...day by day nothing changes, but when we look back, everything is different?" ~C.S. Lewis
Abso-freakin-lutely.
Nothin' seems to have changed with my routine and what I choose to do day to day to maintain my weight loss, but oh how different I feel and look because of that routine I've been rockin'.
I'm now stronger.
I'm now healthier.
Why do I keep doing what I do to be successful?
I've started to wonder if I am genetically wired toward being slightly obsessive-compulsive and a structured, routine-following kinda gal?
Can I please blame my genetics? If I can, I would like to point out that I think it has skipped a generation (but that's a discussion for another day).
Is this what makes me successful with the continued maintenance of my 115 lbs weight loss?
As you know, I do love me a nice color-coded spreadsheet.
I am usually confused when I hear a bandster say, "I am so sick of eating the same things every day, I need new food ideas." Huh? New ideas? I literally have about five to seven meals that I just rotate through out the week. I've been eating the same stuff. Some foods have stayed with me since even the pre-op days. That's almost three years.
In case you haven't noticed, I love being inside my comfort zone of routine and structure.
If you look up "control freak" in the dictionary, I'm afraid you just may see my pic.
To say that I live "inside my box" is an understatement.
That's why I occasionally push myself out of my comfort zone and try new things.
Like how I literally pushed myself out of an airplane at 10,000 feet up in the sky a few months ago.
Or how I wore a bikini in public last month. That was a HUGE step for me. Way bigger than the sky-diving.
Or how I went on vay-cay to Florida recently and didn't feel the need to make a clipboard of fun and schedule every. single. moment. of. each. day. I'm finally learning to go with the flow on certain things in my life.
But I think that my routines help me in maintaining my weight loss. Routines help me create structure.
My life is crazy busy...job, friends, family life, staying on track with food/exercise, etc.
Routines help me avoid bad decisions that can happen when my life gets busy (which is often) or when the "food pushers" strike.
For example: when in the morning, a coworker pops into my office and says to me, "Hey, let's go get donuts in the cafeteria!"
I can respond with "no thanks" and resist the temptation because I always have my Greek yogurts waiting for me in the fridge.
For me, making decisions about food in the spur of the moment or on the fly can lead to BAD food decisions.
Yep. Welcome to Borings-ville.
Will I get burnt out?
Will monotony creep up on me?
It hasn't yet in in almost three years.
I guess those are some of my worries in maintenance.
Abso-freakin-lutely.
Nothin' seems to have changed with my routine and what I choose to do day to day to maintain my weight loss, but oh how different I feel and look because of that routine I've been rockin'.
I'm now stronger.
I'm now healthier.
Why do I keep doing what I do to be successful?
I've started to wonder if I am genetically wired toward being slightly obsessive-compulsive and a structured, routine-following kinda gal?
Can I please blame my genetics? If I can, I would like to point out that I think it has skipped a generation (but that's a discussion for another day).
Is this what makes me successful with the continued maintenance of my 115 lbs weight loss?
As you know, I do love me a nice color-coded spreadsheet.
I am usually confused when I hear a bandster say, "I am so sick of eating the same things every day, I need new food ideas." Huh? New ideas? I literally have about five to seven meals that I just rotate through out the week. I've been eating the same stuff. Some foods have stayed with me since even the pre-op days. That's almost three years.
In case you haven't noticed, I love being inside my comfort zone of routine and structure.
If you look up "control freak" in the dictionary, I'm afraid you just may see my pic.
To say that I live "inside my box" is an understatement.
Like how I literally pushed myself out of an airplane at 10,000 feet up in the sky a few months ago.
Or how I wore a bikini in public last month. That was a HUGE step for me. Way bigger than the sky-diving.
Or how I went on vay-cay to Florida recently and didn't feel the need to make a clipboard of fun and schedule every. single. moment. of. each. day. I'm finally learning to go with the flow on certain things in my life.
But I think that my routines help me in maintaining my weight loss. Routines help me create structure.
My life is crazy busy...job, friends, family life, staying on track with food/exercise, etc.
For example: when in the morning, a coworker pops into my office and says to me, "Hey, let's go get donuts in the cafeteria!"
I can respond with "no thanks" and resist the temptation because I always have my Greek yogurts waiting for me in the fridge.
For me, making decisions about food in the spur of the moment or on the fly can lead to BAD food decisions.
Will I get burnt out?
Will monotony creep up on me?
It hasn't yet in in almost three years.
I guess those are some of my worries in maintenance.
But don't you worry, if you've made it this far down into this post and still don't undestand my level of cray-cray, just remember, it's a control freak thing, I wouldn't let you understand.
I love monotony when it comes to food/eating. I eat chicken 5 out of 7 days...I may start growing feathers soon :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore you. Thank you for continuing to share your journey with us even after nearly 3 years. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome. I wish I could get into the habit of eating the same thing day in and day out...but I can't. I tried.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for staying inside your comfort zone. There is nothing wrong with that. Have an awesome week!!
I'm with you... my menus don't change much, either. But I like it that way!
ReplyDeleteI am the same...I am a creature of habit, and I find that having those habits and plans help me be spontaneous in some ways but still feel in control of what I'm doing.
ReplyDeleteIts so good to see someone have such good results from the Band coming into their lives. I'm glad I found some other women who have it. I've had some ups and downs and looking for more ups now and need some inspiration! Thanks for sharing your "ups"!!
ReplyDeleteOh dear, I see my other personality has been posting again! Seriously, though, are you me?!?
ReplyDeleteOne of my project management mantras is "you can't beat the man with the plan" - I need my plan!
I could totaly eat the same 3 or 4 things forever, especially now, now that it is really just fuel for my workouts, oh and to stay alive lol.... I am trying to get on more of a schedule, but it is a "lil tuff" with a toddler since I am on his lol... love how you are stepping out of the box when it comes to the "fun" stuff in life though, like vacations, if you are going to go "nuts" ya gotta do it with the stuff that is not going to screw up your maintenance, right! and goodness I hate the food pushers, my hubby can be one at times, like the chinese food or donut will not have any calories cuz he is eating with me or something ughh... anyways.... you rock!
ReplyDeleteFrom my perspective, you're doing everything right. I know (because you admit to it) that you have the occasional treat and I do too.
ReplyDeleteI notice when people start talking about burning out that they've gradually gotten back into the habit of eating a lot of high fat, high calorie, low nutrition value "foods". Yes, the party in my mouth event will not only ruin a good day but if continued, a good weight loss. Just my two cents worth. Keep up the good work and maintain the balance. :)
You might think it is obsessive compulsive to track your food and eat the same thing over and over again but it is also a change in a habit. Good for you for committing. Whatever works,is my mantra.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I have always known you were a bit (ahem) type A-- it is the not so secret secret of your success.
ReplyDeleteGood for you girlie! You rock!
When I think of getting the lap band. I think oh you can't anything or cheat on the foods that you like. I believe you can eat healthy all week but atleast have a cheat day. I think things like this I would have to get use to.
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's not about "CAN'T" being able to eat something. It's about that I "SHOULDN'T" eat certain foods that are not healthy for me.
DeleteDuring my losing period of 14 months (111 lbs gone!), I almost never ate unhealthily. I was very strict with my routine of exercise and making good food choices. Now in maintenance, there is more wiggle room for the occasional treat or poor food choice.