June 30th, 2018 Relax
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I exceeded my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
Today has been a day of recovery from yesterday. I did a location broadcast today and weather coverage later in the afternoon--but mostly I've tried to take it easy and simply relax. I visited with mom for a little while this evening, too.
I'm tired. I'm glad the weather is over for tonight because I'm hitting the pillow soon and hoping to sleep in gloriously tomorrow morning.
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Friday, June 29, 2018
June 29th, 2018 Day Is Done
June 29th, 2018 Day Is Done
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I exceeded my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
Today's schedule was a little on the extreme side. It turned out to be an eighteen hour day on too little sleep. A day like today is rare, thank goodness--because I couldn't function if it were the norm. I made sure to take care of my food plan and stay connected. The day consisted of my morning show, two location broadcasts, and an emcee event tonight at a big reunion. I'm so glad this day is done!
I have a short broadcast tomorrow starting at 11am--but that's just fine, I'll be sleeping in very well between now and then.
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I exceeded my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
Today's schedule was a little on the extreme side. It turned out to be an eighteen hour day on too little sleep. A day like today is rare, thank goodness--because I couldn't function if it were the norm. I made sure to take care of my food plan and stay connected. The day consisted of my morning show, two location broadcasts, and an emcee event tonight at a big reunion. I'm so glad this day is done!
 |
| Spent. |
I have a short broadcast tomorrow starting at 11am--but that's just fine, I'll be sleeping in very well between now and then.
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Thursday, June 28, 2018
June 28th, 2018 Core Qualities
June 28th, 2018 Core Qualities
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I met my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
Losing weight didn't make me a better person. Maintaining weight doesn't make me a better person. Gaining weight didn't make me a worse person. Maintaining 500 pounds plus for nearly 20 years didn't make me a worse person. Struggling for so long didn't make me a failure.
For the longest time, years actually, I did attach my self-worth and identity to my size and weight. Disconnecting the power cord between self-worth/identity and weight/size was an important step in helping me see things from a different perspective.
Finding the core of who I am and have always been required a simple question:
What are the qualities in me that do not change? If I'm 500 pounds or 210 pounds, what positive attributes do I possess at both of those weights?
The same question can be applied to other things, for example: If I won the lottery tomorrow, what positive qualities about me would remain from my previous financial existence?
These core qualities are the ones with us through it all--the stability and certainty, instability and uncertainty. The list includes not only the way our brain works through compassion, empathy, sense of humor, intelligence, etc., it also includes our likes and dislikes, our roles as parents and grandparents--the things that bring us joy and peace, love and laughter. These things are often overlooked because identity and self-worth have been attached to something that fluctuates.
My identity and self-worth were always hooked onto my weight. Someone else's identity and self-worth might be tied to their bank account. And another's might be tied to whether or not they perceive their current station in life as stable or unstable. Still, another's might rely on the progression of their career. All of these things fluctuate. And through it all, we're still who we are within our core qualities.
In order for these core qualities to flourish and enrich our lives to the fullest, they must be loved and nurtured like watering a plant. If they're neglected, they wilt and wither. I believe this is where the expression "I feel dead inside" comes.
And when identity and self-worth are attached to anything else, these positive attributes get neglected on both sides of whatever is fluctuating.
When the changing source of identity and self-worth is moving in a positive direction, we feel great about ourselves. And when the source is moving in a negative direction we feel worse about ourselves. Then we get into a tug of war, constantly battling to feel good.
We've all heard, "Happiness must come from within." Now I understand how that can happen and I understand how it doesn't happen when we rely on external things that change.
Money doesn't buy happiness. Losing weight doesn't magically fix us. Getting the big promotion or settling down into a relationship doesn't do it either. We're truly free when our identity and self-worth is authentically attached to the core qualities of who we are.
And the best thing??
It can NEVER be taken away from us, no matter what.
Today's Featured Tweet:
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I met my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
Losing weight didn't make me a better person. Maintaining weight doesn't make me a better person. Gaining weight didn't make me a worse person. Maintaining 500 pounds plus for nearly 20 years didn't make me a worse person. Struggling for so long didn't make me a failure.
For the longest time, years actually, I did attach my self-worth and identity to my size and weight. Disconnecting the power cord between self-worth/identity and weight/size was an important step in helping me see things from a different perspective.
Finding the core of who I am and have always been required a simple question:
What are the qualities in me that do not change? If I'm 500 pounds or 210 pounds, what positive attributes do I possess at both of those weights?
The same question can be applied to other things, for example: If I won the lottery tomorrow, what positive qualities about me would remain from my previous financial existence?
These core qualities are the ones with us through it all--the stability and certainty, instability and uncertainty. The list includes not only the way our brain works through compassion, empathy, sense of humor, intelligence, etc., it also includes our likes and dislikes, our roles as parents and grandparents--the things that bring us joy and peace, love and laughter. These things are often overlooked because identity and self-worth have been attached to something that fluctuates.
My identity and self-worth were always hooked onto my weight. Someone else's identity and self-worth might be tied to their bank account. And another's might be tied to whether or not they perceive their current station in life as stable or unstable. Still, another's might rely on the progression of their career. All of these things fluctuate. And through it all, we're still who we are within our core qualities.
In order for these core qualities to flourish and enrich our lives to the fullest, they must be loved and nurtured like watering a plant. If they're neglected, they wilt and wither. I believe this is where the expression "I feel dead inside" comes.
And when identity and self-worth are attached to anything else, these positive attributes get neglected on both sides of whatever is fluctuating.
When the changing source of identity and self-worth is moving in a positive direction, we feel great about ourselves. And when the source is moving in a negative direction we feel worse about ourselves. Then we get into a tug of war, constantly battling to feel good.
We've all heard, "Happiness must come from within." Now I understand how that can happen and I understand how it doesn't happen when we rely on external things that change.
Money doesn't buy happiness. Losing weight doesn't magically fix us. Getting the big promotion or settling down into a relationship doesn't do it either. We're truly free when our identity and self-worth is authentically attached to the core qualities of who we are.
And the best thing??
It can NEVER be taken away from us, no matter what.
Summer peaches with lunch- oh my, yes! pic.twitter.com/ua24ua2hgf— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 28, 2018
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
June 27th, 2018 More Of These
June 27th, 2018 More Of These
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I met my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
Today was a good day.
I'll take more of these, please.
Featured Tweets:
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I met my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
Today was a good day.
I'll take more of these, please.
