Day Ones

I took a few days off of giving an update with this journey.  In this time off I was able to reflect on "Day Ones." And with this post on the First of February which also happens to be the First Day of Black History Month... I am prompted to write about Day Ones. Part of the reason I was able to reflect was because I have had some immediate success with my JC program, but I am staying steady with the scale the past few days despite staying true to the program.  So Day Ones... where am I going?

My 2012 Warrior Dash Finishing Medal

It is so funny that many of us focus on the first day of life events. Some sad such as the first day of the loss of a loved one, first day a beloved friend moves across the world, or even the first day of a terminal diagnosis.  Some happy events such as the first day of marriage, first day of giving birth and seeing your child for the first time, first day of a job... and definitely THE FIRST DAY OF A DIET.   In putting things in perspective, many of us fear these "firsts," but things start to get easier by the second day (even though it may be slightly hard to measure).

While it is hard to control some "firsts" I may experience, I have found that I am in total control of the first day of a change in eating habits or in changing a fitness regimen.  I know that I am not the only person who puts off the beginning of something that will have such a positive impact on my energy and health... by why is it so hard to start these things?  ............... Internal Conflict and Change.

Thanksgiving race

One of Merriam Webster's definitions of conflict is  a "mental struggle resulting from incompatible or opposing needs, drives, wishes, or external or internal demands." 

This topic of conflict was actually discussed at work this week and we discussed how not all conflict is a bad thing.  I think that as it relates to starting a healthy path, one needs to realize where the conflict lies and how to best deal with it mentally/interally.  You have to get your mind right first.  Then comes requisite of change.... or becoming different.

Completion of Columbus
Half Marathon

Change is hard, but with the practice adapting or conforming to new expectations helps us to deal with the inevitable.  The conflict must be resolved internally first, so that the changed can be embraced bit by bit.  Whether it is figuring out how to live with a mate for the rest of one's life, figuring out how to be a parent without instructions, dealing with dynamics of new co-workers, how to get through life after the passing of a grandmother, creating a new daily routine without one's bestie, or even navigating life after finding out death is more eminent that previously planned ... we get through it and are better for it.

So now that I have gotten through my first day of my JC journey and the first day of returning to the gym after many months... I am adapting.  Earlier in the year (last year) I tried to just change my behaviors with the hopes that my internal conflicts would resolve on their own, but it did not work out.  Now I have had the chance to think about my motivation and what was wrong with attempting change from the wrong frame of mind. I now feel more confident that success is the only outcome I can accept.  

JC Butternut Squash Ravioli
(with added bell peppers)

Change is on the horizon ..... I have even decided to sign up for a 5K and a Half Marathon later this year.  Some may say that I am jumping off of the deep end... but I feel that I am right where I belong, as I used to run (really jog) races all the time... 2018 is MY year and I am reclaiming MY health.

Just to bring it back to Jenny for a moment, I would like to share my scrumptious butternut squash ravioli that I enhanced with some yellow, orange, and red peppers... may I say delish.  I am also starting to eat (yucky) bananas to fill some nutritional gaps.  

Wish me luck... Better yet, I GOT THIS!!

Score - Me:1 and Temptation:0.

 So today has been quite the hectic day, but I was able to abide by my commitment to follow through with not only Jenny but a good workout.  Due to having a training today, I started my day later than normal.  Due to the planning that I mentioned yesterday, I was able to forgo the temptation for all that "Boston Market" offers.  Instead I enjoyed my yummy spaghetti and veggies as planned fo.  Yay!!! Score - Me:1 and Temptation:0.

Happy after completing my
HipHop BodyJam fusion workout.

So feeling high on my ability to stay the course with my eating schedule I continued on to see my JC Consultant Danielle.  I have to say that today turned out to be pretty snowy and very undesirable to drive in today.  In addition to that, I managed to get myself turned around after my training ... barely making it to my appointment today.  I was able to talk about the highs and lows of the week with my consultant and had to muster the courage to get on the JC weekly weigh in scale.  (I really should not be too scared since I weigh myself daily at home, but there is something about being weighed in public by someone who is watching the numbers climb with your current weight).

