Goal! - Amanda's Goal Story - 133 lbs Gone Forever!

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. You truly are an inspiration to me and many others here :hug:

Chunkychic - Thanks! You're no slouch either...so close to the 150 lb mark!

Wow! What an amazing, inspiring story! Thanks for taking the time to share it with us! It's people like you that keep me going on my own journey!! Bravo and congratulations on your new life!! :)

Chunkychic - Thanks! You're no slouch either...so close to the 150 lb mark!


You're very welcome, Amanda and thank you so much :hug:

Crazymama - thanks! And THREE pounds from goal? You go! :bravo:

Truly amazing!@!@! Great work. It really is inspirational listening to stories such as yours. I can't believe what a transformation your dieting, exercise, and hard work has caused. My story is just beginning but I feel like I am somewhat of an expert with regards to weight loss. I hope that through my plan I can keep losing the way you did Amanda! Congrats once again!!!

Love your wedding pic, you both look fab!
Don't you hate how we're always referred to as 'a friend'? ;)

Weightloss - thanks!

Kristin - LOL on the "friend" thing. We're officially legally married, so we pretty much correct that now, when it comes up...

Good for you honey, your story and the stories here are what keep me motivated.

Tracy - thanks!

I'm new to this website and am SO HAPPY to have come across your story. Seriously, it made me cry because it was just the encouragement I needed to hear today. CONGRATULATIONS, and I'm happy for you!!

I am so happy happy for you!! Congrats and best of wishes as you continue your journey!! may god bless

Congrats on reaching your goal....That is almost what my goal will be....thank you so much for that added motivation. :)

Lizzi - thank you so much!

Manderz - LOL - one of my best friends calls me "Manders". You will FIND that skinny girl...she's not lost, just hidden!

Cleobaby - Thank you! :bravo: on your 10 lbs lost!

I have realized that I didn't believe "it" would ever work. I'm starting to now!

Amanda, congratulations!

Question for you. This sounds silly, but can you remember your first day or two of the diet? How did you get through them? how long did it take to "get going"? This is my problem. It seems so easy to surmount, but every evening I get tired and sabotage myself. Any tips appreciated!

You look fab!

Lizcar - it definitely CAN work. I'm proof of that, as are so many others here at 3FC. Keep going!

Cleo...All I can say is that you have to make a COMMITMENT to doing this. Pick a time period. Decide that, for two weeks, you're going to do X, Y, and Z healthy behaviors. I actually made myself a sticker chart - stickers for each behavior I did (stayed under calorie goal, cardio, strength training, etc) leading up to a reward when I got so many in a week. After a week or so, it gets a LOT easier...then you just make the commitment to keep going!

I can't believe I didn't get around to checking out this and your photo thread until today. What an amazing and wonderful story; you seem so happy, confident, and simply gorgeous from the inside out. :hug: You've also got me feeling giddy here at my own possibilities of the future. :dizzy: I've barely restarted on my weight-loss journey and seeing those that have done so well makes for a great push!

Oh, and I just love the wedding photo on your profile, you two make such a cute couple!!!

Congrats!!!!

Sirenity - aww, thanks! We're pretty happy :D And look at you go, almost 100 lbs down! You go! :cheer:

Pinupqueen - thanks!

Congrats and thank you for sharing your inspirational story :)

Vy - thanks! :wel3fc:

Didn't read it in full, but started following the guide as soon as I read it! Thanks amanda for the wonderful tips

Well done, well done, well done - you're an inspiration! Makes me want to get out there and do it. Thanks.

Fatkatie - I'm definitely not the only person around with tips! Post, read, and keep going.

Bridietogo - Thanks! You CAN (and SHOULD) jump in and go for it!

Just loved reading your story. A big congrats to you on never giving up and achieving your goals! You are awesome!:D

Amanda,
I am sure you have heard this 100+ times, (and more) but what an inspiration you are! I feel lost at the beginning, but so determined and committed to the long term- what is a year really- I have lost 8 years now being overweight. I will hit my goal weight by 40 yrs old, that is 16 months away!