Featured Tweets:
Now we're cooking... pic.twitter.com/LX2U7obO7I— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 28, 2018
One of my favorite meals! Chicken & Grilled Veggie Kabobs w/red skin mashed potatoes. 618 cal. pic.twitter.com/4g6FVsa3rB— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 28, 2018
Dessert! #cantaloupe ❤️ pic.twitter.com/3Mw8ite2fB— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 28, 2018
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
June 26th, 2018 Worked For Me
June 26th, 2018 Worked For Me
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I exceeded my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
The owner of the radio stations I work for is running for State Senate and tonight was his election results watch party. He's headed for a runoff in August, not what everyone was hoping for, but he's still in the race.
Today's schedule was back to somewhat normal. My food plan was back on the proper schedule, and that's good. Last night didn't include storms and tonight wasn't suppose to include storms, but storms are headed this way with an estimated time of arrival somewhere around 1am.
I ate dinner at the watch party. I know the owners of the restaurant really well. I've written, produced, and voiced radio commercials for them for years. I mention this to give a little insight into how I'm comfortable taking my own refined sugar-free and flour-free sprouted grain Ezekiel bread into the restaurant for a burger like I did tonight. I could've ordered something else without the Ezekiel, but a burger sounded good. It worked for me. I don't think I'd attempt this move in another restaurant that I didn't know this well.
I'll wrap it up and get ready for storm coverage. It would be really nice if these storms south of Wichita would dissipate into nothingness before they arrive.
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I exceeded my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
The owner of the radio stations I work for is running for State Senate and tonight was his election results watch party. He's headed for a runoff in August, not what everyone was hoping for, but he's still in the race.
Today's schedule was back to somewhat normal. My food plan was back on the proper schedule, and that's good. Last night didn't include storms and tonight wasn't suppose to include storms, but storms are headed this way with an estimated time of arrival somewhere around 1am.
I ate dinner at the watch party. I know the owners of the restaurant really well. I've written, produced, and voiced radio commercials for them for years. I mention this to give a little insight into how I'm comfortable taking my own refined sugar-free and flour-free sprouted grain Ezekiel bread into the restaurant for a burger like I did tonight. I could've ordered something else without the Ezekiel, but a burger sounded good. It worked for me. I don't think I'd attempt this move in another restaurant that I didn't know this well.
I'll wrap it up and get ready for storm coverage. It would be really nice if these storms south of Wichita would dissipate into nothingness before they arrive.
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Skincare mistakes that make you look older
These days, I'm all about keeping my skin looking younger and healthier. That's why I went to the experts to get their advice on what we should all be doing (and avoiding!) on our journey to more beautiful skin. And as it turns out, there are some things many of us do every day that could actually be sabotaging our faces.
Here are several common skin care mistakes that make you look older.
Going to bed with makeup on
"Whether you are a religious make up wearer or not, washing your face twice daily is imperative for healthy skin," licensed esthetician Michaela Bailey of Refresh at Mosaic Hair Studio in Orlando, FL, told me via email. "Sweat, makeup, pollutants in the air, and bacteria from our hands are all sitting on our skin and need to be cleansed off daily."
Joy Chen, CEO of H20 Beauty, says that even if we don't wear makeup, we're constantly exposed to pollutants that can damage our skin. "Air pollution is widespread — it's not just confined to urban areas. Plus, pollution particles are 20 times smaller than pores, which means our skin easily absorbs these toxins," she told me. "Though you may not notice it immediately, leaving your skin unprotected and exposed to pollution takes an even greater toll over time — it's one of the main factors contributing to inflammation and visible signs of aging."
Skipping out on moisturizer
"Everyone needs a moisturizer whether you are a dry skin type or extremely oily," she explained to me. "This keeps the skin hydrated throughout the day and will help keep wrinkles and fine lines at bay. Heavier moisturizers can be used at night and lighter moisturizers with SPF 15 or higher can be used during the day."
Wearing SPF only during the summer
Hillary Kline, a makeup artist and beauty blogger in Minneapolis, is also a huge proponent of sunscreen. "Being exposed to UVA rays — I cringe at tanning beds — will make your skin age quicker," she told me. Kline also suggests using a sunscreen or moisturizer with SPF 40 daily. "Not only does it help guard against sun damage, it will also assist in keeping the skin looking younger [and] more youthful."
Not drinking enough water
"Water helps keep our systems running smoothly. This, in turn, keeps the skin properly functioning, as well," said Roberta Perry, founder and president of ScrubzBody Natural Skin Care. "Whatever your weight, you should be drinking half that amount in ounces of water, daily. It helps flush the body and the skin, and keeps it dewy."
Not a huge fan of water? Perry suggests trying decaffeinated tea with lemon.
Read More
Monday, June 25, 2018
June 25th, 2018 Best Move
June 25th, 2018 Best Move
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget (although it was the second straight low-calorie day), I remained refined sugar-free, I met my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
The weather radio alarm sounded shortly after I posted last night's blog post. It was the third night in a row for middle-of-the-night coverage. It has left me completely exhausted.
I didn't do my morning show this morning but I did report to work after getting some rest. It wasn't enough. It'll feel great to get a decent night's sleep tonight.
This schedule lately has really affected my food plan. I've had two meals yesterday and two today and came in way under my maintenance budget both days. It's okay--and I should be back to normal tomorrow, but I certainly don't like it when everything seems tilted!
Anyway--my next best move is hitting the pillow.
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget (although it was the second straight low-calorie day), I remained refined sugar-free, I met my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
The weather radio alarm sounded shortly after I posted last night's blog post. It was the third night in a row for middle-of-the-night coverage. It has left me completely exhausted.
I didn't do my morning show this morning but I did report to work after getting some rest. It wasn't enough. It'll feel great to get a decent night's sleep tonight.
This schedule lately has really affected my food plan. I've had two meals yesterday and two today and came in way under my maintenance budget both days. It's okay--and I should be back to normal tomorrow, but I certainly don't like it when everything seems tilted!
Anyway--my next best move is hitting the pillow.
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Sunday, June 24, 2018
June 24th, 2018 Good Experience
June 24th, 2018 Good Experience
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget (although it was a severely low-calorie day), I remained refined sugar-free, I met my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
This weekend's severe weather coverage schedule at the radio station has been brutal--completely upending my schedule in the worst way. It's the season and it will pass quickly, but my goodness--two nights in a row of late night/early morning coverage has flipped my routine. I'm grateful for my job--not complaining, just saying, it's been a challenge the past couple days thanks to Mother Nature. And the forecast calls for more overnight--I'm hoping that forecast is wrong.
