Monday, September 15, 2008

Day 1 Calorie Wars

Day 1

Calorie Wars

Today was the all important day #1 of a long hard battle. Losing weight is something that I've always known how to do, but just didn't do. Oh yeah, I did lose 115 pounds back in 2004--But I gained it all back and then some. And honestly, I think my family is tired of hearing "someday". I know I am.

I also know that losing weight and being healthy and looking good will have tremendously positive effects on every aspect of my life. I've always known that. I firmly believe that I've allowed my weight to hold me back in my career, and more importantly: It's held my family back from fully enjoying life. That's pretty big stuff.
I'm writing this blog as a self-motivation tool. I need to write, I need to express my feelings and experiences, I need to continually remind myself of what I need to do and keep doing. That's what this blog is all about. If you read this blog and have a laugh or feel inspired to lose weight too, then it's all the better! But I'm doing it for me. And by doing it for me, I'm also doing it for my beautiful wife and two daughters. How important is it that I lose the weight now? Well...every now and then I day dream a nightmare where I envision my family at my funeral. I know...it's dark! And very scary. But every time I have a little pain I wonder, is this it? Am I about to collapse? Will my funeral be Thursday?? That's very depressing and scary stuff. But when you're as big as I am, it's something that you have to think about all the time. Again, the question comes: Then why is it so hard to lose the weight? Well, it's hard because there are so many psychological factors that play a part in our daily choices. I eat because it taste good...I eat because I'm stressed out over something...I eat because "we're celebrating"...I eat because it's much easier to eat whatever you want than count calories and make healthy choices. I never exercise on purpose because it's way easier to not. But all of this must change. I convinced myself that my eating and lack of exercise was controlled by my stress level and emotions. So surely I can convince myself that despite a high stress life, I can still eat less and workout. And that's exactly how to lose weight. Eat less and work out. I don't want a surgery or a lapband or anything other than complete control of myself.

This is all about making choices. Every choice we make has a consequence...some good, some bad...Some real good, Some very, very bad. Choices and consequences, that's what it's all about.
So what am I doing? I'm choosing 1500 calories a day and exercise. I've proven this combination works for me (see 2004 reference above). Tomorrow I weigh. I'm really scared at what I might weigh. I guarantee it'll be more than you think. But one thing I promise in this blog...I'll put it all out there...As much as it might be embarrassing to announce my weight tomorrow night, I will. I have to...because I must make myself accountable. I know it will be over 500 pounds...It will for sure. I'll report on my weigh in tomorrow night.

Today was day 1. A successful day 1. I even turned down fresh baked Otis Spunkmeyer cookies! Ya see my bank has cookie days every Monday and Friday...so naturally I do all my banking on those days, because even though you're suppose to come inside to get the free cookies, they know me so well, that they will send them through the tube in the drive-through. Today was cookie day, and without my asking, they sent me some cookies with my cash. It was a test! I politely declined the cookies and pushed the button jetting them back to the teller. I explained to a shocked panel of tellers that I was trying to count calories, and although I can have 1500 a day, I couldn't waste 250 on that delicious little cookie. Day 1 and already a test of will power. This is gonna be fun.

I look forward to this blog. I believe it will help me stay on track and maybe along the way it will inspire someone else to stay on track.

Good choices,
Sean

35 comments:

  1. Good for you, Sean! I discovered your January 9th post and then came here to learn more about your mission and follow your progress. It will take me a while to catch up with you, but I will do my best to accomplish that. So far I am very impressed with your zeal to meet your goal. I'm still working on mustering enough motivation to take the plunge, so I find your story inspiring.

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  2. WOW...how awesome to read this Day 1 post and know where you are now from where you started!

    Coolness!

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  3. Found you today, but had to go back to Day 1 to get the whole story. I'll catch up eventually.

    I'm glad I found your blog & I'm extra glad you've come as far as you have.

    Keep it up Sean!

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  4. I don't read books from ending to the beginning, so why should I read a blog that way? I shouldn't and I can't and I won't...you have been blogging as long as I have...so it can't be THAT much....oh wait...you write EVERY DAY! Oh well...I will get to know you...then I will head over and read Irene's blog too...don't mind my little comments here and there if I read something I REALLY REALLY like, but I will try to refrain from posting on every single one. A challenge I am sure, because after Day 1...I am suspecting some serious inspiration to be coming my way!