My LT goal- 160
ST Goal- 250
Mini goal- under 300 lbs (10 lbs to go)

I will read your story often to help keep me on track! Thank you:carrot:

Congratulations. I feel so insprired. It is such an amazing help hearing from people who have been through it and succeeded. Thank you

Dear Amanda --

Thank you for being such an inspiration! I am close to tears because your story has really made me feel that THIS TIME I can really make the permanent changes to live the long and energetic life that I am always dreaming about. Thank you for showing the way!

Kellost - thank you!

MsShiraz - you can definitely do this! Just stick to your plan and keep going. Can't wait to get to know you better!

Nicolle - soon enough, you'll be one of those people who has done this and moved onto the (no less challenging, but still awesome) world of weight maintenance.

Presence - you ABOLUTELY can! Get going! You're on your way!

great job

Thanks!

That really is an amazing and inspiring story! Thank you so much for sharing, I think it's helped me realize what a difference losing the excess weight makes. I feel much more motivated to commit myself entirely to my plan. Thank you!

I got goosebumps when I read your story! What an inspiration. Congratulations on EVERYTHING!

mjolnir - Thank you! Get out there and get going!

Pegdav - wow - goosebumps! You'll be posting your own story soon enough - just keep going!

Congratulations! You look amazing! Reading your story gave me some needed inspiration, I was feeling sort of lost on my journey.

Butterfly Sam - :wel3fc: I'm sure that these message boards and the rest of the wonderful folks here can help you find your way again!

What an amazing story. Thanks so much for inspiring me.

Encelia - happy to do whatever I can, even though it's so strange to be considered an inspiration. :wel3fc:

wowwwwwwwwwww that was SOOOOOOOOOOO long but congratsss !! lol good for you !

I know, it WAS long...but thanks!

Congrats!!!! Thank you for posting that, I am doing a calorie count as well that should put me loosing 2 lbs a week. I pray that I keep up the great work thus far and you too keep up the great work!

Thanks, myweightlosstrip! We have similar stats, so you definitely can do it...just keep on track and even if you lose weight slower than you'd expect (our bodies aren't machines!), you'll get there eventually if you keep going.

What an amazing journey! You would think that with just 25 lbs to lose I could just get right to it and get rid of it...but, I just can't seem to get started. Every day I say this is the day and I will get on track and every day I lose sight of the goal. Your story is very inspiring!

Wow, I'm just gonna chime in here among the dozens and dozens of people who have commented already that your story is not only inspirational it's very well written. I admire your honesty, and some days just reading that this is not something that I -or anyone- is truly alone in experiencing is really wonderful.

I too have found that belonging to a CSA has been invaluable.. who knew how many delicious foods were out there I'd never tried.

I add my thanks to the din.

you are an inspiration!

I can't thank you enough for posting your detailed story of how you got from "here to there". I find that I keep coming back to it every couple of weeks just to read it again. Every now and again I get a little down and think "This can't be done. My goal is too far away. It's too hard. I can't do it." But then I revisit your story and it helps me find my resolve and reminds me this CAN be done. It takes time and effort but it CAN be done. Thank you so much for sharing. You've helped me more than you know.

Luv2clog - it starts with a solid commitment...you WILL get this done! Make the commitment and then jump in and hold yourself to it. Over time, it gets easier, and soon, you're headed toward your goal!

I too have found that belonging to a CSA has been invaluable.. who knew how many delicious foods were out there I'd never tried.


It was really amazing. Even more amazing is that I keep eating those new, tasty foods, even when I don't have to, and I've turned into a total farmers market junkie.

Vontrese - aw, thank you!

ALH - you CAN do it. You can look at it as a big project, and get overwhelmed, or you can decide what small changes you are going to make today, and tomorrow, and onward. Those small changes add up, and soon you're on your way to goal. It doesn't have to be overwhelming and scary if you take it one tiny bit at a time.

That is an amazing story ... very inspirational :) Congratulations!

Congrats! Thank you for sharing your story!

Lauren and ekidwell - thank you both!

Wow. Congratulations on everything you've accomplished! You both look absolutely beautiful in your wedding picture. You are truly an inspiration.

