Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Tomorrow Will Be Thirteen Years

 September 14th, 2021

Tomorrow will mark the 13th anniversary of Day 1 along this road. I was 36 and about to turn 37 and now, here I am on the brink of turning 50! Time is interesting. 36 sounds so very young to me. In another 13 years, I'm sure 49 will have the same effect.

I look forward to checking in here, regularly, again. This blog is like an old friend to me--you know, one I haven't seen in a long while--but then, when together, it feels like we never parted! 

I do need this outlet. It's been a missing piece. 


Thank you for reading,

Sean  

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Thursday, December 24, 2020

December 24th, 2020 Reflection: A Christmastime Update

December 24th, 2020 Reflection: A Christmastime Update

I'm just a lurker (for about ten years). But I feel deeply invested in your well-being and the success of you and your family. Post a blog, or a tweet, or something. Your Mom's covid diagnosis is a terrible thing, and I am almost very concerned about how you are. --Chris in California

After reading your blog faithfully since the summer of 2010, I'm concerned about your recent absence. You once wrote how if you ever decided to stop writing it, it likely wouldn't be a good thing. You've written about being more involved with your recovery and that's great, but as a reader here, it's a mystery. You don't owe me anything. Your writings have often inspired me and things you've shared have had a positive impact on me and my life. Thank you for that. Just a concerned reader here. I know you don't know me, but after a decade of following you, I feel like I know you. I miss you. I pray you're doing okay. --Natalie in Alaska

I wrote to you four years ago. Your thoughtful email to me helped in ways you wouldn't believe. I don't know what's going on, but I sure do miss reading your blog. I hope you're doing okay. --John in NYC

November 1st was your last blog entry? Really?? I was certain to find a post around Thanksgiving, nope! I get being busy. But something, a paragraph--a few words? Are you done writing? If yes, thank you for what you did share over the years. I hope you're not done. --Talia in Minnesota

I have immense gratitude for the many messages of love and support that have come my way. Thank you. I've been blessed beyond measure with love, kindness, and caring and sometimes it's hard to accept. Perhaps my reluctance is a reflection of the lack of love, kindness, and caring I give to myself. Don't get me wrong, I give myself just enough to make it through one more day--and that's really a personal spiritual struggle, isn't it? I do my best to not take things personally, good or bad. 

One of the things I've connected with in deep ways along this road is humility. When I write "I don't got this," you know what I mean, right? My ego will straight up kill me if I spend more time connecting with it instead of connecting with the spiritual practices and principles of my continued recovery. The answer, I believe, is found somewhere in a balance of humility and a healthy ego. Mike Tyson was once asked if he still trains every day and he said no, because "it activates my ego, and that gets me in trouble." I never expected to relate to Mike Tyson, but I get it.

Rather than a long list of excuses as to why I've been absent from the pages of this blog, I'd prefer to get straight to the heart of the matter: The more connected I've become with recovery, the more I recognize how my ego and self-will can quickly intercept and set me off on a trajectory away from the very evolution promising to deliver me into better ways of life. If my ego is driving the car, I'll miss the exit, every time. If you've read this blog for any amount of time, you know I've often written about how this is all about much more than the physical transformation. I'm no longer a 500-pound man and yes, I live in a healthy weight range to this day--but truly, the physical parts of this transformation aren't anywhere near the most important parts. A daily reprieve from the obsession of food addiction/compulsive overeating--and the peace, calm, and serenity that comes with that humble focus is the pursuit and it doesn't start with my food plan, it starts on my knees each morning. The physical transformation is simply a reflection of that work.

I'm pledging to recommit to keeping this blog more current. I pray for guidance as I make my way forward, using it as the accountability and support tool it was meant to be from Day 1.

There's a lot happening right now. We recently lost my dear Aunt Connie. It was unexpected heart issues that took her way too young. She was my mom's aunt despite being two years younger than mom. She was my great aunt, the mom of my cousin Steve. Steve and I grew up together. Aunt Connie made regular pre-Covid visits along with Aunt Margaret. They'd come up and take mom out to lunch and visit a good long time. Aunt Connie will be missed. I must say, my cousin Steve's calm faith through it all really inspires me. I know someday that day will come for me. 

My precious mom has Covid-19. When I received this news a week ago, I was overcome with a sick feeling. Considering her respiratory struggles the last several years, it seemed to be the worst possible thing. Tragic, too, just days away from receiving the vaccine--and after ten months of her successfully dodging this nasty and mysterious illness. However, she is making it through in miraculous ways. Her oxygen saturation remains high, she received the antibody infused plasma transfusion, and the worst symptom for her is a deep cough. The outpouring of prayers and support for mom has been much appreciated and it's making a huge positive difference. I share the messages and prayers with her and it always lifts her spirits. I'm grateful. Thank you.

Aside from the important behind the scenes recovery work in my life, I have maintained my MyFitnessPal logging and the food accountability postings on Instagram. Those daily commitments remain constant.

Our holiday gatherings are much smaller, for obvious reasons, and that's okay. This period we're all living through will pass. There's hope. Thank you for reading. You're invited along as I continue writing this blog that has given me so much over the last twelve years. I appreciate your support.

I hope you have a safe, warm, and very Merry Christmas.

Thank you for reading,

Sean

A few pics from the last couple of months...

This was a screen shot from a recent video chat 
with mom from the Covid-19 ward. That smile says a lot.

























Riding bikes and jumping on a trampoline with Noah-two beautiful gifts this transformation gives me.















Quality time with my youngest daughter, Courtney. The two of us are very close and that, too, is a precious gift of this daily recovery practice.  


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Sunday, November 1, 2020

November 1st, 2020 A Break

November 1st, 2020 A Break

I'm still here! I'm alive and kicking. I appreciate the many messages of concern I've received. While I've taken a break from most forms of social media and writing this blog, I haven't taken a break in the daily self-care of my continued recovery.

My food plan is simply one piece of my daily musts--and it doesn't take a break, ever. At least I pray I never again justify "a break" from that! If ever I do, just know: It's the addiction talking. Even in my absence from most social media and this blog, my daily food plan accountability postings on Instagram continue without interruption. 

My connections with support friends in the same lifeboat have actually increased in the last month and a half. Most importantly, my daily connections with the God of my understanding, have increased as well.

Could specific elements of my daily practice be better? Always. I don't exercise enough. I find things to hyper-procrastinate over. My sleep patterns aren't good most of the time, either--and that right there is a big big big one. This daily practice has never been perfect. It's consistently imperfect. I believe maintaining the consistency of the core non-negotiable elements will help me evolve the other things in positive and supportive ways.

One thing that's very important for me is to keep my ego and pride in check. In the course of my regular therapy sessions and also through watching, listening to, and learning from others along this road, I've gained a better understanding of healthy ego and pride vs. unhealthy ego and pride. Taking an extended break from most social media, this blog, and my podcast has provided an opportunity for me to really connect in deeper ways with my purest motivations and purpose.

This isn't the "Sean Show." I don't have all the answers. I'm not a guru. I don't know it all. I'm just doing the things to help me make it another day. I don't live in fear of not making it another day, I simply do my best to live daily with a very healthy respect and reverence for whatever it takes for me to remain well. 

It's real life. It's recovery. It's one day at a time. It's humbling. It's full of things worthy of my gratitude, daily. It's full of challenges. It's full of loved ones. It's full of people who get me. It's full of mental, emotional, and spiritual practices. It's full of imperfections. 

As I pick this blog and other things back up-the intent is to use these tools for accountability and support--the original purpose when I started this thing in 2008!

A lot has happened in the last month and a half. I've set a time limit for me to wrap up this post-- so I'll include some photos and captions as quickly as possible:

Courtney and I recently spent a day together.
I'm so proud of her!










I recently had a great birthday weekend 
visit with this little one!













More photos from our recent visit!





















Mom and I recently had a very cold outdoor
visit. They've since stopped the visits
because of an uptick in positive Covid-19 cases.




















Six feet apart-grateful for what we can do right now
even if it means no hugging. That's the hardest part.



















Noah and I have enjoyed some playtime
with the visual effects on messenger!

























Halloween! I spent a little bit of time with 
three of my grandkids and my youngest. 
I was the "friendly zombie."  


























An update on mom: She's not doing well right now. If you can spare some prayers for her, please do. She's fighting another horrible UTI or something--it isn't COVID-19, thankfully, because they test her twice a week. Her brain fog/delusions, one of the symptoms of the infection, are the worst they've ever been right now. It's not good. I must have faith and put it in God's hands, trusting she'll once again make it through this pattern of infection plaguing her.

Thank you for reading and continued support,

Practice, peace, and calm,

Sean

If you're interested in connecting via social media:

I accept friend requests on MyFitnessPal. My daily food logging diary is set to public.

MFP Username: SeanAAnderson


Instagram: SeanAAnderson

Also--I'd love you to subscribe to my podcast Transformation Planet! You can find it in Apple Podcasts, Google Play for Android, Spotify, and listed wherever you find your favorite podcasts! If you haven't listened before, you'll find 24 episodes waiting for you!