Mom, Amber, Raegan and I headed to Stillwater this evening for my Aunt Kelli's (mom's sister) 50th birthday party. It was a good time to visit, catching up with family we don't see very often. The site of the party was a Chinese buffet restaurant. I was going to give it a shot--but one survey of the offering and I knew, I just couldn't make it work within my food plan. It was totally fine. I drank water and enjoyed the company thoroughly. I even got to see my cousins I hardly ever see!! It was really really a good experience.
I grabbed some chicken tacos from Chipotle on the way out of town and I was good.
My first meal of the day didn't happen until almost 1pm. I skipped lunch because I planned to eat at the party, then that didn't work--the after-party tacos with guacamole and a 1oz kids size chips turned out to be my last food of day. It left me way under budget for the day--and that's just fine. It's one day. And trust me, it rarely happens!
My focus now is to drop in bed with the weather radio set to alert; hoping it doesn't go off. Have mercy, Mother Nature!
I invite you to connect with me on MyFitnessPal!! My MFP username is SeanAAnderson
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget (although it was a severely low-calorie day), I remained refined sugar-free, I met my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
This weekend's severe weather coverage schedule at the radio station has been brutal--completely upending my schedule in the worst way. It's the season and it will pass quickly, but my goodness--two nights in a row of late night/early morning coverage has flipped my routine. I'm grateful for my job--not complaining, just saying, it's been a challenge the past couple days thanks to Mother Nature. And the forecast calls for more overnight--I'm hoping that forecast is wrong.
Mom, Amber, Raegan and I headed to Stillwater this evening for my Aunt Kelli's (mom's sister) 50th birthday party. It was a good time to visit, catching up with family we don't see very often. The site of the party was a Chinese buffet restaurant. I was going to give it a shot--but one survey of the offering and I knew, I just couldn't make it work within my food plan. It was totally fine. I drank water and enjoyed the company thoroughly. I even got to see my cousins I hardly ever see!! It was really really a good experience.
I grabbed some chicken tacos from Chipotle on the way out of town and I was good.
My first meal of the day didn't happen until almost 1pm. I skipped lunch because I planned to eat at the party, then that didn't work--the after-party tacos with guacamole and a 1oz kids size chips turned out to be my last food of day. It left me way under budget for the day--and that's just fine. It's one day. And trust me, it rarely happens!
My focus now is to drop in bed with the weather radio set to alert; hoping it doesn't go off. Have mercy, Mother Nature!
I invite you to connect with me on MyFitnessPal!! My MFP username is SeanAAnderson
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
The real reason you don't hear from Emeril Lagasse anymore
Did he retire? Not exactly. While Lagasse's overwhelming fame has diminished a bit, he's still the same hard-working and brilliant chef we all know and love. Lagasse hasn't left the industry, but he's not on TV as much these days so all but his most diehard fans seem to have forgotten he ever existed. The chef has got a lot of irons in the fire though, and has been keeping himself quite busy, even though we haven't heard much from him lately. Here's what Lagasse has been up to.
The cancellation of Emeril Live was the beginning of the end
Emeril Live wrapped in 2007, and his other Food Network show, Essence of Emeril, was finished in 2008. Food Network wanted Lagasse to create reality shows, but he didn't like that idea. "I'm old-fashioned, and I want to teach people how to cook, how to eat, how to serve, how to shop, how to drink wine, how to mix a cocktail properly," he said. "I didn't necessarily at the time want to get into this competition stuff." While Lagasse would later get involved with Top Chef for a few seasons, his focus was on Emeril's Florida which debuted in 2013. The Cooking Channel show kept his face on TV, but didn't bring him the same attention as his Food Network shows did.
Martha Stewart bought his brand
Given the success of his restaurants, Lagasse probably wasn't in desperate need of the money, but he did get a nice payout from selling his lucrative brand. Stewart's company paid him a whopping $45 million in cash and another $5 million in stock. "His tastes are very different from mine, as is his food, and I think that's good," Stewart told The New York Times. "Being complementary and different is better than being competitive."
The recession hit his restaurants pretty hard
Lagasse went so far as to blame Obama and the government for his business troubles, claiming that government interference was going to destroy middle range restaurants. "I have nowhere to go, really — other than broke," he said. Fortunately, things slowly turned around and by 2016 the chef had opened another restaurant.
He's getting back to his roots
His restaurants were his first love, and where he is still happiest working. He has been spending more time working at his restaurants, which means he's still been working hard — just not in the spotlight. His fans who miss him can at least be assured that the chef is happy doing what he loves. "What really makes my clock go is still the restaurants," Lagasse told GQ in 2016. "I love people, I love being with my staff, I love learning together, I love making people happy with food, with wine, with service."
He's suffered some pretty big losses
Just a few years later, Lagasse's mother, Hilda Lagasse, passed away. She and her son were very close. She was one of his earliest teachers and cultivated his love for the culinary arts by teaching him family recipes. Part of the reason Lagasse has kept more to himself over the last few years could be due to his grief at losing two women who were such an important part of his life.
Read More
Saturday, June 23, 2018
June 23rd, 2018 Never A Prerequisite
June 23rd, 2018 Never A Prerequisite
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I met my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
I did a broadcast from a car dealership today. Part of my job involves being around free food--and an event like this typically involves free food. It did--and I stayed away. I enjoyed a nice breakfast before the broadcast so I wasn't hungry but honestly, hunger was never a prerequisite for my compulsive eating behaviors. My food plan includes some boundaries specific to me, considering things like my personal list of trigger foods and sensitivities. Part of my daily practice is making sure I'm honoring the food plan I've developed not just by the foods I eat but when I eat. If I hadn't eaten a good breakfast before today's broadcast, maybe it would have been harder to resist the spread. I don't know. Maybe not--but it's better for me to not take the risk.
I made a trip to the grocery store tonight for a few items before coming back home to prepare a good dinner. Considering tonight will likely be another weather coverage night--this time in the wee hours, I'm staying home and hopefully getting some rest before the alarm sounds the weather warnings.
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I met my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
I did a broadcast from a car dealership today. Part of my job involves being around free food--and an event like this typically involves free food. It did--and I stayed away. I enjoyed a nice breakfast before the broadcast so I wasn't hungry but honestly, hunger was never a prerequisite for my compulsive eating behaviors. My food plan includes some boundaries specific to me, considering things like my personal list of trigger foods and sensitivities. Part of my daily practice is making sure I'm honoring the food plan I've developed not just by the foods I eat but when I eat. If I hadn't eaten a good breakfast before today's broadcast, maybe it would have been harder to resist the spread. I don't know. Maybe not--but it's better for me to not take the risk.