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  5. Started with day one and am so happy for you. I am going to keep reading and hope something along the way inspires me to take better care of my body. My story is a little different. I was a fat child, but I became anorexic at 12 and by age 23 was so hungry that I begin eating and purging. My body is a normal weight but I am technically obese (34 BMI) due to bad eating habits and poor exercise habits. I just ate a pound of chocolate and threw it up. I am prime for a heart attack and throat cancer. I read all of the reasons you had for remaining heavy. Mine are much the same. I think you can ask anyone with an eating disorder and we all feel the same way inside. I just wanted to say thank you for being brave enough to put it all out here!

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  6. Just reading your blog from the start - very inspiring! Like you, I'm blogging about my weightloss journey as it's not only cathartic, but motivating for me (and others, so I've been told!) Laughed about the Otis Spunkmeyer's Cookies - if you knew what 'spunk' was slang for in the UK you'd probably not want them again!

    Well done!

    Patsy :o)

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  7. Sean,
    I am starting my path to a skinnier me and I was directed to your blog for some inspiration. And so for just reading day one is inspiring me. I have joined WW for some guidlines and help I am curretly at 427lbs down from 445 in 1 month and have been emotionally distressed because it is hard but most of it has to do with confidence and will power(which I have little of) and reading your blog is going to help me tremedously. I will keep reading to find out your struggles and see what road I am looking to run down in the future. Thank you for the blog and keep up the good work.

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  8. I just came across your blog, I can see this will be a very inspiring blog for me! I love your writing style, your sense of humor, and your honesty. I've only read part of your most recent post at this time, and day 1...I can see I have the equivalent of a book to read to catch up. Your first post sounds very much like me, I am at the beginning of my journey. I'm so glad to see someone that has been so successful that started out where I am now!

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  9. I was sent here by a friend tonight, and I'm so glad I came over to check things out! I read your 5 most recent posts, but then decided to come here and start from Day 1. I know what I'll be doing this weekend.... ;-)

    I wish you continued success on this difficult journey!

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  10. I found your blog by looking at one of the bloggers that I like to read by way of another by way of another blogger. I am going to read each one of your enties. You give people hope that it is possible to lose the weight.

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  11. wow. that daydream/nightmare about your family at your funeral....that sent chills down my spine. that must have been truly horrifying.

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  12. WOW!!! I discovered your blog this morning after Zeusmeatball raved about you. He certainly has reason to rave... you are a legend Sean!! A spunky one at that (*_*). I look forward to reading the rest of your journey, although I know it's going to take me some time to catch up. Thanks for inspiring me to blog every day, I have no doubt I will learn a lot from you.

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  13. Well done, Sean. I've just discovered your blog and am amazed at your journey. I am starting at the beginning of your blog and love knowing that you've been so successful.

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  14. Day one is never easy. I'm glad you declined that cookie, Good Job Sean! I can't wait to read the the rest of your entries.

    I am proud of your weight loss success buddy!

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  15. How impressive! Just started reading your blog and feeling very inspired. I did this same thing many years back, limiting myself to 1200 calories. It was fun trying to find the most enjoyable snacks with the least amount of calories to stay under my limit. I don't know you, but yet I feel connected and am proud of you. Your story has inspired me to pull out my food journal and begin to lose the extra 75 pounds I have to lose. Thank you for your courage and testimony to the fact that it can be done. God bless and good luck with the last few pounds.

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  16. Gonna try it.....hell, been "trying it" for 20 years. You're quite inspirational, Sean and now that I'm 50 and have a brand new grandson, I really am going to follow you and try to lose this extra 100 pounds. First step, off the computer and outside to walk around the block before the humid-storms hit...... Thanks for the push.
    Love and Blessings.
    Coop

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  17. I have struggled with my own weight as long as I remember. I came across your blog by accident - or maybe it wasn't an accident but a sign? Either way I am glad I did. Whatever it was...thank you.

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  18. Hi Sean,I saw your story on my aol page and just clicked on it and I´m so glad I did,I have been stucked with my diet for a couple of months now and I didn´t know how to start over again,I just read day one and already feel this is going to give me some strength to follow.I lost 20 pounds and stopped,and I still have to lose another 70 pounds.Hey I´ll follow you all the way from spain from the beautiful Island of palma de mallorca.Best wishes and thank you. ruth

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  19. Today is July 14, and God guided me to your blog. I am going to start with day one and read each day as if you are starting today also. Thank you for this and I know I will learn and grow with you. I know and can see where this journey has taken you. I too have struggled with weight and have tried many different things. I have been looking for the motivation I needed to get started and stay on this journey. I think I have found it in finding your blog.

