Showing posts with label workout. Show all posts
Showing posts with label workout. Show all posts

Thursday, August 21, 2014

August 21st, 2014 Simply Noticing Things

August 21st, 2014 Simply Noticing Things

I've been skipping my morning meditation time too much of late. I did do it this morning and it absolutely made a positive difference. I don't do a specific practice or type of meditation, although I'm sure it has a name. I simply close my eyes and go back to sleep. I'm kidding. I close my eyes, inhale through my nose and exhale through my mouth and I envision how I would like the day to unfold. I also acknowledge and give thanks for the blessings I've received. I try to stay in this positive mental state for at least five minutes, preferably ten. I rarely mention this for a couple of reasons. It's my personal spiritual prayer/meditation time and I keep these things fairly private and also because I'm wildly inconsistent in the practice. I mention it tonight because I did notice a marked difference in the quality of my day because of this five minute practice.

The more I thought about the difference it made, the more I thought about how many times I've resisted doing something consistently that I knew would help me feel better. Exercise is a big one. The positive emotional and mental benefits of exercise are solid and proven. Nobody argues about it--it's fact: When we workout we end up feeling better. Yet, I know I could do more and I'm capable of a more intense workout. Drinking more water is enormously beneficial, but I sometimes struggle to hit the minimum I should be drinking. Water helps everything, the metabolism is just the beginning--it has a positive effect on our entire body on all levels, from digestion to a very deep cellular level and still, I resist, not giving it the importance level it deserves. I don't mention these things as a way to beat up on myself or to be overly critical of what I'm doing, I'm simply noticing things. The quick meditation time today helped. Why wouldn't I do it every single day if it makes this much of a positive impact? 

I had a lunch meeting today that was much shorter than expected. It's a monthly meeting where everyone is encouraged to bring their lunch. I brought mine prepared on a real plate, using a real fork. This gets some looks sometimes. I just enjoy making it special. I'm not opposed to occasionally using paper plates, but when I can, I like to use things I have to wash afterward. I don't know--I guess it adds some kind of extra something to what I'm doing. Or maybe I'm just weird...which I'm okay with that, it's a good thing! ;)

I roasted a turkey breast all afternoon and prepared homemade baked sweet potato fries for a dinner I was eating shortly after 6pm! This is a big deal. I'm the guy who sometimes eats dinner after 9pm, or dare I admit, even later (ouch--truth..) This was one of the things I meditated about this morning. I don't want to continue eating big meals super late for obvious reasons.

I enjoyed a fabulous swim followed by the elliptical--workout this evening. It was solid. Could I do more or something more intense? Yes, honestly--yes. For me, today--it was perfect. The challenge will be to add more intense elements to my workout routine along the way. It's an important consideration because the body adapts and gets accustomed to repetition quickly!  

My food Tweets today:












Good food day!!

In the spirit of Throwback Thursday or as the hip crowd calls it #tbt--I decided to share the YouTube videos of my very first speaking event about this journey. It was February 19th, 2009 (over 5 years ago!!!) in the cafeteria of our local hospital. I was the featured speaker for the kickoff of the "Lose To Win" weight loss challenge program. I was only 5 months into my initial weight loss. I would have to watch it again or dig into this blog's archives to remember how much I had lost by the night of this talk but I'm pretty sure it was somewhere around 120-130 pounds. It was a fun night. It takes some time to watch all four--almost 40 minutes. I watched some. Great memories.








Thank you for reading and watching! Your continued support is cherished,
Strength,
Sean
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Tuesday, July 22, 2014

July 22nd, 2014 Why Resist This?

July 22nd, 2014 Why Resist This?

The effects of my weekend schedule on yesterday seeped into today, however I resisted the urge to continue the disruption of my sleep pattern. Of course, my workday wasn't allowing a break anyway. I had every intention of getting into spinning class at 4:45pm today. As the workday kept going and going with more and more production deadlines marked "today," I knew by 4:20pm spinning wasn't happening. I finally left the studio at 4:50pm. I was tired. It was a long day. My first inclination was to hurry home and grab a nap before my 7pm weight loss support group conference call. Then, I imagined oversleeping again and immediately nixed the plan. Instead I whipped out the Starbucks card a colleague recently gifted and headed toward the caffeine.

I'm probably not using the lingo of a seasoned Starbucks pro, because I'm not, but I ordered a venti dark roast pour over with a shot of espresso and 1/4 cup of steamed skim milk. I took it home and added some stevia and POW...it had me alert in a flash.

The conference call was powerful tonight. Life Coach Gerri Helms and I have a small group that is on fire! I'm inspired by the wonderful things the group members are doing. I wrapped the call, then had to get out to finish some work duties before heading off to the YMCA for a good workout.

Here's the deal: I didn't want to workout tonight. Even after missing the spin class for the second consecutive day--still, I wasn't feeling it tonight. Perhaps the caffeine rush was over and I was starting to crash. As much as I wanted to stand down, I just couldn't rationalize not even trying. I made my way in, reluctantly and once again the power of a good workout transformed my attitude. The music was awesome, the movement felt good--the sweat and heart rate confirmed my effort, I was doing this deal. I walked away from the workout feeling incredible. Not tired--Incredible, like I had even more energy. I'm sure any second now I'll collapse, but that feeling right after a good workout is insanely powerful. I thought, why resist this?

Apparently I need to do some more grocery shopping because my selection tonight just didn't seem very appealing. I settled on what could only be described as a salad. The meal tweet is below.

Tomorrow morning is my 13 week weigh-in. I feel great about it and I can't wait to share the number on Facebook, Twitter and right here tomorrow night. This is where I must be very careful not to get too wrapped up in the number. If it isn't what I want, then I might make some adjustments, perhaps add some good calories as I suggested not too long ago. I have a feeling it will be fine. No matter the number, my job is to practice what I encourage and be okay. I'm in this for life. I'm doing what I'm doing as a way to develop lasting changes that give me the best opportunity to return to my healthiest weight and live a life where taking extraordinary care is always important. If I make taking this level of care important then I'm confident maintaining a healthy weight will be something I can do and not just something I do when everything is peachy. This is the life I choose. I pray I'll never again sacrifice that choice no matter the future circumstances.

Good food day!








Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
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