Wednesday, January 2, 2013

We Don't Need Any Stinkin' Blogging Rules

We Don't Need Any Stinkin' Blogging Rules

A return to daily posting is something I've resisted for some time.  And if you've followed this blog, you know I've done a stellar job resisting.  Why?  Oh, now--I could come up with a dozen excellent sounding excuses, all of which you could easily argue against, and you would most likely be right.

My biggest excuse (the one I used frequently) was the time commitment.  I once treated this blog like there was a rigid list of rules stating:

All Posts Must Be At Least 6,000 Words
Every Post Must Include Multi-Media Content
Each Post Requires a Minimum Time Commitment of 1.5 Hours

I enjoy the occasional "mega-post," I do indeed, (and I'll occasionally have the time and material to crank out one of these super-post) but since this isn't currently my full time job, I can't abide by these self-imposed imaginary rules any longer. Tony Posnanski is a brilliant example of quality over quantity.  I'm pretty sure he's written entire blog entries on his phone--in between sets in the weight room at his local gym. 

My most honest excuse (one I've rarely said--and usually to my therapist only--Yet, it's the most obvious) is this: When I'm not doing my best, when I'm struggling--I'm not as motivated to write.  It's as simple as that.  It doesn't mean I've struggled the entire time spent away from daily posting, after all--I stopped posting daily in August 2010, hit goal in November 2010 and maintained for nearly a year and a half before I started struggling again.  I credit my regular facebook "micro-blogs," for sure.  But the point is this: I give myself the greatest chance of success when I'm posting daily right here on The DAILY Diary of a Winning Loser.  The ups and downs, the struggles--the victories...That's what this blog is all about... a complete picture, an unvarnished example...The good, the bad and the awesome.

I woke up this morning feeling sick.  I didn't sleep well because of a tooth ache.  This issue had progressively worsened (as these things tend to do) and this morning it decided to grab and hold my attention.  I took some ibuprofin and decided to somehow make it through my radio show.  As I settled into the studio, so did the pain, for a little while at least.  As soon as I was off the air I started making calls for available appointments.  The second call I made had an opening at 1:30pm.  It wasn't my regular dentist, but it didn't matter. I needed out of pain as quickly as possible. And after a couple hours in the dentist office, I was out of pain--oh yes I was...and the right side of my face was completely numb.  I was drooling and I didn't even know it--that's how much I wasn't feeling any pain.  Obliviously drooling...it was great.

I was told not to chew on my right side and to only eat soft things, "like ice cream."  Yeah--they don't know me very well, do they? ;)

By the time I reached my apartment after 4pm, my calorie budget was sitting at a very low 350 calories--all from lunch and my morning coffee.  I had tortilla soup with four crackers and some cheese.  I rarely skip breakfast, but I did this morning because of the throbbing tooth pain.  I opened another can of soup this evening--added a few crackers and cheese on the side and cut up an apple--and still, I'm under 1,000 for the day.  Again, not typical--but circumstances took away my desire to eat.

I decided to rest after the dentist and at least have a walk before nights end.  I planned on a 5K...ended up only doing two laps for 1.75 miles.  Everything considered, I'm happy with today.  I'm also hungry.

But it's way too late to eat anything.  I'll have a good breakfast in the morning.

I'll leave you with this thought from my facebook micro-blog today:

"I've said it many times: “I know myself.” What we know is based on what we've experienced, the choices we've made—the patterns of the past. That is what we know. Do we know of what we are truly capable? Believing in ourselves requires faith in what we haven't known, an unwavering faith in our ability to choose change. It truly does not matter what we've done, where we are starting or what we know. Believe, and this time will be like nothing you've ever known." 

Thank you for reading, goodnight and...

Good Choices,
Sean 

10 comments:

  1. Okay. Send me the petition banning blogging rules and I'll sign it. :) Well, within reason. I mean civility is a good rule. Yes. Let's keep that rule. :D

    As far as faith in myself goes... If this weight loss, weight regain extravaganza I've been on has shown me anything, it is that faith in my own ability was misplaced. Despite the fact that I am a very determined person, I fell way short. Clearly, my own strength wasn't up for the fight.

