Current Weight: 245.2

What is something that you've accomplished this month, that you set out to do?
"I have been trying to plan my meals out ahead of time. I have found that when I make unhealthy food choices it is because I am unprepared. I may not have bought enough produce at the grocery or I may not have thought ahead for breakfast. Several times this month I have cooked large portions of chicken, hard-boiled eggs, oatmeal and vegetables. I try to pack my lunches the night before so I don’t have to think about what to take for lunch if I am in a hurry. I also have been washing all the produce before it is put into the refrigerator so that I can just grab a snack like some grapes for example rather than choosing an unhealthy snack. My two year old is always grabbing apples right out of the refrigerator drawer so I have to make sure they are washed because I want to encourage him to grab healthy snacks as well."

Is there anything that you set out to do this month that you haven't accomplished yet?
"I haven’t quite broken the habit yet of telling myself, “It is just one…. it won’t hurt that bad”. For example, one piece of chocolate, one cookie, one chip tends to make me feel guilty about making a bad choice and then I get down on myself and the self doubt sets in. I tell myself every week, “ This will be the week I don’t eat just one of anything”. But before I know it, I have done it again. Every month, every week, every minute of every day presents it’s own set of challenges that I struggle to overcome constantly."

Looking back at where you started, did you ever think that you have accomplished as much as you have at this date?
"Yes and No. I actually thought I would have accomplished more in the weight loss area. Especially with as heavy as I was at the start of the challenge I naively thought the pounds would just melt off me. On the upside though I really didn’t think I would be at the fitness level I am currently. Justin pushes me every week with something new and I always manage to push through the pain no matter how hard it is."

What's something that you still want to accomplish before the challenge is over?
"I still have a substantial amount of weight to lose and I would like to lose at least 25 pounds by the time the challenge is over. With the amount of time left in the challenge this is still feasible at a one to two pound loss per week."

How has keeping in contact with the other challengers helped you keep on track throughout this journey?
"It has been really nice to keep in contact with the other challengers through out the first half of the challenge. I tend to be my own worst enemy at times and sometimes want to throw my hands up in the air when the scale hasn’t budged and declare, “Why do I even bother to try so hard”? Then I will email Kenny and Christine and they get me back on track and remind me that this is a “lifestyle” challenge and not a “weight-loss” challenge. Then I can regroup and get back on track."

Now that the weather is nicer out, and you are become more physically fit, what's an outside activity are you looking forward to doing?
"I really am looking forward to just walking in my neighborhood. It is a great way to get exercise and interact with my son and sometimes my husband will walk with us too. My son notices new things every time we take a walk. I have a really nice jogging stroller and to date I have only taken my son for walks. By the end of this summer I hope to actually be jogging behind it rather than just walking. Last year I got new golf clubs for my birthday and they have only been used once. Being over weight has hindered my ability to swing the clubs very well. I hope to get out and golf a few times with my husband this summer."

What have you been focused on with your trainer this past month?
"This past month Justin has me working hard in the weight room at the MAC. He also has me doing cardio intervals. It is amazing how hard a 20-minute cardio interval can be. There are some days I work so hard I feel nauseous. I know that sounds horrible but it actually is a good thing and I always manage to push through. I love the strength training. I usually can hardly walk for a few days after my workouts with Justin but at least I know that way I have gotten the most out of my weekly training session."

What have you been focused on with your nutritionist this past month?
"Melanie and I are still trying to focus on keeping a good balance between my carbohydrate, protein and fat intake. Sodium is still a big issue for me and so we still focus on that aspect of my daily diet. I always try to buy low sodium items or even no sodium items now at the grocery store. I also do not eat out hardly ever any more. That is a great way for me to actually control the amount of sodium I consume."

What physical changes have you noticed in the last month?
"I have noticed that my pants are loser and my legs feel like they actually have muscle tone. I can tell my core strength is quite good now whenever I try to perform exercises that require balance. I have also noticed my arms are somewhat toner and I don’t feel like they flap in the breeze so much as they did when I first started the challenge. I used to suffer pretty bad lower back pain almost everyday when I got out of bed. I don’t really experience that now that I have lost a little weight and have strengthened my core. My mid-section spare tire is a lot smaller than it was when I first started."

What are others saying, if anything, about those physical changes?
"My family and co-workers can really notice my physical appearance has changed mostly in my face and throughout my midsection. My husband can’t believe how sweaty I am when I come home from the gym. He really notices how hard I am working at the challenge. He has noticed my physical changes overall as well."

At this point, what would you recommend to others who are interested in starting a weight loss routine for themselves?
"DON’T WAIT! START NOW! As I have found out the hard and sometimes painful way, I put off taking care of myself for way too long. I was so nervous about starting the physical fitness portion of my lifestyle change and actually by getting active again I have realized how much I actually enjoy exercise and how good it makes me feel about myself. If I have a stressful day, I go to the gym. If I have made a bad food choice I get on the elliptical. Before I would have eaten junk food and vegged out in front of the TV if I were stressed out. Counting calories is hard, writing down what I eat is hard, and making good choices is hard. It is all hard but not impossible to do. I only regret that I have wasted so many years of my life unhealthy. I have a lot of regret about things I have missed out on due to being overweight and I don’t want to regret anything about my life from this day forward."

Justin Grinnell, Senior Trainer at the MAC on Amy

“Even though the weight hasn’t been flying off like we had hoped, Amy has made some great adjustments in her life. She is exercising regularly. She enjoys the exercise, and when she misses a workout she can tell the difference in her mind and body. I love when my clients get grouchy when they miss a workout, because that means they have been bitten by the “exercise bug”. Her biggest challenge is the diet, and her stress level. Melanie and I are still trying to help her find the right combinations of food choices, and how to deal with the everyday events that can get into the way of a healthy eating style. As we all know, the best weight loss is a gradual process, and never a quick get it done approach. I keep seeing improvements, so I know eventually the weight will start to fly off. I have begun to be more firm with her, and she now knows that for every time she messes up, her workouts will get more intense. I am trying to give her more incentives to get the job done. Just ask her, when she comes to the MAC it is all business, and the workouts are only getting more intense. It’s go time! ”

Melanie Stanczak,
RD Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital on Amy

“Amy has become an expert label reader and continues to make great food choices at meals and snacks. She is staying away from processed foods and working towards improved portion sizes. Amy has been keeping a food journal which has helped prevent her from straying from her plan. Amy's biggest challenge is balancing her work and family life in addition to her new exercise routines. This has been, at times, stressful and Amy
is becoming more aware of how to de-stress and focus on what is
important. Amy never makes excuses for poor choices and is not afraid to ask for help or words of encouragement."