I’ve been thinking a lot about my past attempts at getting to goal weight. I’ve fallen off the wagon three times. I always get to around the high 170s, and I begin to slack off. The slacking off turns into a few months of laziness, and before I know it, I’m back to seeing that dreaded 210 on the scale. Again.

It almost seems pointless for me to be putting myself through this torture time and time again with no long-lasting results, so I’ve been trying to pinpoint my weakness, the causes of my failure.

Why have I failed? Boredom. I get sick and tired of the same routine day in and day out.

Exercise Boredom

I get into a routine of daily exercise, sometimes even the double gym (going to the gym twice in one day), but I get bored. I used to not run on the treadmill. It was always the arc trainer or the elliptical, sometimes the stairmaster. But, let’s face it. Cardio machines are BORING. I know it, you know it, we all know it. Even when I’m able to complete a harder interval level, after a few months, I stop feeling any sense of satisfaction. It just becomes dull and repetitive. Yes, I’m still burning calories, but my mind is no longer stimulated.

Food Boredom

In my weight loss phase, I always cook my own meals. But in the past, I used to cook the SAME meals. Every. Freaking. Day. You can only eat so much potato soup, corn chowder, and fried rice before your taste buds become discontent. I would go “off plan” because I’d have cravings for spaghetti, burgers, fries. Instead of utilizing my cooking skills to find healthy ways of appeasing these cravings, I would simply cave in to them. I would go all out and indulge in the biggest burger I could find. Fat Burger, you were delicious.

If you haven’t noticed already, I love food. And the fact that I could only eat the same five things every day is just not sustainable for me. I can’t live life like that. There is no pleasure and excitement in eating when you can only eat grilled chicken every day. And for me, part of my daily happiness comes from the smell, taste, and sight of food. In the past, I found foods that loved me, and I loved them, but only temporarily. It was not a long-lasting love. It was similar to the middle school crush. It lasts about a week and you move on.

But this time, it’s different.

I’ve decided that weight loss and healthy living should NOT be routine, kind of like finding a job that you love so it’s more fun than actual work. I have found things that I love to make losing weight and being healthy NOT tedious.

Exercise. Version 2.

I still do the elliptical but I have added in running goals. Why? Because running goals can continue to become extended. And there’s tons of races to run! A long-term goal makes working out seem more rewarding. Running 5Ks to help cure breast cancer? Count me in! Running a marathon? I’ll work towards that once I hit my 10K. I’ve also been trying new things with strength training. I’m super setting everything and now that I discovered triple sets, well, there’s that to work towards. There’s also different sports to try. Swimming, cycling, surfing. I need to take advantage of California sun before I head back East.

Cooking. Become the next Iron Chef.

In the past, my food tasted good but the variety was limited. Now, I have learned that the possibilities of creating healthy yet delicious tasting foods are endless. With my recipes section, I try to create a new dish every day so I don’t bore my readers but more importantly, to keep myself entertained and challenged. Chicken Nuggets, you will no longer be a McDonald’s creation. I will make you mine. By experimenting with cooking on a daily basis, I never get bored. Oh, want Thai food? Just make it. Oh, want pasta with pesto? Make it! The sky is the limit. I can continue loving food while losing weight. This kind of love is like the parent child love. Unconditional and infinite.

Food Photography.

What is more exciting than eating food? Taking pictures of it! I believe that part of the reason why food tastes good is because it LOOKS like it tastes good. Your eyes are basically like your second stomach. I like making my food look appealing. Plating the food and mixing the colors, it’s like a game. A game that has no set rules. A game that is always changing. Adding this aspect into my life has been a joy. I love photography. I love food. Combine the two and we have a winner.

Blogging.

It sounds so trivial, but I can’t tell you how much this blog has helped me. Every day, I get a new comment from a friend who’s been following via Google Buzz. I’ve only received words of encouragement and support, and for that, I’m grateful and thankful. Your words motivate me to work harder, to become a better person.

I’ve also gotten new comments on my posts from new readers, from fellow weight losers, from people trying to live healthy lives. They’re my inspiration, my partners in crime. We’re all in this together. And for that, I thank you.

So no, weight loss should NOT be boring. Weight loss isn’t a temporary thing. It shouldn’t be boring because it’s a lifestyle change. And life should not be boring. It should be exciting. It should be fun-filled. It should keep you on the edge of your seat.

That’s how I want to live my life. Since weight loss is a permanent part of that, it should be the same as well. So here’s to life.

What are you doing to make your weight loss or healthy lifestyle journey more exciting?