Forcing Growth - Jenn's Journal

[Jenniquest]

INTRO

Greetings everyone!! It's been a long time ... almost 2 years!! Time really flies by, right??

I decided to retire my old journal ( https://weight-loss.fitness.com/threads/weight-loss-life-motivation-and-random-stuff.88290/page-25 ) because it's been so long and I want a fresh start.

So last time I was here I had just moved into my new house. We are still in it and that's going well ... I had also started my real estate career which is what took me away from posting as much - but that didn't work out. I didn't really enjoy being a real estate agent. It was a lot of hustling and sales, which I found out that I am not really cut out for. So, with more time on my hands I figured I would start a new journal and chapter in my life.

I had lost like 25-30 lbs, but unfortunately I gained it all back plus a few pounds. My current weight is 203.

However, it's not ALL bad physically. I started jogging this past spring and I can now jog 3 miles without stopping. I'm also going to the little gym at the clubhouse in my neighborhood and doing full body strength training. It's my diet (isn't it always?) that sucks. So I started the Whole 30 4 days ago and I am on Day 5. I've used this plan before successfully. It just kinda gets me off the processed crap and back on whole foods which help me maintain a more healthy weight.

There's been some other things going on that I don't want to get into in the first post but that I may talk about later. Life is difficult, full of moments that force growth upon us whether we want it or not, and I'm constantly learning how imperfect I am and trying to accept that fact as part of the human condition.

Next up - stats and goals!

 

[Jenniquest]

Stats & Goals

Weight: 203

Measurements:
Waist: 35.5
Hips: 46.5
Chest: 43
Thigh: 26
Arm: 14.5

Goals through October 1st 2020:
1. Complete Whole 30: 8/15 - 9/13
2. Run at least 1 mile every day
3. No video games
4. Write one short story
5. Complete dental appointments
6. Stay off Facebook
7. Meditate 3+ times week

 

[alligatorob]

Hey Jenni (or do you prefer Jenn?), happy to meet you!

It looks like I joined after your last time here, so we have not likely crossed paths before. I like your goals, and am looking forward to watching you meet them!

I am also from the Southern US, Louisiana originally but grew up and lived more years in Florida, North Florida most recently. Now I live in Utah, long story, but its good to have another Southerner here!

 

[Jenniquest]

Hahaa looks like we were posting in each others journals around the same time! I'm quite amazed by your progress - and inspired. I'll definitely be keeping up with you and seeing if some of it wears off on me!

My parents are in FL, between Destin and Pensacola, so I get down that way a few times a year. Honestly, Utah sounds nice. As I get older, this heat gets less tolerable to me. I wouldn't mind colder weather!

Nice to meet you!

 

[Llama]

Hi Jenni and welcome back!

 

[alligatorob]

My parents are in FL, between Destin and Pensacola

I last lived on Alligator Point, on the Gulf due south of Tallahassee (Franklin County). Our beaches are not so white and water not so clear as your parents, they live in a very nice area!

 

[Cate]

Hi, Jenni & welcome back to the forum. Selling real estate wouldn't suit me either. I'm glad you're still in that lovely new house. I remember your pics well & that very special entrance. Do you have a veggie garden? I will enjoy following your progress.

I'm constantly learning how imperfect I am and trying to accept that fact as part of the human condition.

I'm glad none of us is perfect

 

[Jenniquest]

Hi Jenni and welcome back!

Thank you!

I last lived on Alligator Point, on the Gulf due south of Tallahassee (Franklin County). Our beaches are not so white and water not so clear as your parents, they live in a very nice area!

Yes, the beaches in that part of the gulf are so beautiful! It makes the beaches I go to in the Carolinas look a bit dingy, haha!

Hi, Jenni & welcome back to the forum. Selling real estate wouldn't suit me either. I'm glad you're still in that lovely new house. I remember your pics well & that very special entrance. Do you have a veggie garden? I will enjoy following your progress.

I'm glad none of us is perfect

Hey Cate, thanks! I have an herb garden - In fact, I just sauteed some olive oil and cinnamon basil with cubed squash and sweet potato. I grow regular basil too, as well as oregano, cilantro, dill, and mint. Next year I'm going to expand it and grow more. This was our first summer where the backyard wasn't a mud pit half the time.

------------------------------

Workout(s) today: This morning I walked to the clubhouse gym and did full-body strength training. I use the squat rack and Olympic bar for my entire workout.

Weight Training
exercise: weight x reps x sets

Standing Military press: 45 x 8 x 4
Squat: 45 x 10 / 95 x 4 / 75 x 5 x 2
Barbell row: 55 x 6 x 4
Deadlift: 75 x 6 x 4
Bench press: 65 x 4 x 4

This evening I did a slow 1 mile jog.
Time: 13:14

My goal is to run at least 1 mile a day, so even though it was slow, mission accomplished! Getting ready to eat a bowl of cubed sweet pot and squash sauteed in olive oil with cinnamon basil. Hoping the extra carbs help me do 3 miles in the morning. We'll see.