I noticed that you live in Davis. I will be moving to Davis very soon, and am very curious about the "vegetable box" you mentioned. Is this local in Davis? I'd be very interested in it if you have any information to give. :D

Thank you!

~ Sarah

Congrats on maintaining your weight loss, I am dying to try your recipes. Where are they????

I really liked the idea of planning the meals out. I think I'm gonna start that....today!

You have such an amazing story, thank you for being so detailed. Its nice to hear that someone who has succeeded had setbacks and overcame them. I know if you can do it so can i, and everyone else here! Thank You! and you look great!

Sarahlynn - you can check out www.localharvest.org, and look for CSAs...this will show you veggie boxes in your area. If you're in the Sacramento area, both "Farm Fresh to You" and "Eatwell Farms" have really great programs.

Beautiful - recipes are scattered throughout the board! You can find some in the "Maintainers Favorite Recipes" thread. Thanks!

AmandaMary - Planning was ESSENTIAL for me. It makes a ton of difference to not have to THINK about it at the time.

Byebyebelly - Thank you! Yes, there were challenges, and continue to be challenges, but it's so worth it! You CAN do this and it will be better than you ever imagined.

I love your quote "It's not about MOTIVATION, it's about COMMITMENT." I think it's wonderful! I hope to get to my goal weight this year! Congrats on all of you hard work!

What an inspiring story...Thanks for sharing and congrats!!

Discoloration - for me, it was very true. I can honor a commitment if I make it to myself sincerely. Motivation is fickle!

Babysteps - thank you - congrats on that first 10 lb milestone!

CONGRATS ON MAKING YOUR GOAL AND SHARING YOUR STORY WITH US.... Sometimes when i read all the sucess stories, tears swell up in my eyes lol (such an emo gal) but I feel so happy and optitmistic that i can lose the weight too! Thank you, thank you, thank you for being one of the people to help shed some light of hope for me :) *tear*

Thank you for that. I am over 300 lbs. I just know it. And everywhere I turn, I feel like it's someone or something telling me that I need to lose weight. My best friend just lost tons of weight and I feel like I am out there alone. After reading your story, I don't feel that way anymore. You are a great inspiration and I really hope that I can do it too. I am scared. I have been this big for as long as I can remember.

Crystal - thank you!

Maggie - you definitely are NOT alone! There are TONS of people here who have been or are exactly where you are. And now you've found us!

That is amazing. Thank you for sharing your story. You are such an inspiration.

Mrs Moore - thanks!

Congrats on your success!!!!!!!

Leitner - thanks! :wel3fc:

Wow! This is amazing! Thanks so much for your story and for not cutting it shorter. It is truly inspirational and will helps other, I am sure, when they feel like they just can't do it anymore!

5factor - I felt like it was sort of ridiculously long, but I had so much to say! Thank you again!

Okay, well I haven't been in this kind of threads for long time but I love this :) I will be starting soon so here is some of the things I use to keep on track every morining ... Great post.

Believe while others are doubting
Persist while others are quitting

Thanks

Grand - I'm so glad you found us! Your mottos are awesome...:wel3fc:

Post an introduction in the Introductions forum, if you want, and keep posting!

Congrats!

Your story is truly motivating! Thank you for sharing it. :)

Reagansquad and Bex - thanks to you both! And :wel3fc:

You're story is so inspiring! Congratulations on hitting and maintaining that goal! :)

Cherrypye - Thank you! :wel3fc: and congrats on your progress so far!

I couldnt view your pics on my pc but your story is inspiring!!!! I'm only about 1 month into a healthy eating plan & I'm kicking my self for succumbing to temptation (packets of chips & 30g of chocolate). Reading some of the posts on 3FC I'm only now realising that one of my biggest problems is not planning and making far too many excuses! I only have about 65 pounds to lose but if I had already lost 1 pound for every excuse then I'd be at my goal weight in no time!!!. Thank you for your positivity!!

Ms JanVan -

Planning is so, so important. If I get too hungry, I make poor choices. If I plan out my food, making good choices is easy...just follow the plan! If you have the groceries for the meals you planned, there's no excuse not to eat it.

