Day 686, 687, and 688 Catching Up, Calories or Points? And My "Someday" is Now

Day 686, 687, and 688

Catching Up, Calories or Points? And My "Someday" is Now

Really? Wow...I didn't realize how much I depended on my daily writing schedule. I honestly didn't plan on posting every other day, or in this case--three days later, this soon. And really, I don't plan on continuing this transition just yet, not until maintenance mode. I had this conversation with Kenz tonight, and she agrees. I've had many wonderfully supportive comments in my "absence" from daily writing. Here are just a few:

Jodi said: "Sean...Please don't get upset about double-posting. You had a VERY busy couple of days. Everyone totally understands. I know how you feel though because this blog is your therapy."

Lisa Love said: "Sean, Don't let double day posts stress you out, really. It means every now and then you actually have a life:) A wonderful life outside all of the hurry scurry/hum drum/blogging/life in the fast lane/chaos?"

Weighdown said: "Breaking away from a daily post speaks volumes and carries as much message as your written words. You're living the dream that those of us who check in daily are still dreaming. We miss you when you're gone, but applaud you at the same time. You're alive, and you are living life with new freedom. We're all so proud of you!"

Maureen said: "Sean, You are always such an inspiration, please don't allow guilt or whatever negative feeling you have to get in the way of this wonderful time, we're here, the blog is here, you're doing everything this blog was intended for you ~ living your potential every day."

Chris said: "You know wha t the double posts tell me sean..huh....well...lol..Tell's me that you got a life now bud.
Congratulations.
Your living it.
Not writing it.
Keep it up.
someday you may have to go a whole week cause you are bungee jumping in Bali, or cruising the med.
Have fun, you deserve to.

Fiona said: "Hi Sean,I forced myself a few months ago to have 3 weeks totally 100% free of reading and writing blogs. They are both things I love doing, but they started to become an obligation. After the three weeks I came back to 'blog world' on a much smaller scale and refuse to feel obliged to read or write unless I actually want to.
It feels fabulous! Yes people love your blog... but they will still love it even if you don't write every day. Good luck!"

And then Lisa Love came back to add: "OK Sean, you are slippin' now...lmbo!"

Thank you Lisa, you made me smile big. I'm thankful for every wonderful comment. This week has been kind of like an accidental experiment for me. And although I don't believe I'm ready to post just two and three times a week---until I hit goal at least, I still needed to "let go" a little and see what it feels like. I've been emotionally tethered to my blog everyday for almost two years and it's done wonders for me, and the record is there---it doesn't go away. I'm proud of this diary. "Proud" doesn't even seem big enough---I'm eternally grateful for what this blog has done for me.

The other night, I enjoyed dinner out in Stillwater with Kenz, her father, and a couple of their family friends. After dinner, we all made our way to Marble Slab. Uh, wow...this place is...incredible. BUT---I feel different, very different. I'm a different person now. I can walk into a place like this, enjoy a "kiddie cup," and honestly be completely satisfied--without breaking the "Calorie Bank and Trust." It's funny--I made my way into the archives and found an excerpt that deals with my crazy love of ice cream, actually--it deals with my avoidance of what I consider to be my number one weakness food, or--my "kryptonite," if you will. From August 2nd, 2009:

The girls had some friends over last night for a sleepover. Late last night their friends decided to run to the store to buy some goodies. My defenses were immediately heightened. Upon their return I noticed something in their bags that concerned me. I knew it wasn't Amber or Courtney's decision to purchase this item, but still I was uncomfortable with it being in our house. It was kryptonite. My kryptonite. A big half gallon of ice cream. We haven't had a half gallon of ice cream in this household during this entire journey, why start now? “Because our friends wanted it and they made the purchase.” I was completely cool about it really. I call it my kryptonite, but really, I'm not sure that I can be swayed by any food at this point. I say this because, if ice cream doesn't do it, then I can't imagine anything else moving me a stray. I looked at it long enough to remember the old times and then I turned around and shut the freezer door behind me and retired to the bedroom. If I had the calories left I may have had a serving, I didn't. The empty carton was in the trash by the time I got up this morning. Amber and Courtney may have had a small serving, but the bulk of it was devoured by one of their friends who is always telling Courtney “I need to lose weight like you, but I don't know how.” I wonder if they noticed Courtney and Amber's example?

I still refuse to keep a carton of ice cream in the freezer, preferring instead to get my "fix" in small, calorie friendly doses. Not that I couldn't do that at home with a carton, but anyway--you understand, right?

Kenz recently posted about the difference between counting calories and counting WW points. It was a wonderful post. It was a question she received from a regular reader. I believe both methods are wonderful, whatever you choose. I couldn't resist commenting---because our success has so much to do with our mental approach, and much less to do with the method we choose. Kenz, my dear--Please forgive the really long comment!

"Honestly, WW points are a more well rounded approach---taking into account the fat grams and fiber, along with calories. And I know, like counting calories, you can get very good at it--really quick. I chose to count calories only, as a way to simplify this process for me. And it's a process---either way, points or calories only, that is designed and kept as a way to teach us, train us on proper portion control. Both give us a way to understand responsible portion control.

The support system with WW is an amazing element and the structure of the meetings is something that can really benefit. It's strange really--I'm normally someone that craves structure--so maybe I would have loved WW, had I started that way. Instead--I relied on the people around me, this blog everyday, and my iron clad decision to change regardless of the circumstances or emotions of the day.

So better? No---I think both methods are wonderful---it just depends on the individual.
Ultimately, if we're successful or not--it will not be because we chose calories or points, it will be because we made that unwavering decision to be consistent in our efforts. It will be because we decided to become really honest with ourselves about our relationship with food and exercise. It will be because we decided to make this time different than any other attempt---steamrolling excuses or rationalizations that try to give us an easy exit to our old behaviors."

Kenz and I had a wonderful workout at the YMCA tonight. I had an eleven hour, napless day at work--and I'll be honest---I felt like crashing, not working out. But I called Kenz during the final hour of my broadcast from the casino and she said that she was dressed and ready to workout. It was this little push that put me on the treadmill tonight and on those weight training machines. Thank you for the push Kenz! By the way---Kenz absolutely rocked the elliptical, wow---she totally owned that thing. It was amazing. We seriously needed that workout. I'll sleep so much better.

I'll wrap this post now--but I'll be back, sooner than three days from now---I promise! I leave you with some pictures from a Tuesday afternoon at my cousin Rick and Kristen's house. We all gathered for a late lunch and visit. It was a great time--great people, great food, and beautiful scenery. Yeah---I'm enjoying the scenery these days, really---I'm living, and this scenery--in this physical condition---is exactly what I've always dreamed and hoped I would someday enjoy. My "someday" is now.

Thank you for reading. Goodnight and...

Good Choices,
Sean


From behind and afar. Thank you Kelli for this perspective. I look relatively "normal," and it's pictures like these that help my brain accept that truth. With my cousin Rick on the way down to his pond.


Maybe a veggie challenge is coming soon---I'll discuss with Kenz!


Or maybe a SunChip challenge...Ok, maybe not...


A Picture of me taking a picture.


Kenz, Kelli, and Me


Kristen's Sodastream Machine is incredible!!! I love it!


With Aunt Jean and Uncle Sig