I'll often write a post and then, after it's settled in my brain, I think of something I really wanted to add. Often this thought comes as I'm drifting off to dreamland. If I acted on it every time, I'd never sleep. So I let it be, knowing another post will be written within 24 hours and I'll have an opportunity to express myself again.
In working toward answering the "what ifs" in yesterday's post, it's important to note that it isn't enough to untangle and understand their origin, then apply the actions needed to get the answer. It's something that takes an ongoing practice, a daily meditation of belief that remains strong, only because we keep it watered.
Also, unlike several years ago, I don't proclaim "I got" anything, other than today. And today I have the opportunity to hold the elements of my recovery sacred once again. Today I have the opportunity to apply an imperative importance level of the highest order to my abstinence from sugar and overall "food sobriety" (no refined sugar-no binges-maintain the integrity of my plan). If I take each day and make these things non-negotiable, then I have the best chance at continued successful recovery heading into maintenance mode.
If ever I decide to not do these things, I will, at first gradually--then quickly, return from where I came. That's a pretty scary thought. But for me and my normal, it isn't a maybe, it's a fact.
If this level of reverence is required for my long term success, it's up to me to design and shape my plan into something I can truly enjoy the rest of my life. This isn't a temporary means to an end. It's for life.
If I'm ever compelled to "take a break and relax my fundamental elements," then I need to take a close look at what I'm doing and figure out why I feel the need to break away from it. If I'm customizing my trek forward with elements I truly enjoy, what's not to love? And why would I want to depart from these things I enjoy, considering the peace, calm and overall stability they provide?
I'm no longer resentful about needing to have this plan in the first place. The jealousy I once harbored for those who live at their healthiest weight without any major issues with food and weight gain, binge eating, stress and emotional eating--is a thing of the past. Their normal isn't mine.
And I have two choices: Spend my life trying to be someone else's normal. Or spend my life embracing mine and enjoying the freedom this choice provides. Does my normal require extra effort on my part in order to maintain a healthy body weight and all the benefits that go along with it? Yes, it most certainly does. Am I worth it? Yes, times a thousand.
_______________________________
I had a great day today. I took extra care in preparing and enjoying my food. And it was a very active day in support, exchanging many different support interactions with others--and that's always helpful to me.
My Tuesday night weight loss support group conference call with Life Coach Gerri was wonderful, too.
I enjoyed dinner after the conference call. My plan/goal to get my workout complete before the call didn't happen thanks to a gloriously wonderful nap. I made the decision to not rush across town after dinner, to the Y for my workout. I opted instead for a good walk close to my apartment. It was beautiful out tonight and the walk was very nice.
I'll do my best to have another great day tomorrow.
My Tweets Today:
Dark roast with sugar free hazelnut creamer (1 tblspn per cup). 2 cups. Good Tuesday morning! 60 cal. pic.twitter.com/jwN4RKZQQD
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 16, 2015
Big breakfast! Avocado omelet w/3 egg whts-1 whl egg & 97g avocado w/salt & pepper. Red grapes (177g), pear. 493 cal. pic.twitter.com/XQIScd3xo7
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 16, 2015
2 cups water with lunch. #wateraccountability pic.twitter.com/3stfIcEFp7
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 16, 2015
Lunch in MyFitnessPal... pic.twitter.com/Bi9YilscBB
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 16, 2015
Bean (130g) & Cheese (1 each: provolone-swiss) tostadas w/salsa, lettuce & lght sr crm (15g). Strwbrs (140g). 393 cal pic.twitter.com/NRAUYrICcf
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 16, 2015
Dark roast w/sugar free hazelnut creamer (1 tblspn per). 2 cups. One now, one later. :) #mygroove 60 cal. pic.twitter.com/EyiMEtgvyJ
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 16, 2015
2 cups water with dinner. #watertracking pic.twitter.com/ThgA0Ez4YF
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 17, 2015
Lamb chops (7oz total) topped with SF peach spread, red potatoes w/onion & peppers, garlic grn bns, asparagus. 511cal pic.twitter.com/fGOp3MgKpi
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 17, 2015
Extra dinner details: 200g red potatoes prepared w-1/2 tablespoon butter (50 cal). 3 seconds worth pure olive oil spray (27cal) for veggies.
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 17, 2015
Lacing up my kicks for a good, brisk walk. #walkingworks
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 17, 2015
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 17, 2015
Images from tonight's walk. pic.twitter.com/dG1ZDFf1Uf
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 17, 2015
Golden delicious apple, 1/2 Anjou pear & 80g red seedless grapes. 2 cup h2o refill= #watergoal #lastfoodofday 183 cal pic.twitter.com/CWplkb8BKJ
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 17, 2015
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
That's one spicy meatballa...... :)
ReplyDelete....And nothing. LOL I immediately thought, oh my--I think I just offended him! Glad I didn't! That's a one spicy a meatballa, indeed!
DeleteSean - Awesome post as always.
ReplyDeleteNon-Negotiable is a very powerful presence I share with you regarding our past addiction food addiction. It is interesting how effective the term non-negotiable becomes when we truly understand the severity of the consequences that would follow.
