Getting Back into the Groove
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, but I know I could be doing more.) 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:
- 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.)
- 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 pm. 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 pm).
- I’m going to get up at 5:25 am each workday and be to work by 6:30 am when I should be there, instead of between 6:45 am and 7:00 am. (I’ll actually be able to take time for a lunch that way.) And, I’m going to get up at 8:00 am 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. I’ll get up no later than 10:00 am on Saturdays.
- 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.)
- 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.)
- 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 pounds this year! 
Hi! Welcome to my blog. I'm Jenni Elyse. This is a blog about my life--the books I read, the parties I go to, the hobbies I enjoy, etc. I hope you enjoy reading my posts as much as I enjoy writing them! If you want to get to know me better, check out the 
Wow. Go Jenni! I haven’t been up at 5:25 since my high school days.
What a great idea to reevaluate the entire situation and make specific goals. I’ve been slowly trying to figure out what and where to make the changes and this gives me some good ideas. Good luck Jenni! And thanks for the ideas.
You can do it! (Obviously, because you’ve done it before! Piece of cake!)
I know you can do it. <3
I know I haven’t been doing my best either, but I realized that I have to quit beating myself up also, because feeling bad makes me slip worse. I’ve learned that it’s okay to have to let something give. You’ll be a healthier person when you’re happy.
That being said, here’s a few tricks I’m trying to use. If your studying is reading, do it on the treadmill. (Difficult for me when most of mine is online, but my Nook is coming so I’ll be able to read on it – now I just need a treadmill.) Packing a lunch or dinner is easy if you get a few habits going. Such as, whenever you’re cooking dinner (even if just on the weekends), double it, and place the extras in single serving containers for a quick grab. Most the buildings on campus have snack areas with microwaves, so I heat my leftovers for lunch. Next, keep lunchmeat on hand for quick sandwiches – my favorite it pastrami and cheddar, melted – for when you don’t have leftovers. Then, keep easy, healthy snacks on hand like apples, bananas, string cheese, and I like having yogurt on hand. Those are all fast to grab and I don’t have to worry about “packing” a lunch. My last habit is I keep a box or 2 of 100 calorie snacks – like the Keebler fudge striped cookies – in the pantry and throw one in my backpack or eat at home. I don’t feel as guilty indulging when it’s so few calories. Also, carry a water bottle around with you. You should drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water each day (for example, if you weigh 160, you should drink 80 ounces a day). Easier to do when you have a water bottle with you at all times. Okay, enough, but I hope some of this helps.
I would like to join the Jenni cheerleading section:
I love that you’ve written out a plan; the more you write out the more likely you’ll do it—which, like everyone else has said, I know you will. The idea with listening to talks/hymns while working out is so awesome!
Just keep doing what you and you’ll be surprised with the results (in a good way)!
Love you!
Good for you, Jenni. Writing down your goals is key. Sharing them with others is also key. It takes a lot of guts to put your goals out there for the world to see, but it also gives the world a little kick in the pants to start stepping up to the plate too! Thank you!
I am so proud of you! You did a great job losing weight last year! I know you can do it again this year! I think your goals are attainable. You are stronger than you think! I also will try to be better at cheering you on. I know you can do it!
Go, Jenni! Go, Jenni! I know you can do it, too! You looked so great at T3 last year and I was so impressed with how you stuck to your plan so closely. You are an inspiration to me, and it’s okay to fall off the wagon . . . as long as you get back on, right? Go, Jenni!!!!!
I admire your dedication. It’s just one more thing that you can feel good about. Good luck!
Hey. I think your amazing. You have a lot of will power and self control. I know you’ll get back in groove. It’s all about having a plan and a constant reminder, which you are awesome at. I have total faith in you.
You can do it, I believe in you!
I apologize that I haven’t commented on your last couple of posts. Randy has told me to cut down on computer time to see if that helps my hands out. (And so far, I think it has.) Again, I apologize.
I think your goals are attainable and commendable. You did such a great job last year and were so motiviating (for me at least)! I know that you can easily hit your goal this year!