October 28th, 2014 Like Our Life Depends On It

October 28th, 2014 Like Our Life Depends On It

I was in bed by 8pm last night. My eyes opened at 3:30am, ready to hop up and even though I could have easily done just that, I stayed in bed until 4:15am. The eight hours sleep made a positive difference. I woke up feeling much better, physically. Later in the day, for some reason, I wasn't feeling too good emotionally.

An important part of this journey is self-awareness. It didn't take me long to recognize how I was feeling this afternoon. I wish I could identify it a little better, but I can't. I just felt off. It could be because I haven't felt 100% lately and as a result, my exercise has taken a backseat. And perhaps it was getting to me, finally. Maybe it was a general unsettling we can feel when things don't go how we think they should or how we wanted or had hoped they would go. 

I started feeling compelled to eat this afternoon, not long after my lunch--and at first, I analyzed my food--nope, nothing there should be a trigger. Then, as I was white knuckling it throughout the last part of my workday, it dawned on me--this wasn't a physical thing, it was emotional.

I didn't handle it correctly. I should have reached out to a support buddy immediately--and I didn't until much later in the afternoon. I'm not sure why I didn't at the first notion. I recommend it to others all the time and then, when I need to do it, I don't? What's up with that? I'm no different than anyone else. I get emotional, I get discouraged, I get frustrated, I get sad, I can have temporary bouts of circumstantial depression--heck, I've experienced full blown depression in my past--more than once.

Today, even though I wasn't tired, even though I had the opportunity to get to the YMCA early and get my workout on--I chose to go home and crawl under the covers. My escape from this temporary emotional downturn was to get unconscious as quickly as possible. This was my alternative to giving in to the natural tendency to reach for food, as if food is some kind of magical corrective device. It isn't--and I know that for certain. Had I reached for food instead of my unnecessary nap--I would have felt five times worse. I woke feeling a little better about things. And that's when I called a support buddy to talk out what was left of this funk infecting my afternoon.

The talk did wonders for me. After the talk, I started preparing a good dinner and getting ready for the Tuesday night support group conference call. Our overall focus tonight was "What do we do and NOT do in order to help us maintain consistency?" It was a good group discussion!

I felt absolutely empowered after the call tonight. One member, who is on Day 7 of her abstinence from sugar, stated "last week I didn't believe I could do it, now I know I can." <<<That right there...Oh my...The greatest feeling, my friend. It was one of many highlights from the group this evening.

I enjoyed a great dinner and then laced up my shoes for a good, albeit late, workout at the YMCA. I needed this workout more for the mental/emotional benefits than the physical. It did for me exactly what I needed it to do. I felt incredible afterward.

I'm hitting the pillow late tonight--but really, as much sleep as I've had in the past 28 hours--I likely would have laid awake if I had dropped any earlier. I feel like I had to fight today. I did fight. I don't like fighting. I wish it were easy-peasy every single day, but it's not. And that's okay. The important thing to be is self-aware. When it starts feeling like a struggle is coming on, it's imperative to acknowledge it and try to identify the source and if that takes too long to do, or isn't clear--then go straight to your defense mechanisms--call somebody for support--text someone, get out a pen and paper and write it out--anything...even hiding under the covers works, but honestly--dealing with it straight ahead is always best. I'm glad I did make the call for support after my midday slumber. It made a huge difference for me and the rest of my day/evening.

We must protect our journey with everything we can. It's too important. We're important and we're worth the effort. The easy days are awesome--they're the best, of course! But if this time is to be like no other--then on days when it isn't easy, we must be willing to fight for it like our life depends on it...because it truly does.
  
My Tweets today:

Good morning! I feel good! Sugar free hazelnut coffee mate. 30 cal X 2.5 cups=75 cal. pic.twitter.com/sYM8nHefq2
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) October 28, 2014

Swiss cheese omelet w/medium gala apple. 2 whole-2 whites, 2 slices of swiss. 394 cal. pic.twitter.com/isM2ugvbe1
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) October 28, 2014

Beef tacos, chips & guac. 96% lean beef (4.4oz), avocado (72g), light sr crm (15g), blue corn chips, lettuce! 570 cal pic.twitter.com/Ka2BfL2WjH
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) October 28, 2014

Guac topped chicken breast w/sweet pot.medallions. YUM. Chick.breast (8oz), avocado (80g), swtpotato (220g). 599 cal. pic.twitter.com/97Gu8wS2WW
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) October 29, 2014

At the YMCA. About to get my elliptical on. I need a great workout tonight. I mean-I need it, physically and mentally. You know what I mean?
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) October 29, 2014

Profile pic really shows the 100 pound difference over the last 6 months. #proud #blessed That workout was very good. pic.twitter.com/9Y8FRFD84O
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) October 29, 2014

Fresh pineapple (4.8oz) 67 cal. #lastfoodofday pic.twitter.com/EONgJ84VfP
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) October 29, 2014

Thank you for reading and your amazing support,
I'm incredibly lucky and blessed,
Strength,
Sean