Life Coach Gerri Helms has been a positive influence on me for five years. Her weekly coaching sessions took me through the process of writing Transformation Road-My Trip To Over 500 Pounds and Back. I remember her asking, how long do you think you need to write this book? My answer was 90 days. It took a year. And she held on. Without her encouragement, I can't say for certain if I would have ever finished that project.
After the book, we continued a mutual support relationship. And when I stopped writing, stopped doing everything that worked well for me--and started slipping fast, I didn't want to hear from her.
She was a voice of truth. And in the middle of relapse/regain, I didn't want to hear the truth. She wouldn't give up on me, ever. She knew, instinctively and by experience, the struggle I was experiencing and still, despite my resistance to all things good during that time, she wouldn't let go.
I owe her persistence and genuine caring a large debt of gratitude because without her influence and teachings, I'm not so sure I'd be where I am today.
Thanks to modern technology, we've developed our relationship quite well over the last five years and work together co-facilitating our two teleconference support groups--but still, we had never met face to face. Until today.
Gerri and her husband Dave made the trip to my hometown today. They're in the Oklahoma City area for a few days, so being an hour away--there was no way we were missing this opportunity. We embraced in a great big hug outside the restaurant where we agreed to meet for lunch and then proceeded to visit all afternoon. I even had the chance to show them around my hometown--taking them to where I grew up, showing them the places that mean so much to me. It was all capped with coffee and more conversation at Starbucks. It was a fantastic afternoon.
After we parted, I hit the trail at Boomer Lake for a good 5K walk/jog--and mostly brisk walk. It was 95% brisk walk because I forgot to bring my change of clothes--and these jeans are loose on me--even just walking, I had to pull them up regularly. I almost let this keep me from the exercise. I'm glad I didn't. I needed a good one today.
I spent the evening with Mom. I planned to cook for her, but we ended up opting for dinner out. I normally don't dine out two meals in the same day, but I made a good exception tonight.
Mom is doing so well. She's walking at least five days a week and maintaining a good calorie budget--and she's losing weight. I'm excited for her and very proud of her! You can see her progress in the mother/son selfie.
I'll be seeing Gerri and Dave again tomorrow as they travel to my neck of the woods. I plan on giving them a tour of the studios where I work. We're catching up!
My Tweets Today:
Dark roast with two tablespoons half & half. X 2 cups. 80 cal. pic.twitter.com/ITdS0bhOL1
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 29, 2015
Light breakfast. Two scrambled eggs prepared with one tablespoon butter, 125g strawberries & 5.7oz peach. 345 cal. pic.twitter.com/NARMkIkVgu
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 29, 2015
2 cups water. #wateraccountability pic.twitter.com/XurlVxYUG8
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 29, 2015
9 tortilla chips with fresca salsa. 136 cal pic.twitter.com/zHI6zSwjaX
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 29, 2015
2 cups water with lunch. #wateraccountability pic.twitter.com/rS78wmSWxz
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 29, 2015
Fajita chicken (8oz) tacos with full fat sour cream (2tblspns) and lettuce. So good!!! 535 cal. pic.twitter.com/nswSMq1uPE
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 29, 2015
Afternoon dark roast with 2 tablspns half & half. 40 cal. pic.twitter.com/IAkn5f8p3b
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 29, 2015
Afternoon coffee with Life Coach Gerri Helms!!! pic.twitter.com/hlGgLBxm5x
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 29, 2015
With Life Coach Gerri! pic.twitter.com/JNBkHEdYdr
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 29, 2015
3 cups water. #wateraccountability 1oz sharp cheddar & approx. 6oz banana. 216 cal. pic.twitter.com/rHgUwQ464Z
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 29, 2015
5k at the lake starts now! #letsmovethisbody pic.twitter.com/6xTL88fJZA
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 29, 2015
Images from this evening's 5K around Boomer Lake. #feelsgood Mostly brisk walk. Was fantastic. pic.twitter.com/FUJq7Mk5xq
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 30, 2015
1.5 cups water. #wateraccountability pic.twitter.com/GMEZ0IcjtT
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 30, 2015
Appetizer. Fried mushrooms! Approx. Average of 30 calories per mushroom X 8. Worth it. 240 cal. pic.twitter.com/3sbhyltHMF
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 30, 2015
I rarely dine out twice in the same day. I'll make an exception for momma. :) pic.twitter.com/Z2yd7jnefn
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 30, 2015
Refill. 1.5 cups, no ice for easy drinking. #wateraccountability #watertracking pic.twitter.com/XDk9mGZnIl
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 30, 2015
Gluten free thin crust veggie pizza. Split the small. 470 cal. pic.twitter.com/Wd6zue0kdZ
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 30, 2015
I've researched this place thoroughly. You might be surprised the lengths I'll go to insure items are within my food plan. #importanttome
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 30, 2015
Coffee for the drive home. Long day--great day!! Regular coffee w/half and half (2 tblspns). 40 cal. pic.twitter.com/GOd47D8uej
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 30, 2015
6.8oz pear & 5.7oz peach. #lastfoodofday 171 cal. pic.twitter.com/nd01I5z8Xe
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 30, 2015
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
It is race day. 5K, no walking, at 9:00am In Golden Gate Park, SF. The whole thing is on grass/trails.
ReplyDelete--Chris
Chris--how did it go???? I wanna know!! Congrats! I have a feeling you killed it! Details, my friend, please!!
DeleteI am moving across country for work so I made it my "Peculiar Going Away Party" 9:00 am Sunday morning in Golden Gate Park????? To run a 5K????? (Well, brunch afterward was a big part of it too) five dear friends showed up, everyone finished, even the two confirned "I hate running types" I never walked. I ran the whole way. I only wish I could attach the pix my fast friend took of three of us crossing together. 36:10
DeleteYou can do it Sean,
--Chris
So, So awesome you could meet Gerri in person. What a gift. Life/Weight coaches are worth gold when you connect.
ReplyDeleteVery powerful and a reminder that we can only be successful when we draw from both inside ourselves and connect to others outwardly.
Good stuff! Karen P
Karen--well said---very well said! Thank you
DeleteLoved following your adventure of meeting Gerri for the first time and so glad you shared that with us! Great photos, too, you both look so happy :) Isn't it amazing to meet people in 'real' life who you've only communicated with online? It's how I met my husband and also quite a few friends I've only known through blogging. This is one part of the internet that I will always treasure, the way it brings people together :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful experience, Kerstin, for sure! It's amazing how much our world opened when the internet came along. And of course, we've all heard the horror stories---and yes, those are out there--- but on the flip side are stories like yours and stories like mine with Gerri...beautiful stories!
DeleteGerri has been a major blessing to me in many different ways! Boomer Lake is a very peaceful place. I'm so proud of Mom. She's doing remarkable things!!! Thank you, Heather!!
ReplyDelete