The danger of being comfortable
It got cold overnight in Auckland! We had single digit temperatures overnight for the first time in a loooong time. So my run this morning was a bit chilly. Having said that it was fantastic. Slightly chilly is the best temperature for running!
I ran out to the Harbour Bridge and then to work this morning. I stopped and took this panoramic shot with my cellphone:
I’m mighty impressed that my cellphone can stitch photos together so well! As you can see it is an absolutely beautiful day here in Auckland.
One thing I was thinking about while running today is that how I’m in danger of becoming derailed from my healthy eating plans as I’m extremely comfortable with where I am at the moment. I find that I’m not eating as clean as I could because I’m not that fussed about losing weight anymore. I just want to not gain weight if that makes sense. The danger with this approach is that it is very easy to tip from having the odd snack to having a lot of snacks and then regaining the weight. I reckon if I wasn’t running as much as I am I’d be in much greater danger so my motivation to keep running is high.
I guess eternal vigilance is required. How do you folks deal with this?
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Eternal vigilance.
You are probably right, but that makes me sad right now.
Healthy eating/healthy living is forever.
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Andrew
reply on March 18th, 2010 11:28 am:
Healthy eating is my aim but I don’t really want to live on tofu and carrot sticks. I need my odd Devonshire Tea and cake but in moderation not regularly.
Twitter: AndrewENZ
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Heather
reply on March 18th, 2010 10:30 pm:
Have you considered giving intermittent fasting a try? I’ve found that it can be a really easy and useful way to maintain your weight, without having to worry TOO much about what you eat on non-fasting days.
Intermittent fasting is still a pretty controversial idea, though. Some people just won’t be open to it. Just a warning.
PS. Your cellphone camera is awesome! Wow!
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I think than maintenance (at least early on) is at least as hard, if not harder, than initially losing the weight. As you say, you don’t have all the extra motivation to lose weight, you’re just trying not to gain any back. This gives you a lot more “wiggle” room for cheating and making less than healthy choices.
I’m not exactly sure how I’m going to handle that stage – I’m hoping that you’ve got it all figured out by the time that I get to that point, and you can just share your secrets with me
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I’m not at my goal weight yet, but I can imagine it is hard to continue to stick to a healthy diet once you no longer need to lose weight. I imagine it’s totally necessary to maintain though. Good luck!
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I find it is hard to change bad habits into good ones, but way too easy for the bad ones to come back! I really think eating healthy and exercising is something that I will have to stay focused on for the rest of my life, because it’s just too easy to slip back into bad habits.
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I hear you, loudly. If I wasn’t running I’d be putting weight on, to be sure. But I can’t rely on running forever, I have to get this healthy eating habits working – but darn it is hard!
I have no real advice because I’m still struggling through it. I’m hoping to get to goal weight at Weight Watchers in the next few months … they then do a six week maintenance programme which will be interesting. Only problem with that is I haven’t counted WW points properly for ages!
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oh, and its freezing down here! I’m not looking forward to winter at all
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I find its very easy to get comfortable with my eating habits, which eventually leads to snacking. My solution is to weigh myself every day, twice a day. I’d like to believe that helps.
That’s what I tell myself, anyway…
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I’m getting close to my goal weight, and I’m getting a little worried. I can already feel it getting tougher. But yay you for getting a great run in and recognizing the challenge!
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I totally understand where you are coming from. I could stand to take off another 10 pounds to get to goal, but I am happy as long as the 100 I have lost stays gone. It’s complacence, and I work hard and be vigilant to stay where I am. You just need to decide if you really want to do what it takes to finish it off – and once you are there, can you sustain that loss.
If you are comfortable where you are and can keep up the eating and exercise regimen, you might call that goal.
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Once again, barely on topic… But yeah, that’s impressive that your phone can stitch together a panoramic shot like that. What kind is it?