I made a trip to the grocery store tonight for a few items before coming back home to prepare a good dinner. Considering tonight will likely be another weather coverage night--this time in the wee hours, I'm staying home and hopefully getting some rest before the alarm sounds the weather warnings.
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Friday, June 22, 2018
June 22nd, 2018 Staples
June 22nd, 2018 Staples
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I exceeded my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
It quickly became a busy Friday at the studio. I made it home a little later than usual and proceeded to grab a nap. The nap was important for me because of the expectation of late night severe weather coverage. I was just finishing up dinner (beef fajita crunchy tacos) when the first warnings were issued--perfect timing, I suppose--and off to work I went. The great thing about these storms was the speed they were traveling. At 60mph to the east, it doesn't take long for the most severe portions to pass. Considering the initial watch was in effect until 5am, I'm counting myself lucky to be home at 1:15am!
I stopped by mom's place and the store on the way home. I didn't want to make the trip into Walmart at almost 1am but I was out of apples and eggs--and by golly, we can't have that!! Those are two staples of my food plan!
Okay-- I'm wrapping it up and dropping in bed.
Today's Featured Tweet:
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I exceeded my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
It quickly became a busy Friday at the studio. I made it home a little later than usual and proceeded to grab a nap. The nap was important for me because of the expectation of late night severe weather coverage. I was just finishing up dinner (beef fajita crunchy tacos) when the first warnings were issued--perfect timing, I suppose--and off to work I went. The great thing about these storms was the speed they were traveling. At 60mph to the east, it doesn't take long for the most severe portions to pass. Considering the initial watch was in effect until 5am, I'm counting myself lucky to be home at 1:15am!
I stopped by mom's place and the store on the way home. I didn't want to make the trip into Walmart at almost 1am but I was out of apples and eggs--and by golly, we can't have that!! Those are two staples of my food plan!
Okay-- I'm wrapping it up and dropping in bed.
Today's Featured Tweet:
Cantaloupe bowl-fun! Breakfast enjoyed✅ Ezekiel toast w/3 egg whites, 1 whole egg, and 1 slice provolone. 2nd Ezekiel toast w/46g mashed avocado seasoned simply w/salt&pepper. 312g cantaloupe, 187g strawberries, and 59g banana. 633 cal. #notadiet #foodplan #whatilike #bigmeal pic.twitter.com/dWL60OpnWi— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 22, 2018
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Thursday, June 21, 2018
June 21st, 2018 Part Of The Foundation
June 21st, 2018 Part Of The Foundation
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I exceeded my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
Up way too late tonight! It was a solid day. I really enjoyed preparing dinner. It was simple and satisfying-- it's in the featured tweet below.
DDWL Flashback from October 2014:
I believe we get what we give. The more we put into something, the more we get out of it. I want consistent results, so I give myself extraordinary care, consistently. It isn't always easy. It's certainly not as simple as saying. "I'm going to be consistent from here on out!" Don't we wish it was that easy?
As I analyze the fundamentals of what I've been doing in my recovery mode, I realize I've built a system that works for me. It's a system of accountability, support, and open communication. In relapse, two of these three things were non-existent. I shut down my accountability and isolated, I may have communicated some, but not about my struggles. The support was always there but largely ignored, by my own choosing, so it wasn't effective.
Being consistent during this turnaround from the regain has required me to elevate my accountability. My Twitter feed pictures of everything I eat has been an invaluable accountability tool. I was resistant to the idea at first, fearing it would be a huge hassle. It's actually a complete pleasure and it's inspired me to eat better! I take my time in choosing, preparing and eating my food. I enjoy it more--all because of this twitter feed. I've made it important.
I've recognized and accepted support in many forms. Your readership is supporting, your comments are supportive and I've established a list of people I know I can text or call anytime, night or day if I'm needing someone to talk me through a tough time or talk me out of a drive-through.
Open and honest communication--basically, the opposite of isolating, is crucial to my consistency. In the dark depths of relapse, nobody knew how bad it had become because I was alone when I did what I was doing with food. It was my secret trip to the ice cream place every night before bed. Nobody knew, not my daughters, mom or anyone close to me. I was consistently in "hiding." Now, if those feelings/compulsions to binge show up--I pick up the phone and reach out for "spot support." Gerri Helms has been there for me on numerous occasions. And I have others who are ready if I need them. And I will, I'm sure--at some point. On the other hand--I'm also available for them, anytime.
Keeping things simple is a major part of the foundation making my consistency possible. I don't get too technical. I don't crunch the numbers or get into confusing plans or patterns. I simply eat as well as I can and desire and I make time for exercise. I have some personal food rules, of course: No sugar, I avoid trigger foods, measuring is very important and proper portion control is a must. I make sure I'm eating things I truly enjoy. And I'm not afraid to be repetitious in my selections, especially with breakfast and lunch. If I get tired of something, I'll naturally shift to other things. If I don't get tired of it and I enjoy it, then what's not good about that?
Simple, simple, simple...It is crucial to maintaining consistency. We're the ones who make the rules--if we keep the rules simple to follow--then our chances of maintaining consistency goes up dramatically. And as we develop along the way--we can get as fancy and as specialized as we want and need, when we're ready. It's a natural evolution of good choices. Not a sudden and dramatic change where we expect to be a completely different person as soon as we wake up on our pre-determined start day.
My focus on consistency isn't long term. It's today. I want to make today a good day. I want to hit the pillow tonight, knowing that I gave it my best shot--my honest to goodness, best. Not perfect, mind you--rather, the best I could do today. I want to do that again tomorrow. It feels good!! We gain momentum in either direction, good or bad. Good choices lead to more of the same and bad choices lead to more bad choices.
Big time accomplishments are not done all at once. It's a collection of much smaller accomplishments, each of which contributes in a positive way to the bigger goal ahead. I'm setting small, doable goals--and hitting them square with everything I can. And I'm getting back some wonderful results in return. You get what you give, it's a universal truth.
Today's Featured Tweet:
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I exceeded my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
Up way too late tonight! It was a solid day. I really enjoyed preparing dinner. It was simple and satisfying-- it's in the featured tweet below.
DDWL Flashback from October 2014:
I believe we get what we give. The more we put into something, the more we get out of it. I want consistent results, so I give myself extraordinary care, consistently. It isn't always easy. It's certainly not as simple as saying. "I'm going to be consistent from here on out!" Don't we wish it was that easy?
