Hello all! I am joining a weight loss challenge to help me accomplish my resolution to lose 20 pounds this year! Carolinafitness has created this challenge in order to help bloggers hold each other accountable for their weight loss goals and resolutions, and I couldn’t think of a better way to keep my head in the game, so to speak. Below is my bio and weight loss goal for the challenge! If you want to join, comment on the post I linked above and then post your own bio and goal on your blog, before the 15th of this month!

My bio and goals:

Hi! I’m Anna, I’m 25, and I’m currently a PhD student studying European History. I grew up as an Army brat in Ft. Benning, Georgia, Mililani, Hawaii, and then Tulsa, Oklahoma, but I now reside in Dallas, Texas. I was a super tomboy as a kid and very active until my senior year of high school, when I began concurrently attending college. As my academic responsibilities increased over the years, my urge and ability to be active has decreased. During the summer I am really responsible about my eating habits and activity level, but during the school year, while I maintain healthy eating habits, I always find excuses not to work out. Also, admittedly, I am an emotional eater and whenever I am lonely, sad, or angry I usually go to food for comfort. My favorite outdoor activities include hiking, geocaching, swimming, running, and snorkeling (when I’m in a location that allows it)! While I don’t mind going to the gym, I am a sucker for cardio activities and really do not enjoy lifting weights (something I am trying to change). My other hobbies include cooking, drinking wine, watching movies, blogging, and listening to music. I am 5′ 5″ and my goal weight is 125-130 lbs. I reach my goal every summer, but throughout the academic year I always gain back the weight I’ve lost. So, my goal for 2014 is to reach 125 lbs as quickly as possible AND maintain it for as long as possible! In order to reach and maintain my goal I will be using this challenge to hold myself accountable and the Fitbit One to monitor my activity levels and encourage me to be more active. I will also try very hard to keep a food journal on the Fitbit site, so make sure to follow me (click the hyperlink above)!

Thanks for reading and  I will be sure to update my progress as often as I can!

Do you have a weight loss goal for 2014? What are some tips you would give people to lose weight and keep it off? What is the biggest challenge for you when trying to lose weight?