New job, new routine, new lifestyle

As you can tell from the ticker on my blog, I did not reach my diet goal for the start of school. Instead, stress and other factors contributed to a 5-pound weight GAIN.

I'm disappointed but not ready to give up yet. Other things are changing in my life, so why not this? (Am I starting to sound hopeless or what?)

Since I last updated, I left The Telegraph for a new job at Lewis and Clark Community College as a media specialist/Web editor. Basically, I left behind stressful deadlines, low morale and sleeping in for a more lucrative career, friendly people, a stimulating atmosphere, a job that I think I'm really going to like and 3 more hours of daylight than I used to have. 

I figure stress was one of the factors in my eating and exercise patterns, and likely one of the causes of my weight problems - along with having to eat out of vending machines if I wanted to take a short break and eating fast food late at night - all of which has virtually disappeared. 

I'm going to put it to the real test, a bit of which I got to taste last week during my first full week at the new gig. Here's my plan, if I have enough will power to follow it:

1. Eat something healthy for breakfast every day. 

For the last week and a half I've gotten myself into the habit of getting up in the morning with time to shower and dry my hair, put on some makeup and eat something quick for breakfast - typically Special K cereal, a granola bar, two slices of whole wheat toast, a yogurt cup or a piece of fruit and a bottle of water. This I already consider a success, because it's easy, makes me feel good and gives my metabolism a jump start each day. 

2. Eat lunch at the same time everyday. 

I hear it's good to get into patterns, and while I may not be able to eat lunch at noon on the dot every day here, I can get much more into the habit of a schedule than I could at my old job.

3. Try to make healthy lunch choices. 

With all the fast food around here, this is going to be a tough one - thank God there are healthy choices downstairs in the Reid Cafe, at Subway across the street and sometimes at my parents' house. I do have to watch my dad, who still tries to feed me like I'm a starving child and who stocks up on junk like doughnuts, Hostess cupcakes and Pringles, but it's nice to be able to visit him. After awhile I might stock some frozen veggies in their freezer for lunch so I have more time to visit and unwind and less time to eat his junk.

4. Drink more water. 

I really have to cut down the soda intake, but this is going to be a process. If I can learn to make healthy choices elsewhere and don't go overboard with the soda, I think I can ween myself away slowly.

5. Work out. 

David told me the other day he wanted to be skinny again. My Metro Sports couples' membership breathed a sigh of relief. Five times a week is going to have to be mandatory for me this semester, and NO, volleyball won't count. I'm going to bring a bag to work with me so I can work out here before I leave campus, unless David calls and wants to meet at Metro. If I miss a day during the week for any reason, I should hit Metro on the weekend.

6. Record food/exercise journal on Livestrong.com. 

I was doing this for awhile but fell out of the habit. I need to get back in. This is a great way to tell what your patterns are and to watch overeating after excercise. 

7. Fix dinner rather than going out. 

With my new hours, working out AND cooking dinner are both feasible. The only problem is my portion control, because if I wait that long after working out and have to smell food while I'm cooking it, I'm going to want to eat more than I need. Admitting that is the first step to making sure it stops happening.

8. Get a good night's sleep. 

Knowing I am not a morning person has made me go to bed much earlier than I used to which I know is healthier for me.