Whoever said this one was right on the money:
"Being fat is hard. Losing weight is hard. Maintaining is hard. Choose your hard."
I've really been struggling with my food choices ever since I returned from London. It's been about a week now.
I could go into the gory details of all that's gone down this past week...including Peanut M&Ms, Thin Mint cookies, and eating out. Did I mention eating out? Oh my. There's been way too much eating out.
I could make up some lame excuses like "it's the time of the month, the chocolate was calling my name" or "I'm too busy to make good choices" or "blah, blah, blah" REEDONKULOUS.
I've been trying to wrap my head around why this is happening and I think it has a something to do with the fact that my "honeymoon" phase is coming to an end. I knew that this was going to happen. I've heard people talk about how the newness and fun of weight loss wears off after awhile and turns into the "same old, same old."
It turns into life. Just every day boring-ness.
I just realized that I've been in maintenance now for almost 15 months now. That's longer than my losing phase of 14 months.
Sure, I'm still in my goal range of 135-145 lbs and my size 6 jeans still fit onto my ass.
I feel very lucky that I am catching myself now and not after a serious weight gain. 'Cuz this girl can easily gain one pound a day with poor food choices.
It's frustrating.
I can honestly say that I haven't struggled with my food choices this much since the pre-band days. Seriously.
WTF. This scares me.
Where has my focus gone?
If you find it, please send it back to me.
You will get back on the horse... Like you said atleast you figured it out before a gain... which actually means this whole process has changed you and you wont let a few days of bad eating get in your way.
ReplyDeleteTake a deep breath. The very fact that you're acknowledging your mindset and even blogging about it is good news. You've worked so hard to accomplish such an improved state of health that you know you won't let this situation stop your progress. We're all here, with support for you to get back to your plan :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your struggle with us my friend. It's so much of a relief to know that I'm not alone. I actually had an overall gain for the month of February for the first time since being banded. My focus has been for crap the last 6 - 8 weeks and I would bounce back and forth each week between loss and gain.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any advice for you other than to maybe just take it a week at a time. Slow down the resturant food and get your head back in the game with your food at home. Give away the rest of the thin mints and recommit to the healthy you that you already are! : )
Thanks for sharing, I mean that. As much as I hate that you're having to go through this, knowing that you are makes me feel like together we can get back on track. *hugs*
You've already caught that you are making some bad food choices and that is key. Leaving off most of the carbs for a few days will usually get me back on track relatively easy. This is why there is never a finish line with maintaining a weight loss. Kind of sad but very true.
ReplyDeleteFunny picture. You will get back on it. The difference between before the band and now... you know how to catch yourself early on and get back to where you were. I've learned that myself. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with Cat............thank you for sharing this. It is a never ending battle.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat, my friend. I'm not sure I have any advice to give you, since you've obviously been at this much longer than me... but I know if anyone can do this it's you! :)
ReplyDeleteI think your are doing great!!! I also think that everyone of us at times just wants to be "normal". Not everyone in world has to worry about their weight, or what they eat, or how much they eat, where they eat, how many carbs, how many calories, how much more of a work out will I need to work all of this off??? All of those thoughts are exhausting!!! Day in and Day out...exhausting!!! There are times when we need a break, a brain break, a constant worry about weight break, we need to just feel "normal"!!! There is nothing wrong with that, it keeps us charged, engaged, motivated and for a brief amount of time it keeps us sane. The fantastic part is you have realized it is time to get back to "banded" thinking and life. Thus the reason why you have had such success. You have taken your "band" vacation and just like any vacation you have to go back to work now....No one wants to go to work, but we have too!!! Be proud that you have been honest with yourself, and a week from now you'll be back to "banded normal"!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you..It seems like there is always some reason to crack into the good stuff, eat out, eat GS cookies. I was just thinking this morning that maintenance bites :) I am personally hoping that good weather helps me get my groove back but then I am sure some other great food event will pop up to distract me :)
ReplyDeletexxxooo
Oh honey, please give yourself a bit of a break. It is only natural after being on holiday and being so good for so long that you find it hard to get back on track. You've done what you always tell us to do and come here looking for support. Take it one day (or one meal if necessary) at a time. Make a plan, try to stick to it and don't beat yourself up if you slip a little. Trying counts. xx
ReplyDeleteBoyohboy! Do you have a camera watching my life? Because seriously....this is where I am at. STRRRUUUUGGGGGLLLLIIIIINNNNGGGGGG! I like your theory about the "honeymoon phase". My theory is a bit similar....I know my bad SOOOO well by now that I know what I can get away with! Thus, taking advantage of it's goodness. See what I mean? Honeymoon phase over with...! I am not respecting my band. I'm really nice to new things with instant gratification I guess...! Oh the things we learn about ourselves!
ReplyDeleteWe gotta just hang in there, compare notes and suggestions, reach out for support and give support and be thankful...right? I say that as I ache for a Trader Joe's chocolate almond biscotti (they sneak past my band very nicely, thank you!)
Onward!
Judi
Awww, I am struggling too so I can't really suggest anything for you except keep your eye on the prize which is maintenance for you...you are such an inspiration to me and others and we all go through this sort of thing in our heads lately! it is frustrating that's for sure! I do this to myself every time we come back from vacation even though I don't make bad choices on vacation...crazy, I know! Hang in there! (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteI find that when I get off track with my normal schedule, like 2 weeks ago I had training all week at a hotel on the beach...which meant my normal easy shakes, snacks, soups...werent on hand...that i start going nuts. its like a landslide. Listen, you got this and you know it. You are still under goal. I know you just feel like shit when you are eating shit, but you will be fine.
ReplyDeleteIf I could wave a magic wand and make it easy for all of us, I would. Hope you get your mojo back soon.
ReplyDeleteYou are a rock star - or at least a jazz handed zumba dancing star. Keep positive. Maybe you just need change up your normal everyday foods. I know that I can get bored with food and searching for new recipes helps to break up the monotony and gets me excited about eating healthy again.
ReplyDeleteBe patient with yourself, but dont quit.... Its tough but you can do this
ReplyDeleteMaintance is SOOOO much harder than losing was!!!
Sorry you're struggling! We've all been or are there too! I always go back and look at pictures of me at my heaviest weight and my motivation comes back pretty fast! :)
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