I'm new here and I'm on a mission!
 

Hello everyone!
My name is Shayna (or Shay for short), and I'm new here. I've been thinking about joining an online community for a while. Simply for the support that it can provide.

Anyways a little about me: I am currently 25, and I am apprenticing to be a tattoo artist. I will be beginning practicing tattooing very soon! For now I just help out and learn at the shop. :) It's my dream job.

I used to weigh 360 pounds in my younger days. I first started my weightloss journey at age 16 or so. I literally woke up one morning with chest pains and knew I had to do something.

I had tried many different things, and the only thing that worked for me was simply cutting back and exercise. I started light, with the game Dance dance revolution, then went to Tae Bo. From that, bellydance, yoga, and of course just walking. At my lowest I got down to 160 pounds by the time I was 19. It was a huge transformation and took a lot of work.
However, I had not lost it entirely the right way.. It started right, and then I began eating very little and exercising too much. So of course in time I gained some weight back.. about 80 all together, but lost another 30. So I've been maintaining a steady weight of around 200 pounds these days.

My goal is to reach 160 again, in the right way. I plan to do the following: Continue my exercise routine that I have maintained. It's a mix of yoga, cardio, and sometimes bellydance when I have the time. As well as walking.

I will eliminate junk food. Chips, cookies, ice cream, candy, ect. I can have desserts, but only if I make them myself and are made with whole ingredients. Banana ice cream, peanutbutter balls, avacado pudding, you get the idea! However must still be portioned.
I will only drink alcohol such as wine, once a week. Just for good spirits. ;)

Fruits and veggies are unlimited.

And the only exceptions are for special occasions, such as holidays and parties. But doesn't mean I have to.

So anyways, that's my goal in a nutshell. I wish to have a life style change. I wish to do it the right way. And promote a healthy, whole state of being.

I hope to make friends and help others on their journey too!
:carrot:

Hi Shayna! You sound like you have a great plan in place, and the experience to make it work! Welcome to 3FC! Blessings!

Hi Shayna,

Way to go! You presented a list of great determination. And of course, life gets in the way and many of us get side tracked. But you realized you got off course and recommitted yourself. I applaud you. I must mention one thing. I do many of the things you do and I am 54 years young. Working out and eating the right foods is great. But I learned that you need to add supplements because it is impossible to get all the good stuff your body needs just by working out and dieting. I must admit that I cheat once in a while by having a happy meal and apple pie. Hey, my granddaughter would not have it any other way! But I take my probiotics and greens everyday.

Hi Shayna! Welcome to 3FC!!

I just have to ask... avocado pudding? I've never heard of it, and would never think of it! How is it? It's not just guacamole, right?

Thank you very much! I am hoping for the best :)

Thank you and congrats on taking care of yourself too! :) I just started taking a multivitamin as well to make sure. It's true that you really do need them to more ensure that you get what you need. Used to think that I could just eat it all but naah.... lol I feel much better taking them.

Thank you! :) Also no, definitely not just guacamole even though that is also amazing. Actually here is the video I watched and discovered it. It's absolutely amazing and delicious! Also the lady doing the video has tons more great recipes that are mainly veggie and fruit based if you want to check her out. I love her.

https://youtu.be/QEpmrWOkH70