Saturday, January 2, 2010

Day 474 Resolving To Improve Regardless of The Date

Day 474

Resolving To Improve Regardless of The Date

I don't do New Years resolutions. Not anymore. I'll never forget the time I publicly resolved to lose weight and quit smoking right there on the pages of the second largest newspaper in the state. I failed horribly at both and was seriously embarrassed by it all. You can read the follow up article in the archives of the Tulsa World newspaper. For some reason, the original article isn't showing up in the archives at Tulsa World dot com. Here is the new link: http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectid=43&articleid=011231_Li_d1their&archive=yes
You might notice the article from eight years ago mentions “divorce pending,” uh yeah---same issues, but we worked it out back then. Anyway... Oh, by the way---it also called me a "father of three." Uh...no. Just two!

I guess I've made some, but I don't call them New Years resolutions anymore. I'd be making these changes and trying to improve regardless of the date. So what do I want to accomplish in 2010? I'll hit my weight loss goal soon. It may not be where I'll ultimately end up, but I'll hit 230---I'm headed there. I'll increase my water consumption. This is another issue I rarely mention. I don't drink enough, I don't! I haven't throughout this entire journey. It really makes me wonder how much more I could have lost by properly hydrating my body. Water is crucial. And I do drink it, just not enough. If 64 ounces is the bare minimum we should drink, I've fallen below that number more times than not. I'm certainly not proud of that. It goes back to the whole—“It hasn't been perfect,” but it has been incredible despite the flaws.

Big things? Well...I could go on and on about some big plans and dreams I'd like to accomplish in 2010, but I'd rather not discuss them at length. I'd rather just do whatever I need to do to make my dreams a reality and I'll share them along the way in these writings. It's going to be an amazing year, it really will be a wonderful 2010.

I started my day today by grilling some chicken and cooking some egg whites. I know, strange combination, but it was really good! The first workout of 2010 was good. I did 20 minutes on the elliptical and walk/jogged a 5K on the treadmill. It was a wonderful way to start 2010. It's really hard to believe I can do what I'm doing when I workout. It's amazing how much easier it gets over time. My mom is another good example. I talked to her today and she told me of her New Years Day one mile walk. One mile is so wonderful for her. She could barely make it across the street when she started. So yes, it gets easier and better. And then with consistent effort, you end up amazing yourself at what you can do. It goes well beyond what you even thought could be possible. I'm not even close to my workout potential, so I plan on amazing myself even more this year.

I watched some football today and played poker with friends until nearly 11pm. Amber is back at KL's parents house getting ready for the upcoming semester at SWOSU and Courtney spent the day with her friends and the night with her mother.

Smoking update? I have about 10 cigarettes left. I will not buy another pack, ever. This is it. The decision is “iron clad.” It's over. A reader friend suggested a “smoking picture,” something to look back on down this road. Great idea and I'll do it. But I don't like it! I always get rid of the smoke before the camera snaps. You would think that something that disgust me so much would have been easy to walk away from before now, but oh my friend. It's that importance level thing. How important is this decision now? The highest possible. I'm falling back and relying on the mental exercises that have helped me lose this weight---because it does apply. I'm so proud of myself for finally being honest enough to admit that. My goal is to handle the nicotine “fits” with grace and class. I wish I could lock myself up for three days like a couple of people suggested. Well, they didn't say “lock yourself up,” they just said to put yourself in a smoke free situation for three days. Apparently that's how long the body will pester me for the drug. After that the body says, “OK, you win! I don't need them anymore...you happy?” Yes, I'll be thrilled to be free. Thank you for reading. Goodnight and...

