Tuesday, September 9, 2014

September 9th, 2014 Checking In With 37 Year Old Me

September 9th, 2014 Checking In With 37 Year Old Me

Sometimes it's good for me to go back into my archives and read a perspective from years ago. I was looking for something written about "Importance Level," when I came across this from August 29th, 2009:

I feel so weird right now. My body feels good, my vision is sharp, my muscles feel relaxed. So this is what it feels like to get a solid nine hours of sleep? Wow, nice. I needed it and I took it. It's Saturday morning already and below you'll find the Friday August 28th edition of this blog---I was too tired to post last night. Just couldn't function properly. I had a voice-mail greet me this morning, I still don't know exactly for sure who it is, all they said was “I'd like to report that my morning edition of the Daily Diary of a Winning Loser is missing, please have someone deliver it soon, thank you!” No problem, I'll call the circulation department right now! OK—In listening to it again for that quote, I figured out who it was. It's good to have friends, huh? I never feel right just going to bed without posting. In 348 days, it's happened less than 10 times. Just couldn't help it last night. Getting rest was the only option. I needed it and I took it. Sometimes you have to force yourself to do what's right for YOU. So, I'll rewind my brain now and do my best at recalling the events, thoughts, emotions, and choices that made up a wonderful Friday, and I'll do it from the perspective of Friday night. That can be tough, because it's sooo Saturday morning right now.

Five years later and I'm dealing with some of the same issues! It is interesting how some things get the highest level of importance with me while other equally important elements do not. And the very thing that allows me to excuse this lack of importance level is continued positive results. I do not get enough sleep and except for the last three days and an occasional fluke day, I've rarely made enough water important. From the same day as the above excerpt:

The importance level we set for things isn't something we just say. It's easy to say, “my weight loss efforts will be of utmost importance from this point forward.” It's ultimately set by our actions, not our words. If you find yourself making excuses and coming up with rationalizations that make bad choices seem alright, then maybe you need to check the importance level. Check it often, because it can deplete without you realizing. How do you check it? With complete honesty, that's your dipstick. Richard Simmons tweeted this today: “There is only one way to lose weight and keep it off. And it's by being truthful with yourself about the food...” 100% self-honesty is crucial to your success. I've written about this many times because it's something that I never did before with past failed attempts. Since day one nearly a year ago, this self-honesty policy has been firmly in place, and you know what kind of results I've had. The self-honesty component is vital to the mental changes required on this road to permanent success. Make this one of the most important things you've ever done. Give it the highest important level. Get completely honest with yourself about the habits you know are holding you back---and then get ready for an almost magically transformation of mind and body. Forget “almost,” it is magical.

Okay then, thank you 37 year old self. 

I made a point today to come home not long after my show to nap for a little while before heading back to the studio for a busy afternoon. I suppose that's making it important, to a degree.

I had a great food day too! I even made sure to enjoy dinner before my 7pm conference call support group. This is positive progress!  The only two things left to do after the call was workout and write this edition. My workout was incredible because I took it to eleven. You wouldn't think the difference between level 10 elliptical and level 11 would be too much. It was a big difference!

My Tweets today:
Thank you for reading and your amazing support,
Strength,
Sean
at

16 comments:

  1. UnknownSeptember 10, 2014 at 2:59 AM

    Regarding dark chocolate, I include 85% or greater in my daily diet every other day. For two reasons, 1:)The direct effect of consuming 85% or greater cocoa, is it hammers my resistance to sweets to whole new level. # 2 is the health benefits.

    http://authoritynutrition.com/7-health-benefits-dark-chocolate/

    A higher percentage of cacao (cocoa) means a higher amount of flavanols. Watch out for dutching "processed with alkali" on the nutrition label, then it’s going to have a whole lot less flavanols.

    85% or greater cocoa with the highest amount of flavanols provides the greatest health benefits. I have tried no added sugar and other 85% or greater dark chocolate. For me Moser Roth 85% cocoa is very high in flavanols, my go to bar, best tasting, found very reasonable priced at Aldi stores less than $2 for for package of 5 bars. . Each bar is 160 calories, 25 grams of pure nutrition other than the 3.5 grams of sugar. The five bars every other day last me 10 days works out an average of less than 2 grams of added sugar per day. IMO there is no good alternative, completely sugar free that can be enjoyed as much as these I do great limiting myself to 20 grams or less of added sugar per day and find most days under 10 grams. For me this 1.75 grams of added sugar per day is OK, knowing how the health benefits and hammers every craving associated with the times I am tricked into thinking I may be craving chocolate, to learn and understand it's the taste of cocoa. The longer I am used to no added sugar the less I consume. While my daily average is less than 10 grams per day I am almost certain it will never be less than 1.75 grams per day due to dark chocolate. I greatly appreciate and support anyone who is able to go 100% sugar free, for me 99% is a better fit.

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    1. Sean AndersonSeptember 10, 2014 at 5:46 PM

      You've been able to find a balance that works well for you. I've talked with a few in recovery who say they're able to eat things with a small amount of sugar in the ingredients list. The rule of thumb being: It must be the 5th ingredient or less. I don't trust myself enough to do it, and I'm okay with that personal truth. I'm happy and content and feel better than I have in my entire life--so naturally I'm very protective of this! I wouldn't mind trying a sugar free/stevia version.