:wel3fc:

wow great story! congrats you look great!

:cheer3::bravo::cheer2: u've done such an amazing job!
its so motivating.. m taking ure advice.. frm now on i'm going to plan my meals 1-2 days ahead.. and u look fabulous!:hug:

Awesome work!!

This story really inspired me and made me think. Made me think I really need to take the time to plan, the rights foods aren't going to fall in my lap at lunchtime. I love all the details and tips. WAY TO GO!

Taztaz and Big Josie - thank you!

Gypsychic and Hurlee - thank you both. It's true that this doesn't happen automatically, but honestly, planning isn't that hard, and it makes staying on plan SO MUCH EASIER. Keep planning and I guarantee you'll find more success than if you didn't plan. Or as some people around here like to say - if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Amanda - I hope you're not tiring of this and don't mind another note from a 'gushing fan'. I'm 20 years older than you, and I've decided you're going to be my role model :D

I think it's wonderfully romantic that you and Sarah took this journey together, even before being married. Moving forward together on something that changes your day, every day - what a wonderful commitment to eachother!

Your story truly shows that changing our way of eating doesn't mean isolation from the so-called real world. You're integrated into your milieu, still entertain but with healthier dishes (I bet guests ask for recipies!), are determined enough that injury didn't stop you in your tracks. It's all so REAL that I can wholeheartedly relate to it.

Many thanks for putting yourself out there and taking the time to share such a well thought out story of your progress. :cp::cp::cp: (standing o!)

Is there a link to your women's health article? This is SO SO inspiring!!!

wow, all these years later and you still get replies :) You're such an inspiration and you may have just kicked me into gear. thank you, thank you!

The good and the bad... This is a beautiful story.

You guys are all so kind.

The Women's World issue was the Oct 31, 2007 edition. I have a copy around here somewhere, but I don't think you can see it online.

And no, I'm not sick of it. It's really nice to know that I can help people!

What a great story/life! You are such an inspiration! Thank you

Sillyfilly - awww, thank you! Congrats on your losses so far...keep going!

What a great story! It just goes to show how much you can do if you put your mind to it.

great job :)

You are such an inspiration. Your story and pics are such very good motivators.

I love your story! You have been a motivation to more people then you will ever know by sharing.

I enjoyed reading your story, Amanda. It's very motivational.

Wow! So many posts since I was last here:

Gale - putting your mind to it is SO IMPORTANT! 3FC was a big help in this as well.

Raspberry - Thank you!

Babble - 3 years in and "inspiration" is still totally strange for me! But I'm glad to help anyone I can, however I can.

Kellbell - Again, even though it's weird, I'm so glad to be of whatever help I can. 3FC helped me so much, I could be here helping folks out forever and still not pay back the debt I feel to this place.

Theox - Thank you! :wel3fc:

Bookmarked!

I'm so glad I joined this website. Wow...

TLN - I'm glad you joined too! Thanks!

Wow, thank you. That definitely got me teary eyed. Congratulations on everything!

Aww, Jeni, thanks! :bravo: on your amazing 50 POUNDS of progress so far!

You are truly remarkable!

I am where you were at the start: intimidated by the gym and lost about fresh foods and cooking, but I hope to take it a step at a time and learn all I can!

Congratulations on your accomplishments and thank you so very much for sharing!

Renaissance - thank you, and :wel3fc:

I can't tell you how much 3FC helped me in learning a lot of this stuff. Seriously! It's such a great place with so much information.

I just read your story, and congrats on such an awesome accomplishment! I've been on my slow weight loss journey for a few years now, and this is the year that I have decided to lose the last 30 pounds. I am optimistic, but somewhat impatient, and I'm learning to love the 1 pound that comes off the scale at the end of the week instead of freaking out that it's not at least 2 pounds. Your story is very inspirational! Congrats again! :)

oh amanda,
u become a star for me.
today i have read ur story.its amazing and motivated.
thanks for sharing.

I liked it when you said I’ve gone from “I don’t care” to “give me a minute to throw on some lipgloss". Shows a lot of self esteem! Congratulations on meeting your goal! And also thank you for all the advice. You are very inspiring. I hope to be like you someday.