Questions or comments? Send an email! transformation.road@gmail.com
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Monday, September 14, 2020

September 14th, 2020 Connected

September 14th, 2020 Connected

Since our last edition: I've maintained the integrity of my food plan boundaries, I've remained refined sugar-free, I've met or exceeded my daily water goal, I've been intermittingly getting in exercise sessions, toggling between body-weight strength routines and walks, and I've also stayed well connected with exceptional support.

In the past, like--the distant past, absence from this blog was a strong indicator of intense struggle. I've received several messages of concern lately and I appreciate every single one of them, thank you! I'm doing well, one day at a time, always--and in many ways, more connected than ever before. 

I've increased my connections with people and I've doubled down on the spiritual, mental, and emotional side of things.

Blogger has changed formatting. No longer will you see my Instagram accountability postings on this blog. Even though this change was brought about by technical issues, it's a good change. Rest assured, I still weigh and measure, log, and Instagram my food each day---and if you really wanted to check on that, you'll find it there, every single day: instagram.com/seanaanderson But the thing is, this entire journey isn't about the food. 

My personal food plan is simply a tool that helps keep me clear-headed enough to do the real work along the way. I can't make spiritual progress if I'm in the food. My food postings on Instagram were never meant to be anything other than an accountability tool for me. When I post a meal, I'm instantly sharing my food with almost a thousand people. Granted, only a handful look at it, but it's there. It's simply a function of the tool that is my abstinent food plan. It isn't a recommendation, it isn't for recipe ideas, it isn't a "hey, look at what I made" kinda thing. It's simply an accountability measure for my personal food plan. I make it enjoyable to me, I keep it refined sugar-free, and when/if changes need to be made, I consult another person for those changes. 

As I become more and more into my recovery, I become torn on how to continue this twelve-year commitment on this blog. Tomorrow is the 12th Anniversary of that night when this whole thing started in 2008. I don't like the title of this blog, I don't like the URL I selected on the first night--and I don't like these things because they lend energy to a diet mentality that ultimately never worked for me. I didn't know what I didn't know back then. 

This road isn't all about the food and achieving a dramatic physical transformation. I've done that and trust me, when that's the number one goal, it'll leave you sorely disappointed. It did me. 

The spiritual, mental, and emotional transformation--the learning how to feel feelings and navigate life in better ways--the willingness to let go and trust a power greater than myself...that's where the good stuff is found. If I'm searching, listening, and learning in that direction, the physical parts take care of itself--very much a side effect of my spiritual condition. Those things are ongoing, one day at a time. I must renew that subscription each and every morning when I get down on my knees and ask for help to get me through one more day. 

These things aren't new to me. Yet, I was continuing on and presenting this blog and other media in ways that could be interpreted as diet mentality and didn't always reflect the hope, strength, and experience that has dramatically reshaped my values along this road. I don't diet. This blog isn't about dieting, it's about living.

I don't know it all. It wouldn't matter if I did because it isn't about what I know, it's only about what I do. Remember, my best "knowing" kept me in the obsession, in that life-stealing preoccupation and near, at, or above 500 pounds for almost twenty years.

I look forward to continuing this blog in a way that is in harmony with my heart, mind, and soul.

MOM Update:

Mom is still in quarantine after several staff and residents tested positive for COVID-19. She's safe and doing well--they're keeping her healthy. Mom's UTI has cleared and with that comes a clarity with her thoughts. She understands why she can't go back to her regular room at the moment. As soon as the nursing home gets a stretch with zero new cases, they'll get her back into her regular room. She misses being in her place.

In the meantime, we visit via video chat daily. Mom is also getting better with the portal controls. This enables her to reach out more often with me, her siblings, and others.


 








I'm full of gratitude as I hit the pillow tonight.  

 

Thank you for reading and continued support,

Practice, peace, and calm,

Sean

If you're interested in connecting via social media:

I accept friend requests on MyFitnessPal. My daily food logging diary is set to public.

MFP Username: SeanAAnderson

My Twitter: SeanAAnderson

Facebook: www.facebook.com/seananderson505

Instagram: SeanAAnderson

Also--I'd love you to subscribe to my podcast Transformation Planet! You can find it in Apple Podcasts, Google Play for Android, Spotify, and listed wherever you find your favorite podcasts! If you haven't listened before, you'll find 24 episodes waiting for you!

