The Daily Diary of a Winning Loser

Today, I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained abstinent from refined sugar, I exceeded my daily minimum 64oz water goal,

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Friday, 5 August 2016

August 5th, 2016 Integrity Of Stated Goals

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August 5th, 2016 Integrity Of Stated Goals

Every day, I exchange accountability text messages. I declare my goals for the day. This sets up a powerful dynamic because it's much easier to NOT accomplish the goals if I'm the only one that knows about them. So, I share. Occasionally, I'll bite off more than I can chew, declaring to do something that becomes too much of a challenge...other things get my time, and I run out. One of my goals today was to get my workout and dinner finished before heading off to the big Chicago concert. If this was going to happen, I really had to be on top of the schedule.

I'm proud to say I did maintain the integrity of my stated goals. I got a short but powerful workout and I prepared and enjoyed a fantastic dinner before heading out for the big Chicago concert.

Hitting the pillow knowing that the plan was executed well and all of today's goals were met, provides the most positive feeling. This feeling encourages more positive progress. The more times I feel this feeling, the better things become.
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Chicago was amazing!
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With the band backstage before the show. What an awesome experience!

My dinner tonight was one of my favorites. Oven "fried" catfish and sweet potato fries was fast and simple. The prep time isn't too much and everything goes on the same baking sheet, into the oven. I flip the fish and fries once, after about 10-15 minutes at 425 degrees.

Today, I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained abstinent from refined sugar, I exceeded my daily minimum 64oz water goal, I stayed connected with great support and I had a wonderful stair climbing workout.

Oh--and yes, I had the workout and dinner complete before tonight's big show!

I have a location broadcast tomorrow from 11am-1pm at a grocery store's BBQ Rib eating contest. I'll be doing the radio play by play of this crazy event! I'm planning on visiting mom tomorrow afternoon instead of waiting until Sunday evening.  I'm staying in town Sunday and at some point in the afternoon, there will be a guacamole party at my oldest daughter, Amber's house. Maybe even a full blown Mexican dinner, we haven't decided, just yet.

We have storms this early morning--yes, it's ridiculously late or early, depending on your perspective. I knew the storms were developing--it's why I made the coffee so very late! I'm actually in the middle of coverage as I write this blog post.

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Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
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Thursday, 4 August 2016

August 4th, 2016 I Don't Have To

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August 4th, 2016 I Don't Have To

The most important thing I do each day is also the one I'm most private about. I wake up, I sit on the side of my bed and I bow my head. In those moments, I'm the most humble and ego-less I can be. I am powerless. I ask for strength and guidance to do the next right thing, for just one more day. Because the truth is-- I will never have this all figured out. I will never do this all on my own. And the great news is, I don't have to.

Then, I raise my head--keep my eyes closed and meditate for just a few minutes. In this time, I'm envisioning the day. I'm envisioning the commitment to the disciplines I make important each day--what does it look like? How does it feel? These positive visualisations are powerful.

If the day looks challenging or has the potential to be exceptionally challenging, I mustn't turn and run--I must face it and explore solutions and strategies instead of declaring it too much. When I've had too much--and there's no plan in place, I'm at the greatest risk. My plan must include strategies for support and strategies for having what I need, where I need and when I need. I give myself these things each and every day because it's imperative to my continued stability.

And life goes on--I'm working, I'm living, I'm accomplishing things, I'm making time with family and friends important... I have rough days, I have challenging days at work.

My lifestream runs parallel to my fundamental elements stream. These two streams coexist peacefully as long as they do not cross. If I'm handling my life events in direct and proper ways, then I shouldn't ever have the need to sacrifice the fundamental elements of my daily plan. If I'm handling the fundamental elements of my plan in a reasonable fashion, then I shouldn't find myself sacrificing important things in my life.

It's a balance.

I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget today. I also remained abstinent from refined sugar. I stayed well connected with great support. And I exceeded my daily water goal. I did not meet my goal of being in bed by 10pm.

It's never perfect. Good thing that's not a requirement!

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Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
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Wednesday, 3 August 2016

August 3rd, 2016 Another Night

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August 3rd, 2016 Another Night

Mostly Tweets, tonight.

I would love to stay up a little later and write more, but I'll need to do that another night.

Today was truly a great day for many reasons. I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained abstinent from refined sugar (826 days), I exceeded my water goal, I experienced some absolutely powerful and totally beautiful support interactions this evening and I completed a great level 20/30 minute full body elliptical workout.

Oh--and one more thing-- I made an amazingly simple and delicious dinner at a normal dinner time! Go me!  

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Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
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Tuesday, 2 August 2016

August 2nd, 2016 Despite Myself

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August 2nd, 2016 Despite Myself

Today was one of those days where I wasn't planning on it becoming what it did. It was a busy day! It was a great day--but highly involved! From morning on, I was hitting on all eight--took a little slow down late afternoon, then ramped it up all evening. Don't let the exclamation points mislead you. I'm not necessarily proud of my sometimes tilted scheduling.