As I analyze the fundamentals of what I've been doing in my recovery mode, I realize I've built a system that works for me. It's a system of accountability, support, and open communication. In relapse, two of these three things were non-existent. I shut down my accountability and isolated, I may have communicated some, but not about my struggles. The support was always there but largely ignored, by my own choosing, so it wasn't effective.
Being consistent during this turnaround from the regain has required me to elevate my accountability. My Twitter feed pictures of everything I eat has been an invaluable accountability tool. I was resistant to the idea at first, fearing it would be a huge hassle. It's actually a complete pleasure and it's inspired me to eat better! I take my time in choosing, preparing and eating my food. I enjoy it more--all because of this twitter feed. I've made it important.
I've recognized and accepted support in many forms. Your readership is supporting, your comments are supportive and I've established a list of people I know I can text or call anytime, night or day if I'm needing someone to talk me through a tough time or talk me out of a drive-through.
Open and honest communication--basically, the opposite of isolating, is crucial to my consistency. In the dark depths of relapse, nobody knew how bad it had become because I was alone when I did what I was doing with food. It was my secret trip to the ice cream place every night before bed. Nobody knew, not my daughters, mom or anyone close to me. I was consistently in "hiding." Now, if those feelings/compulsions to binge show up--I pick up the phone and reach out for "spot support." Gerri Helms has been there for me on numerous occasions. And I have others who are ready if I need them. And I will, I'm sure--at some point. On the other hand--I'm also available for them, anytime.
Keeping things simple is a major part of the foundation making my consistency possible. I don't get too technical. I don't crunch the numbers or get into confusing plans or patterns. I simply eat as well as I can and desire and I make time for exercise. I have some personal food rules, of course: No sugar, I avoid trigger foods, measuring is very important and proper portion control is a must. I make sure I'm eating things I truly enjoy. And I'm not afraid to be repetitious in my selections, especially with breakfast and lunch. If I get tired of something, I'll naturally shift to other things. If I don't get tired of it and I enjoy it, then what's not good about that?
Simple, simple, simple...It is crucial to maintaining consistency. We're the ones who make the rules--if we keep the rules simple to follow--then our chances of maintaining consistency goes up dramatically. And as we develop along the way--we can get as fancy and as specialized as we want and need, when we're ready. It's a natural evolution of good choices. Not a sudden and dramatic change where we expect to be a completely different person as soon as we wake up on our pre-determined start day.
My focus on consistency isn't long term. It's today. I want to make today a good day. I want to hit the pillow tonight, knowing that I gave it my best shot--my honest to goodness, best. Not perfect, mind you--rather, the best I could do today. I want to do that again tomorrow. It feels good!! We gain momentum in either direction, good or bad. Good choices lead to more of the same and bad choices lead to more bad choices.
Big time accomplishments are not done all at once. It's a collection of much smaller accomplishments, each of which contributes in a positive way to the bigger goal ahead. I'm setting small, doable goals--and hitting them square with everything I can. And I'm getting back some wonderful results in return. You get what you give, it's a universal truth.
Today's Featured Tweet:
Big Pita Burger. 7.2oz 93% lean beef with mustard on a Joseph's Flax-Oat Bran-Whole Wheat Pita. Side dish: 200g sweet potato, 48g red onion, and 3.2oz sliced mushrooms pan prepared with approx.4seconds olive oil cooking spray. #whatilike #foodplan #notadiet 620 cal. pic.twitter.com/bjNmfhpV1c— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 22, 2018
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
The Simple Thing You Can Do to Sleep Better Tonight
At any given moment, I have three or four to-do lists going. Do I need this many? Probably not. Do I add things to the lists that I've either already completed or are very close to finishing just so I can have the satisfaction of crossing something off? Absolutely, I do. Well, it turns out this doesn't just help me keep my scattered thoughts organized. It may also be helping me sleep.
According to new research out of Baylor University, making a to-do list — specifically, before bed — can help contribute to a better night's sleep. In the study, the researchers looked at the sleep patterns of people who set aside five minutes before they went to bed to write down their upcoming tasks and duties and compared them against other participants, who chronicled the activities they have already completed.
"We live in a 24/7 culture in which our to-do lists seem to be constantly growing and causing us to worry about unfinished tasks at bedtime," lead author Dr. Michael K. Scullin, director of Baylor's Sleep Neuroscience and Cognition Laboratory and assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience, said in a statement. "Most people just cycle through their to-do lists in their heads, and so we wanted to explore whether the act of writing them down could counteract nighttime difficulties with falling asleep."
The study, published in the American Psychological Association's Journal of Experimental Psychology, took place in a sleep lab, which controlled for elements like technology and light. It had 57 student participants.
So, why is thinking about what you still have to accomplish better than focusing on what you've already achieved better for sleep?
"There are two schools of thought about this," Scullin said in the statement. "One is that writing about the future would lead to increased worry about unfinished tasks and delay sleep, while journaling about completed activities should not trigger worry. The alternative hypothesis is that writing a to-do list will ‘offload’ those thoughts and reduce worry," he added. At the conclusion of the study, they found it was the latter.
But can a group of 57 college students really tell us something about our sleep habits? Scullin said that while the sample size was typical for this type of research, a larger-scale study would be helpful.
“Measures of personality, anxiety and depression might moderate the effects of writing on falling asleep, and that could be explored in an investigation with a larger sample,” he said. “We recruited healthy young adults, and so we don’t know whether our findings would generalize to patients with insomnia, though some writing activities have previously been suggested to benefit such patients.”
So, what do you have to lose? You might as well take five minutes to write out what you need to accomplish tomorrow before going to bed tonight. Even if it doesn't help your sleep, it'll still be a useful thing to have in the morning.
source:sheknows
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
June 20th, 2018 It Helps Me
June 20th, 2018 It Helps Me
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I met my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
The positive messages I've received from the NBC story have been a real blessing. I sincerely appreciate each and every email describing how my story resonates in different and powerful ways with people from all over the world.
Somebody recently said "blogging is dead," and I don't see it that way. To me, it's all about expectations. I mentioned on Day 1 how this blog would first and foremost be for me and what I've come to call my recovery--and even if it didn't connect with others, keeping it as a powerful personal accountability and support tool has made and continues to make a positive impact on me and my continued wellness. The only time it didn't was when I stopped writing. The impacts others tell me it's made for them are bonus blessings. It helps me to help others. It goes both ways. I'm so grateful. Thank you for coming here and reading each day. Some days I have more to say than others, but it's consistent--daily, and that's important for me.
