When does it become routine?

ecrosby512 · August 2018

I believe in this program and am doing fine with it- lost 25 pounds in about 6 months and still on track. But I’m tired of obsessing about it. When does it become routine, just something you do, the way you live?? Any tips on how to get to that point?

kommodevaran · August 2018

You have to be happy about what you do, feel that its quite easy, or at least has a purpose. So it would be interesting to hear what you are doing, and why, and how you feel about it.

rainbow198 · August 2018

Congrats on your weight loss and staying on track!

It took me a long time to figure things out and create healthy, ongoing habits. It was a completely new world for me.

Once I figured out the workouts and activities I enjoyed, along with finding a way of eating that worked for me I was on my way.

Looking back it took me about a good 3 months of consistency for me to stick with my routine and actually begin to look forward to it (the early workouts, planning my meals ahead of time, making healthier versions of the food I like etc.)

Good luck!

ecrosby512 · August 2018

Thanks for the insight and encouragement. I’m trying to establish a morning routine that includes exercise, for now, walking, which I enjoy. And three meals a day built around veggies, grain of some sort, and a protein. I also like that. It all seems to work fine if routine is not disrupted. I’d like to learn how to “roll with the punches” withot too much drama when something disrupts it- like an out of town meeting, or an early business meeting, or a big family gathering. I guess what I need is a handful of go-to strategies to replace the usual routine when necessary, as it will be from time to time. The dietary equivalent of “club soda and lime, please” when you’re trying to give up alcohol.

Kathryn247 · August 2018

Nice job on your progress so far! Here are a couple of strategies I use.
First, don't be afraid of people thinking you're weird. Some people might wonder why you aren't participating, but they're probably also the people who think being thin is effortless.

I keep reasonable-calorie "snackmeals" available, like protein bars. I had an early meeting last week and they had croissant sandwiches that would have been way too many calories, so I was glad I had my homemade protein bar on the way there. I just had coffee at the meeting.
I've also started looking at my calories for the week rather than for the day. That way if I have one day with a high-calorie meal, I can just reduce my calories on the other days by a little and I'm still good for the week. That helped for a housewarming party with the usual buffet of cream cheese-based dips.
Most restaurants have a grilled chicken salad or a salmon with vegetables entree these days that's a good option if you have to eat at a restaurant. Otherwise just log your best guess for the calories and average it in for the week. Life goes on!
I hope this helps!

lks802 · August 2018

I think it’s different for everyone, it has to do with what motivates you and makes you feel happy.

For me, the second I feel like I HAVE to do something or it feels chore like, it becomes something I won’t do. I have greatly swung in weight over the years because I’d do too rigorous fitness than I’d care to do for life and created restrictive eating habits that I wouldn’t stick with. I’m not that disciplined, I’m more happy go lucky. But I wanted results fast bc I was so unhappy with myself, and never could maintain.

I had to work through emotional and binge eating issues with a Thetapist. But once I healed and worked on that, I was able to put changes in place that doesn’t psych me out when I think “forever”. Sure, I will get to my goal slower, but I will get there in a way that I don’t intend to change once I’m at goal. It was finally being ok with making smaller changes.

cmriverside · August 2018

ecrosby512 wrote: »

Thanks for the insight and encouragement. I’m trying to establish a morning routine that includes exercise, for now, walking, which I enjoy. And three meals a day built around veggies, grain of some sort, and a protein. I also like that. It all seems to work fine if routine is not disrupted. I’d like to learn how to “roll with the punches” withot too much drama when something disrupts it- like an out of town meeting, or an early business meeting, or a big family gathering. I guess what I need is a handful of go-to strategies to replace the usual routine when necessary, as it will be from time to time. The dietary equivalent of “club soda and lime, please” when you’re trying to give up alcohol.

I think the problem lies in the way I frame things.

I used to really worry that my numbers were all correct and perfect and that I didn't go over on anything. That got old real quick.

I used to stress out over, "What was in that XXX thing I ate?" That got to be too stressful.

I used to think, "I screwed it all up. Might as well admit I can't do this and just go back to that bottle of rum/cheeseburger pizza and fries daily. This is too haaaaaaard." You can see how productive that kind of thinking is, right?

These days I let go of the tiny details. I log my food as best I can, and go forward. I have days where I'm completely and totally off-plan but it doesn't derail my eleven past years of logging food and weighing myself. It's a life chore that I have to do to stay on plan, but it's not now nor never will be a perfect process.

divcara · August 2018

ecrosby512 wrote: »

Thanks for the insight and encouragement. I’m trying to establish a morning routine that includes exercise, for now, walking, which I enjoy. And three meals a day built around veggies, grain of some sort, and a protein. I also like that. It all seems to work fine if routine is not disrupted. I’d like to learn how to “roll with the punches” withot too much drama when something disrupts it- like an out of town meeting, or an early business meeting, or a big family gathering. I guess what I need is a handful of go-to strategies to replace the usual routine when necessary, as it will be from time to time. The dietary equivalent of “club soda and lime, please” when you’re trying to give up alcohol.

