By Lynn Haraldson-Bering
I get tagged a lot by friends on Facebook who’ve filled out quizzes such as “Which ‘80s movie are you?” “What rock band are you?” “Who were you in a past life,” “25 random things no one ever really needs to know about you.” Things like that.
Often their answers are similar to mine, which accentuates the fact that my friends and I have many things in common, thus the reason we’re friends.
In the year Barbara and I have been writing this blog, I’ve observed that maintainers share many similarities. One of the most apparent is that we work out, or if we don’t or can’t, we know to keep caloric intake in line with caloric output. We’ve also done a lot of soul searching, both during weight loss and now in maintenance, and have changed old habits that kept us in an overweight mindset. We’re often students of nutrition and the latest medical research. I love that you share so much of your information and questions here.
This blog entry is about the things we have in common that aren’t so apparent. I’m guessing we share several similar habits, must-have foods, attitudes, rituals, etc. In the following list are eight things I do, am, have become, and observed of myself in maintenance. I hope you’ll share a few of yours, too. Just like junior high, let’s compare notes!
In no particular order…
1. I can’t let clutter accumulate anymore. I start to feel kind of anxious when stuff piles up, and I mean that physically and emotionally. It’s harder to think clearly. It’s second nature these days to put or throw things away after I use them or read them, and to address issues as they come up rather than allow them to fester in the back of my mind until they manifest themselves in a bowl of mashed potatoes.
2. My father’s motto has always been, “If you’re five minutes early, you’re late.” During my obese years, I dragged my feet a lot and was often late to meetings, events or parties, if I went at all. I was the queen of last-minute excuses. Without 170 extra pounds, I’ve found that not only do I want to attend a scheduled event, but I’m on time and often a little early. My dad is so proud.
3. I get up at least once in the middle of the night for a bathroom break. I drank a lot of water while losing weight and still do now. I’ve learned several tricks for falling back to sleep.
4. I don’t get sick very often. Aside from the 24-hour stomach bug I picked up after Christmas, I haven’t been sick in years. No colds, no flu, nothing. This doesn’t mean I won’t get sick or somehow can’t get sick, but I have a feeling my diet and exercise regimen work to fight off a lot of would-be bacterial or viral assailants.
5. I’m a serious food planner. How I mean that is planning my meals is a priority. Not in the old days. I used to stick my face in the fridge, pull out whatever, cook it up and eat. Now I balance everything and make sure the cupboards are stocked with staples like vegetable broth, canned tomatoes, beans, Almond Breeze or soy milk, things like that. The refrigerator and freezer are always filled with veggies, fruit, yogurt, homemade soups and sauces. It takes time and three trips to the store a week on average, but
6. I’m a pretty darn good cook who takes chances. I can mess with a recipe and, not to sound like an American Idol judge, make it my own.
7. I’m also good at saying no to food pushers, and I’ve gotten more assertive when it comes to sticking to my dietary needs when I’m at a dinner party. I simply tell the host/hostess that I’m a vegetarian who eats a low-fat, low-sodium diet and that I in no way expect them to cook anything special for me. I always offer to bring something for myself.
8. I can take a compliment most of the time. Used to be if someone paid me a compliment I’d say, “Thanks, but…” Always a “but.” Now, I smile and (most of the time) say “thank you” and leave it at that. I’ve gotten much better at taming that old self-deprecation.
So do any of these things ring true for you? What do you suspect many of us maintainers have in common? As always, leave a comment or send an email. You know we love hearing from you!