I'll keep sharing from the heart if you'll keep reading along.
Did you know the archives are searchable? On the web version (I don't know how to make it work on the mobile version) there's a search box on the upper left-hand corner. You can type in topics or keywords and it'll bring up posts that include your inquiry.
Today's featured Tweet:
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I met my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
The positive messages I've received from the NBC story have been a real blessing. I sincerely appreciate each and every email describing how my story resonates in different and powerful ways with people from all over the world.
Somebody recently said "blogging is dead," and I don't see it that way. To me, it's all about expectations. I mentioned on Day 1 how this blog would first and foremost be for me and what I've come to call my recovery--and even if it didn't connect with others, keeping it as a powerful personal accountability and support tool has made and continues to make a positive impact on me and my continued wellness. The only time it didn't was when I stopped writing. The impacts others tell me it's made for them are bonus blessings. It helps me to help others. It goes both ways. I'm so grateful. Thank you for coming here and reading each day. Some days I have more to say than others, but it's consistent--daily, and that's important for me.
I'll keep sharing from the heart if you'll keep reading along.
Did you know the archives are searchable? On the web version (I don't know how to make it work on the mobile version) there's a search box on the upper left-hand corner. You can type in topics or keywords and it'll bring up posts that include your inquiry.
Today's featured Tweet:
Sprouted grain Ezekiel toasted well & topped! One w/3 egg whites, 1 whole egg, 20g black olives, and 1 slice provolone. One w/41g mashed avocado seasoned simply with salt&pepper. 7.1oz pear & 50g red seedless grapes. Tiny grapes! #breakfastwithsean #foodplan #whatilike #notadiet pic.twitter.com/Hjt053cfph— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 20, 2018
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
June 19th, 2018 Again and Again
June 19th, 2018 Again and Again
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I met my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
Keeping it short tonight--just finished a walk after a long day. I'm really tired and ready to hit the pillow. I picked up my old standby chicken tacos for dinner and took 'em out to mom's place for dinner and a visit. We watched a little tv too. It was a good visit!
Doing a republish from the archives tonight-- and it's a double republish-- It starts with a post from September 2017 and jumps back to a post at the top of my relapse/regain in January 2014:
I work my plan each day. It works because I do the work. I do the work because I know how quickly and easily it can slip away. I do the work because I deserve this kind of care. I do the work because I know, as a first class food addict and emotional/compulsive overeater--each on-plan day depends on my willingness to do the work. Will I ever go back? I hope and pray not, but it's possible if I release this level of reverence I apply to my plan each day. And I'm not sure "work" is the right word. It doesn't feel like work at this point. It's just what I do.
Sometimes, especially if you're new to these pages and you haven't dived into the deep end of the archives, it might look routine, simple, and somehow immune to any semblance of the struggle. But don't believe that for a minute! I've been in deep dark places along this road and I'm perfectly capable of going back to those places.
The following is an excerpt written near the height of my 164-pound relapse/regain period.
DDWL Flashback-January 2014:
It wasn't that long ago when I wondered if it was even remotely possible to feel this way again. I was at the point of completely giving up. Struggling harder than I ever imagined possible, isolating in a place full of shame, guilt and regret...filling up on self-pity, self-loathing and a general disgust--completely choosing a perspective void of even a shred of hope. And still occasionally trying to get it together only to fall again and again. As the weight gain continued, old issues started resurfacing.
I haven't shared this with anyone, but why not? A couple of months ago I sat on the edge of my bed and noticed a scab on my lower right leg. The weight gain had brought back swelling and since the skin on my lower right leg is forever damaged from my 500 pound days, it doesn't take much abuse for a tear to happen. And there it was. The first sign of something horrific returning. I'll never forget the pain of having a dozen or more sores after the constant swelling would rip my skin apart. I never want to get to that place ever again...but here it was, the start...and there I was feeling hopelessly doomed, almost attracted to the decline as if it had some insanely strong gravitational pull. What other freedoms will I lose? How could this be happening?? Why????
All kinds of questions pelted me during this decline: What did I learn while losing 275 pounds? And why did the strength I felt back then feel a million miles away? It was like being fluent in a language and suddenly losing even the most basic elements of communication. Was I really going to work that hard, get to a healthy body weight, work through emotions and get to a place where I was healthier than ever...and then turn around and go the other way??? Did I somehow subconsciously decide I wasn't worthy?
Oooh... That's it, isn't it? I didn't deserve it. Okay, wow. That's heavy stuff. I wasn't worthy. How did I reach that ridiculous conclusion?
I suppose it happens over time. It's like we have constant checks and balances happening with our perception of the good and the bad of our life. Every negatively perceived thing makes a mark, an impression, a scarring on our brain and then it sits and waits for other negative things to join in and these things grow. Most of the time these negative perceptions aren't even our fault, but in a desperate effort to explain and understand, it becomes easier to just take the blame. And maybe some aren't even bad, but compared to the standards and beliefs we hold, they're perceived that way. And so it goes, our self-esteem, self-worth. And the other side, the positive happenings? They are wonderful, and they keep us going, but eventually, they're diminished by the overwhelming darker, more negative perceptions, a bad apple if you will, spoiling the bunch.
As powerful as these dynamics seem, there's a serious problem. They're not true. I'm a good person, no--check that, I'm a great person. And I am worthy of feeling good. I am worthy of my success.
I'm going to take care of me with the positive care and love I've always deserved but was too caught up in false negatives to fully recognize. I want it for others, so why not offer the same love and compassion for me to enjoy?
This is a new day. This is a new perception. This is happening like no other time I've ever known.
This is the moment when "I'm Choosing Change" becomes even more powerful.
---------------------------------------------------
Interesting to note: That was written in January 2014. To write something that felt so real to me that night--so empowering, made the next three and half months torture, as I struggled through another 35-40 pound gain. It wasn't until near the end of April 2014 when I finally set aside the denial and started making positive progress once again.
I'm immensely grateful to be here each day, in maintenance mode, and doing the "work" each day--not simply to maintain a healthy body weight, but to keep my peace and balance with food. Because if I take care of that each day, life and all its opportunities to live, open up.
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I met my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
Keeping it short tonight--just finished a walk after a long day. I'm really tired and ready to hit the pillow. I picked up my old standby chicken tacos for dinner and took 'em out to mom's place for dinner and a visit. We watched a little tv too. It was a good visit!
