Bea Amaya

It's been a long time since I visited this site, but I've hit a spot in my life where I'm struggling and realizing I need to go back and find some support to help me through it.
I currently live in the Middle East, in a small country called Qatar located on a peninsula next to Saudi Arabia. I am a researcher/instructor at the Texas A&M University campus and have been here since the middle of September. When I arrived here, I was weighing in the low-to-mid 170s every day. After only 3.5 months here, I just this morning crossed the 190 line, something I thought I'd NEVER do again.
food choices here are good, but my ability to make proper choices is hampered somewhat. I do not have access to the Protein Shakes that I love and learned to rely on, I do not have access to good nutritional information about foods I find here, and I do not have access to the low calorie selections that were the staple of my life before moving here (low-cal bread, sugar free Jello, Progresso Light Soups, etc.)
I'm trying so hard to get back on the bandwagon, realizing that I really only have a short window of time to get control before things get totally out of hand. So here I am, back again, planning on hanging out here again in order to pick up tips, keep the focus on good health, and interact with the community that understands.
Bea from Doha, Qatar
(Surgery date: July 30, 2013)

Well welcome back! The good part is you recognize the problem so Now you can fix it!

What a fun adventure. I agree that there have got to be some good local options (I love Mediterranean and middle eastern food). I would love to see your suggestions if you discover regional foods that work for your program.

This might be bad, but don't they have goat meat and the like there? I think the biggest problem is that the Mid East has worse obesity rates than we do. The culprits: fast food and lack of exercise.
Speaking of which, is it possible to *WALK* during the day? If it is as hot as I hear, you could lose weight from short walks (no running, etc.) just simple walks.

You just have to adjust to the food there. I know it's challenging, but from what I know of the Middle East they do have tasty things like hummus and yogurt. A quick google gave me this and I believe the region has plenty of dairy and poultry. Not a lot of processed food, but plenty of good choices to support a bariatric diet.

It's been a long time since I visited this site, but I've hit a spot in my life where I'm struggling and realizing I need to go back and find some support to help me through it.
I currently live in the Middle East, in a small country called Qatar located on a peninsula next to Saudi Arabia. I am a researcher/instructor at the Texas A&M University campus and have been here since the middle of September. When I arrived here, I was weighing in the low-to-mid 170s every day. After only 3.5 months here, I just this morning crossed the 190 line, something I thought I'd NEVER do again.
food choices here are good, but my ability to make proper choices is hampered somewhat. I do not have access to the Protein Shakes that I love and learned to rely on, I do not have access to good nutritional information about foods I find here, and I do not have access to the low calorie selections that were the staple of my life before moving here (low-cal bread, sugar free Jello, Progresso Light Soups, etc.)
I'm trying so hard to get back on the bandwagon, realizing that I really only have a short window of time to get control before things get totally out of hand. So here I am, back again, planning on hanging out here again in order to pick up tips, keep the focus on good health, and interact with the community that understands.
Bea from Doha, Qatar
(Surgery date: July 30, 2013)

I used to HATE seafood! Now, sushi is all I crave! The rice does fill too much but if u ask to wrap in seaweed instead with all the yum in between...heaven! It's so weird how my body completely rewired itself! I don't even look at pizza anymore! That was my all time fav! So strange and unbelievable how the human body/mind works!

Thanks ladies I got it :-)

Thanks ladies I got it :-)

Yes u can also do a search and it should pop up

The labor day challenge started this past Monday If you can't easily find it, tap on my profile and look under posts I've commented on to find the thread.

When is the next challenge?

No change! I am losing inches, so I can't get frustrated

Didn't make goal last Friday of 127...but as of today I hit my personal goal of 129.0
Thanks Bea and best of blessings from above on your journeys of life

211 . I seem to be in a bit of a slump! I am going to need to try something
new to shake it up a little and keep the weight loss going!

Sorry for late check in. I was on vacation and didn't have access to a scale. Final weight - 192
Two pounds shy of goal!

I should have known that last number was a fluke!
168.5. ????

End weight: 131.1 - Didn't make my challenge goal but since I am maintaining under my overall goal weight of 135, I'm happy. I am still going to try to lose a few more during the Labor Day challenge.
Thanks Bea for everything you have done with these challenges. Good luck with everything!

My final weight was 151.

I didn't make my goal of 219. I gained 1.5 lbs. I had not taken my diuretic for my blood pressure and I had not been drinking enough H20. So.... I'm depressed... I can only blame myself! I am starting to work out tomorrow. I plan to walk 2.2 miles a day and use my resistance band to improve my upper body strength and dust off my ab lounger. I've was in Vegas for the 4th and I ate 1 fried chicken strip and a few bites of macaroni and cheese...I am really angry and feel like I've failed...

229.0. Didn't make goal.

208 missed goal hit a little stall! Thank you Bea for doing these! You are awesome! Good luck in your new job and congratulations!

Posting a couple of days late. It's been busy this weekend. Wight on July 4th 182.4.
I didn't make goal this time, but I still had some good loss. My weigt has been stable the last few weeks - I have been struggling with major stress, and had some poor food choices. I've been back on track the last couples f days, so hopefully I can get the last 10 lbs or so off in the next few months!

179 for me I didn't make goal but I broke off the 80s I just got back from vacation so thank god I did not gain so I'm proud of that

Hey - forgot to post!
Bea thank you for doing this - this was my first and your you last challenge. All the best and I'm sure you will do great :-)
Final weigh in - CW 330 - didn't reach goal but I'm proud to have released the 15 pounds I did, nonetheless.
Fourth weigh in - CW 332 - feeling good! Can I make 326 tho? I'll have fun trying :-)
Third weigh in CW 338 - picking up the pace, not sure if it will be enough to get to goal - but I'm going for broke anyways :-)
Second weigh in CW 342 - slow pace on the down - I am the tortoise :-)
First weigh in CW 345 -,- a bit slow but a loss nonetheless! (SW 348 - GW 4th of July 326)