There are many differences between then and now. I've been here before, well, actually--I don't think I dropped to 220 before--but numbers aside, I've been here-where the focus shifts to maintenance.
I didn't have what I have now, in November 2010. I didn't have the tools. I didn't have the experience. I didn't have the proper perspective. I had no fear of relapse/regain because I had simply declared, "I'm never going back." A declaration made with absolutely zero clue of how to back it up.
I felt great. And naturally, I expected to maintain good choices and exercise regularly, but it wasn't supported with structure. The accountability/support system I've structured today didn't exist. I was walking a tight rope without a net.
Today, I've made sure I have a net and a safety harness and plenty of support all around. I'm not alone. One of the big things I've learned (there are several) is the importance of building our individual accountability/support structure.
Another big thing I've learned is, I don't know it all. I don't have all the answers. And my continued success in maintenance isn't guaranteed.
In this understanding comes the greatest possibility of continued recovery. There's a healthy amount of fear, because unlike before, I now know how quickly things can change.
There's no surprises lurking. If I stop holding sacred the fundamental elements of my recovery, then I'm effectively giving back the peace and freedom I've come to enjoy these days.
I hope and pray I don't stop, ever. I didn't today. I'm not planning on stopping tomorrow.
I prepared some good meals today. I maintained the integrity of my plan. I exercised well. I jogged for FIVE MINUTES STRAIGHT!!! That wasn't easy. And I was active in direct one on one support with several others along this road. For me, that's a solid day.
I'll let the Tweets share the rest...While I go get some rest. Goodnight, my friend.
My Tweets Today:
Dark roast with two tablespoons half & half X 2 cups. Good Sunday! 80 cal. pic.twitter.com/4sgngzSLpa— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 9, 2015
Steak melt omelet coming together! pic.twitter.com/qmlvnO9kum— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 9, 2015
Brunch in MFP... pic.twitter.com/5tAa3oF7Y5— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 9, 2015
Steak Melt Omelet w/3 whl eggs, 7g butter, 4oz sirloin, 1 slice mozz, 139g red potatoes, 133g cantaloupe. 644 cal. pic.twitter.com/C6azf2Slw9— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 9, 2015
Potatoes: sliced, weighed, placed in ziplock bag w/pepper & garlic salt, shaken, then on to olive oil sprayed pan & baked at 425 for 15 min.— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 9, 2015
Used real butter for the omelet. Just 1/2 tablespoon. I measured 7g... Or 50 cal worth. Not enough, apparently! Omelet stuck! #uglyomelet— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 9, 2015
But wow, the flavor!!! Three whole eggs and real butter makes it a very rich omelet, for sure. Calories still in a decent range for a meal.— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 9, 2015
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 9, 2015
7.9oz Bartlett pear, 181g golden delicious apple w/32g natural peanut butter. String cheese stick. 516 cal. pic.twitter.com/X8F0PKehEZ— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 9, 2015
Walk/jog on Indoor Y track, then strength training. #sundayworkout pic.twitter.com/R2arfANyS2— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 9, 2015
Three cups water in previous tweet. #wateraccountability— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 9, 2015
Strength workout and 30 minute walk/jog done. Spent almost 13 min of 30, jogging. Did 5 min straight! #feelsgreat pic.twitter.com/NbOV3M6wPf— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 9, 2015
The 5 minute interval was really tough. By 4:20 I wanted to stop so badly. Kept pushing. Slowed pace slightly. Made it to 5 minutes. #yay— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 9, 2015
Dinner in the making... pic.twitter.com/iGHFtpkLAb— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 10, 2015
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 10, 2015
Whole grain linguine (3oz) w-3/4 cup low cal alfredo sauce, 85g mshrms, 85g peas&carrots, 4oz chicken breast. 606 cal pic.twitter.com/mnyHOaO2Eq— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 10, 2015
Dinner in MFP... pic.twitter.com/eafhMLFdg9— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 10, 2015
After dinner cup of deliciously dark roasted coffee with 2 tablspns half & half. Not really missing the a.s. 40 cal. pic.twitter.com/0SUwt9SeQ8— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 10, 2015
7oz fresh peach. #lastfoodofday 112 cal. pic.twitter.com/1SqOyLKTPX— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) August 10, 2015
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean