Two big things haven't been consistent for me: Sleep schedule (although I'm making incredibly positive strides in this critically important area) and exercise schedule. And these two things were on my mind prior to this morning's trip to the doctor's office and my meeting with the scale. Can my body and metabolism support the maintenance calorie budget I maintain each day with the above mentioned, critically important elements not up to par?
The weigh-in went well, but I don't believe it's okay for me to continue an inconsistent pattern with rest and exercise--not at all.
The fact that this weigh-in showed a normal one-pound fluctuation, I believe, has more to do with what I eat and what I don't eat (refined sugar) than some kind of permission slip to continue a wonky pattern with sleep and exercise.
I couldn't be more pleased with how maintenance mode is progressing. I feel like my body is working properly--my metabolism is efficiently handling what I'm putting in and my activity level is just enough to keep it very steady. This will sound like a rationalization or excuse for inconsistent workout schedules--and maybe it is, subconsciously--but I do get my 20 push-ups and 20 squats each morning--and between stairs at work and home, I climb anywhere between 12 and 16 flights of stairs each day. It's minimal, but it's something, and maybe that helps keep this balance. I don't know.
And that's just the thing. I don't know everything. All I know is, I must maintain certain things each day in order to continue this path in maintenance. I did these things again today.
I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget. I remained abstinent from refined sugar. I exceeded my daily water goal and I stayed well connected with great support contacts. These things, I know I must do--each day, just as I've done for the last two and a half years. Because if I don't, then I can kiss this maintenance mode goodbye. And I don't want that. I value this peace, calm, and stability way too much.
Each morning, before anything else--I say a prayer followed by a meditation. This personal "me time" is a humbling experience, where I admit I'm not strong enough to go it alone, I ask for help in maintaining the integrity of my food plan and then I envision how I want the day to unfold. Will I take extraordinary care of my food plan? Will I be available to help someone else? Will I live in a perspective of gratitude? I try to answer yes to those questions each day. Because if I do, my "research" has shown, I'll do well.
Recent Maintenance Weigh-In History
Today's Accountability Live-Tweet Stream:
2 cups water-20 push-ups-20 squats✔️✔️✔️#morningdeal ☕️️X! pic.twitter.com/vjuaPIA8P2— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 2, 2016
Three tablespoons half & half in my first cup of dark roast. Another three tablespoons in the to-go cup. Good Wednesday morning! 120 cal. pic.twitter.com/gAQQwBbCBS— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 2, 2016
Maintenance weigh-in: 1 pound gain over last 6 weeks. I'll take it! Blessed with a nice tight maintenance fluctuation. I'm grateful! pic.twitter.com/6QU9Vzh5uh— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 2, 2016
Breakfast in MyFitnessPal... pic.twitter.com/7tKqQqElZo— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 2, 2016
Extra cup with breakfast. Three tablespoons half & half in this dark roast. 60 cal. pic.twitter.com/7A5EblgntP— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 2, 2016
2 whl eggs & 2 whts w/92g avocado, 6.6oz apple & 1 slice cinnamon raisin Ezekiel w/.5oz crn cheese & 18g SF strawberry all-fruit. 564 cal. pic.twitter.com/H0BTH2edbO— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 2, 2016
2 cups water #wateraccountability 7.8oz pear & 4.1oz banana 191 cal. pic.twitter.com/dYzcp9cv2y— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 2, 2016
3 cup water bottle with lunch #wateraccountability pic.twitter.com/eVX5NjxqGj— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 2, 2016
Lunch in MyFitnessPal. Accidentally exactly 500 calories! Toasted cheese sandwich. Yum. pic.twitter.com/tgYfgha6Wn— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 2, 2016
1 slice havarti & 1 slice mozz.melted on toasted sprouted grain Ezekiel. 28g blue corn tortilla chips w/6 tbs salsa & 15g sr crm. 500 cal. pic.twitter.com/5XONfVmyxq— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 2, 2016
Evening cup of decaffeinated with two tablespoons half & half. 40 cal. pic.twitter.com/mkswPZ2VxA— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 2, 2016
Dinner in MyFitnessPal. Not shown: 120g green beans. pic.twitter.com/dsImvsVLEs— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 3, 2016
Weighing ingredients when I'm at home&work gives me a measure of certainty within my food plan. I can't trust my brain & eyes for accuracy. pic.twitter.com/Md06QoknmW— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 3, 2016
2 cups water with dinner exceeds #watergoal pic.twitter.com/M3w1lsKsvn— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 3, 2016
280g fresh catfish, 27g (3 tbs) corn meal, 1 egg wht & 4secOOSpray. 291g red pot.w/15g sr crm & 2 tbs half&half. 120g green beans. 688 cal. pic.twitter.com/2XFDuKyxz0— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 3, 2016
7.1oz pear & 1.5oz banana slices #lastfoodofday 138 cal. pic.twitter.com/x07S07uImN— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 3, 2016
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Oh how I wish I had a stable metabolism
ReplyDeleteSleep is top priority, working in exercise will help, but if you are tired, sleep- IMO. It will become natural to fit exercise in around your sleep schedule- I know you'll prioritize it.
ReplyDeleteLack of sleep can really impact life negatively. Glad you are still working on it. Sleep is not prioritized enough. So many at home, work, and driving accidents.
Onward.