Questions or comments? Send an email! transformation.road@gmail.com

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Sunday, August 23, 2020

August 23rd, 2020 Emotional Rollercoaster

August 23rd, 2020 Emotional Rollercoaster

Since our last edition: I've maintained the integrity of my food plan boundaries, I've remained refined sugar-free, I've met or exceeded my daily water goal, and I've also stayed well connected with exceptional support.

The nursing home called at 10pm Thursday night. Mom's respiratory distress and UTI had become bad enough to send her to the hospital ER. I arrived at the hospital not knowing what to expect. I was screened, masked up, sanitized---and allowed to go into mom's triage room.

I haven't been able to be within six feet of mom or touch her in any way since early March. Walking into her triage room, I realized, the restrictions obviously weren't in place here--and so, I did what any loving son would do, I kissed her forehead through the mask and I rubbed her hand. This nudged her awake and immediately into the biggest smile ever. With confusion created by the UTI, mom wasn't quite sure why she was in the ER, so I explained it to her and we visited in between mom's intermittent slumber. Just sitting beside her, rubbing her hand, was a wonderful thing.

The ER was very busy Thursday night into Friday morning. Mom was hooked up to vitals and stable, so naturally, she was lower on the priority list. It was just fine. It gave us extra time to enjoy one another's company. With mom sleeping, I eventually decided to go home, try to get some sleep--with the plan being to return first thing in the morning, or--in a few hours, as it were.

After a very short two hours, I made arrangements for a colleague to fill in for me on my show. I did my morning foundational routine, enjoyed my coffee, and headed back to the hospital. Not much had changed except the decision had been made to admit her to the hospital in an effort to help speed the process of clearing up the UTI and the severe effects it tends to create.

I'm not certain mom even knew I left, she didn't mention it--she was pretty out of it. As the nursing staff waited for the hospitalist to assign her a regular room, they came in to tell us mom needed a COVID-19 test before admission to her room. I asked if it was a rapid test--and indeed it was. Just then, mom needed to use the restroom--and that required help from this ER bed where she was connected to the things you're connected to in the ER. I offered to step out during this time. In the lobby, I was informed I couldn't hang around there and needed to go outside or to my car. I did go to the car where I connected with several support friends.

The rapid test was administered around 8am. I was told the results would take about 30 minutes. back in her room--and at almost 9am, we hadn't heard anything. Mom and I were visiting about random things when suddenly she remembered the test and asked me how long it would take. I told mom it should be done already and that I would go check and be right back to let her know.

The nurse at the desk checked and the results weren't showing on her computer screen. She called the lab directly for the results. When she hung up, I knew it wasn't good. "Who are you? Are you next of kin?" Oh boy, when they use the phrase "next of kin" you know it isn't going to be good.

"The test was positive. You've been exposed. You're not allowed to go back in her room. You need to go home immediately and quarantine for ten days."

I follow the rules, ya know? I do. I wear a mask, I follow the guidelines--but I can't go back in her room to say goodbye? I confirmed what she was saying to me: "You mean, I can't go back in there and at least say goodbye? I have to leave right this second? I can't do that. I just told her I'd be right back. I can't just not go back in there." The look on my face and the tone of my voice made it very clear, I was going back in there to tell her about the test and to comfort her before leaving the hospital. The nurse said, "okay, do what you need to do. Make it quick"

Mom has spent the last five months watching coverage of this virus on TV. One of her worst fears and mine was that she'd get it and here we are with a positive test.

Mom was wide awake. "What did they say?"

"Now mom, you're going to be okay." Right then mom's bottom lip started quivering. My heart started to break--and then I just said it. "Mom, your test was positive." Her reaction was immediate and dramatic, as you would expect. She went into uncontrollable sobbing--and at that point, it was to hell with staying six feet away from her. I wasn't making this quick. I rubbed her hand and kissed her forehead through the mask. I spoke softly with words of comfort and reassuring as tears streamed down my cheeks. "You're going to make it through this, momma." She cried and I just stood there silent, gently rubbing her hand. "They tell me I have to go home and quarantine. I can't visit you while you're here but we'll talk on the phone, okay?" I must have been in there twenty minutes--but the nursing staff didn't interrupt. As soon as mom calmed, I promised her she was going to be okay (even though I wasn't sure if that was true or not), and made my way out into the parking lot.

I got to the car and started praying. Then, I reached out to friends, family, colleagues--everyone. I spent a good hour in that parking lot, in my car, alone--but surrounded by the amazing support from so many people. I needed that support. Staying connected helps keep me well.

As a compulsive overeater/food addict in recovery one day at a time, it is circumstances like these when I have a monumental choice to make: I can lean into this daily practice of things or I can fall into the abyss of my disease. Just for those emotional moments, I leaned into my daily practice and the most beautiful support was there to help hold me up.

I kept thinking, I hope I didn't just lie to my momma when I told her she was going to make it through this.

I wasn't home two hours before the health department called for contact tracing. I was asked to quarantine for fourteen days, not ten like the hospital suggested. The plan was for me to be tested after 7 days or sooner if I started developing symptoms.

I made arrangements and plans to do my job 100% from home. I'm fortunate to now have the capability of broadcasting straight from my spare bedroom if needed. Now, it's needed.

I spoke to mom on the phone a little after 11am. She was settled into her room and sounded calm but scared. The health department informed me how mom would be tested again, this time with the PCR test, just to confirm the original result. The results of that test would take 24-48 hours.

I tried to keep conversations with mom very brief during the first 24 hours in her room. She gets winded fast if she's talking for too much longer than 5 minutes or so. But last night, when she opened the conversation with, "Son, I'm so scared," we settled in for a nice long, soft conversation about faith, hope, and the road ahead. It did her good and it did me good, too.

The prayers generated by the Facebook post I shared about mom's situation were absolutely beautiful and overflowing. If you were one of those beautiful people, thank you.

When I called the nurse today to get an update on how she was doing, I was hoping for a repeat of the report I received on Saturday; she was actually showing signs of improvement. Her vitals were good, her labs were looking better--and today's report was very similar. Then the nurse said, "the doctor has ordered another PCR test." I thought that was strange. She just had one and we were awaiting those results. She didn't see the results. It was confusing, so she offered to call me back upon clarification.

In the meantime, I spoke with mom again and told her how the nurse said she was improving instead of getting worse. Then the nurse called me back. I hung up with mom to take the call.

"Your mom's PCR test was negative. That's why they've ordered another PCR test to confirm." "Wait, what??? Really??? You mean the rapid test may have been a false positive??"  "That's right."

 Wow. wow. wow. wow. Okay, that's the best news ever. Prayers answered!

Calling mom back to give her this wonderful news was so much fun. Her voice perked up and you could hear her smile and her relief over the phone.

The rapid test must be refined and made more reliable. For someone as vulnerable as my mom, to receive a positive COVID-19 test result feels like a death sentence--a false positive is like saying, oh sorry, Jk'ing, you're fine. Witnessing mom's reaction to the news of her positive test was easily the most heartbreaking thing I've ever experienced. But...

 I'm immensely grateful. One more negative from this latest PCR test and mom is in the same situation she's been in many times before: Recovering from a horrible UTI. And she will be okay. She's already showing wonderful signs of improvement.

What a rollercoaster of emotions.

I've made my daily practice of intentional actions very important this weekend. I've stayed connected and by the grace of God, stayed food sober.

Three different colleagues have dropped things off at my door. Dinner on Saturday night, black pepper, and my grocery order--all delivered to my doorstep as I quarantine. I'm grateful!

I will call the health department tomorrow and find out if it's necessary for me to continue this quarantine. I don't think I have any real symptoms--although my brain has created some mild ones, I'm pretty sure. They may ask me to get a test early--and wait for the all-clear, or they may ask me to wait until the 28th. I don't know. I'll find out when I speak to the case manager.

In the meantime, this entire experience has reaffirmed spiritual, mental, and emotional things for me. It showed me the very real power of connections and how these help keep me well.

I've written and spoken about maintaining the fundamental elements of this daily practice "come what may" many many times. But trust, it isn't personal strength or willpower that makes that possible. I Can't rely on those things because I have very little of each. But I do have this practice of intentional actions each day and they help keep me okay. I hope and pray I never forget to lean into these things because if I ever lean away, I may not ever make it back. That's the truth.

















Social Media Accountability Postings:













































































Thank you for reading and your continued support,

Practice, peace, and calm,

Sean



If you're interested in connecting via social media:

I accept friend requests on MyFitnessPal. My daily food logging diary is set to public.

MFP Username: SeanAAnderson

My Twitter: SeanAAnderson

Facebook: www.facebook.com/seananderson505

Instagram: SeanAAnderson



Also--I'd love you to subscribe to my podcast Transformation Planet! You can find it in Apple Podcasts, Google Play for Android, Spotify, and listed wherever you find your favorite podcasts! If you haven't listened before, you'll find 24 episodes waiting for you!



Questions or comments? Send an email! transformation.road@gmail.com
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