Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget. I remained abstinent from refined sugar. I exceeded my daily water goal. I stayed well connected with excellent support. And I completed a wonderful workout at the gym.
A Facebook Memory from five years ago:
"I was discovering truths that I had never given thought. I was discovering that I wasn't a victim, this morbid obesity wasn't a hopeless situation, and that I had a power that had been untapped my entire life. I had the power to throw away every excuse that ever held me back. I could completely let go and live happily, while I consumed less and exercised. Instead of greeting each day with dread, I was actually thrilled to be so wonderfully alive. It was quite possibly the most powerful thing I had ever experienced."
It was a powerful message, albeit a little thin on substance--I mean, there's much more to it than just letting go, consuming less and exercising. A whole lot of inner work takes place in reaching a point of acceptance and as my friend Coach Kathleen calls it, "bare-naked honesty" plays a big role in getting to that point of embrace instead of resistance. Accepting the responsibility involved shedding the victim mentality that had played a convenient role in keeping me over 500 pounds for nearly two decades. Convenient, because if it wasn't my fault--if I could embrace twenty reasons why I couldn't change or why this was much harder for me than anyone else, then I could somehow feel justified in my continued deliberate and destructive oblivion.
I believe we each have a personal truth inside and for many of us, it's buried under layers and layers of mental/emotional trauma--held down by our experiences--and further secured by our need to be okay despite it all. The truth, regardless of what's blanketing it, is something I believe we can mine, breaking through to as real as it gets--then pull it out, accepting and embracing a perspective that brings us certainty and peace in at least this one area.
And in taking that exceptional care, we're in a position to sort through the "stuff" along the way. The brick wall is rubble now and I don't have to understand exactly how it was built--I don't--all I know is, I'm free. And that freedom isn't guaranteed. Maintaining freedom from morbid obesity requires me to maintain the consistency of my embrace of what's true each and every day.
Today's Accountability Live-Tweet Stream:
2 cups water, 20 push-ups & 20 squats before coffee✅#morningdeal DONE! pic.twitter.com/T9yafjpDKz— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 17, 2016
Two tablespoons half & half in the first cup. Three tablespoons half & half in the upcoming to-go cup. 100 cal. pic.twitter.com/QH1a8Xv6ts— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 17, 2016
What I need. When I need. Where I need. Planning is key for me! pic.twitter.com/hF2eAHHdbD— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 17, 2016
Breakfast in MyFitnessPal... pic.twitter.com/5Fvmzu5M4j— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 17, 2016
2 whl eggs & 2 wht omelet stuffed w/107g avocado seasoned w/salt&pepper. Cinnamon-Raisin Ezekiel w-1/2oz crm cheese & 5.5oz apple. 537 cal. pic.twitter.com/flDPFRSe8d— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 17, 2016
Going to TRY to follow @SeanAAnderson lead and tweet my food separate from my blog ... pic.twitter.com/d8cHptmp9l— Karla (@karlalouisem) November 17, 2016
@nprfreshair @NPR I just heard a great story about him on the @SeanAAnderson podcast about his guest Michael Bartley meeting him in Belize.— Beth Shannon (@BethShannon4) November 17, 2016
Two tablespoons half & half in this midmorning cup of dark roast. 40 cal. pic.twitter.com/OO1A8Lxc2a— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 17, 2016
7.9oz pear 126 cal. pic.twitter.com/5Y22hqjV97— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 17, 2016
@SeanAAnderson Planning is everything!! That's the only way to succeed. You are my inspiration, Sean!!— Carol Kovin (@carolkovin3) November 17, 2016
Lunch in MyFitnessPal... pic.twitter.com/Abjaliyyo9— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 17, 2016
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 17, 2016
Bean&Cheese Tostadas w/145g FF refried beans, 2 tbsp salsa, 3 slices muenster & 15g sour cream. 5.5oz banana & 5oz fresh pineapple. 571 cal. pic.twitter.com/clqr8tMt6B— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 17, 2016
Dark roast decaffeinated coffee with two tablespoons half & half. 40 cal. pic.twitter.com/TT3pvTRfjM— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 17, 2016
8.4oz pear 134 cal. pic.twitter.com/jroqllUswQ— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 17, 2016
2 cup water bottle during tonight's special event #wateraccountability #watertracking pic.twitter.com/nsnYGpBYLa— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 18, 2016
Dinner is in progress. Fire!!! pic.twitter.com/JjkliI8rTI— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 18, 2016
Appetizer: 168g Giorgio fresh stuffed mushrooms. 140 cal. pic.twitter.com/cvZ0NB6991— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 18, 2016
Dinner in MyFitnessPal... pic.twitter.com/Xi1y3DowkZ— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 18, 2016
3 cups water with dinner exceeds #watergoal pic.twitter.com/ka0C8RFJKj— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 18, 2016
From the grill: 6.1oz top sirloin, 138g red pepper, 108g red onion & 238g fresh cut&baked sweet potato fries prepared w/3secOOSpray. 532 cal pic.twitter.com/j4Kohip3BZ— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 18, 2016
2 cup water bottle during and after workout further exceeds #watergoal pic.twitter.com/XtSdA4tFY4— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 18, 2016
Solid max level 20/30 minute elliptical ride. #sweatmachine #endorphinfactory <that would be a great name for a band. Just sayin'. pic.twitter.com/p7LbMykTob— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 18, 2016
5.6oz apple #lastfoodofday 78 cal. pic.twitter.com/g23uK5t1pa— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 18, 2016
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Well said! Let's touch base & catch up. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThe freedom from obesity isn't guaranteed. I like that. I mean I like how you expressed that. I sincerely wish we could get a guarantee that we will never go back, but I know there is no such thing. So every day I work hard to avoid so many temptations that are constantly lurking everywhere. I wonder if it ever gets any easier.....?
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