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 10, 2014 at 5:35 AM

    Sean, thanks for starting my day off with some interesting "food" (LOL!) for thought, about the "importance level". I realized that within this journey, I do NOT give everything the same level of importance, either. For example, my exercise is non-negotiable, but some other elements are. As I said, food for thought as to what else should be adjusted, is realistic for me to adjust..

    Dede

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    1. Sean AndersonSeptember 10, 2014 at 6:16 PM

      Nice pun! It's certainly a selective importance thing for me too. Certain things, like you said--non negotiable...others...not so much. It's interesting how this works and obviously, the combinations of things are different for most everyone.
      Thank you Dede!!

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  3. UnknownSeptember 10, 2014 at 8:14 AM

    Love the pita at breakfast. I've been eating a half Joseph's pita at lunch lately, but I always stuff mine. I've never seen anyone use it like a tortilla before. I bet yours don't fall apart like mine have a tendency to do!

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    1. Sean AndersonSeptember 10, 2014 at 6:17 PM

      I've never stuffed mine!! But thank you for a great idea!!

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    2. BeckySeptember 10, 2014 at 6:25 PM

      Pitas always used to be called "pocket bread" for that reason. Great post today, Sean! I, too, need to examine what I give priority to.

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    3. Sean AndersonSeptember 10, 2014 at 7:06 PM

      Thank you Becky! You and me both!

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  4. divadSeptember 10, 2014 at 9:42 AM

    Hey Sean, I make my own sugar free chocolate. It is a Trim Healthy Mama recipe that I've tweaked. I will post it because it's all over the Internet already. But, remember it's from Trim Healthy Mama and not my own.

    1/2 cup coconut oil - melt in microwave
    1/4 cup cocoa powder (good quality!)
    1 tbsp defatted peanut flour
    3 tsp truvia - ground in coffee grinder to a powder
    splash of vanilla
    little shake of celtic sea salt

    After you melt the oil, add other ingredients and stir well so there are no lumps. I make mine in a big glass measuring cup and then proceed to pour it into mini muffin tins. Put in the freezer. Ready in 5 minutes. Store in the freezer, in a freezer bag. Better consumed from frozen.

    If you don't have mini muffin tins, you can foil a flat plate and pour it on. Freeze and then break into pieces.

    On Trim Healthy Mama - 1/3 of a recipe is one serving. But, I do not know calorie count.

    Let me know if you try it!

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    1. Sean AndersonSeptember 10, 2014 at 6:19 PM

      I must try this soon!! Thabkbyou for taking the time to post the recipe!

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    2. BeckySeptember 10, 2014 at 6:27 PM

      Is defatted peanut flour the same as PB2? Thanks for the recipe!

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    3. Sean AndersonSeptember 10, 2014 at 7:05 PM

      Becky- PB2 is a powdered peanut butter that is much lower in calories. I've never actually tried it, but some swear by it!

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  5. GwenSeptember 10, 2014 at 10:06 AM

    Even the darkest chocolate is a big trigger food for me. I've had to accept that I am addicted to all chocolate, and potato chips. It's them, or my health. I choose health.

    I think those susceptible to excess weight...have addiction issues we have to stay on top of, all our lives, to maintain sanity and optimal health. I know you can do this!

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    1. Sean AndersonSeptember 10, 2014 at 7:01 PM

      Agreed, 100%. I think finding the balance that works is key. I have friends who not only abstain from sugar, like me, they also abstain from wheat and flour. For me, wheat and flour doesn't seem to trigger me. Sugar--of course, does affect me in monumentally crazy ways.
      Someone suggested I try a few things, like ketchup and BBQ sauce, both with sugar--and see how those amounts affect me-- but I must say, I don't want to risk it. Even in a controlled, heavily supported environment. For me, this is what is working well. And I don't want to fix what isn't broken! ;)

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  6. NikkiSeptember 10, 2014 at 11:17 AM

    Good for you for passing the chocolate along! I'd have a difficult time doing that if it ended up in my hands. Like Gwen, I find chocolate, chips, and also nuts, triggering. (Lots of other stuff like ice cream on the list too!)

    Even "healthier" versions or substitutes I find hard to deal with, like sweet potato chips or "power or energy balls" made from dates, ground nuts, cocoa powder and sweetener. My taste buds and brain can't tell the difference and it always wants more treats.

    Great perspective from the past! Glad you keep re-examining where you were, where you are at and where you want to be :)

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    1. Sean AndersonSeptember 10, 2014 at 7:13 PM

      Thank you Nikki! I'm with you on this. I once tried to keep low cal/low fat ice cream treats, you know-- Skinny Cow and Weight Watchers brand stuff-- and I discovered that i would keep going back until the box was gone.
      This is different from my initial weight loss trek, when I routinely enjoyed 70 calorie ice cream filled orange Popsicles... Perhaps the difference was, I wasn't alone, maybe? I don't know. Isn't it amazing how much we learn about ourselves along this road?

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