I've eaten dinner too late two nights in a row. I've never set a time limit or deadline for my meals. The last food of day happens whenever it happens--the last meal of day, same thing--I've never been hung up on the "I can't eat after this time." I'm not saying it isn't bad for me to eat so late, I'm simply saying that obviously, having lost over 300 pounds and now maintaining for almost a year, it hasn't kept me from continued positive progress. The "too late" designation is less about the food and for me, more about the meal crowding into what I need to make my sleep time, on a more consistent basis.

Lord knows this trek of mine hasn't been and never will be perfect. I've said it many times and I'll say it again--The pursuit of perfection is the quickest detour to disappointment. There's a long list of things I haven't "done right" along the way. And here I am, despite myself. 

I'm full of gratitude this evening. I want to say a big thank you to Certified Life Coach Kathleen Miles for being a fantastic partner in our teleconference support groups. Our next session is completely full. However, Coach Kathleen is accepting new One-On-One clients! If you're interested, email totalkathy@aol.com




















We had another special guest speaker tonight. Michael Prager delivered his story and a message of sustainability to our group. If you're not familiar with Michael, I highly recommend his books, Fat Boy Thin Man and his latest, Sustainable You.

Link to purchase Sustainable You- https://www.createspace.com/5997216

Link to purchase Fat Boy Thin Man-
https://www.createspace.com/3473067

Today, I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained abstinent from refined sugar, I remained heavily connected with great support and I met my water goal.

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Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
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Monday, 1 August 2016

August 1st, 2016 Worth It

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August 1st, 2016 Worth It

I couldn't turn my brain off last night. I had too much on my mind. The car issue was just one of a few. I made the decision to take a sick day today. I just wasn't feeling well. It wasn't an illness--but it was needed. You know? Some days--sometimes, we just need a day we can simply rest--get recentered and adjust our perspective. I needed it and I took it. And it was worth it. I'm worth it.

We had a special event guest speaker tonight on the support group conference line. Dr. Marty Lerner was incredible in every single way. Dr. Lerner's free e-book available at Milestonesprogram.org is titled "A Guide To Eating Disorder Recovery." I highly recommend!

I had the pleasure of being introduced via phone to Dr. Lerner years ago by Life Coach Gerri. He actually wrote the expert review of my book. If you have a copy of Transformation Road--his review is on the very first page. What's interesting to me, is, in that review, he alluded to possible trouble ahead, without saying it--and he was right. His expert review was glowing and wonderful for me, but also foreshadowing of events to come.

Without saying it directly--it was as if he knew what was likely coming. And boy did it ever come. But as I've said before--that 164-pound relapse/regain was exactly what I needed in order to reach where I needed to reach, to see what I needed to see--accept what I needed to accept and once and for all, give it a tight embrace.

I wish I could write more tonight. There's so much I have to write about! But it's too late. I tilted my schedule and day when I slept in so incredibly well.

I will not end this post without confirming...

I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained abstinent from refined sugar, I stayed connected with solid support, I exceeded my water goal and I enjoyed a wonderful workout at the gym.

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Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
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Sunday, 31 July 2016

July 31st, 2016 Until Today

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July 31st, 2016 Until Today

A wonderful thing happened today. I enjoyed a nice visit with my 84-year-old neighbor. For two years we've exchanged small talk in passing. She somehow knows more about me than I know about her--I suppose the neighborhood conversation might have brought me up a few times. But I never made the time to stop and listen to her, until today. It did my soul good. I just asked questions and listened. She was so generous with her story and wisdom. Now I know her.  

I had a great visit with mom late afternoon/evening and of course, we dined at our favorite Mexican place. On the way home, wasn't so good. My car started having issues. It's acting as if something's clogged in the exhaust system. I'll be taking it to the mechanic tomorrow. After pulling over, turning the car off--allowing it to sit for awhile, then finally starting back and driving super slow all the way home--I'm here. It's late, but I'm here--without needing a tow truck!

Today, I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained abstinent from refined sugar, I exceeded my water goal and I stayed active with fantastic support connections. It was a solid day in many ways.

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Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
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Saturday, 30 July 2016

July 30th, 2016 The Best Time

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July 30th, 2016 The Best Time

I stayed exceptionally busy today. I wasn't necessarily planning this, it just seemed to develop. I spent some time at the studio catching up on some things before heading home and freshening up for an evening performance at the Playhouse.

It's late and I'm thoroughly exhausted.

I don't post too many micro-blogs on Facebook like I once did, especially since I returned to daily postings on this blog almost two and a half years ago, but today was an exception. Now is always the best time!



Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget. I remained abstinent from refined sugar. I stayed well connected with support. I met my daily water goal. I made time to prepare some great food. I accomlished some good work at the studio and I enjoyed a live production. It's been a great day!

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