I’ll be the first to admit, rather shamefully, that I’ve been slacking on my healthy lifestyle over the past couple of months.  There are a couple of reasons I started to slack.  First, it was the holiday season and there was so much temptation around me all the time.  Second, I was frustrated and disenchanted with my efforts because my weight loss has plateaued since mid-August.  As I stated in the post Sweet Success:

My weight loss has plateaued for the last few months, which I know is normal, but it has been a little frustrating.  Because of the plateau, I feel like my resolve has slipped a little bit.  I’m quicker to give into my cravings than I was before.  I still keep within my weekly calorie limit; it’s just that the food I’m choosing to fill that limit with isn’t the best.  I also used to stick to my lower limit, whereas most days, I’m pushing the higher limit as far as it’ll go.

That’s basically how I still feel and what I’m still doing, except that my resolve has slipped even more and I’m not really sticking to my weekly calorie limit anymore.  I’m still trying to eat healthier; I’m just eating more of it.  I know I’ve been in a downward spiral and if I don’t pull up soon, I’m going to crash and burn.  But, with the start of school, I’ve been so busy that I don’t want to worry about what I’m eating too. I also had to quit my sessions with my personal trainer due to financial strain.  (Luckily, walking around campus as much as I have been has kind of evened that out.  I know I could be doing more, though.)  Honestly, I feel like my entire life is a Catch-22 right now.  No matter how I look at it, something has to give.

As I sit here and type this post and think about what to say, a lot of emotions are going through me: anger, disappointment, shame, resolve, determination, and reluctance.  No matter how I look at the reasons I started slacking, I can only see excuses and I need to quit letting myself down.  I really want to get back on track and I know I can do it.  I did it for almost an entire year last year and I felt so good about myself!  I love being two sizes smaller and I know I’d love being three sizes smaller than I am now. …

Since tomorrow is the anniversary of my original plan, I’m recommitting 100%.  There are a few necessary changes, though:

1. After work and school on Mondays and Fridays, I will take the time to walk on my treadmill for at least 30 minutes.  If I don’t have too much homework and I have time to walk longer, I will.  Also, I’ll take the time to walk on my treadmill on Saturdays and Sundays.  (I know Sunday is usually my day of rest, but since Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are so busy for me, I’ll take some time on Sunday.  The nice thing is that I can listen to my iPod while I’m walking on my treadmill, so I can listen to hymns or a talk by a general authority to help make my walk on Sunday more meaningful.)
2. Unfortunately, I can’t really set a specific time to go to bed because it depends on my homework situation.  However, I’ve been trying to go to bed no later than 10:30.  Otherwise, it’s too hard for me to get up in the morning.  I’ll concentrate on being efficient with my homework, so I can get it done as soon as possible and go to bed earlier (preferably around 9:30).
3. I’m going to get up at 5:25 each workday and be to work by 6:30 when I should be there, instead of between 6:45 and 7:00.  (I’ll actually be able to take time for a lunch that way.) And, I’m going to get up at 8:00 on Sunday, so I can be to church on time.  I have a little more leeway on Saturdays and I’m going to take it, but I need to not overdo it.  So, I’ll get up no later than 10:00 on Saturdays.
4. Eating is a little trickier with my school schedule, but I’ll make it work.  No more bad foods.  (Obviously, I can’t stop completely or I’d end up binging.  But, I can stop having them every day and do better with the “moderation in all things” logic.)  If I have to eat on campus, which may very well happen, I’ll eat at Subway.  Or, I’ll make a sack dinner to take with me to school.  (That mostly depends on time and resources.)
5. I’m going to go to the temple at least once a month.  (I was going every other week, but then Corey and I both got sick and got out of the habit.  Now, life is just too busy to make that kind of commitment.  But, I can commit to once a month.)
6. I’m going to read my scriptures everyday, whether it be in the morning, some time during the day, or before I go to bed.  My Doctrine and Covenants homework doesn’t count because it’s just another class.

I will make this work and I will lose another 30 lbs. this year!