I can’t believe it’s been that long. I mean, 1825 days is a long time… It’s been 1825 days since I walked into my Jenny Craig centre in Westminster, Colorado and asked for help. In real language, that’s FIVE YEARS, y’all…
I remember that day like it was yesterday. I really wish I was in some way still in contact with Chris, the Jenny Craig centre director at the time, who took my call and who in turn introduced me to the program. She changed my life. And, I’m forever grateful for it.
I’m a believer that the people you encounter really do shape your world, and Chris shaped mine that day. She was incredibly fit, peppy… and pretty much the opposite of what I was that day. I had let my weight get the best of me. I had let it smother my spirit and in turn, the essence of who I was.
That day, Chris talked about the program. I would eat three Jenny Craig meals a day. I would have a snack and an Anytime Bar to accompany this menu… and I would be encouraged to get my dairy, fruit, and veggies in daily. The plan was simple, but could I do it?
I remember crying big crocodile tears that day. I cried because I was embarrassed about my weight, I cried because I had failed so many times before, and mostly… I cried because I was afraid.
Fear… that little snake. It always accompanies any big life change, and as someone about to embark on an incredible life-changing journey, I feared the unknown, I feared not liking the food (boy was I wrong!), and mostly I feared letting down myself once again.
What instead happened was completely unexpected… and you know how this story goes.
I always take time to pause on my Jenny-versary. I take this time to remind myself that this didn’t just happen… this has been a process. It wasn’t a magic pill. I committed to it, and reaped the rewards…
I get quite a few questions every month about how I lost the weight. And, I always love revisiting the story for that reason, especially on a big anniversary like this.
My biggest advice: If what you are doing right now isn’t working, by all means… TRY SOMETHING ELSE. What have you got to lose? For me, that was the Jenny Craig program and I’ll advocate its benefits for years to come. While I recommend that program wholeheartedly, I mostly want you to choose a program that resonates with you, a program that you can stick with, and a program that gives you the support you need.
So today, on my blogiversary and my 5 year anniversary of that day I walked into Jenny Craig and changed my life, I challenge you to evaluate what you’re doing with your health… and choose something that will serve you well.
Thank you to each of you being with me every step of this crazy journey. It’s been amazing, life-changing, at times hard(!) and at other times, effortless (!), but mostly… it’s been worth it. xoxo
Here’s a little throwback to my Jenny-versary posts of years past: