Friday, April 29, 2016

April 29th, 2016 An Equal and Opposite Reaction

April 29th, 2016 An Equal and Opposite Reaction

Whenever I allow my schedule to get loaded and crazy, it requires me to get extra aware of how I'm feeling and what I'm doing. I've shared many times about my parallel streams philosophy and how I mustn't allow the life stream and the fundamental elements stream to cross. It's a seemingly complex, yet simple philosophy drawn from my experiences over years and years of weight loss attempts, many of which served as a source of education, rather than a source of consistent and sustainable results. 

Maintaining the integrity of my fundamental elements stream (calorie budget-abstinence from refined sugar-the accountability and support connections, etc.) while the life stream is a little (or a bunch) bigger than usual, means adjusting the embrace of both, in equal measure. For every action there's an equal and opposite reaction. Making sure those reactions are in harmony with my personal plan, is key.

If I didn't hold on to the fundamental elements stream a little tighter during a bigger life stream schedule, then I'd quickly fall into chaos. I've been there many times. I'd prefer to not go there again, if I can help it.

For me, it starts with setting some non-negotiable elements. Even at extreme life-stream levels--we're talking super long days, heavily involved projects and all that might include--I have my minimum non-negotiable elements of the fundamental elements stream. I will maintain the integrity of my maintenance plan calorie budget. I will remain abstinent from refined sugar. And I will consume a minimum 64oz water. I will log everything in MyFitnessPal and I will compose and send the accountability Tweets. That's the bare minimum, for me, come what may.

And once I've accepted and embraced those non-negotiable elements--then it changes my perspective completely. Instead of finding reasons why it can't work under extreme schedules and circumstances, I'm exploring solutions for how it can work, and work well.

It's rarely perfect and it doesn't need to be perfect. This has never been about perfection, clearly. It's about remaining consistent in my continued recovery. In my experience, striving for perfection is the quickest detour to self-loathing based disappointment. Accepting a certain amount of imperfection doesn't mean I sacrifice the integrity of my non-negotiable elements. It means I might go a little longer between meals than is optimal. It means my choices, although still "on-plan," may not be the best or what I would have preferred. It means I might spend way too many calories on half & half in my coffee. Examples of these imperfections have littered the last few days.

A perfect example happened tonight, when the plan called for me to prepare a late meal at home. I picked up some fresh salmon earlier today for tonight's meal--the plan was baked salmon, oven baked sour cream topped red potato slices and asparagus. Instead, I called an audible when the show went long and the time became a little too late. I relented on the original plan and called ahead for a special order from Ground Round Grill and Bar. Baked cod prepared without the drenching of butter or bread crumbs--seasoned simply with salt & pepper, asparagus grilled well with a minimal amount of extra-virgin olive oil and 1/2 an order of fried sweet potato fries (which I still count as 1.5 servings as a way to compensate for the frying).

Maintaining these non-negotiable elements coupled with staying connected with one on one and group accountability and support contacts makes for another successful day. And today, despite a schedule rivaling yesterday's extremes, was definitely another successful day.

My original plan for today included working harder to leave the studio a little earlier. When severe weather fired up early afternoon, it immediately extended my broadcast day. Suddenly, the adjustments to the schedule became imperative. I made the adjustments and it turned out just fine.

I've had three stand-up performances in the last two days. One was disguised as a speaking engagement--but make no mistake, it was stand-up comedy. Tonight's show was a big one. I opened for one of the best cover bands in the United States. Dead Metal Society plays 80's rock and roll--and they do it with the most authentic everything--the clothes, the hair, the lights, the fog--the experience, with spot on musicianship and vocal impersonations--it's simply unbelievable.

I had a great set despite a couple of hecklers I was told about afterward. I was focused on my set and landing my punchlines well. I accomplished just that without really noticing the two idiots in the crowd of approximately five hundred. Could I have acknowledged and handled the hecklers? Absolutely. But not in a twelve minute opening set. It wasn't my show. It was DMS's show, and their audience. My mission was to provide a little warm up entertainment, get some laughs--set a tone for a good time and introduce the band. Mission accomplished!

I'm hitting the pillow late--with a wonderful plan of sleeping in, without an alarm. That will be an awesome thing!

Today's Live-Tweet Stream:




































Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 1, 2016 at 8:28 AM

    Good for you by not feeling the need to respond to the two jerks. Not every action needs a reaction. To me it's like ,sorry you're just not that important....Robin

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  2. KatMay 1, 2016 at 6:17 PM

    I just discovered your blog via a "shout out" on Tony Posnanski's FB page. I'm really enjoying your blog and find great encouragement from it. I appreciate the importance you place on the "non negotiables" of your plan. It's so easy to make excuses and let our hectic lives derail us. I'm learning to look at my weight loss plan as a sobriety plan, really, from years of abusing sugar and food. I have to give it the seriousness it deserves as my very life depends on it. Thank you for sharing tour journey. You are helping others along the way!

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