As I proceed to demolish our bathroom, I was thinking about how weight loss and renovation are very similar.
First, you can think of remodeling versus renovating. Remodeling is losing a little bit of weight or starting a lifting program to get that little bit ready for summer. Kind of like painting the walls in one of your rooms or getting a new couch to freshen up.
Then there is renovation. A full room remodel, which involves tearing down and building back up. A serious task that takes a long time. Perhaps even daunting. At first you look at the big picture and think “Wow – there is a lot of work to be done here.” Like me at 250 pounds
Then you think about what you need to do and what approach to take. Keep the floors? New floors? Tear out the tub? Refinish the tub? It’s all about personal style. Weight loss would be What plan do I follow? Should I do low carb, low fat, running, walking?
Then there is the actual start of the project. You get your tools and go. Once you start demo, there is no going back. Weight loss: Tomorrow is the day. I am starting this Monday. I am joining WW. Now that I have paid for X program, I had better do it.
At first it is exciting and change is big. Whee! I am on a new diet plan, it’s exciting! Fast results the first week, it’s so awesome!
Then you reach that stage where things get ugly before it starts to get better. And you realize that it’s going to be a long while before things get back to normal. I hate this. I just want to eat X. This is taking forever and I want the weight to be gone now!
Real progress starts to happen and you feel excited again. Wow, compliments from my friends and coworkers keeps me motivated.
Then you hit a bump you weren’t expecting (hello uneven floors) and have to change the plan. Hmmm… I have plateaued. What I was doing isn’t working. Maybe time to change up the exercise or how I am eating?
As you near the end, you can see the finish line, but little things seem to keep popping up and taking longer than you expected. Will I ever get to goal? Why is this last 10 pounds taking so long?!?! Come on!
Then when you finish your project and are so pleased with the results and proud of all the work you did. And you love just being in the room and using it. Woo Hoo! I hit goal! I love what I see in the mirror. Being active is great! I love these new smaller clothes. Shopping is fun again!
It is a complete change in life to lose weight. You must do the full renovation to have permanent lifestyle changes to not only get the weight off, but keep it off.
And not every play works for everyone. I was just talking to my friend who is going to try Atkins because she has diabetes and carbs triggers her blood sugar. I don’t have the same reaction to carbs because I’m not diabetic. Counting calories works for me and my friend hates counting calories. To each it’s own! If one thing doesn’t work, try another!
So true! And in the GMTA category, I’ve had a “dieting is like knitting” post in the works for a couple weeks now. How funny that we both can see how WL and dieting relate to other projects. 🙂
And over here, I keep telling myself weight loss is exactly like running. For me, it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon!
Very deep thoughts, my friend. Love it. I, however, have never thought about quilting being like weight loss. What’s wrong with me? I’m too busy thinking about yogurt (my next post, I think.)
I love the analogy Lori.
Great analogy, Lori! And just like with remodeling, just when you think you’ve finished it all, you think you might like to try a different color pillow in this room, or you might try moving this table over there by the window. Not big changes, but little tinkerings that sometimes improve the look and sometimes don’t. But the big stuff is out of the way. 🙂
I was very confused by the post because I read the title: Weight loss is not like a renovation! Gaa.
My renovation is a very long-drawn process and I have had my bumps on the road, but I’ve lost some weight. It’s because there hasn’t been big stresses in my life lately, so I’ve had it easy. 🙂
Great post Lori and so true. The thing that scares me most sometimes is that if I ever get at the weight I want to be I’m not done. It’s a lifetime of making choices if you want to stay at that weight. Personally I think the road towards it isn’t the hardest part, maintenance that’s the real challenge.
Answering your question about our queen: no she has no real power. She used to have more till last year. Before that she always had a say in making a new government but they changed that by law. She is, however, great PR for our country and very committed to charity.
Hi Lori! Yes, a major weight loss involves a huge lifestyle change that is like when we rehabbed out Victorian house that had a three foot hole in the ceiling of the dining room. When I used to weigh 50 more pounds, I had a three foot hole looming in my life. I had to completely change my life to fix that. I really don’t think most people understand what an enormous lifestyle change that weight loss management takes. Great post for pointing that out.
🙂 Marion
AND LIKE UNPACKING.
This is exactly what I needed to read today. I think when you’re bathroom is done you should add pictures to this and make a little flyer…for me to hang on my wall and remind myself… lol
Maybe I can make a word art out of this …. weight loss is a complete renovation, not just a makeover..or something.
Anyway, you’ve inspired and encouraged me…again. Thank you! 😀 🙂
LOVE this post Lori & that last line!!! For me, there never is a finish line.. not because I am not happy with how I look at certain points but because the bod keeps changing & life keeps changing. For me, it has been always trying to find what works for me & tweaking it as things change… But yes, it becomes a permanent lifestyle! 🙂
Totally agree. And any weight that’s gained after goal is like chipped paint. For me, it gnaws at me until I dig out the paint can from the basement and touch it up 🙂
Thank you for sharing this! I’m a newbie at this weightloss stuff and this is exactly how I felt last week. I have been working out for 30mins a day 6 days a week. counting my calories and was feeling great about myself after my 4lb loss for 3 weeks. Then it’s weigh week and I loss 1lb! What the heck. One stinking pound. All that hard work. I take pictures of myself to remind my self of what I looked like and boy was it ugly. Yep, there’s A LOT of work to be done. And it’s going to take a long time to do it. Definatly a lot harder to get it off then it was to get it on!
Loved this post Lori! So true. My boss was complaining because she gained 8 ounces and she hasn’t “cheated” or anything! Guess what? She only eats 1000 calories a day – I keep telling her she needs to eat more to lose weight, but she’s still in “diet” mode not lifestyle mode. 🙁
You are a great inspiration Lori!!
EXCELLENT post Lori. Your words of wisdom are so helpful and put things in perspective. Have a great day.
Enjoyed the comparison 🙂
Great post. And such a great analogy! Thanks for posting.
I adore this analogy! Thanks for sharing.