I call it "winning your home games." Meaning whenever it's possible to stay on a routine, stick to my exercise/workout, building those three meals a day around a protein, grain, veggies, getting quality sleep, etc. For me personally, if it's a day within my control, I try to stick to it as much as possible. And then when I have those things that come up, unexpectedly or planned, I am able to roll with it - win some/lose some.

Friends in town visiting? Have my nutritious breakfast, go out with everyone and enjoy dinner at night... early business meeting.... get the rest of my workouts in that week... don't eat the doughnuts at the office... Sometimes successful... sometimes not... but if I'm on point the majority of the time, I can better roll with the punches... and also remember it's usually not all or nothing... I can miss one or two workouts without missing 5... I can have the big expense account dinner night out without attacking piles of pancakes for breakfast too, etc.

It's certainly easier to "stay on it" when you have absolutely nothing to do but meal prep, work out, cook healthy meals, and go to bed early.... but there is that little something called life too. But every op I have to keep at it, I take advantage - win my home games if you will.... and leave the flexibility for the rest of life that comes up. I don't know if that helps at all, but that is what has worked for me. It's not easy! Routines help a lot, I struggle myself when I go off them.

Congrats on losing 25 lbs!!

lorrpb · August 2018

You have a great meal template of veggies, grain, and protein. Keep this same template wherever you go. Choose menu items that fit thus plan, don't hesitate to ask to sub out veggies, salad, or fruit for less desirable items like fries. Ask that they omit anything you don't want. Leave unneeded food on the plate. Remember portion control at all times, especially if you get stuck with less than ideal choices.

dsboohead · August 2018

cmriverside wrote: »

ecrosby512 wrote: »

Thanks for the insight and encouragement. I’m trying to establish a morning routine that includes exercise, for now, walking, which I enjoy. And three meals a day built around veggies, grain of some sort, and a protein. I also like that. It all seems to work fine if routine is not disrupted. I’d like to learn how to “roll with the punches” withot too much drama when something disrupts it- like an out of town meeting, or an early business meeting, or a big family gathering. I guess what I need is a handful of go-to strategies to replace the usual routine when necessary, as it will be from time to time. The dietary equivalent of “club soda and lime, please” when you’re trying to give up alcohol.

I think the problem lies in the way I frame things.

I used to really worry that my numbers were all correct and perfect and that I didn't go over on anything. That got old real quick.

I used to stress out over, "What was in that XXX thing I ate?" That got to be too stressful.

I used to think, "I screwed it all up. Might as well admit I can't do this and just go back to that bottle of rum/cheeseburger pizza and fries daily. This is too haaaaaaard." You can see how productive that kind of thinking is, right?

These days I let go of the tiny details. I log my food as best I can, and go forward. I have days where I'm completely and totally off-plan but it doesn't derail my eleven past years of logging food and weighing myself. It's a life chore that I have to do to stay on plan, but it's not now nor never will be a perfect process.

Agree totally with this way of thinking!
Its not an all or nothing way of thinking nor should you be unsociable at events where there is food.
We are all here because we have a problem with food control. It takes practice and time!
Rome wasn't built in a day!

88olds · August 2018

If routine is going to be a return to mindless eating, you’ll gain it back. Maintenance requires mindfulness and vigilance.

This is just my sorta whacky view, but our bodies are not designed for these times. Mother Nature did not plan for this much readily available food. Our bodies are built for a world where the big issue is getting enough. Hence we store the excess in times of plenty. Left to our own devices, the eye sees food, the brain says eat. There’s always going to be some effort involved in preventing that reflex.

Evelyn_Gorfram · August 2018

Still looking for ways to make healthy eating & exercise integral to my own life.

But, here are two strategies that I have found helpful along the way:

1) Go Veggie Early.
I find that once I've eaten my minimum 5 servings of veggies, I'm less likely to go overboard on too many carbs or fats, or to find myself binging on what should be treats.

2) There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch, But...
Often the food in restaurant meals is healthy enough, but there's about twice as much as I should eat. I ask for a take home container when I order ("because I know I won't finish it all") and then split it as soon as the dish arrives at my table. The other half of my meal makes a great "free" lunch for the next day. (Pro tip: I like to carry a folded-up plastic bag in my purse to put the leftovers in. That makes them "squared away" and easy to carry.)

psychod787 · August 2018

Honestly, never, but you can become regimented. Jmho

When does it become routine?

Replies

Categories