For the last three weeks, I’ve been dieting in my attempt to lose 15 pounds by graduation (and in my attempt to accomplish SOMETHING in my “off” time besides watching Food Network for 7 hours straight and reading every post ever at Digital Photography School…not that that’s what I’ve been doing…anyway…)

It’s been tough to say the least. Let’s take this in two parts - 

Eating: My biggest challenge at first was giving up snacking. As someone who routinely eats two bags of Whole Wheat Goldfish Crackers (hence forth known as “Cheddar Cheese Heroine”) in a week, this has been quite the battle, especially because I for some reason bought four bags right before signing up for Weight Watchers. Well done, Amanda. Well done. Having to keep track of my daily points has really guilted me into kicking the heroine habit (3 of my precious 21 points for 55 goldfish!? Really, Weight Watchers?), as has the fact that counting out 55 goldfish (said to be a “serving size” but in actuality, a big freakin’ snack tease) is crazy annoying. Thus, major snacking problem kind of solved. 

For the last week, in fact, I haven’t really thought about snacking, but I’ve still been hungry most of the time, which makes me just an AWESOME person to be around. Just ask my mom. I’m a joy when my blood sugar is low. Yesterday I actually snapped at my dad for driving to Barnes and Noble without explaining why we were going. Barnes and Noble is my own personal paradise! Clearly, hunger is my not best state. The other hard thing about the constant hunger is when I eat out, all I want is the biggest, most fried thing on the menu.  It’s hard to make sensible choices, like ordering a salad and girlled chicken, when you’re prepared to eat your own face. 

Despite these challenges, I’ve been doing well. In Boston last week, my biggest calorie intake was definitely in booze, but it was my best friend’s 22nd birthday AND the Superbowl (which my absolute favorite sports team ever WON), so I didn’t really have a choice, and as for food, I rocked. Instead of ordering granola pancakes at my favorite brunch spot, I got a spinach, egg-white omelet, and instead of getting fish and chips at Beacon Hill Tavern, I got roasted chicken. Go me! Each ended up being satisfying and filling, so really, once I make a decision, I don’t feel like I’m missing out. It’s getting myself to spit out the order that’s tough. 

On the working out front, my personal goal is to work out at least four times a week. Obviously, going to Boston didn’t help AT ALL, as I’m now barred from the school gym as they treat outsiders at my school with the same suspicion the government treats terrorist suspects. At home, my confidence in my work-out routine isn’t helped by the fact that my parents are like the fitness twins, running four times a week and going to, what I call, the devil fitness class two nights a week. (Seriously, after I went to this class once, I could barely get out of bed for a week. I refuse to go back, especially since they told the instructor how much I hated it. That wouldn’t be awkward at all.) Before my trip back to Boston, I was doing the elliptical thing a few times a week and trying out some classes (and “by trying” out I mean almost fainting in a kickboxing class and never going back). I’m definitely going to try to work on this now that my eating is getting better. It would be stupid not to take advantage of a free gym membership while I can, even if I can never work out as much as my parents. 

Despite all the struggles, I’ve lost four pounds already, which is almost a third of the way towards my goal. I’m pretty proud of myself for sticking with it this long. I rarely have this level of commitment to a diet. Hopefully, I’ll update you with some stellar progress next week. 

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For more weight-loss inspiration, check out the 20-Something Bloggers Biggest Loser Challenge! 

I promise the next installment of my trip recap is coming. I’ve been working on one, but I get too detailed, then I get nostalgic, then I get busy cooking, and it somehow gets put on the metaphorical back burner behind making 50 won tons for dinner. 

I do have other things to report in my current life, though. It’s looking like, for now, I’ll be staying at home for a little while. The thought of packing and “moving” back to Boston for the few months before graduation, right now, is nauseating after my month of travel and suitcase living, not to mention my numerous moves over the past four years. To combat the boredom I know is coming, however, I’ve undertaken some projects.

The first is weight loss. Inspired by some real-life friends and stealing ideas from Jen, I signed up for Weight Watchers Online. I always say I want to lose weight, but something else always take precedence, like school and friends, you know, little things. Now, however, the only job I’ll have will be stress-free, I assume, and I have access to free food and a free gym, so why shouldn’t I take advantage? Plus, I don’t really try hard to eat super well, yet I’m not really overweight, so if I put in some effort, I think I can knock off a few pounds. I’ve been on it for two days, and it’s been tough. I snack ALL THE TIME. Anyone who knows me knows Goldfish Crackers are my life, so that’s been the toughest thing to cut out. All those little fish add up to points I can’t part with. Also tough: working out yesterday for the first time in a month. I almost passed out in a kickboxing class, and today I could barely get out of bed I was so sore. I’m trying a different class tomorrow, but now I’m determined to get through a kickboxing class, just because it so kicked my ass. I’ll definitely keep you updated. 

Another bandwagon I’m a little ashamed to have jumped on: Twilight. I got a gift card to Barnes and Noble from my cousin for Christmas, and I saw the massive display of Twilight stuff  yesterday, and outwardly reasoning that if I’m going to be teaching middle schoolers English soon, I should see what they’re interested in (this was achieved by buying a book recommended by TFA called The Art of Teaching Reading as well), but really just wanting to be able to know what all those posts about Edward Cullen were gushing about, I picked up the first book. I’m already 100 pages in, and all I’ll say at this point is that it’s much better than the movie, which did not impress me. I get sucked pretty easily into books, so I’m not expecting to be above the craziness. Again, I’ll keep you updated. 

So that’s all in my normal life for now. I’m currently looking for a job, but nothing’s happened so far. I’m definitely not complaining. So far, I’m enjoying the rest. I mean, today, I get to sit home all day and watch inauguration coverage, which, by the way, is INSANE. Has there ever been an inauguration people were this genuinely excited about? It’s amazing and inspiring and exciting that people are this hopeful and happy about one of our leaders. Even if you don’t like Obama, you have to acknowledge that what he’s done for so many people in the country and for the general feeling in the country is fantastic. That being said, I’ve never disliked Bush as a person, and right now, I’m kind of happy for him. I feel like he is probably so relieved to be done. Now he can go hang out on his ranch, clear his brush, and no one can say anything to him about it. In that way, I feel like we share a nice little connection. We’re both taking a break after a lot of hard work. Mine  may have not have been as serious, but you know what I mean….