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  20. Hi Sean. I just found your blog today and I'm going to start with day one. I started my weight loss journey three day's ago. I to came to the realization that this extra weight has to go! I need to lose about 167 pounds. I can hardly walk anymore. I look back over the years and I can see all that I gave up for food. The last straw for me came this month when my family did their yearly camping trip. I haven't been able to go now for about 4 years and I am missing out on so much. So during that week I promised myself that by the time next July gets here I well be able to go. I may not be at my ideal weight but I will have lost enough to go and spend the time with my family! I am going to read your blog each and every day to help me along my way. I want to say thank you. Your an inspiration and a good looking one at that!

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  21. Ive read different parts of your blog and it really has inspired me to keep moving on with my weight loss. I started in February and so far my loss is 80 pounds. It's been hard and I still have a long way to go but this has helped show me that it will be worth it and I must keep pressing on. Thank you for sharing something so personal with others.

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  22. Bravo, Sean! I intend to read your blog in its entirety...starting at post #1. Here's hoping your good sense, and good choices, rub off on this here middle aged broad.

    Lisa

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  23. You are an inspiration...I saw the article about you on AOL and I too intend to read your blog starting at day 1...we started a biggest loser group at work in January and I was off to a great start lost 30lbs won the challenge but now we are off for the summer and I started not watching what I was eating and getting off track, that was until I read your article and started reading your blog...thanks for the inspiration and now I'm off to go drink my 1st bottle of water for the water challenge. Take Care

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  24. Sean, Thanks for your honesty and HARD work, and thanks for sharing!! I am definitely motivated and challenged by your positive attitude about what should -- and CAN be a healthy "normal" lifestyle. I need to read about your struggles and determination, as I commit to joining that cause.

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  25. Sean,
    I just found your blog yesterday and read your first day today.I have a goal weight set of 180 pounds and currently am at 250. For years I have struggled with combining diet and exercise. It was always one or the other and I always failed.I am inspired by your effort and successful lifestyle change.I am also diabetic and on medicine for it as well as high blood pressure and cholesterol. Although my numbers are good, I really want off of these medications, if possible. It starts today for me with a weigh in. Thank you for making your life an open book and presenting me with the challenge I need.

    Take care,

    Anonymous

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  26. Hi Sean,
    I started following you a few weeks back, but am now starting to read your blog from the beginning. You come highly recommended from Shane.Other blogger friends talk about you too. You have obviously inspired many people. I have been at this journey for over two months, but a weigh to go still. Michele at
    http://ruminationsasiuncoverthewomanwithin.blogspot.com/

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  27. Thanks Sean for the blog. I am starting at day one with you. Join WW and at 52 the heaviest weight of my life. Either I lose or lose big time. This time the motivation is pain :( In my joints... Wish me (pray for me) strength. I'll read day two tomorrow

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  28. Fun finding you on Face Book and enjoying your 'micro-blogs'. My goal is to surround myself with positive people, and you are my first :) Just read your day 1, and I look forward to having a safe place to read and reflect while I try to let my own little light shine. btw, you know me on FB as J.A.N.

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  29. .........reading the book.....and now going back and reading the blog for the times in your life that your book is telling about. :)

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  30. Hi Sean-
    I'm going to do what I did at A Deliberate Life & go back and read everything from the beginning. I found Christine on my sisters birthday almost two years ago because I was feeling so bad about what my sisters life had become (she is addicted to prescription meds.) & I just happened to look up the words 'deliberate life'. What a gift I found that day for ME! It led to me losing the extra 50 pounds I had on my body.
    I can already see by your cookie at the bank story that it is so obvious that you were meant to do this, this time. And although I already know that you have indeed succeeded, I look so forward to reading the whole story and what it has in store for me. Found you once when I saw something about your tattoo. Then totally lost you. I believe things happen for a reason, so here I am now.
    Thanks for the interesting reply to my comment on Christines blog. I will be purchasing your book as soon as it is in the budget. I have started a sort of financial diet to work on a major goal and treat it much like your most recent post!

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  31. This blog is an inspiration and proof that hard work and dedication can make it work.

    It is something I'm trying to accomplish and I know I have to put a better foot forward. I need to cut out certain foods and I need to just have the determination to do it.

    I'll be reading through this while thing over the course of the next month or so!

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  32. I'm starting way back here and reading your journey, it'll be slow but I think in the long run, worth the read...........

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  33. I'm not gonna put long drawn out crap on each day I read this, but I will leave something that tells me I've read an entry........I'm kinda in the same boat, 381 yesterday, gotta flip that skinny switch.....got a 2 year old grandson that wants me around-yaa, I have one of those too...

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  34. Its 2016 and I am going to read your entire Blog. I heard you this morning on the Half Size Me Podcast and you blew me away.....I am re-losing the 150 lbs i gained back in 2007. Here's to us......

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  35. It's 2017 and I'm going through the whole thing too.

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