When I weighed in I was at 3.8 pounds less than I was 5 1/2 days ago!!!!

Following my weigh in, I discussed the plan for the next week and if there would be any barriers.  I decided to get the cookie dough anytime bars and continue on with the chocolate shakes.  We reviewed items that I would probably dislike on the menu and picked some items that I could replace them with.  I am not fond of pancakes or waffles, so I was able to substitute them for a sunshine sandwich and a chocolate muffin.  YUMMY AGAIN.

Jenny Craig (2016)
Simple Inspirations recipe book

I also discussed with Danielle how I found some ways to spice up JC meals on Facebook, so she gave me some of what I would like to call "JC TREATS."  The TREATS she provided were some shake recipes, and two books with recipes that can be used to assist with spicing up my meals.  The recipe books are older and may have some suggestions that are outside of the scope of the RR program at this time, but none the less they were a gift that I think was very thoughtful.  Here are the books she shared in case you are able to request the same or look them up.  I am very excited to be able to try some of these.

Jenny Craig (2007?)
Creative Recipes

I have made a commitment to cooking all of my Jenny meals without the use of a microwave.  Instead, I will use my oven, toaster oven, stove top, air fryer, and pressure cooker it need be.  So far I have found all of my meals to taste great using these methods.  I also feel that this is preparing me for life after Jenny.  I don't want want to get used to the ease of instantly available meals (e.g. meals ready in less than 5 minutes.) Instead, I am getting used to waiting for my meals to be fully cooked within an average of 30 minutes which has allowed me to enjoy my food even more.

In case there was any concern about me being able to adhere to the dinner for the day... I did wrap up the day with my chicken street tacos.  They were minimally spiced up with a salad mix and some grape tomatoes and spicy hot pickles.  They were delish.  and since I have been sickly, I added some of my hot gypsy tea for colds to get me ready for bed.
                                               

JC Journey - Sunday

Fresh faced in the evening

Well, today was a good day but it did not go as planned.  The plan was to get a good two-hour workout in starting around 11.30am, which seemed feasible when I went to bed last night (actually earlier this morning around 3).  The problem is that my car alarm started going off as early as 5:15am this morning.

Car alarms go off rather infrequently in my neck of the woods, but I usually ignore them unless one continues on for an extended period of time in the middle of the night.  So to no surprise, I hear an alarm going off and I roll back in my bed.  As the alarm continues, I make sure all of my lights are off and I approach the window facing the parking lot to see who was the cause of the racket.  I figure out that I am the one causing all of the fuss during the wee hours of the morning and just two hours after falling asleep myself.

Initially, I thought that someone was trying to break into my car... so I took note of some "randoms" outside in the parking lot in the event that there was any damage to my car.  Then it increasingly continued to go off, starting an hour later then a half hour, then 10 minutes and so on.  I haphazardly threw on some clothes and sat in my car (with it turned on so it would not go off again) looking up YouTube videos for the possible culprit.  I found  out it was contributed to a faulty hood switch sensor, so I pulled up my big girl pants and figured out how to unplug it under the hood of my car ... and.. after a few failed attempts I was successful in unplugging it and getting the alarm to stop.  So I was finally able to get back to bed around 9am-ish.

Needless to say, I was "butt-@$$" tired when I got up and saw that it was after 1pm in the afternoon.  I figured that while I may not make it to the gym, I would not veer from my well laid out JC eating plan.  I thought that I would share this to show that an entire day is not a bust because all plans did not go as planned.

So, I started my RR day around 2pm with some cinnamon rolls, fruit, and a chocolate shake.  It was delicious and I took the time to reflect the remaining meals I have until my next weigh-in and any possible barriers that may come up in the mean-time.  It just so happens that I have an all day training tomorrow that will have me out of the office and susceptible to "bad" foods.  I decided that I would not be tempted and chose to switch my planned meals for Monday (tomorrow) with the meals for Tuesday.  I know that there will likely be pasta and/or pizza offered for lunch and the Tuesday lunch is spaghetti with meatballs.  Hopefully all will go as planned.... forget hope, I am in control of my food decisions and I am putting it in the atmosphere that I will stay true to my JC plan.  No excuses.

My Ramen Noodle Chicken Bowl as a soup.

Lunch was a yummy cheeseburger.   I baked the buns in the oven at 350 for about 5 minutes and air fryer the meat for about 7 minutes (until it was thawed).  I then placed some of my mixed greens on it and a small about of unsalted ketchup on it. (I don't know if I am allowed to have ketchup but I needed it.) It was delish!

As for dinner tonight, I have the Ramen Noodle Bowl with Chicken and Veggies planned to include a half serving of veggies.  I will check with my consultant on some of my alternative approaches, but since I started my day late and will end earlier than the 12 hour guidelines, so I have decided that I will add some cauliflower rice to some water I boiled and place a beef bullion in.  Then I will place the contents of my bowl in the broth to make a soup.  This seems super appetizing since it has been cold outside and since I have been pretty sickly.  Depending on the how my sweet tooth is feeling, I may go forth with the chocolate lava cake that is scheduled for dessert.  I mean....I have been waiting to try it all week and now to not try it when my day has come... I think NOT! :)

Jenny and Me... The beginning (AGAIN) 2018

It has been a while since I have been active on my blog, but now is as good a time as any.  Today, I will begin my chronicle of my healthier beginning with Jenny Craig.  Here is my first attempt of adding my own video, but this is an official welcome from Ohio.

My goal is not a daily entry, but a few updates a week.

Vegas 2018

So far this year, it has been great.  I have had the opportunity, within the first month of the year, to visit Vegas for the first time with some my mother and some awesome friends.    This was my first time in Vegas.  I was able to stay on the strip and see some shows with my mother and a childhood friend.  I was also able to hang out with my mother in the older portion of Vegas (downtown) with my mother to see all that it had offer.  (never mind the random dude in the back)

All whilst I get to enjoy the lights and the glitz of Vegas, I couldn't wait to return home to start my journey to better health.

Let me rewind a few years.... So roughly 7 years ago, I was all into my fitness.  I had obtained a certification to do personal training and I was constantly participating in races for the heck of it.  At that time I couldn't dream of a day that I would not be active in the fitness world.....

Then I somehow fell off of that track and over the course of some years my weight fluctuated all over the place. (and) during that time I never really returned to a "good place" in the course of regular fitness.

Christmas 2016

Fast forward to 2018 and I am the largest I have ever been in all of my nearly 38 years of life.  Many of days,  I wondered how I got to this place.  I kept track of my weight and health back and forth over the course of the years.  And in the last year I tried a Keto diet consisting of roughly 75% fat, 20% protein, and 5% carbs.  I was consistent with that way of eating for roughly 7 (August 2016 - February 2017) months, staying faithful to that diet for 3 months.  However, I began cheating on that diet for the remainder of the time due to the expectation that I would need to continue to cook on a regular basis.  I was successful in gaining back all of the weight I lost (40lbs) and a few extra pounds for good measure.

The funny thing is that it seems liked I gained weight overnight, but that it took forever to lose it even though I never got down to my "normal" size. (I didn't have full body comparisons, but I feel there is a definitive difference in my face... so just imagine the rest.)

Now, back to January 2018.... I reunited with Jenny Craig and started my first full day of the Rapid Results (RR) meals on Wednesday (1/24/2018).  Now that I am wrapping up my 4th full day on the program, I have to say that I am inspired to continue on this journey and blog my progress.

Today my sweet is an Iced Oatmeal Cookie !

This afternoon (it was supposed to be my morning) I realized that I rekindling a healthy relationship with food.  Even though I always had a good relationship with exercise, I never really had a healthy relationship with food.   I figured that I could eat and/or drink whatever I wanted and spend hours in the gym to work it off.  (I loved group fitness classes and would spend around 2 hours a day in the gym daily.). Today was the first day in a long time that I appreciated breakfast and the variety of food I was able to experience in the last few days.  It feels so good to get acquainted with healthy portions of food and to be able to lose weight while enjoying some familiar comfort foods, such as sausage with eggs and gravy.  I am also able to enjoy all of the food groups with no exclusions and a nice sweet treat at the end of the day.