Today was exceptional. I had friends come from out of town for lunch and sightseeing. I was their guide--and truly, it was a pleasure. I needed a different day and today was different!
I took my guests to the historic Marland Mansion, the late 1920's home of legendary oilman and former Oklahoma Governor E.W. Marland. We explored the entire 3-story mansion. Whenever I'm doing something like this, it never passes without me considering the degree of difficulty it would have been at my heaviest. Breezing up and down stairs wasn't an issue in the slightest. This physical freedom is one small part of the many reasons I make it important to take extraordinary care each day. Keeping a perspective of gratitude is key for me.
A day like today would have been a very different experience at my heaviest.
First thing--I would have worried about whether or not I could fit comfortably in the restaurant seating. Instead of wrestling with the seat belt in front of my guests, I would've gone without wearing it and hoped nobody noticed. I never bought an extender for my vehicle and at 500 pounds, the seatbelt simply didn't fit. Today, I can't imagine getting into the car without buckling up. Traveling sans seatbelt was the norm for me back in the day. I wouldn't have been able to so freely make my way about that three-story mansion. In fact, I probably wouldn't have suggested such a tour back in those days.
All of these worries--the preoccupied thoughts at over 500 pounds, would have kept me from being fully present with my friends and ultimately, it would have robbed me of joy and connection. I sometimes look back and think of all the ways my obesity limited my ability to experience joy--or any emotion for that matter. Because as soon as an emotion made its way out, it was immediately met with food--and shoved right back down.
I'm grateful life isn't that way anymore.
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget. I remained abstinent from refined sugar. I exceeded my daily water goal. I enjoyed a great workout tonight. And I stayed connected with great support! It was exceptional.
Today's Accountability Live-Tweet Stream:
Happy Saturday morning! Hmmm...I think it's haircut time. :) #morningdeal -2 cups water, 20 push-ups and 20 squats, DONE. Coffee time. pic.twitter.com/5AkdoiXoiU— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 5, 2016
Three tablespoons half & half in this Saturday morning dark roast. Another three tablespoons in a refill, soon. Good morning! 120 cal. pic.twitter.com/8Evchs2aMN— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 5, 2016
Breakfast in MyFitnessPal... pic.twitter.com/nKlfQGPEE3— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 5, 2016
Breakfast Burger. 4oz 96% lean beef, 2 whole eggs & 1- .7oz slice provolone on sugar/flour free sprouted grain Ezekiel. 5.5oz apple. 577 cal pic.twitter.com/oH7IkZP6sz— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 5, 2016
4 cups water with lunch #wateraccountability pic.twitter.com/oNCdBr5PsO— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 5, 2016
Appetizer: 12 chips with fresh salsa. 170 cal. pic.twitter.com/o8qJh4A0aB— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 5, 2016
Lunch in MyFitnessPal... pic.twitter.com/NlyxeyaCbW— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 5, 2016
3 crispy chicken & sour cream tacos w/approx.6oz chicken, jalapeƱos, lettuce, 3 tbs sour cream & approx.14g white cheddar. 431 cal. pic.twitter.com/QL8B2S0sHR— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 5, 2016
Three tablespoons half & half in this afternoon dark roast. 60 cal. pic.twitter.com/P8RQYjHmZT— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 5, 2016
2 cups water w/appetizer #watertracking Joseph's Pita w/62g Priano sf marinara, 7g mozzarella, 28g sharp white cheddar & 14g Gouda. 280 cal. pic.twitter.com/o6YzoBoc6x— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 6, 2016
Dinner in MyFitnessPal... pic.twitter.com/SjqZwk8BVs— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 6, 2016
112g (2srv) whole grain penne rigate pasta w/186g (1.5 srv) refined sugar-free marinara & 3.3oz 96% lean beef mini-meatballs. 596 cal. pic.twitter.com/TGpYe13siK— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 6, 2016
@SeanAAnderson Here's Google Play: https://t.co/B3YyMKIS4z— Chris Collins (@was_in_cal) November 6, 2016
2 cup bottle of water exceeds #watergoal Time to climb aboard the magic elliptical. Saturday night workout starts now! pic.twitter.com/73msq60OV5— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 6, 2016
Saturday night #endorphinparty #naturalhigh Solid max level 20/30 min elliptical ride✅Done. pic.twitter.com/J2mIQ6CbRH— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 6, 2016
4.5oz apple slices #lastfoodofday 63 cal. pic.twitter.com/UrTV0mzYFU— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 6, 2016
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Today's blog struck home with me. Freedom is the word I use most often to describe my life and how I am able to live it today. And I try never to take that freedom for granted.
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