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Andrew
reply on March 18th, 2010 2:46 pm:
Sony Ericsson k850i
Twitter: AndrewENZ
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fit36.com
reply on March 20th, 2010 2:55 am:
Hmmm… You inspired me. I have an iPhone, so I looked and (not surprisingly) “there’s an app for that” (panoramic shots). I’ll have to check it out.
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Ah, the learning time. As in, learning to live like this. It’s kind of hard to find the balance of eating healthy, pushing forward with exercise, allowing room for a few splurges, and maintaining weight. I’ve been at it now for about 15-16 months, and I’m still learning. (Hint: Too many holiday cookies are too many.)
You’ll figure out what works best for you, and you’re very wise to be mindful of the dangers of complacency. You’re also fortunate in that your love for running will help you shed any mistakes in judgment.
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Think we will always need to be aware. Comfortable can be a blessing and a curse.
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Luckily for you, the running has become a passion and will always help keep the lbs (or kgs, i suppose) at bay. I think another key is to continue weighing yourself honestly, i.e., if you go above your stated comfort zone (5 lbs or whatever), be ready to be vigilant with the food/training for a while until you’re back in your zone. [Note this is what I plan to do - I'm not at this point yet myself!]
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Andrew…I would encourage you not to enter maintenance phase until you reach your goal. I did this, and totally regret it. It wasn’t until my trainer chewed my ass out that I managed to finally shed those last 7 pounds to reach my final goal. I actually abandoned my lose weight slowly philosophy for 2 weeks to kick start my weight loss and quickly shed those last couple of pounds.
I’d like to be able to tell you that once you reach your goal weight, it’s really easy to maintain it, but so far it hasn’t been for me. I’m still tracking what I eat, and it’s not nearly as rewarding because the scale is no longer going down. I’m afraid I may lose motivation as well.
Remember where you were, and where you are now. Remember that you never want to go back and you’ll make the right choices. That’s what I’ve been doing these days. Hope this helps. mac
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Andrew
reply on March 18th, 2010 4:07 pm:
Thanks for sharing that Mac. I think you are right on the money.
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Ha! We just had our first overnight teen number the other night! I was so happy to see that 19 on the weather report! I’m looking forward to ‘slightly chilly’.
I’m not qualified to talk about ‘eternal vigilance’ in regards to maintain quite yet.
I figure though that vigilance will always be required. I don’t see that as depriving myself. I see it as just asking questions like, “Why am I eating this?” and “Is there a better choice?” so that 90% of the time I’m making the ‘right’ choice.
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Yeah, I think the term “Eternal Vigilance” just about covers it for me too. I’m still a scale junkie, just gotta maintain the activity levels and not go too stupid on the eating. It is still hard, but much. much easier than losing weight.
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Such a difficult one….it is scary and so very easy to regain weight. I’ve been a “yo yo dieter” for years. Just keep on running is the best, and weigh yourself weekly. Take action as soon as you pick up even a kilo! People say we are too paranoid about it, but you know what it is like to be overweight and you never want to go back there! Good luck. Keep on keeping on. Proud of you
xxx
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My thoughts right now are to enjoy the creamy/cakey goodness when you can, and if it gets too much, back off
Reactionary rather than preventative
At least at the moment.
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Comfortable = dangerous!
I can’t believe how good your phone camera did with the photo stitch!
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What a beautiful pic! Thx for those pics. I love them!
For me, I never looked at the weight loss journey as “arriving” at that magic number or fit. For me, I lost the weight & then it was maintenance & a life long process. I continued with my very healthy eating & allowed for planned healthy snacks after dinner if I wanted and my treat on the weekends. It was never an all out full day of eating like some people do. I still eat healthy & plan for whatever treat I want for the weekend days. I have a treat cookie & be done with it.. not 3 or 4 of them.
If I want to go hog wild, I usually plan mentally for that & I know I will just get back to business the next day & maybe even up the intensity.
Just me & I have been at this a long time.