Good Choices,
Sean

18 comments:

  1. I have a little counter on the bottom of my computer screen; it currently reads 5y 1m 2d 16:51 (5 yrs, 1 month, 2 days, 16 hrs & 51 min). I quit on Nov. 30 '04, made sure my last cigarette was before I went to bed (so I'd wake up with an 8-hour or so headstart). It *can* be done; I must have tried a dozen times before I "stayed" quit, and I smoked from age 18 to about age 42. I still occasionally walk by someone smoking and the urge appears, then disappears quickly. I take a deep breath (much deeper than I used to be able to take), and look at my counter. Email if you need support. I'm sure you'll do great.

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  2. Full props to ya on the decision to quit smoking. Can't be easy, but you've shown in your determination on your fitness and eating that you do have the resolve to do great things.

    Onwards and upwards my friend!

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  3. Good luck with quitting smoking! Thinking my best for you, it is not easy, but you've shown how strong you really are.

    long time reader, 2nd time commenter.....

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  4. Yahoo on making the decision to quit smoking!!!

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  5. Hubby was a bear when he quit. I wish he'd left me alone for 3 days. He was also very very sleepy. After those first few days he wanted to give in, but I said, NO WAY! Then we'd just have to both go through these first days again!

    Good luck. . .

    It may be more addictive than food but the process seems more linear . . .

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  6. Read the forums and information on www.whyquit.com

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  7. good.
    I wish my mom would quit, but that is her decision.
    It isn't easy, but every day that goes by will get easier.
    Good job Sean.

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  8. I quit smoking in March 2003-- and promptly got fat, but that's another story. I used the patch and it made it much easier than all the other times I quit. I had some technicolour dreams but I knew they were because of the patch. After three months I was off the patch. Six years later I'm still good-- despite living with a smoker. Just don't fall in to the trap I did of satisfying my oral fixation with food-- stick to straw cut in half.

    Good luck
    Barb

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  9. I have no doubts whatsoever that you'll quit and stay quit this time, now that you're applying the mental techniques that you've used with your weight loss. Both of my parents used to smoke and they both quit in their 30's, and they both did it cold turkey. :)

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  10. When I quit cold turkey 18 years ago my coworkers said I "stomped" through the office for about a month. Hahahahaha! I guess walking aggressively was the only way to release my desire for a smoke. You'll do it, I know you will. If you're really going to do the smoking picture, then I might have to do a before picture...

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  11. Good job, Sean. Your lungs will thank you.

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  12. Wait a minute....

    If I read that right, it said within 10 years you wanted to lose enough weight to be healthy.

    2001 right, less than 10 years.

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  13. I quit cold turkey 14 years ago when my son asked me to!! I know you can do it too Sean :)

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  14. Excellent decision Sean! You WILL do this! When you weighed 505 pounds last year, did you think you would have lost this weight??? WELL, you are kicking the crap out of this weight and will do the same to those cigarettes!! All the best to you!

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  15. Wow, Sean. I wish you well. It ain't easy, said the chick who is a closet (well, garage) smoker. I've been mulling it over in my mind, too, but I'm not there with the resolve yet. You'll do it!

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  16. Sean, you have been such an inspiration to me! You have come so far with your weight loss and you have taught us all a lot along the way. I just wanted to drop you a not to say Thank you!

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  17. Hey Sean, I've been reading your blog for a month and working through the archives. I don't smoke, but am a compulsive overeater and WAS a compulsive spender / money abuser. Not sure what to call it. But basically lost total control and rung up about a 40k debt. I kicked that habit, hit bottom finally. I would say I'm in year 13 of maintenance on the finance thing. Food is still the core issue for me. I'm working on that day to day . If we just didn't have to eat , right? I just wanted to add words of encouragement. Your blog is always so positive and hopeful. I'm trying to get my husband to read it. Here's to a New Year. I think of it as hitting the reset button.

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  18. Just think of how many years you will add to your life. I quit in 1998. I did take two puffs on one last year, under great stress, but I hated it. Wouldn't it be great to have a risk assessment of your life before your weight loss and the one now that you have lost weight and are quitting smoking? I bet you have added 30 years to your life. Blessings--Bonnie

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I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. Thank you for your support!