The 19-year-old from Butler, NJ is a patient care technician, who is studying to be a registered nurse, but feels that her outward appearance would hinder her career path in the health-care profession. She turned to "The Biggest Loser" to help her find her way back to a healthy life of her own.
ET talked to Amanda about the pressure she feels since America voted her on to the show and her strategy to stay on the ranch.
ET: What was the "ah-ha" moment when you decided to apply to the show?
Amanda Arlauskas: When I missed my prom. I was so excited all through high school and I couldn't wait. I thought I had all the time in the world to lose the weight before prom came. Senior year, the prom date was announced and I started dreading it. All my friends are a size two or four. They would say, "Come on. Let's go prom dress shopping." I was, "Woo Hoo! If I was that size, I would go, too." I had to make excuses each time I was invited. I had to go with my mom to the plus-size store and grab a size 20 dress. I have the dress with the tags on in my closet and it is still there to this day. I felt embarrassed. I didn't get asked to prom, and I just didn't want to be the fat girl -- the wallflower. I regret not going because I will never have that opportunity again, but I didn't go because I knew it would bring nothing but bad memories.
I was heartbroken. I cried the entire night. I said, "I can't believe I let my body get this bad. I am taking away from one of the most special events in a girl's life." Everybody remembers their prom. Now I have to be the one to say I didn't go because I was fat.
ET: What do you think is going to be your biggest challenge on the ranch?
Amanda Arlauskas: My biggest challenge is going to be staying motivated, staying positive and knowing that I need to get through this. I need to do this for myself. I was chosen by America at last season's finale -- it was between me and Erin -- and America gave me this opportunity. They sent Erin home with a great package, so she will be able to workout at home. I knew at the finale that one of us was going to be heartbroken and one of us was going to be happy. I need to prove that America made the right choice.
ET: What was your first workout like?
Amanda Arlauskas: Before going into the first workout, I had had the workout with Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels during the finale. It was hard core because they wanted us to sweat and cry on TV. They wanted America to see us pushing. So going into the first workout with Bob and Jillian, I was expecting a little bit of what was to come, but I was a little thrown, because you get there, and you don't know when you are done. There is no break.I am telling you, Jillian was on the other side of the gym, and I put my hands on the treadmill, and I heard, "Amanda, get your hands off." I was, "How did she see me?" I remember Bob saying, "Whoever gets to 5000 calories burned first gets to take a break." I thought, "I am only at 1000." I threw up, I sweat more than I ever did in my entire life and I went through feelings of, "I don't know if I can do this." I knew Bob could tell I was down on myself. He got in my face and said, "Amanda, America voted for you. Are you really going to let them down?" I said, "No, Bob. I am not." I am so glad he said that to me because it is true. I am here for a reason: America believed in me. This is the one thing in my life that I am not letting escape from me. I am running for this. I am wearing the pink shirt [Note: the last two winners have worn the pink shirt], so I have big shoes to fill.
ET: What is the best advice you have been given since you arrived?
Amanda Arlauskas: Pain is temporary. Stick through it. Keep your head straight and realize pain is temporary. Every workout I have done, I wanted to quit. As soon as I finished it, I was so happy. I finished it and I was still alive and breathing. So when I feel like quitting, I say, "Just do it for another half hour." We have two of the best trainers here and they are going to push us to our limits.
ET: Did you bring a skinny outfit?
Amanda Arlauskas: I have a little dress. It is a size medium. It is pink. Forever, I have wanted to wear a dress like that. I have very pretty, skinny friends and they are constantly wearing dresses like that. I can't wait until I get into it.
ET: What is your strategy to stay on the ranch?
Amanda Arlauskas: Stay strong. Don't let anyone bring me down. Stay away from the drama. I am here for myself and I have something to prove to myself.
The eighth season of "The Biggest Loser" premieres Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. on NBC.
Do you think it was fair that Helen chose to send her daughter, Shanon, home on "The Biggest Loser"?
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