Doing a republish from the archives tonight-- and it's a double republish-- It starts with a post from September 2017 and jumps back to a post at the top of my relapse/regain in January 2014:
I work my plan each day. It works because I do the work. I do the work because I know how quickly and easily it can slip away. I do the work because I deserve this kind of care. I do the work because I know, as a first class food addict and emotional/compulsive overeater--each on-plan day depends on my willingness to do the work. Will I ever go back? I hope and pray not, but it's possible if I release this level of reverence I apply to my plan each day. And I'm not sure "work" is the right word. It doesn't feel like work at this point. It's just what I do.
Sometimes, especially if you're new to these pages and you haven't dived into the deep end of the archives, it might look routine, simple, and somehow immune to any semblance of the struggle. But don't believe that for a minute! I've been in deep dark places along this road and I'm perfectly capable of going back to those places.
The following is an excerpt written near the height of my 164-pound relapse/regain period.
DDWL Flashback-January 2014:
It wasn't that long ago when I wondered if it was even remotely possible to feel this way again. I was at the point of completely giving up. Struggling harder than I ever imagined possible, isolating in a place full of shame, guilt and regret...filling up on self-pity, self-loathing and a general disgust--completely choosing a perspective void of even a shred of hope. And still occasionally trying to get it together only to fall again and again. As the weight gain continued, old issues started resurfacing.
I haven't shared this with anyone, but why not? A couple of months ago I sat on the edge of my bed and noticed a scab on my lower right leg. The weight gain had brought back swelling and since the skin on my lower right leg is forever damaged from my 500 pound days, it doesn't take much abuse for a tear to happen. And there it was. The first sign of something horrific returning. I'll never forget the pain of having a dozen or more sores after the constant swelling would rip my skin apart. I never want to get to that place ever again...but here it was, the start...and there I was feeling hopelessly doomed, almost attracted to the decline as if it had some insanely strong gravitational pull. What other freedoms will I lose? How could this be happening?? Why????
All kinds of questions pelted me during this decline: What did I learn while losing 275 pounds? And why did the strength I felt back then feel a million miles away? It was like being fluent in a language and suddenly losing even the most basic elements of communication. Was I really going to work that hard, get to a healthy body weight, work through emotions and get to a place where I was healthier than ever...and then turn around and go the other way??? Did I somehow subconsciously decide I wasn't worthy?
Oooh... That's it, isn't it? I didn't deserve it. Okay, wow. That's heavy stuff. I wasn't worthy. How did I reach that ridiculous conclusion?
I suppose it happens over time. It's like we have constant checks and balances happening with our perception of the good and the bad of our life. Every negatively perceived thing makes a mark, an impression, a scarring on our brain and then it sits and waits for other negative things to join in and these things grow. Most of the time these negative perceptions aren't even our fault, but in a desperate effort to explain and understand, it becomes easier to just take the blame. And maybe some aren't even bad, but compared to the standards and beliefs we hold, they're perceived that way. And so it goes, our self-esteem, self-worth. And the other side, the positive happenings? They are wonderful, and they keep us going, but eventually, they're diminished by the overwhelming darker, more negative perceptions, a bad apple if you will, spoiling the bunch.
As powerful as these dynamics seem, there's a serious problem. They're not true. I'm a good person, no--check that, I'm a great person. And I am worthy of feeling good. I am worthy of my success.
I'm going to take care of me with the positive care and love I've always deserved but was too caught up in false negatives to fully recognize. I want it for others, so why not offer the same love and compassion for me to enjoy?
This is a new day. This is a new perception. This is happening like no other time I've ever known.
This is the moment when "I'm Choosing Change" becomes even more powerful.
---------------------------------------------------
Interesting to note: That was written in January 2014. To write something that felt so real to me that night--so empowering, made the next three and half months torture, as I struggled through another 35-40 pound gain. It wasn't until near the end of April 2014 when I finally set aside the denial and started making positive progress once again.
I'm immensely grateful to be here each day, in maintenance mode, and doing the "work" each day--not simply to maintain a healthy body weight, but to keep my peace and balance with food. Because if I take care of that each day, life and all its opportunities to live, open up.
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Celebrity arguments caught on tape
And while it might be hard to believe, there are some residents of Tinseltown who want to get caught feuding with a fellow celeb. Mariah Carey versus Nicki Minaj, anyone? Those two didn't do a darn thing to hide the bad blood between them, and there is a ton of footage documenting that strife. Yikes.
Without further ado, here are the most explosive celebrity arguments caught on tape.
Alec Baldwin calls daughter a 'thoughtless little pig'
The 2007 voicemail — used as a piece of evidence in Baldwin's three-year custody battle with ex-wife Kim Basinger — was a rant in response to Ireland not answering her dad's scheduled call. "You are a rude, thoughtless little pig. You don't have the brains or the decency as a human being," Alec says on the tape (via the Daily Mail). "I don't give a damn that you're 12 years old, or 11 years old, or that you're a child, or that your mother is a thoughtless pain in the a** … Once again I have made an a** of myself trying to get to a phone. You have humiliated me for the last time with this phone."
Alec released a public apology following the leak and blamed his anger on alleged "parental alienation." During an appearance on Good Morning America years later, he referred to the voicemail as a "scab that never heals." Luckily, Ireland can make light of the scandal. "If I Were A Pig… I would be Rude and Thoughtless of course," she captioned a 2015 shot of her and her dad "reading" a book titled If I Were a Pig.
Mel Gibson's disturbing calls to Oksana Grigorieva
In one recording, released in July 2010, Gibson berates Grigorieva's looks. "… you go out in public and it's a f***ing embarrassment to me. You look like a f***ing b***h in heat, and if you get raped by a pack of n***ers it'll be your fault," he screams (via Radar Online). The tapes take an especially frightening turn when Gibson threatens physical harm against her. "…You need a f***ing bat in the side of the head… You need a f***ing brain transplant…"
As for Gibson, he claimed the disturbing tapes were edited.
Christian Bale cuts a crew member down
"I want you off the f***ing set, you pr**k …," Bale tells Hurlbut in a recording released by TMZ in February 2009. Hurlbut tries to apologize, but Bale is on a roll: "No, don't just be sorry. Think for one f***ing second. What the f**k are you doing? Are you a professional or not? Am I going to walk around and rip your f***ing lights down, in the middle of a scene?" Bale goes on and on.
To Bale's credit, he later took responsibility for his actions. "I was out of order beyond belief. I acted like a punk," he told the Kevin & Bean show (via Today). "There is nobody who heard the tape who is hit harder than me. I make no excuses for it. It is inexcusable."
