Yesterday and Monday were 4-star days: I maintained the integrity of my calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I exceeded my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
I'm excited about my new website! I'll introduce you to it tomorrow! The new site has everything in one place, including this blog. I'll still keep my blog updated here and of course, the archives will remain here, too. I can't wait to show you around the new place!
"This is taking forever, I don't know if I have the patience." I've heard that many times. I recognize it right away because I've said something to that effect on many occasions.
I had a really negative and non-supportive habit of looking for my peace, calm, and thrills, basically, in that number on a scale. I chased it wildly. What I realize now is how my expectation of the scale providing these things, sent me in a diet mentality frenzy to manipulate the scale-- what can I do to get that positive affirmation from the scale??? I contemplated all sorts of things-- should I fast? Should I kill myself in the gym, or walk ten miles a day??
Changing the focus from the scale to the integrity of my daily plan boundaries was a life changer. I started writing about this dynamic I referred to as "confident patience" back in 2009.
Here's the thing: Confident patience only works with an honest commitment to the boundaries of our plan practice. And before then, it's important to make sure the plan is doable. Is this sustainable indefinitely? Once we find our plan--the one we can do, the boundaries that are livable in the real world of our lives--then, we keep it--and we take care of it, we protect it. It will evolve naturally in a positive direction if it's designed specifically; uniquely for us.
If we create the structure of the plan practice and give it enough pillars of support--and we give the integrity of that plan practice self-honesty and commitment--then we can hit the pillow each night, knowing we made it another day--knowing that we've done all we can do--and then we can feel a real sense of peace, calm, and stability. I'm confident I maintained my plan today. And if I'm doing that--if you're doing that--then suddenly, time doesn't matter.
Let time do what it does. This isn't a race. The scale will do what it does. Let it. And realize, it's a data point, not a cheerleader or bully.
If we're confident in the integrity of our plan and we're still not getting positive progress, a personal plan evaluation is a good idea. Often times a few tweaks can make all the difference.
Now--on the other hand--beware of this: I can remember many times complaining about my plan "not working," but in reality, I wasn't working. Many times I couldn't honestly say I was taking extraordinary care of my plan--I was fudging it all the way--then laying the blame on anything and everything I could--except me!
There is a place of confident patience. Confidence in our plan, patience for where it's leading us.
The first time I wrote about this confident patience dynamic, philosophy, or whatever we want to call it, was over a decade ago. Let's hop in the DDWL time machine!
From the archives ten years ago in 2009:
My last official weigh day I checked in at 349, the “Lose To Win” final weigh-in I was 347, and today the scales showed 341. A loss of 8 pounds in the last two weeks! It's not the 339 I was hoping for, but the next weigh day I'll hit it for sure! I've lost a total of 164 pounds so far! I love it!
“Not the 339 I was hoping for,” really? Did I really expect a ten-pound drop? How silly of me.
What I've learned along the way is this: A confident patience is needed every day. When you're doing the things you know are right and good and you lay your head on the pillow at night knowing that your calorie budget is solid and your exercise is good, confident patience can come over you. It's calming. It's re-assuring. That confident patience says “I'm doing what's right and I'll get to where I'm headed along this road. However long it takes isn't of concern really because I know that I'm doing right by this every day.”
Time hopping to sometime in 2010:
The ups and downs, the fluctuations, the tough days and struggles---they come and go, but the confident patience remains strong. I really wanted to be in the 330's a year ago---and here I am getting ready to dive into the 240's. Confident patience. Forgetting about time and just doing what's right today. One day at a time adds up real quick. Confident patience.
I remain open to learning each day--and I stay humble because I believe successful/continued recovery in maintenance mode or going back the other way, are "places" with the biggest difference in consequences separated by the smallest of choices.
My new website is coming this week! Yay!
Do you own an "I'm Choosing Change" wristband? This wristband can serve as a powerful awareness/mindfulness tool! It certainly does for me. I wear mine proudly, daily, and more and more people are joining me in this movement! Email me and let me know if you want one. I'll send you a secure $15 PayPal invoice and personally ship it to you right away! transformation.road@gmail.com
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, in the Google Play store for Android, and listed wherever you find your favorite podcasts! If you haven't listened before, you'll find 20 episodes waiting for you!
Questions or comments? Send an email! transformation.road@gmail.com
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