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Vowing to Get Healthy: Starting the weight-loss journey – Metro US

Vowing to Get Healthy: Starting the weight-loss journey

My My “before” picture. Let the losing begin!
Credit: Lenyon Whitaker/Metro

Confession No. 1: I have horrible eating habits, and I’m a certified sugar addict.

Confession No. 2: I’m a couch potato (read: lazy).

Confession No. 3: My body mass index is almost as high as my age.

Why does this matter to me? Aside from the fact that my overall health is in danger, I’m getting married on May 3 – and I’d rather not look like a whale in that pretty white dress.

Being overweight isn’t a new problem for me. About a decade ago, I was taking medication that made me gain about 100 pounds in a year. (Yes, you read that right.) I’ve never been able to take it all off.

Now I have about three months to do something about it. I’m getting a late start, but think I can make some important changes between now and the spring.

I’ve actually lost somewhere in the ballpark of 20 pounds since moving to New York City in June. I’m not exactly sure, since the bathroom scale scares me. I walk much more than I used to, but I can’t really count walking to and from the subway as “working out.”

My fiancé has managed to lose about 50 pounds over the last two years. He rides his bike – set up in our living room for the winter – almost every day.

A big wakeup call: Getting my measurements taken for the seamstress who’s making my dress. Those numbers need to change. The dress has been ordered; hopefully I’ll have to get it taken in.

It’s not only that I want to look good on my wedding day. It’s more that I need to change my lifestyle to feel – and be – healthier.

So, with help from Metro – and you, dear readers – I’m embarking on a self-imposed challenge.

Goals:

1. Learn and follow a healthy eating plan – hopefully weakening my sugar addiction.
2. Establish a workout plan and stick to it, with at least three sessions per week.
3. Lower my body mass index by five points, closer to the “overweight” range instead of the “obese” range where I am now.

Luckily, I’ll be getting a lot of support and guidance from the New York Health and Racquet Club, which is setting me up with a personal trainer and a nutritionist. Yes, I need professional help, since this feels so daunting that I’m not even sure where to start.

I know this won’t be easy. In fact, I expect it to be pretty hard… and I’m not really good at things that are difficult. But I have you to keep me accountable and on track.

So wish me good luck, and let’s go!

Amanda Art is Metro’s social media manager. Over the next 14 weeks, track her weight loss progress as she readies for her May 3 wedding. Follow Amanda on Twitter at@NYNewsgirl.