LTL Wildcard Tuesday, 12/14/2021

88olds

We meet here to explore, share, celebrate and (sometimes) agonize over how we do (or don't) incorporate weight loss guidelines into our daily lives. "It's a lifestyle, not a diet" is easily and often said, but sometimes not so simply put into practice.

This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!

Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion.

Monday - crewahl (Charlie)
Tuesday – Wildcard!
Wednesday - misterhub (Greg)
Thursday -imastar2 (Derrick)
Friday - Flintwinch (Tim)

Topic: In the Zone

What’s it like when you’re really feeling it and it’s working? Weight loss wise that is. Hope we’ve all been there at some point even if it doesn’t last.

88olds

Guess I bring this up because this is day 3 of my new tracking project with a very modest goal. I had recently given over to indiscriminate snacking. Surprised at how much I get to eat within my calorie target. I’m using the MFP calculators and counting calories now. Keeping my diary my tried and true method of pen and paper.

So when I’m really feeling it I’m optimistic that I will get to my next goal. I’m tracking everything no matter what and not coming unhinged if I go over my number at some point. Mistakes will be made. Lapses of concentration to basic math mistakes will happen. Can’t be helped. But I keep control of the process.

When its working I’m thinking about what I get to eat instead of thinking about what I’m doing without. The glass is more than half full.
Another thing is that I’m thinking about new dishes I want to try or a modification of something I like that I want to experiment with. Got my eye on Steve’s broccoli slaw stir fry for later this week.

steve0mania

When I'm in the zone I feel as though I am in control of myself, and I am making active decisions rather than rationalizing my behaviors.

I have a plan that I know well. It's pretty simple: eat regular portions at mealtimes, don't drink alcohol during the week, don't snack outside of meals during the week. If I stick to this plan, I will lose weight and I know I can get to my personal goal. The problem with this plan is that it doesn't leave much room for error. Sure, I give myself more leeway on the weekends, but I really have to be spot-on during the week. Remember, I'm a short person, so I don't get many calories to work with.

When I'm not in the groove, I am mindlessly grabbing food (often eating when I'm bored) and often grabbing snacks that are higher in calories. I find myself standing in front of the fridge rationalizing why I deserve a snack right now, and can't wait for dinner. That often leads to guilt the following morning. I know it's just bad "choices," but I don't often feel like I'm really making an active decision about things.

Sometimes it feels like a knife-edge!

Flintwinch

Feeling 'In the Zone' comes and goes. It's nice to have those stretches of days when everything seems to be working as it should. The problem is to assume that it will always be like this. I make the analogy to baseball, where players seem to be in the flow, and then they're not. Nothing changed, but it usually ends up that they need to make some small tweak or two to get back in the game.

That's like it is for me. I call it diet drift. I usually find something that has changed subtly about my habits, that has gotten me out of sync. It may be an extra, unplanned for high-calorie treat during the holidays; it may be eating when I'm not hungry; having an extra portion of some meal item; it may be sloppy tracking; it may be not getting a good sleep; stress eating is usually not so subtle; rationalizing a hard exercise session as an excuse to let 'er rip.

I, too, am short, so don't have as many calories to play with to be on target. I find that the best approach to diet drift is to stop when I realize or figure out what is happening and change my behavior right away without feeling guilty about what has happened. These mini adjustments are a lot easier than waiting until a better time (I'll change tomorrow).

crewahl

There’s a zone? Gotta think about that.

imastar2

Of late I've been out of the zone. I best not linger in the outer zone area because it's disastrous for me.

I need and have to stay in the zone because when I'm in it and losing weight there's no greater feeling. When I'm out like I an right now it's a very disappointing and down time even if the food ck are tasting and delicious going down it bites me in the rear end later.

So love being in the zone hate being out of it.

crewahl

Well, I think being in the zone for me means the dreaded “M” word - mindfulness. When I’m in the zone, I’m making choices based on how they support my long term goals. I’m not succumbing to impulses in my eating. I’m thinking about food rather than food “happening”. When I’m in the zone, I’m more engaged with the weight loss community, both here and on Connect.

Al_Howard

Now that I'm on The Death March, aka Maintenance, I find it harder not to say F-It, and just eat. Gatta re-calibrate my brain.