Feels great to be back! I forgot how many amazing, supportive people were here.

 

[liza]

Your goals sound great-- I have done cleansing diets/elimination diets before but never whole 30, but I like that idea. I can't find the motivation in me for doing that again lately. Good for you for taking that on. Your workouts sound great too!

 

[Trusylver]

Welcome back

 

[Llama]

Walking, jogging, strength training, AND fresh herbs from your garden? Looks like a great day!

 

[Jenniquest]

Your goals sound great-- I have done cleansing diets/elimination diets before but never whole 30, but I like that idea. I can't find the motivation in me for doing that again lately. Good for you for taking that on. Your workouts sound great too!

Welcome back

Walking, jogging, strength training, AND fresh herbs from your garden? Looks like a great day!

Thanks for the encouragement!

--------------

Day 6 - Whole 30 / Day 2 - 1 mile streak

I didn't get 3 miles on my run this morning. I did 2.14 and my body just stopped. I feel tired, sluggish, foggy and a bit achy. I'm pretty sure this is my body adjusting to the diet. The important thing is that I got out and I tried because I was making tons of excuses in my head for why I could just skip today, and some of them were pretty legitimate.

I have a dentist appointment in an hour. I really hate the dentist and even have a sort of "phobic" reaction to dentist offices. I need to have some extensive dental work done in the next few months, which couldn't happen at a worse time with all this COVID stuff. But that's life, and this journal is called forcing growth for a reason - because it doesn't always happen when it's convenient or I'm receptive to it.

Run pace was slow again. It's ok. I'll just keep chipping away!

Avg Pace: 13:43
Mile 1: 13:09
Mile 2: 14:02

 

[Llama]

Well done getting out there and great work listening to your body and respecting that it just couldn´t do more today. Also fingers crossed for the dentist.

 

[Emilyrose]

I had a big fear of the dentist for a long time but I just go every 3 months now. I realised that not going in 2 years and the build-up of fear from that was the real issue. I think just go for it and get your teeth sorted!

And welcome back!!!

 

[Cate]

Well done, Jenn on getting out there for a run when you just weren't feeling it & for then listening to your body & stopping. Getting your teeth fixed will be really good. Dental health is so important. I actually love my dentist but still go through that nervous anxiety from my childhood fear of the dentist. Now I fear the bill more than anything.

 

[Jenniquest]

Well done getting out there and great work listening to your body and respecting that it just couldn´t do more today. Also fingers crossed for the dentist.

Thanks! I've learned the hard way what happens if I don't listen to my body!

I had a big fear of the dentist for a long time but I just go every 3 months now. I realised that not going in 2 years and the build-up of fear from that was the real issue. I think just go for it and get your teeth sorted!

And welcome back!!!

Hey Em, thanks! I think it's definitely built up anxiety! It wasn't the most pleasant experience, but it wasn't as bad as I had imagined!

Well done, Jenn on getting out there for a run when you just weren't feeling it & for then listening to your body & stopping. Getting your teeth fixed will be really good. Dental health is so important. I actually love my dentist but still go through that nervous anxiety from my childhood fear of the dentist. Now I fear the bill more than anything.

Hahhaa, yeah the bill is unbelievable!

So, basically the dentist appointment went fine. I had to have an impression made because I'm getting surgery in about 3 weeks, which includes extracting my front tooth I'm going to get a partial for now because I need a bone graft before I can get an implant. They are also doing some laser surgery on my gums. It will be fine. They are going to numb me up real good for it and the worst part will be all in my head. I'm just going to practice my meditations for the next 3 weeks and bring my earbuds with me so I can listen to the meditations while they are doing the surgery.

I took a very long nap this afternoon. I was checking out the Whole 30 calendar, and it appears normal for Day 6 - 7.

 

[Cate]

That is so funny! Glad you took that nap, Jenn

 

[liza]

i remember those draggy/sluggish days when on elimination diets. So interesting how the body adapts first to allowing for the caffeine and sugar in our diets and then adjusts to not having those things once properly eliminated from one's system. It is good to know to expect all those things and to know it will pass if you stick to it.
Glad the dentist went well. I've been avoiding the dentist lately and hope the news won't be too bad when i do get back.

 

[Petal001]

Jenni welcome back . I can’t believe it’s two years . I remember you new house it is fab . Will catch up properly later as off to work soon

 

[Jenniquest]

i remember those draggy/sluggish days when on elimination diets. So interesting how the body adapts first to allowing for the caffeine and sugar in our diets and then adjusts to not having those things once properly eliminated from one's system. It is good to know to expect all those things and to know it will pass if you stick to it.
Glad the dentist went well. I've been avoiding the dentist lately and hope the news won't be too bad when i do get back.

Yeah, it's so weird how the body reacts to changes in diet, even when you switch from unhealthy to healthy! I can relate to avoiding the dentist!!!

Jenni welcome back . I can’t believe it’s two years . I remember you new house it is fab . Will catch up properly later as off to work soon

Thanks!! I know 2 years is way too long. Good to be back and glad you're still here!