After reading about the big bunch of sweets delivered to our studio earlier this week, a colleague commented, "I don't know how you maintain such strong willpower." I didn't have time to properly explain to her, how this isn't about willpower. Because the truth is, I rarely use willpower.
Willpower is exercised when we're desperately trying to avoid something we truly want and crave. We will ourselves against it in whatever way we can, but we still want it, horribly so.
When I step back and look at all the good giving up sugar has given me, the sweets lose their appeal. When I focus on the clarity and peace of mind I'm experiencing, I wouldn't trade it for all the pecan pie in the world. So, with this perspective firmly in focus...
The sweets just do not have the same attraction as when I was under the influence and blindly living in denial of my own addiction. Back then, I was convinced I could handle moderation for all things. Now that the opposite has been confirmed so strongly, the allure just isn't there. I look at a cookie and I don't see the ingredients of a delicious recipe. I look at a cookie and I see the ingredients for chaos and havoc in my life. One bite and it's all over, until I can somehow, by the grace of God, find recovery again. Looking at sugar in this way, makes it one of the most unappealing things to me. It took finally embracing my own truth to get to this place. Once I believed, embraced and started living it, this change in perspective was like flipping a switch.
This doesn't mean I'm beyond relapse. Not at all. I'm still very susceptible to the same struggles I've faced countless times before. I'm never "in the clear," so to speak. This is why I must give the things I consistently do each day an incredible amount of consideration and importance level. I must always remain on guard and be willing to step outside of my "affected self," and call it like it is. And that can be the toughest thing along this road--the getting real part, the self-honesty. It is clearly the most important element.
I've written about it before--and it's so true: I really wanted to be someone who could eat "just one bite." But that was someone else's normal, not mine. My good friend and weight loss support group conference call partner, Life Coach Gerri Helms, recently posted a wonderful blog page all about the "just one bite" dynamic. You can read it here: http://lifecoachgerri.com/2014/11/05/coaching-from-the-coach-interfering-with-intuition/
My Tweets today:
Good morning! Sugar free hazelnut flavored creamer. 30 calX2= 60 cal. Goo Goo Goo-Joob. ;) pic.twitter.com/WYZCo9svYM
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 6, 2014
Two whole eggs & one egg white prepared over-medium. Small yellow apple, small Honeycrisp apple. 337 cal. pic.twitter.com/SaKNupIEVa
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 6, 2014
Lunch. MyFitnessPal entry. You can friend me on MFP & have access to the food diary anytime. Username: SeanAAnderson pic.twitter.com/rjaXe7OhLd
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 6, 2014
Hot & Cool. Bean (sf/ff) & Swiss tostada w/jalapeños, fresh guac tostada w/garden fresh tomatoes. Anjou pear. 556 cal pic.twitter.com/D4spG0j3oW
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 6, 2014
Appetizer: 12 chips, counted and separated from the bowl! With fresh salsa. 168 cal. pic.twitter.com/WpPQTyZ38K
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 7, 2014
Crispy steak fajita tacos! 6oz steak, grilled onions & peppers, lettuce and salsa with sour cream dressing. 498 cal. pic.twitter.com/wiAiJNIt0L
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 7, 2014
Small Honeycrisp apple. #lastfoodofday 55 cal. pic.twitter.com/UpEyCYP1ch
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) November 7, 2014
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
