The humbling of a one hundred sixty-four pound regain changed me. It changed my perspective in a profound way. It pushed me into depths so deep, definitions embedded in my brain redefined themselves. I was learning the truest meaning of food addiction as it applied to me. And with this clarification, came a sense of real recovery, where I couldn't make sense of it before. Recovery, embraced as a requirement, if I truly wanted things to change.
And in that acceptance and embrace, encouraged by my abstinence from refined sugar, I found a peace and calm. This peace and calm serves as a level foundation. The chaos, uncertainty, inconsistency and insanity seemingly vanished. But I know it's there, in wait, should I ever decide to pull away from the embrace. It's a daily practice. A new day, each day, with the goal of one more.
Integrating this daily practice required the acceptance and embrace. Once I dropped the resistance, I was able to focus on ways to balance my life stream and my fundamental elements of recovery stream. This was the "finding what works for me," part.
These two streams run parallel to one another. The challenge for me is to keep the two streams from crossing. If I allow my life stream to become too big and chaotic, I'm running the risk of it breaking the rhythm of my fundamental elements stream. And if my fundamental elements stream becomes too big and demanding, I'm running the risk of it negatively affecting my life stream.
There's a balance within a groove where the life stream flows in whatever way it will and come what may, the fundamental elements of recovery stream flows nearly uninterrupted. It's never perfect. It's dependent on my choices and their effects, so I must remain aware of my contributions to the instability or stability of both. And it's never guaranteed. It's never a sure thing because if it was, why would we exert the effort? I once made the mistake of viewing it as a sure thing and as a result, I didn't put forth the effort and attention I needed--and we know what happened.
It can take quite a lot of direct support connections and personal-spiritual support connections in order to find the right perspective to keep things flowing smoothly. It's all a part of the practice.
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Today was a great day. I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained abstinent from refined sugar, I exceeded my water goal by two cups, I participated in my Monday night support group conference call, I engaged in one on one spot support with a few people and I had a great workout at the YMCA.
My Tweets Today:
Good morning! It's Monday. Here we go... Medium roast with two tablespoons half & half X 3 cups. 120 cal. pic.twitter.com/yEs8B6r60M— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) February 15, 2016
Breakfast in MFP... pic.twitter.com/Ko35Hn64rD— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) February 15, 2016
My fav breakfast, clearly. Avocado omelet: 2 whl eggs-2 egg whites w/114g avocado, 5.4oz apple & 5oz orange. 498 cal pic.twitter.com/kmneuXFrnO— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) February 15, 2016
Dark roast with two tablespoons half & half. 40 cal. pic.twitter.com/B87i0taPl9— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) February 15, 2016
Lunch in MFP... pic.twitter.com/NbKhohjxu7— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) February 15, 2016
5 layer tostadas W/130g ff/sf beans, jalapeƱos, 2 slices provolone, 94g avocado & 30g sr crm. 4.4oz orange. 576 cal. pic.twitter.com/Yt90D6J3oX— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) February 15, 2016
3 cups water with lunch. #wateraccountability pic.twitter.com/Nug50b9Ete— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) February 15, 2016
After lunch coffee with two tablespoons half & half. 40 cal. pic.twitter.com/yAHowyUY3a— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) February 15, 2016
Grande dark roast pour over with two tablespoons half & half. 40 cal. pic.twitter.com/ilt8g1gUm1— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) February 15, 2016
2.5 cups water #watertracking #wateraccountability & 6oz banana w/16g natural peanut butter. 201 cal. pic.twitter.com/5eSZgTLZad— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) February 15, 2016
Dinner in MFP... pic.twitter.com/0T9nKDWKuW— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) February 16, 2016
2 cups water with dinner. #wateraccountability pic.twitter.com/zeYO1w4ey8— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) February 16, 2016
5.3oz baked cod & 3.6oz baked salmon, 178g swtpotato pan prprd w/onion & 3secOOSpray. 90g roasted asparagus. 602 cal pic.twitter.com/L3eLWTAtUz— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) February 16, 2016
Workout time. Climbing aboard the magical elliptical ride. #letssweat 3 cup bottle refill exceeds #watergoal pic.twitter.com/xMIQ21i493— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) February 16, 2016
Solid 20/30 elliptical dancing. #niceburn #endorphinrelease #naturalhigh I pushed it well. ;) pic.twitter.com/Sv1053FVLh— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) February 16, 2016
Doing a little post-workout reflection. pic.twitter.com/vSHUxJ41dh— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) February 16, 2016
8.4oz pear & 3.7oz orange slices. #lastfoodofday 183 cal. pic.twitter.com/3dnZnJQgzO— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) February 16, 2016
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
It is definitely that balance that is the hardest part to get right. My work really overtakes my weight loss (and especially my exercise) so often and it really gets to me. Hopefully one day, I will find my zen.
ReplyDeleteAirlie, the important thing is to not give up. You'll find your balance. It's a very personal exploration. Keep exploring!
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