Now that's we've been together for a little while, I think it's time you know more about me. No, I'm not asking for a commitment, I just want you to get to know me better.

As you know, my name is Amanda and I am the editor for amNY.com. But more importantly in this arena, I am a Fat Fighter from waaaaaaayyyyy back.

I have struggled with weight issues pretty much since birth. My father has a photo of me at 9 months perched atop the family's Chevrolet Nova. I'm wearing just a diaper and boy, it's all hanging out. I look like a little Hershey's Kiss.

Things got a bit better until I turned five. After that, it seemed everything I ate went to my hips (and thighs, and butt). I fought the battle of the bulge all through high school, college and into my work life. Through times of heavy exercise, light exercise and no exercise.

I've tried Slim Fast, diet pills, Weight Watchers, South Beach and skipping meals. I've tried 1,000 calories a day, 1,200 and 1,800. I've given up bread, fried foods, white foods, starches and fruit.

I've had two significant weight losses. From late 1990 to mid-1991, I lost 65 pounds on Weight Watchers. But after my mother became seriously ill and then disabled, I put it all back on.

After my mother passed away in 2001 from a massive heart attack, I got serious about losing weight. I learned to swim and lost 80 pounds through Drs. Richard and Rachel Heller's Carbohydrate Addict's diet.

I have managed to keep most of it off, but have had some setbacks after illnesses and injuries halted my exercise routine. I still exercise, usually walking on the treadmill or swimming, four to five times a week.

Eating wise, I still do the low-carb thing, but I struggle with it (as you can see with my references to popcorn). I also worry about health risks that have been associated with low-carb eating including increased cholesterol, the lack of fruit and kidney woes from the extra protein.

But the fact remains that for me, nothing seems to work better. I am not as monstrously hungry all the time, I don't get sleepy after meals and I am better able to control myself if certain foods just aren't an option.

My greatest downfall is emotional eating. When I'm happy, I eat. When I'm sad, I eat. If I'm bored, I eat. My boyfriend calls me a see-food eater. Pretty much, if I'm awake, I could eat. Too bad I don't get paid to eat. I would be rich.

So that's my deal. What's up with you?

In this blog, I hope to have a conversation with you about diet, health and fitness issues. I would like to hear your ideas and thoughts on the topic. God knows, I need all the help I can get!


-- Amanda Barrett