Showing posts with label busy day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label busy day. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

September 30th, 2014 A Difference Maker Day

September 30th, 2014 A Difference Maker Day

I opened my eyes this morning a little after 5am. My radio alarm clock was playing my radio station softly, not alarmingly. This explains why I slept an extra 40 minutes this morning. It did start me in a rush and as it turns out, the extra 40 minutes might have been a difference maker.

Today was right on time despite the late start and the frantic rush to the studio at 6am. I slept 5 hours and although I needed more, that's still on average, an hour more--and sometimes 1.5 hours more than I typically get at night. I say "at night" because I often supplement my sleep with daytime naps. The problem with daytime naps is obvious: It pushes everything back, I end up getting to bed super late and then the pattern repeats again and again. Last night's 5 hours might have been a difference maker.

I didn't think I could do it. Between 1 and 2pm, right before calling it a workday, my eyes starting getting super heavy. I felt like I could have slept for hours right there in the studio with the mic in my face and the headphones on. There was a moment where I told myself, you have to nap when you get home!! But then I got up and started moving around. I didn't go for coffee--I just started moving around. I had some errands to run after work, I needed to pay some bills--stop at the bank, those type of things...and I did. And at some point I made the decision that there wouldn't be an afternoon nap.

I decided to get home, take care of some business online--change, fix a Shakeology shake, drink it while my phone charged--then head to the YMCA. Oh, by the way-- I stopped at Sonic on the way home for ice and a banana. It's probably the healthiest order I've ever shouted into that little speaker-microphone intercom thingy. I likely confused the kids inside: "Did he say ice cream with banana?" "No, man--I think he said a bag of ice and a banana--you better double check, repeat his order." Yes-- a bag of ice and a single banana, please! I did notice a few of the items on the menu--wow. I grabbed my ice and banana from the carhop, told him to keep the 70 cents change and peeled out of there quickly. 

Honestly--it wasn't tempting being there, at all. I love what I'm doing, I love what I'm eating, I love how I feel and I love me. I'm content; downright happy. I do not feel the need to comfort myself from indescribable and hard to explain feelings with the new waffle cone sundae. The urge isn't there. The compulsion isn't there. The clarity is there--and it clearly shows me how wonderful life can be when I'm making what one of our weekly conference call support group members calls "righteous food choices!" I feel great about me and my choices. And I refuse to trade this feeling for anything.

I left the house for the YMCA and the elliptical machine. On my way, I dialed up the little Mexican place down the street from the Y to order dinner. With my conference call tonight--I decided I wasn't cooking. I ordered the Hawaiian Fajitas without most of the things included in the order. I didn't want the flour tortillas, beans, rice, or their guacamole. I forgot to say "no cheese," but it turns out they didn't include very much. I asked for three plain corn taco shells instead and a side of lettuce. Since I declined most everything that comes with the fajitas, they charged me nearly four dollars less than the usual price! I told them to wait a bit and I would pick it up after my workout. I walked into the restaurant and was greeted with, "How was the workout amigo?" I smiled big, "It was good, very good!"

I picked up the fajitas and headed straight for the neighborhood grocery store on the South side of town. I ran in and grabbed some fruit and water, then straight home with just enough time to put dinner on a plate and eat before my 7pm conference call. I was in a groove at this point--right on time!

I proved something to myself today. I proved that sometimes when I think there isn't any way I can go on without a nap--I probably need to get up and move around a little and then convince myself of what it is I need to do. Sometimes a nap may actually be the healthiest choice. Not today, though. I felt energized enough to get things done. I powered through my day and made it just fine. I wasn't whipped during my workout either--it was a really good workout! I pushed it well and feel great about making the decision I made to stay up and get things done. Now I can get more rest. I'm getting to bed even earlier and I'll see what 6 to 6.5 hours feels like! This is real progress in the sleep department.

And these goals we have, you know it's not about perfection, it's about progress--and when I can see the progress and feel it too, like today's experiences, I must smile--because this is what it's all about.

My Tweets today:




















Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Posted by at 11 comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Thursday, August 28, 2014

August 28th, 2014 Making The Best from A Bad Menu

August 28th, 2014 Making The Best from A Bad Menu

Today just wouldn't stop! I have the day off tomorrow and typically, the previous day is spent preparing for the planned absence. I didn't leave work until 6:45pm. I was able to take some time midday and ship all outstanding orders from my website store http://www.transformationroad.com/505store.html

Several delays kept orders from being shipped immediately and let me tell you, I do not like having outstanding orders! It felt wonderful to watch the post office take them away today! If you've been waiting on a shipment from me, purchased or won, it's on the way! For your patience, I've included a bonus item in each package, enjoy! If you're interested in ordering a personalized signed paperback copy of Transformation Road, the seven disc CD audio book with bonus MP3 disc or one of my "I'm Choosing Change" adjustable leather bracelets, simply click the link above and I'll ship the items to you anywhere in the world!

I finally met with a local wine bar owner down the street from our studios. We've schedule what I hope to be the first of many comedy nights for Wednesday October 22nd, one day before my birthday! I'm thrilled about this opportunity to work out new material that doesn't seem to stop coming.

It was a busy day at the studio but it didn't stop me from pausing long enough to eat well throughout the day. I typically plan my breakfasts and lunches really well and then leave my dinner up to whatever I can create from what I have on hand or, if inspired, I'll run to the store and pick up the needed ingredients. Tonight wasn't one of those nights.

I didn't plan on my workday running into my evening. My original plan was to get to the YMCA for the elliptical and swimming before my evening plans to be the designated driver for a friend. Instead, my workday left me without separation between work and my evening--and this created an interesting situation.

I found myself without a plan, stuck at a place with a horrible menu. I had a choice, either wait until much later to eat at home or navigate the selections in front of me. Since it was already almost 9pm when I came to this conclusion, I decided to make the best of their menu.  The menu was full of deep fried things, burgers and giant sandwiches, french fries and onion rings. I noticed a breakfast menu too. I asked, "Is your breakfast menu available?" Yes, it was. "Can I order a customized omelet?" Yes, I could. Perfect!

I ordered a three egg omelet with grilled peppers and onions they normally use for the Philly sandwich, plus tomatoes and a side of beef chili. The chili was questionable, so I asked for a nutrition guide. They didn't have one. I asked if the container the chili comes in had a nutrition label. The nice employee said he didn't think so because it came in a large bag made for boiling. I asked him to check anyway and he did. Within a minute I had the calorie count and serving size. He peeled the sticker right off the box holding these boil N bags of beef chili. I also confirmed it was free of sugar. A veggie omelet with peppers, onions and tomatoes and a serving of chili wasn't exactly what I wanted for dinner, but considering the circumstances and the horrid choices, it was the best way to navigate this one.

My backup exercise plan was to walk a 5K at the trail immediately after this crazy night concluded. And that was a wonderful plan except, when we exited the building it was pouring rain. Instead of going straight to the trail, I ran into the grocery store for a few items. By the time I came out it had stopped raining enough for me to get to the trail. I was still tired, so I knew it wasn't going to be a 5K. I made it two times around for a total of  1.7 miles. It was something, at least.

There will occasionally be days like this. Thank goodness they're few and far between. The important thing to me is, I didn't sacrifice the integrity of my calorie budget, even when doing so seemed like the only option. I made other options!

My food Tweets:










Thank you for reading and for your support,
Strength,
Sean
Posted by at 19 comments:
Labels: , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)





Copyright © 2008-2020 Sean A. Anderson

The Daily Diary of a Winning Loser. All rights reserved.