Getting a little control
General January 21st, 2009Sometimes the hardest thing is just seeing where you are - and once you do that it’s somehow possible to see at least a hint of a path to where you want to be.
Since writing to acknowledge where I am and how hard it is, it’s seemed just a little bit easier to get on track. Yesterday I made healthy choices. Today as well. Not perfect, but healthy, and definitely in the right direction.
The cafeteria at our offices in Munich has a pretty nice salad bar and the soups are good too. Soup and a salad with a yogurt for dessert is healthy and diet friendly, available to me most days I’ll eat in the office, and can help eliminate some of the choices and temptations. This is one of the strategies I used 8 years ago when I traveled extensively AND lost 60+ pounds, and it’s something I need to do again. At the time I also had fixed rules for what I would eat for breakfast (ignoring a lot of the calorie-loaded choices at big hotel buffets) and that is something I do naturally now 90% of the time. I’d kind of forgotten about limiting my lunches to limited options, stocking up on fruit every chance I had (started this yesterday) and reigning in dinner choices too (not at that point yet).
I remember that with this approach I was a bit boring but was able to control food choices in about 80% of the situations, which gave me enough leeway. At the time I was also in hotels that had good gyms, something which is not currently the case, so I’ll need to see if I can get myself to do DVDs or go for walks or something in the future.
In any event, I’m feeling better and more in control about it.
In some ways it’s a bit like it was 8 years ago - a job so out of control that being in control of my diet was a big comfort — at least ONE THING I could manage. We’ll see if I can get the job in a better degree of control in the future - right now it’s not looking good for the first half of the year, and I’m trying to show flexibility and roll with the punches at work. But the dissatisfaction is deep, much deeper than it was 8 years ago, and I’m much less patient and willing to sacrifice than I had been…
Setting up a new organisation, new functions, new responsiblities and new competencies is no easy task, and frankly might turn out to be one I’m not up for.
But at least what I’ve learned in the past is coming in useful again!
January 21st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Hi there - I was thinking if you have time (even a little) - maybe try the German grocery stores/bakeries - you’ll never find a better selection of whole grain bread. Also have you tried QUARK instead of yoghurt?
January 21st, 2009 at 6:11 pm
What’s QUARK? Sounds quirky, heh heh.
You are lucky to have a cafeteria on site, and with healthy options and a salad bar to boot!
Awesome job on your healthy choices.
-kt
January 21st, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Job stress is going to try to derail you, it always does!, so getting back in control is such a great thing to do now. I know when I get overwhelmed with work commitments, it take a toll on every other aspect of my life including relationships, diet and exercise. So good for you for starting to take back the reigns : )
January 21st, 2009 at 9:16 pm
It sounds like you’re making healthy choices again in spite of the work related stress so congrats. If I just didn’t have to work for a living, I think life would be so much easier!
Maybe I’ll win the lottery or the Publisher’s Clearinghous sweepstakes!
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:06 am
I know what it’s like to feel like you’re not in control, Sarah. I get like that. The job always wants more and more. The more you give, the more they want. It can be very frustrating and discouraging but it sounds like you’re doing the best you can under the circumstances. Good choices and good decisions. Hang in there!
By the way, I’ve wondered for some time what you do at your job. Lots of traveling. I know that much!
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:24 am
Sarah,
You have so much insight and I think that you are 100% on target. Like you said, sometimes the hardest part is realistically admitting where you are. And then the part about when life it out of control it’s comforting to be in control of something is something that I can attest to. Your healthy habits are becoming so ingrained that it should be easier now than it was 8 years ago to get things going again.
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:35 am
sounds like you have regained your footing, seen the reality of the situation (with work) and are being very responsible about not letting emotions run your appetite! That is a huge place to be able to stand strong. I don’t know how you do it with the travel too. You are a strong woman… and well on your way to that healthy you that you are after~ good girl!
January 27th, 2009 at 7:27 am
Congrats on your healthy food choices and identifying things that can sabotage you, like having too many choices! How do you limit your options at meals? Are you talking about quantity or variety or categories of foods, or what?
I think it was Pratchett who wrote, “The reward you get for being the best at digging ditches is a bigger shovel,” which sounds rather appropriate for your situation!