Living the Lifestyle - Tues 6/19/2018

Calvin2008Brian
Calvin2008Brian Posts: 1,024 Member
edited November 27 in Social Groups
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. Thread starters for June are:

Monday - whathapnd (Emmie)
Tuesday - calvin2008brian (Brian)
Wednesday - minimyzeme (Kim)
Thursday - 88olds (George)
Friday - Al_Howard

Today's Topic: does "the lifestyle" demand that we live as creatures of habit?

Replies

  • gadgetgirlIL
    gadgetgirlIL Posts: 1,381 Member
    Hmmm, I am a creature of habit so that certainly helps me life the lifestyle with more ease.
  • 88olds
    88olds Posts: 4,538 Member
    Another creature of habit here. When my habits were bad, I weighed 285lbs. Now my habits are better, I weigh considerably less.

    My capacity to follow a routine seems to be considerable. I wish I had figured this out earlier in my life, I could have applied to other things. I’ve always been puzzled by the concern over boredom in weight loss. Boredom came up regularly at my meeting. Finally I pointed out that I used to eat pizza about 6 times per week, never recall getting bored doing that.

    I used to like going out for breakfast now and then. Now I’d rather stay home and eat oatmeal. Can’t recall the last time I’ve had anything for breakfast other than oatmeal when not traveling. I don’t feel compelled to do it, it just seems like the most desirable choice. I can have eggs for lunch.

  • steve0mania
    steve0mania Posts: 3,132 Member
    I'm not sure the lifestyle demands that we live as creatures of habit, but it sure makes it easier.

    It takes me a while to input new foods, look them up, figure out the weights/volumes, etc., of things that aren't my usual meals. It's not hard, but it can be a bit tedious. I am much happier when I can just click on a saved meal. Or, when I'm not tracking, it's easiest if I don't have to think too much about certain meals or foods.

    I feel like I do get variety in, but I think of it as have a standard-deviation around a mean, rather than bouncing all over the charts.
  • Jerdtrmndone
    Jerdtrmndone Posts: 5,868 Member
    Like @88olds When my habits were extremely bad I weighed close to 300lbs. As my habits improved I've lost a substantial weight only to slip back to my old ways. I now have better habits and I am grateful that I only gained half the weight back. I am fixing my bad habits a week at a time even though my progress is slow. I 'm eating less now. I do know when it is time to stop eating because I 'm not feeling the same. I think I can eat more then I put on my plate but that doesn't work any more.
  • Al_Howard
    Al_Howard Posts: 8,823 Member
    Good habits make it easy. Bad habits make it hard. Too bad I can fall back into the bad ones way too easily.
  • cakeman21k
    cakeman21k Posts: 6,506 Member
    I Have heard in WW meetings that it takes 21 days to form a new habit, in my experience it takes me a lot longer than that. The problem is that it takes me no time at all to fall back into the "old" habits that lead to me needing WW. Annoying but true!
  • minimyzeme
    minimyzeme Posts: 2,708 Member
    does "the lifestyle" demand that we live as creatures of habit?

    I think not--although I think any lifestyle can push people toward habit. If the lifestyle is in essence "eat less and move more", I think there's plenty of room to zig and zag within those parameters. One of the things I've really appreciated about the lifestyle is the flexibility inherent in it.

    I enjoy mixing it up both food an activity-wise. Often times my schedule demands that anyway. I eat differently depending on the day's commitments--mixing it up between eating at home or out on the town. Some days I do a routine activity; others activity is built into my work or stuff I do on the property.

    I think this lifestyle is no more demanding of routine than my previous lifestyle, in fact due to increased mindfulness, probably less so. It's all a state of mind but before I really gave it any thought I went mindlessly through my day snarfing food and doing very little in terms of exercise or moving. Now I appreciate making deliberate choices on the healthier side most of the time.
  • Calvin2008Brian
    Calvin2008Brian Posts: 1,024 Member
    I never got back to this post yesterday. Busy days.

    WW is easiest when I'm my least adventurous, and for that reason I'll say the plan certainly favors persons who are comfortable following a fairly narrow routine. Does the lifestyle "demand" following a narrow routine? No, it's not quite that strong a connection.

    Done right, on a good day, the lifestyle is a filter that narrows the universe of choices, good and bad, but leaves the ultimate choices in my hands. On a bad day, the lifestyle can feel like more of a barrier than a filter.
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