Thank you, Emme, Shazia, and Esha. Still strange to be called an inspiration, but if I can do it, so can you! Keep going and :bravo: on your progress so far!

This story is so amazing to me. I am so happy for you and I hope to mimic your success.

Amanda: I just read your story after it being on here for over 3 years. Thank you for such an in depth story. It was exactly what I needed today.

I was trying to talk myself out of going to the gym for my intervals on the treadmill. Your story put the pep back in my step!

Thank you for that! Can't wait for my run tonite!!!

All I can say is wow!! :) Happy for you!

you are amazing! a great inspiration to me! I am just starteing out and have only lost my first 5lbs. your story makes me realise that my goal is actually a possibility. It is something that i can even accomplish if i just keep going. Thank yoU!

Congrats! I am just now trying very hard to stay committed to a diet and these stories really inspire me! Thank you and congrats you are beautiful!

Thank you all again so much for the compliments. Every time I hear that I kept someone going, or gave them hope, or motivated them to go just 5 more minutes on the treadmill, it really warms my heart.

Thank you for sharing your story. I feel so defeated, over the years the diets have started and stopped. But I too am trying to lose so that I am not a fat bride, and my fiance is not a fat groom. I am older, 33, but like you was shocked to realize that I was nearly 300 pounds. It really helps to hear about someone who is of similar proportions albeit a bit taller who was able to lose that much weight and in a healthy way.

thanks!

Reading your story is an amazing!! Such an inspiration!!
I'm the same as you in a few aspects. When I stepped on the scale a few months ago and I was 2 pounds shy of 300.. I panicked and stepped into a whole new view. Heart problems and health issues fun like wildfire in my family. I decided that only I can change the way things are going for me!
I'm so glad to be a member of this site and read the stories of women who are so successful and inspirational!
Thank you!:)

You overcame some tough obsticles but you you did it!.. what an inspiration!

Thank you all so much, and :wel3fc: to all of you!

Thank you so much for your story!! It's inspiring to me and proves that nothing is impossible!

Nothing is impossible. The word itself says "i'm possible."

this story is incredibly inspirational, thank you so much for sharing! it goes to show that motivation and perseverance goes a long way!!

i love reading stories like these-- it gets me excited for what i can potentially accomplish =D

Very inspirational story! And congratulations on the weight loss!

Very inspiring Indeed!! I am 59 years old. On 17 day diet plan. C2d14 lost lost 5.2 lbs so far. Long way to go!!

I just read your story, and I'm so very inspired. Your success is absolutely incredible. I hope one day I can feel as proud of myself as you should be.

Thank you all, again. Coming up on 4 years maintenance...it DEFINITELY IS POSSIBLE.

Congrats!!

Reading your story was very motivating. When I started my weight loss I was 22 and 273 pounds. I have lost 40 pounds and can't wait to be where you are, back in those size 8 jeans I was in high school!!

wow hon, congratulations you did amazing and such an inspiring story. Grats to you and your partner

Very motivating! Congratulations on your success! I'm finding it hard to cross that line, but know that I must in order to be healthy. You are what I inspire to be!

Wow. I think that pretty much sums it up :)

Wow! Thank you for sharing such an amazing story! Congratulations!

wow just amazing achievement
it is a great story
congrats for the success and thanks for sharing it with us, hope one day i will share my own story.

what a great story,congrats

Thank you guys all so much!

What an awesome read!

Wow, what a beautiful inspiring story! It brought tears to my eyes and your words actually give off an awesome vibe that makes me feel that I too can do this...thank you :)

Thanks guys! You CAN do this! Just keep going!

You look great, and congrats on your pregnancy as well! :) Someday I hope to have a similar goal story!

Great job, and what an inspiration!

Your a great inspiration xxxxx

What an inspiration!!!! Thank you for sharing!

Thank you for posting your story... it's truly amazing.. congratulations :)

Thank you all so much! It's crazy but awesome. Yesterday, I got the results from my glucose tolerance test...I've gone from prediabetic at my highest to a SERIOUSLY efficient glucose metabolizing machine.