Which brings me to ask you this question. Do you think it's possible too misuse or exploit the non-negotiable concept and diminish it's value? Reason I ask this question is I recently added an non-negotiable test run of 16 ounces of water before every 100 calorie food intake can be consumed after 10pm. Being a night person, I noticed in absence of all sweetness I can still have problems with night time snacking between 10 pm and 2AM causing me to have a very light breakfast, repeating itself the next day. Reason I brought up this idea was my nights at the casino, drinking water all night I am simply not hungry regardless how little or much I ate that day before heading up to the casino. It's just day 5 of the non-negotiable test drive, but it's working wonders, I'm killing it keeping my calorie intake under 2500 as a result, perhaps the last major obstacle, revelation that plagues me at times. I am ready to convert my test drive to a permanent for lifetime commitment. Is it OK to make this commitment to the same highest of all possible non-negotiable levels I hold myself to no added sweetness?
I don't use the term lightly in reference to abstinence from sugar addiction. I know you don't either.
DeleteYour water theory is solid. It makes perfect sense, actually.
Is it okay? I believe that's totally up to you. If you make that decision--and you apply that level of sacredness--then, I can't see how it could be a bad thing.
Excellent self-awareness and self-analysis, Jon!!!
Good post. I've been thinking about not eAting the junk food I use to enjoy and I kinda got it. It's always going to be around but for me it serves no purpose. Just like the cigarettes I gave up 13 years ago. It's just something I can't and won't be able to indulge in. Now I can look at this like poor me or focus on how much better I feel leading this kind of lifestyle. I hope I continue to GET it.
ReplyDeleteExcellent perspective, Robin. The rewards of the choices we're making each day, far outweigh anything else. Your last line there, "I hope I continue to get it," yes---that's the thing. It takes a daily practice--a daily reset, not dependent on all of the days before it or ahead, just today--I'm going to give it the importance level it requires and I deserve. And you deserve!
DeleteThe nighttime eating - with my stomach GROWLING for food - is my downfall also. Not really hungry for breakfast, but do eat it because I know it's an important part of my weight loss/life plan. How to break this Night snacking cycle which is sabotaging my taking off the excess weight, has me caught. Been stuck in the 260's for over a year losing the same 5-7 pounds over and over. I want to get off that merry-go-round! HELP!
ReplyDeleteN~
Nancy-- The nighttime eating thing is a tough thing to break. My suggestion is to increase your accountability-- find a place to share your plan to stop the nighttime eating...then follow up each night before you go to bed, about how you did. Also--keep some calories handy for an intentional nighttime snack. I do this with my last food of day tweet. I look forward to it. The accountability of the tweet--and the hashtag of #lastfoodofday, acts like a "closed" sign on my eating for the day. It's a mental game, really. But it's effective. if you haven't someone to reach out in support--someone to share your accountability measure--email it to me each night: transformation.road@gmail.com
DeleteThe power is in the sending, so don't fret if the reply doesn't come quickly. When I reach out for support, the benefit happens as soon as I release the thoughts from living exclusively in my brain... Once I put it out there, I feel a relief--and an accountability force that keeps me calm and focused.
Get off that merry go round, Nancy!! You can do it!
Realize that hungry feeling triggers the "I don't care - I need something to eat" syndrome. There isn't any food that is OK to eat at 10-11:00 pm and I want to BREAK that cycle I have allowed my body to get into. Going to bed earlier? Not always possible - but could make it "sacred" as you, Sean do with your program of self-care. Will consistently adding a fruit after dinner take care of the late night munchies? I notice if I have a big dinner, with noodles or potatoes, this problem doesn't happen. What is that about?
ReplyDeleteN~
I make fruit my last food of day on a regular basis, as you know. I highly recommend it! If you're diabetic, you might pay attention to which fruits you're choosing--some are not the best choices for some with sugar regulation issues.
DeleteLikely, the bigger dinner satisfies enough to keep you away from the late night munchies... I still say, work in a last food of day--an intentional late night snack...something you can feel good about--and you'll see a decrease in this issue.
Wow, I have some catching up to do Sean. Been on a wee holiday so not a lot of online time. I see your doing well in maintenance now?? I shall go back and catch up. Just wanted to say hi since it's been a while. I so agree with you in regards to making your eating something that makes you happy regardless how others can eat. The short term affects of "giving in" are so not worth it. I still struggle with it occasionally but a lot less than the past.
ReplyDeleteNot quite into maintenance just yet, but quickly approaching. Thank you Leah for your wonderful support!
DeleteIt's a gradual evolution--and it gets easier to stand firm with what's important to you. When we say yes, when we need to say no--that's the beginning of losing ourselves. I believe we must never take those chances.
"Food sobriety"... what an excellent term!!! It gives our meal habits the importance that they truly deserve! I don't use twitter, but I have decided to take pictures, as you do, of my meals for my personal computer album. It is a way of creating a "witness" to each calorie! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are a good example and a good idea man. Thanks!
Megan in Texas
Megan!!! Yes yes! Great idea! Snap those pictures--and see if it doesn't inspire you like it has me!
DeleteThank you, Megan, for your wonderful support!