Am I Zen or just lazy?

knitapeace

As I close in on my goal weight I feel I've become very comfortable with the process of losing weight and getting fit. In fact, I'm so comfortable that I kind of feel like I don't have the kind of drive for "more" that I used to have. I'm becoming complacent...or is it satisfied?

For example, I'm not bothered if I go over by a few hundred calories on the weekend, because I know I'm usually under by a bit each day during the week. I don't try to "make it up." I lift dumbbells twice a week, but I'm not too worried if I'm not continuously increasing my weight. I'm starting to see muscles in my arms, back, and legs and that makes me happy, but I not so excited that I feel the need to compete with myself to get bigger. And speaking of competing: my favorite exercise is running. In just over a year I've gone from couch potato to running 12 miles a week at about 10.5-11 min/mile. I have no desire to race, or get super fast, or go longer distances. I'm just happy the way I am.

Am I Zen? Am I losing motivation? I don't know. I just wonder if there are others out there who have stopped seeing the goal of health as something to struggle and suffer for, but just something you do.

oedipa_maas

I think you are exactly where you should be! I would like to have the accepting-I'm happy-taking care of myself attitude. In fact, that's my dream! You are actively taking care of yourself, in the way that makes you happy, and you're going to hit your goal weight. Lazy? No way. Definitely Zen.

LifeWithPie

Zen! Definitely.

45lbs is a big deal. Congratulations!

JTick

I don't see anything wrong with it. I'm a competitive person, so for me I know I'll always be wanting to lift more, run faster, etc. But some people aren't like that, and that's okay. As long as your "complacency" (I like maintenance mode better) doesn't lead to weight gain, there's nothing wrong with what you're doing.

phil6707

Zen!!

AllOutof_Bubblegum

Just make sure you know and can recognize the difference between Zen and complacency. The latter is a dangerous road to go down, and more than likely will lead to weight re-gain. I've seen too many "lost the weight but gained it all back" threads to not be a little wary of being extremely comfortable with one's own fitness level.

I think it's important to always have new goals for yourself, no matter your fitness level. You should always be working toward something new, a faster running time, a heavier deadlift, or 5 more pullups. Just my opinion. Take it or leave it. :flowerforyou:

rachelrb85

Running 12 miles a week is definitely not lazy! I think that is great that exercise and eating right is just a part of your normal lifestyle and not an obsession.

knitapeace

Just make sure you know and can recognize the difference between Zen and complacency. The latter is a dangerous road to go down, and more than likely will lead to weight re-gain. I've seen too many "lost the weight but gained it all back" threads to not be a little wary of being extremely comfortable with one's own fitness level.

I think it's important to always have new goals for yourself, no matter your fitness level. You should always be working toward something new, a faster running time, a heavier deadlift, or 5 more pullups. Just my opinion. Take it or leave it. :flowerforyou:

I appreciate everyone's input and wanted to comment particularly on yours because it does challenge what I'm feeling and I truly, truly appreciate that. It's definitely a worry of mine...will being "satisfied" and not "striving" lead to weight regain? While I don't feel the need to be constantly improving, like I did in the beginning, I certainly see the risks in not having some kind of goal out front. Continuing to ponder, thank you for the perspective!

Rose6300

I'm kind of where you're at now. I hit my original goal and dropped my goal 5 more pounds. I'm gradually upping my calories and hope to land at my new goal in early August. Exercise-wise, I cut out cardio completely, and just recently dropped my strength training sessions to 2x a week. I justify this by saying they are pretty intense. But honestly, I'm almost perfectly happy with my look, and I'm not in a huge rush to get there, and I don't care if my muscles don't get any bigger.

Timshel_

Familiarity breeds contempt. You're just in a new routine and that routine is...well...too routine. Nothing wrong with it, but you can always try to mix things up to see if that helps.