    Fortunately, I know One who is willing to lighten the burden and provide all of the strength I need, if I let Him. This time, I think I'll let Him.

    I have a feeling that you'll let Him, too.

    Deb

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  2. I'm inspired, Sean. Guess I'll have to blog again today too! No rules, I love it. I love that you're sharing honestly about your days again. When I see how you made it through a tooth ache and the following numb face, I'm encouraged to stick to my calorie bank today too!

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  3. I am so happy you are posting again. I don't do Facebook anymore and this is my chance to connect with you.

    Hope your toothache is gone for good. I woke up in the wee hours of the morning with a couple of twinges in a back molar that sent me looking for Tylenol. I am not looking forward to the dentist.

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  4. I'm with you! No blog rules. I've long said that my blog is MY blog and I'll do and say whatever I feel needs to be said. If it's as simple as one word or as complicated as a gazillion words...it makes no difference becuase I'm doing it FOR ME! SO DOWN WITH THE RULES!

    I also agree with you 100%. I have the most success when I'm blogging. I think it's because it's a focus thing for me! So while I've been sporadic of late, I also am back in full force!

    Yay to finally being pain free from the tooth....although the drooling thing always makes me laugh, even when I'm the one drooling!

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  5. I am inspired too Sean!! What a year 2012 was and it ended on a life changing decision for me. I decided to retire from Laboratory Medicine. I have worked as a Med Tech for 42 years and came to a point where I realized it was time to pass the baton on. A grueling decision I might add, that took me nearly a year to make. I was amazed at how emotionally involved I had been with my "career work" for I also am a wife, a mother and a grand mother. My life is very fulfilled, yet I struggled with that decision. I finally made it and started the new year out retired from that season of my life. A little intimidating, yet so invigorating if you know what I mean. I had been desiring to be free of so much stress in my life so I thought it would be a simple, easy step. It surprised me that it wasn't a simple decision. However, now that I have made it, things are falling into place and my life is beginning a new season without the daily grind of pushing myself at a very intense pace in laboratory medicine. I am so excited about what the future holds for me and it is exhilerating for me to finally "catch up" on rest. This first month I am going to rest...recover. While resting, I am putting together a plan to take better care of myself. I finally have more time to do that!!! I met you last December and with new determiniation in my heart, I thought I would get to my goal in weight loss. I joined Weight Watchers, I exercised, I did everything I was suppose to do and even though I lost about 7 pounds, that was it. Those 7 are back and I am where I started. So, I completely understand the frustration and struggle you have been experiencing. I didn't weigh 500 pounds, but I might as well have because I have the same mental struggles with 30 pounds! It is so encouraging and enlightening to know that you care for others on the same journey and that you are there to share in order to help yourself and us out here. Thank you so much. I am beginning anew or continuing on...in this new year with intentions to monitor more closely what goes into my mouth and to take better care of this body that God has given me. Thank you, thank you for allowing us to share in your insights. I follow you on FB and now I will also read your blog. God bless you and strengthen you.

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  6. After finding this blog sometime in 2011 I ended up actually forcing myself to make changes to my life in order to start losing weight.
    I don't have a strict calorie goal like you do though I use a modified weight watchers system that works for me.
    I lost 50 pounds in 2012 and am hoping for another 30 or so in 2013 which will get me down to 220 which is my personal ideal weight.

    Thanks for being inspiring.

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  7. Read Julia Cameron, Writing to the Right Size. From one friend to another. You have reached out to me and lifted me the last couple of days, I thank you. More than you know. My girlfriend, (www.becomingamazon.wordpress.com) gave a writing class for memoirs as part of her teaching curiculum. This was an author she recommended upon reading. I began reading one of her many books and felt a connection.

    Becoming Lean and Gaining Self Esteem in 2013!

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  8. I always said I have to post everyday or people will think I've gone off plan. Well lately when I'm working I skip a couple of days here and there and it feels right. I don't think we should have any hard rules to blogging. We need to do whatever works for us.
    Good to see you back and I hope the mouth is feeling better soon.

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  9. So glad to see you're back, Sean!
    Sorry about the toothache. Hope it's all better now after the visit to the dentist.

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