January 2nd, 2015 The 2014 Year In Review

January 2nd, 2015 The 2014 Year In Review

When I was initially losing weight, all the way down to 230, I had some wonderful milestones along the way. During the regain, many of those were taken back--lost to the weight piling back on. I started 2014 unable to breathe well at night. My sleep apnea was raging and with my weight gain, I didn't have a machine setting I needed. I didn't have any clothes that fit, so I basically wore the same thing day in and day out. My blood pressure was once again out of control, too. It was getting worse everyday and I was too exhausted to do anything about it.

My turnaround in 2014 started in January, some four months before I actually started seriously making forward progress. I decided the first thing I needed was another sleep lab. I needed it so I could get a CPAP machine with the proper setting for my now larger body. My hesitation to get another sleep lab before this was because I knew, as I lost weight--the machine wouldn't work the same on my changing body. It didn't matter. I had to have one as soon as possible.

Getting back into the proper mindset to make a turnaround wasn't easy for me, at all. It took a lot of prayers, a lot of therapy sessions and a good amount of counsel from Gerri Helms. The biggest question was, what worked before? The list was all things I stopped doing. Then, what elements of my previous success can I bring back? And most importantly--what elements can I add to strengthen my turnaround, giving me the best chance of success?

I committed to return to daily blogging. I set a calorie bank, this time a little higher than before. I committed to reach out for support when needed and offer more support. I committed to exercise regularly once again.

I added some key elements that have made a tremendous difference. I finally reached a point of acceptance with my addiction to sugar and how it was clearly affecting me. A large amount of the regain weight came during what's best described as very driven--completely compelled binge episodes. I honestly felt like I was out of control--like my choices were no longer my own--the addiction was in the drivers seat, and it just kept getting worse.

So I stopped eating sugar. Done. That was a big additional element to my plan. Another major element added was the commitment to Tweet photos of everything I eat with descriptions and calorie counts. I also committed to logging everything in MyFitnessPal. These three additional elements have made a monumental positive impact on me.

I feel like a man on a mission. I'm aiming for a healthy weight, better physical fitness and strength and I'm committed to maintaining the integrity of my plan and holding my continued recovery sacred, always, once I transition into maintenance mode. In other words, my 'weight loss mode' will look very similar to my upcoming 'maintenance mode.' I'm not there yet, but it's coming quick!

One of the biggest days for me in 2014 was May 15th. I call it "epiphany day." If you haven't had a chance to read May 15th's entry, I encourage you to please read it--and while you're there, please read May 19th, too. May 15th is the single most important day for me since I started this blog on September 15th, 2008 at 505 pounds.

I'm extremely grateful for so many blessings in the last year. Even the tough times--and heartache, all provided valuable things I needed to learn along this journey. And now, here we are. 2015!

What's next? More of the same! Plus I have some very concrete goals professionally, including finally finishing a 2nd book and a separate audio project of weight loss meditations. 2015 is poised to be the best year, ever. And I appreciate you coming along each day for the ride!


Valentines Day Sleep Lab Selfie


With my grandson, the cutest little guy in the world! This was at my heaviest regain point. 394 pounds.


With Kevin Ogle of News Channel 4-OKC at the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Awards in April. I accepted the award for best radio weather coverage for a specific storm, or "spot weather," as they call it. This photo was right before starting the turnaround. Heaviest regain point. Around 394 pounds.


Before the turnaround. I wore that same pullover nearly everyday. I washed it every two days. This and a pair of stretchy sweat pants was almost all I had left that fit me back at nearly 400 pounds.


Some point along the way. After-workout selfie.


I like this photo because it's a determined look--straight ahead, focused--and that's exactly where it must be--straight ahead, not looking back in regret, shame or any other negative emotion. The blue shirt tells me this was somewhere around the 50-60 pounds down, point.


The makeup job was top notch! I became a zombie for the night on November 1st!


This isn't all of the weigh day photos--but a pretty good representation of this every three week event.

I rested well today. I took a sick day from work in order to fully recover from this sick bug I've had this week. I did struggle some with getting my water in today. But I'm okay with today. I rested most of it, in fact my first food of day wasn't until late afternoon!

As I write this, I'm feeling like myself again...this is really good! I plan on getting back into my regular exercise routine tomorrow with a great visit to the YMCA. I'm ready for a phenomenal 2015. Let's do this!

My Tweets Today:

My coffee in yesterday's cup. Sugar free hazelnut creamer. 30CX2= 60 cal. pic.twitter.com/qPlnM3BFAp
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 2, 2015

2 cups. #watertracking pic.twitter.com/VM0ZkLTFax
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 2, 2015

#firstfoodofday Three whole eggs prepared over medium. 210 cal. pic.twitter.com/ETiJNa9fwr
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 2, 2015

Homemade guacamole (199g avocado + 30g light sour cream + salt&pepper) with tortilla chips. 532 cal. pic.twitter.com/pcE88vaynY
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 2, 2015

2 more cups water. #wateraccountability pic.twitter.com/OiekX4c7xM
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 3, 2015

Gumbo soup with shrimp, skinless sausage, okra, tomatoes and rice. Anjou pear. 421 cal. pic.twitter.com/8than1Q4Yp
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 3, 2015

So warm and feels good going down! Another bowl, less sausage, less shrimp. 264 cal. pic.twitter.com/LhjWJjo7QS
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 3, 2015

Large Jonagold apple and a small orange. #lastfoodofday 186 cal. pic.twitter.com/xHlNHqjhzZ
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 3, 2015

2 more cups. #wateraccountability pic.twitter.com/1C0thnOMs7
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 3, 2015

Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean