Showing posts with label nutrition science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nutrition science. Show all posts

Monday, August 11, 2014

August 11th, 2014 Harmony Still Surrounds

August 11th, 2014 Harmony Still Surrounds

I felt really alive today. You know what I mean? It's a wonderful harmony. I use that word a lot lately, "harmony," but what does it mean? My only explanation for this sudden and frequent usage of a word I rarely noticed before now is, perhaps it took authentically feeling it to genuinely use it in my writing and speech.

Despite the struggles and challenges, harmony still surrounds when I choose to recognize its existence. It's a feeling of acceptance, no matter how imperfect this journey is at times. It's still beautiful. And the fact that: I don't drink enough water. I may or may not be getting enough calories each day or maybe too many. I eat too late, too close to bedtime. I often don't get enough rest--are details needing adjustments, modifications, things that simply need patience, time and a willingness to change. Consistency is critical, perfection isn't. I carry a confident patience as I move throughout each day.

I'll weigh again on Wednesday and I know that no matter what the scale says, I'm doing well. And I know I will keep doing well. If the loss this three week period is something that brings a big smile, great! If it's a loss that raises an eyebrow of concern, then okay-- perhaps I'll make some adjustments--maybe move some disciplines up the priority list.  

The point is, I'm in this for the rest of my life. I will make it to a healthy body weight and I will be in the best physical condition I've ever known. The practices I'm making important are things I will always do. I don't plan on ever returning to sugar and that's a big deal for me. I'm not proclaiming I'm beyond relapse--oh, I've made that mistake before--none of us are beyond relapse, ever. I know if I'm to have the best chance at avoiding relapse, I must continue making support, accountability, abstinence from sugar and taking extraordinary care important, non-negotiable ways of life. That's my plan. And it is the plan that gives me the best shot at continuing to feel this wonderful peace and harmony. 

I'm so happy. Why? I just am. Happy. To go from a deep dark place to where I am now, is--just a miracle in so many ways. I honestly believed it might be impossible to feel like this again. So grateful it wasn't impossible.

I love receiving messages from people who are feeling empowered again. I opened the most wonderful message today from a reader named Beverly. She said something so wonderful: "I know I've said things before about getting on track ... I guess those were just times when I wasn't willing to get WORSE. Now I'm determined to get BETTER."

 I have a feeling Beverly is about to embark on the most amazing transformation of mind, body and soul. Having been on the edge of commitment, I'm fairly good at recognizing the same in others. It's a place where willingness meets action and actions meet consistency and it comes together in a way unique to us and what we need, what we can handle--what works for us. 

My workout tonight was the spin and swim combo. Cycling, as it's called at the Y, was brutal!! And by "brutal," I mean it was fantastic. Remember me writing a while back about running into the spin instructor at the grocery store? He was the one leading our class this evening. When I walked in he made an elated sound to greet me. His elation and smile coming my way felt amazing. He too has gained some weight from his previous healthier weight, something he shared with me as a way to encourage and relate. And it did, beautifully. He's the one who told me to just get in there and do what I can, as I can--and I did. My "can" was really good today. 

The swimming tonight was really good. I did strain my neck a little by doing pull ups on the side of the pool. I was pulling myself up, nearly half way out of the water and holding it there for more than 20 seconds. Every muscle in my arms, back and shoulders were engaged. Afterward, I realized my neck muscles were in on it too. It is feeling better now, so that's good. I need to be careful in my "freestyle" water workouts!

You wouldn't believe how confident I feel by the pool and in the locker room. In one week, I've gone from a paralyzing fear to 100% comfort and confidence in this area. I don't hide in a bathroom stall to change either, nope. I do what I need to do in the locker room just like everybody else. I shower before getting in, I dry off, I change clothes, whatever! It's a dramatic shift in perspective--these are things I couldn't, uh--wouldn't do before.

I took the heart monitor I borrowed from a dear friend to spinning class but waited too long to figure out how to enter my weight in an effort to get an accurate calorie burn, so that experiment will wait until tomorrow. I'm anxiously awaiting to see those numbers and how they compare with what MyFitnessPal says I'm burning. This information will help me make any adjustments I might need.

I enjoyed my food today. It was good. With the spinning/swimming combo, I fell short again on the net calories after exercise goal and I'm okay with this for now. I need more data before I can confidently claim the need to eat too much more than I do. The question is: Am I exercising enough--burning enough calories to justify the added fuel? The nutrition science behind this "eat more-lose more" philosophy is solid stuff. We must give our bodies what it needs to operate on an optimum level. Anything less and this road gets rough with potholes full of frustration.

I think about Michael Phelps, the USA Olympic Gold Medal swimmer. I'm NOT comparing myself to him--I'm just saying, when he trains he eats 10,000 calories a day. When I first read that I found it hard to imagine. Some time later, I heard him say that exact thing in an interview. 10,000 a day!! I don't think I've ever consumed that many even on my biggest binge days of old.

Food tweets today:












Thank you for reading and your support! I look forward to conversing with you in the comments section below.
Strength,
Sean
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