Friday, September 14, 2007

Planning is everything

Firstly, I'm so happy that so many of you still remember me, lol! My little hiatus felt very long.

Well, I'm a bit of a "Type A" gal. I love planning, lists, and predictability. The one thing that I've never extended by "Type A"-ness to, though, is my weight loss efforts. I never realized how much planning is involved in everything!

For example, I've been making elaborate meal plans every week. What I'll be eating for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks - not only to ensure that my portions are right, or that I don't veer away from the plan - but making sure that I'm eating well-balanced meals. This is soooo important. For example, getting in lots of veggies, fruits, protein, etc. I'm a nerd, and I have a spreadsheet for this purposes that adds up my servings and calories.

I also have a plan for which days I'll be working out. However, this plan has been failing miserably. It's weird for me - I used to be awesome at exercising, and not so great on the food front. Now, it has reversed. Well, I'll need to get going with this habit again. The truth is, I love working out. I just need to haul my butt out there, and once I start - I'm fine!

When I was successful in my weight loss efforts a few years ago now, I was SO conscientious of everything. Even if I knew I'd have to eat dinner out (because I was working late a LOT back then) - I'd look ahead at the restaurant menu and plan exactly what I'd eat. I'd order extra veggies instead of rice. Guzzle on water, instead of pop. I'd wake up at 5:30am to get my workout in, before working a 14-hour day.

When you really want something, you'll do just about anything to get it. It's as simple as that. And as difficult as this weight loss journey can be, effort will equal reward. It's not like saying, "I want to be rich one day", and doing everything you can to get there. Or, "I want a successful career". Because those goals require right timing, luck, and effort. Weight loss just involves effort - if you exercise and eat right, you'll lose weight.

The danger with all of this planning business? Well, life gets in the way of our plans sometimes.;-) That's also my problem. Heaven forbid something gets in the way of my planning - everything falls apart, and I crash the wagon. I'm learning to be flexible. If a friend unexpectedly calls me up to go out to dinner - I'll do it - and order carefully from the menu. If I'm out and about all day - I'll make sure that I'm prepared with an extra protein bar or some nuts in my purse.

We're taking a little trip to San Francisco in a week. There's an incredible vegetarian restaurant there. So, I'm going to plan the rest of my meals around it so that I can indulge a bit.

I'm really trying to make this journey of mine a lifestyle, rather than a temporary phase. Because everytime I treat it like an "initiative", I get resentful and impatient. And, I'm going to do my best to not let the wrenches that life will throw into my plans sto me from being successful.

11 comments:

Teresa said...

You are right about planning. Not one of my biggest forte. I hope you have the most wonderful time in SF.

Cowgirl Warrior said...

I too am a planner and have a habit of tossing out the plan when life happens.

I think the trick is to take it day by day.

So happy your back and we will do this!

Askazombiehousewife said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Askazombiehousewife said...

keeping a food guide handy has helped me when I had to change plans.
Now I have to start using them more again. :-)

Kim said...

I love to make lists of the lists I need to make. It's a sickness. :)

Have a fab time on your trip!!!!

Jen said...

I'm a list maker, too... obsessively. It's fun to plan stuff out. I always looked forward to the beginning of school years - setting up new schedules with clean notebooks and new pens. Whenever I feel like I need a fresh start with something, I'll buy a new pen & notebook and make myself a plan. You sound like you're doing really well setting goals for yourself, being committed to them AND allowing for "life" when it happens. I'm glad you're back in blogland!

pinknest said...

i love planning, too. and making lists. and sticking to them! good for you with planning. how fun you're going to san fran!

Carolyn said...

Glad to see you are back!
I'm a list person myself and I agree that planning is the best thing you can do for your weight loss journey!!
Have fun in SF! I'm sure you'll have a great time!

Jen said...

P.S. Are you going to go running on the esplanade in SF? Or in Golden Gate park? It would be soooo beautiful and memorable!

urban vegan said...

have fun in SF...lucky you.

Sally JPA said...

Love this post. So true!