It's almost universally agreed that losing weight is not an easy task, as it requires discipline, determination, and focus. However, a 37-year-old Amanda "Mandie" Wood found three things that made losing weight so effective, she managed to drop 150 pounds in just about 2 years.
Mandie started her weight-loss transformation in the Fall of 2015, after getting fed up with feeling invisible and tired all the time. At that time the woman weighed 375 pounds and fit size 28. Amanda felt like it was time to change and consulted a nutritionist who helped her balance her diet, by determining appropriate portion sizes, her calorie intake, as well as giving tips to start a healthier diet. "I follow balanced macros, which for me means that I try to ensure I am getting 35 percent of my calories from carbs, 25 percent of my calories from fat, and 40 percent of my calories from protein," Wood told PopSugar.
The second step was exercise. After a couple unsuccessful attempts at the gym, she ended up getting a personal trainer, which Mandie admits was a great investment. "Now going to the gym is one of my favorite times of the week".
Amanda says that the key point of her journey was finding balance and setting reasonable goals. "Five pounds is much more manageable than the 200 pounds" she explains. In the end, she encourages people to simply be kind to themselves as no one is perfect, saying: "Just don't give up".
37-year-old Amanda "Mandie" Wood weighed 375 in the Fall of 2015
In just 2 years she managed to drop 150 pounds
Feeling tired and invisible, she was determined to make a change
The first rule was to determine appropriate portion sizes and balance her diet
"I am getting 35 percent of my calories from carbs, 25 percent of my calories from fat, and 40 percent of my calories from protein"
The second step involved hiring a personal trainer to learn all the needed exercises
"I have never actually admitted to anyone how heavy I had been"
"Now going to the gym is one of my favorite times of the week"
Amanda says that the third tip is setting small, achievable goals
"Five pounds is much more manageable than the 200 pounds"
"You will have days where you want to give up, where you get off track, or where you struggle..."
"Just don't give up. Grant yourself grace and get back on track with your next meal or next workout"
