is just one more pound gone forever, getting you closer to your ultimate weight loss goal!

One Pound of Fat


Hello! Do you know me? If you don't, you should. I am

ONE POUND OF FAT, and I am the happiest pound of FAT that

you would ever want to meet! Want to know why? It's

because no one ever wants to lose me! After all, I am

only ONE POUND OF FAT. Just ONE POUND. Everyone wants

to lose 3 or 5 or 15 pounds, but never ONLY one. So, I

just stick around and happily keep you. Then I am free

to add to myself, ever so slyly, so that you never seem

to notice... That is, until I have grown to 10, 20 or

even 30 pounds in weight... YES... it is fun being ONLY

ONE POUND OF FAT... left to do just as I please.
So, when you weigh in, go ahead... just keep on saying,

"Oh I only lost one pound." (As if that is so terrible.)

For you see, if you do this, you will encourage others

to hang around me because they will think that I am not

worth losing. And I LOVE being around you... your arms,

your legs, your chin, your hips, and every other part of

you. HAPPY DAYS! After all, I am ONLY ONE POUND OF

FAT!!!

---author unknown---


-Amber