Former Fat Girl of the Week

Former Fat Girl of the Week is a place for us to come to celebrate and learn from the success and achievements of one another. Former Fat Girls of the Week are regular women like you and me, living normal lives, but are extraordinarily inspirational. This is their time to shine, and I hope you are as inspired by them as I am.

Name: Amanda Kean
Age: 28
Occupation: Unemployed x-ray tech who is going back to school for my bachelor's in Healthcare Management
Blog: Food Exercise Express

What's your weight/fitness story?

I had always been overweight as a child. I grew up in a house where there was if you put it on your plate you have to eat it. My family would celebrate everything with food. Soon after highschool, I joined the army and was boardline of allowable weight and body fat percentange. In the army my weight flucated between 177-193 due to having congential hypothyrodism (I was born without a thyroid). I reached my heaviest weight of 205 after getting out of the army. My husband and I drove truck over the road for over 6 months which lead to little activity and poor eating choices. We decided trucking wasn't the right thing for us so we both went back to college. In August 2005, we joined Weight Watchers and the rest is history.

Amanda & hubby before

What was your turning point and/or "Ah-ha!" moment?

I had always wanted to join Weight Watchers but my husband would never do it with me. I knew I need the support in our household to do it. One day my husband came home from the doctor and he discovered how big he got. He agreed to join Weight Watchers with me and we both lost weight. It was amazing to see the weight fall off of both of us.

Amanda, before

How has losing weight/being healthy & fit changed your life?

I have more self confidence in my appearance. I also crave knowledge about eating healthy and learning how to exercise the "correct" ways.

How often do you exercise?

I am sorta an exercise manic and since I am unemployed I have chosen this as my outlet. I normally do between 2-3 hours a day. I do a kickboxing/boxing class 5x a week. I also try to run between 30-40 miles and sprinkle in beachbody exercise videos, weight training, and the elliptical trainer. Saturdays and Sundays are normally my "lighter" days

What is your favorite workout?

Currently kickboxing

Amanda, now. WOW!

What 5 food items are "must haves" in your kitchen?

What is your favorite motivational/inspirational quote?

It is cliche but NIKE- Just do it!

How do you find balance in your life?

I am currently unemployed but even when I wasn't I would always find time to workout. I would also make sure lunches were made the night before with healthy snacks. I also allow for "cheat" days.

Amanda, looking good!

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Losing over 50 plus pounds and keeping it off. Plus more recently was my first half marthon time of 1:52:25

What do you love most about your body?

My strong muscular legs

What are the last 5 songs played on your iPod?

  • Boom Boom Pow - Black Eye Peas
  • Feel Good Inc. - Gorillaz
  • Loser - Beck
  • The Distance - Cake
  • We Made You - Eminem
What weight loss/fitness tools do you use that you rely on in your weight loss/fit life journey?

Garmin Forerunner 305 and my digital food scale

Are you working towards a particular goal we can support you in (upcoming races, events, etc)?

I am starting back to school in January but planning to do another half marathon sometime in 2010.

Amanda and hubby now,
a wonderful example of hard work and determination,
and an inspiration to us all!

Anything else you'd like to add?

I think it was easier for me to lose weight than it is to maintain it. However with the help of exercise I can eat more and still enjoy my life.
Amanda, I am so honored to feature you as a Former Fat Girl of the Week! It is simply amazing how something so simple like Twitter could have brought us together! You are an incredible inspiration, and I loved your interview! Please be sure to visit Amanda's blog, Food Exercise Express, and you can also follow her on Twitter.

xo,


"The world is blessed most by men who do things, not by those who merely talk about them." James Oliver

13 comments:

Meg @ Higgins Happenings said...

A True inspiration! Amanda you look GREAT! and you just have a glow about you that you didnt in your earlier pics! Great job! I am coming to follow you on twitter - so when you see iCommit2beFit (That's me!)

Amanda said...

I've known Amanda since high school, and I am very proud of her weight loss success. Terrific job, especially with maintaining the loss.

Unknown said...

Congrats Amanda!!!! When we were in class is the last time I was in shape... it sure would make it easier to get back on track if I had you motivating me!!

so proud of you!

Kassandra Alexis said...

Hi Michelle! I just came across your blog and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!! I can now officially declare myself as a "former fat girl" lol. Since last Dec. 2008 I have lost 165lbs on my own through diet and working out. I started out at 309 and as of yesterday I am down 144lbs. It has been an AMAZING journey and the best thing I have ever done! Congrats on your weight loss by the way you look awesome! I am So glad you take time to share your story and have this awesome blog! I am deff. becoming a follower and a fan on Facebook and following you on twitter! I would love to hear more about how you lost your weight and any tips you have found too! This blog world has opened up so many doors for me and so many friends. I am not sure if you were like me but I always felt sometimes like I was doing it alone and that no one knew the feeling and pain and stuff but now I see you totally know and you can relate! Feel free to check out my blog and email sometime I would LOVE to hear more from you and I cannot wait to keep following your blog and finishing my journey of these last 14lbs as you finish yours and train! Way TO go your deff. an inspiration!
~Kassandra
www.kassandralexis.blogspot.com

Brittany said...

Amanda! You endlessly amaze and inspire me, great interview girl!

Yum Yucky said...

Go go go! Keep it kicking and eating that Spinach! And awesome mileage on the runs.

P.S. You husband is *beary* handsome. And so is that guy in the shorts. :P

Marlena said...

Hi Amanda!!

Great job on your journey! You look fabulous! Keep up the great work. :)

Anne said...

It's amazing what you've done, Amanda! You're so right, it's easier to lose weight than it is to maintain it. Keep on sticking to that 'cliche' -- Just do it! Very inspiring!

Marcelle said...

Oh wow, what an amazing success story.
I know how hard that journey was, but what a fantastic feeling once achieved.
Congratulations u are truly an inspiration to everyone.

Annie, The Amazing Shrinking Girl said...

Congrats on such an amazing transformation!

Michelle, thanks for bringing back FFGW... the people and stories are so inspiring!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much everyone! Your comments mean a lot to me

karen@fitnessjourney said...

Hi, I just discovered your blog and love what you are doing here. I can't say I was ever a "former fat girl"-unless you count the 50 lbs. I gained during my first pregnancy-but I think it is so generous of you to share your knowledge and inspire others who are still battling their weight. I look forward to reading more of your posts.

Joanna Sutter (Fitness & Spice) said...

Congratulations on a beautiful and healthy transformation!

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