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Wish I could be of help with your question, but for me (at least until I hit 30) my problem was the opposite – I had trouble keeping weight on. How I dealt with that was simply to not think about food and just eat whatever, whenever. Of course, I was always very active throughout my teens and twenties. Then I hit 30, my ankle gave out, and I gained a bunch of weight while losing a tonne of strength. The problem there was despite gaining about 30lbs my frame hid it so well that I never actually perceived any problem (I am pretty tall and don’t seem to gain weight in any one spot, but rather all over so it kind of evens out).
Now, my challenge is to eat healthy. That’s the tough part, and having running goals has definitely helped to keep me on the straight and narrow, with the occasional transgression. Perhaps your running, and having specific goals, will also assist you in your weight maintenance goals? Here’s hoping! And, of course, best of luck as you continue to run well.
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And, I forgot to add that it still seems strange that as you start to drift towards Winter we, up here in Canada, are cheerily welcoming Spring and Summer! Fall and Spring are both great running seasons, so enjoy the cool weather.
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It has gotten pretty cold here too for the past couple of mornings, just as I started running in the mornings. But I’m enjoying it so I think I’ll stick with it.
Unlike you, I’m still not comfortable with where I’m at and I know I have another 25 lbs (11 kg) to go. This certainly keeps me motivated. Maybe set the bar higher and work towards that if that is really where you want to be.
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I think that once I reached goal it was all about maintaining the weight loss at first. But over time I worked, and continue to work, at eating cleaner and more healthier. You are doing great and just being aware of what you are doing is half the battle!
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If I was a successful maintainer, I would share my secrets with you, but alas, I haven’t gotten to that point. But one of my biggest weaknesses was getting too comfortable which led to being bored. I got bored of the routines. But I’ve found a new love in running. I think a good thing to overcome the “comfort” zone is to maybe work on your run times. I mean, you’ve completed that marathon, but you can go faster. There are those crazy ultra marathons too. If there’s always something you’re training for, something you haven’t attained, you’ll keep your edge.
I’m hoping to not find myself in that familiar comfort zone again. That “happy” place is the end of all things good.
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That’s awesome that you can do that! I love working out in the cold. I have a hard time working out when it’s hot, as it sometimes is in the gym I go to because of the heating situation in the building.
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It’s called maintaining your weight.
And you can do it and even grow more muscle while pretty much eating what you want and exercising like you’re doing.
You shouldn’t gain weight as long as you continue to exercise. Once you stop though… you’re screwed. :p
Nice picture.
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Going back to foodlogging always humbles me! It keeps me in check so well!
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Well, now *I* want a Sony Ericsson k850i!!!
I don’t know how I will keep myself in check when I get to the point you’re at. At least you recognize where you’re at and what you’re doing and trying to plan accordingly. Good luck, Andrew.
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I also am impressed with your cell phone’s panoramic picture.
I’ve never made it to maintenance, but I would say if you stay diligent with weighing yourself, you’ll be okay. I’ve heard some people say they give themselves a certain window. So long as they are in that window, they don’t worry about it, but if they go even a pound over, then they cut calories, exercise more, whatever, until they are back in their window.
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This has really got me thinking. Thanks for that. I am really looking forward to revisiting this site
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Thanks for the comment, Andrew.
I like that you have recognized the danger at the “top” of the cycle, as it were, and that you’re fighting to stave off apathy.
I’m sure you will succeed where I had failed. You’ve shown remarkable “stick with it’ness.”
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Hi there Andrew
Just had to comment on this post because it’s so true what you say regarding getting comfortable. When we are exercising at peak levels and using sooo much energy and burning so much calories we can eat whatever we want and not worry about weight but we have to constantly remind ourselves that it’s not just about ‘weight’ but mostly about Health. I’ve had the same issues, being a martial artist and weight lifter and when I’m sparing a lot, running, lifting.. I can eat anything and not worry about the weight and I tend to get comfortable but as you say therein lies the danger. Thanks for the great post.
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