Lily Tomlin and David O. Russell let it rip
During a particularly tense day of filming, Tomlin reportedly got into a fight with Russell about frequent changes in the script. The argument began with Tomlin tossing out some f-bombs to express her annoyance, and it ended with a ballistic Russell hurling the c-word and more at the actress. The whole mess was caught on video tape.
"F**k you! I'm just trying to f***ing help you, do you understand me?" Russell screams as he throws set pieces (via Cosmopolitan). "I'm being a f***ing collaborator and figure out the f***ing picture, okay b***h? I'm not here to be f***ing yelled at! I worked on this f***ing thing for three f***ing years not to have some c**t fucking yell at me in front of the f***ing crew, while I'm trying to help you, b***h!…" But wait — that's not all. During another scene, Tomlin slams Russell for supposedly bothering her. "Leave me the f**k alone," she yells (via TMZ) "Do you know what the f**k is going on, period? F**k you! F**k you, motherf***er!"
Something tell us these two don't heart these memories.
Read More
Monday, June 18, 2018
June 18th, 2018 Right In Front Of Me
June 18th, 2018 Right In Front Of Me
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I met my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
I gotta tell you something--I have kept this blog politically and religiously neutral for almost ten years out of respect for different affiliations and beliefs. I don't plan on changing that, ever, but I cannot write tonight's blog without mentioning how troubling it is to read and hear about children being forcibly separated from their parents by our government. This isn't right. Again--I rarely mention current world events because this isn't the place for those discussions--and I'm not wanting to start one here and now. I just want this insane policy stopped. This isn't the answer.
Okay--enough of that... On to today's edition of the DDWL...
Sometimes I forget about the non-physical benefits of exercise. A simple 30-minute walk does something positive to the brain--an endorphin release, and it changes things quickly. I rarely take off walking in the middle of a workday but I did today. It was a great experience and I'm planning to do that more often. I also have flights of stairs I could intentionally climb back and forth. Both of these options have always been available--I just haven't recognized the opportunity right in front of me. I think it comes from a gradually developed mindset that a good workout must happen at the Y or some other "workout" place--I need to remember how I started in September 2008. Something, anywhere--in whatever way, intentional movement--it's exercise and it counts. I mean, let's be honest--I live in a 2nd story apartment. I have a staircase right outside my front door. Tapping exercise for the physical--but also the mental benefits is something I intend to make a priority again, starting now.
My food plan is going well. Through emotionally turbulent times, somebody like me must be ultra aware because let me tell you something--and this is from experience: The deeply ingrained reaction toward excess food still exists. It takes acting instead of reacting--and sometimes the pause needed to make the next right action is the thing that separates peace and calm from chaos. Where I turn in that moment of pause makes all the difference in the world.
When the rationalizations of the past have been proven to be lies--when "just this once" or "a little bit won't hurt" is no longer believable, that's when that pause is most valuable.
Excess food promised to take me far far away from my troubles but it never did, ever, in all my life--it only distracted me; a temporary diversion from the issues demanding my attention. As soon as the food was gone, I was always miserable--and as a cruel bonus, the issues prompting me to run away into the food in the first place still existed; issues now coated with an extra layer of guilt, shame, and indigestion.
I'm not that strong. I don't operate on willpower. I maintain a practice each day that keeps me connected with people, a food plan, a spiritual practice, and a dream to keep on keeping on this path. I'm an eternal optimist. I believe in hope. I don't live in fear of relapse. I simply live with an importance level that honors and respects the fragility of it all.
I smiled today. I laughed today. I was touched by messages received from people responding and reaching out because of the NBC news story. If you're new to this blog, welcome! Thank you for being here!
Today's Featured Tweets:
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I met my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
I gotta tell you something--I have kept this blog politically and religiously neutral for almost ten years out of respect for different affiliations and beliefs. I don't plan on changing that, ever, but I cannot write tonight's blog without mentioning how troubling it is to read and hear about children being forcibly separated from their parents by our government. This isn't right. Again--I rarely mention current world events because this isn't the place for those discussions--and I'm not wanting to start one here and now. I just want this insane policy stopped. This isn't the answer.
Okay--enough of that... On to today's edition of the DDWL...
Sometimes I forget about the non-physical benefits of exercise. A simple 30-minute walk does something positive to the brain--an endorphin release, and it changes things quickly. I rarely take off walking in the middle of a workday but I did today. It was a great experience and I'm planning to do that more often. I also have flights of stairs I could intentionally climb back and forth. Both of these options have always been available--I just haven't recognized the opportunity right in front of me. I think it comes from a gradually developed mindset that a good workout must happen at the Y or some other "workout" place--I need to remember how I started in September 2008. Something, anywhere--in whatever way, intentional movement--it's exercise and it counts. I mean, let's be honest--I live in a 2nd story apartment. I have a staircase right outside my front door. Tapping exercise for the physical--but also the mental benefits is something I intend to make a priority again, starting now.
My food plan is going well. Through emotionally turbulent times, somebody like me must be ultra aware because let me tell you something--and this is from experience: The deeply ingrained reaction toward excess food still exists. It takes acting instead of reacting--and sometimes the pause needed to make the next right action is the thing that separates peace and calm from chaos. Where I turn in that moment of pause makes all the difference in the world.
When the rationalizations of the past have been proven to be lies--when "just this once" or "a little bit won't hurt" is no longer believable, that's when that pause is most valuable.
Excess food promised to take me far far away from my troubles but it never did, ever, in all my life--it only distracted me; a temporary diversion from the issues demanding my attention. As soon as the food was gone, I was always miserable--and as a cruel bonus, the issues prompting me to run away into the food in the first place still existed; issues now coated with an extra layer of guilt, shame, and indigestion.
I'm not that strong. I don't operate on willpower. I maintain a practice each day that keeps me connected with people, a food plan, a spiritual practice, and a dream to keep on keeping on this path. I'm an eternal optimist. I believe in hope. I don't live in fear of relapse. I simply live with an importance level that honors and respects the fragility of it all.
I smiled today. I laughed today. I was touched by messages received from people responding and reaching out because of the NBC news story. If you're new to this blog, welcome! Thank you for being here!
Today's Featured Tweets:
One of my favorite breakfast options! Sprouted grain Ezekiel toast topped with mashed avocado & one topped with three egg whites, one whole egg, and one slice colby-jack. Apple slices and strawberries too... satisfied! #bigbreakfast #foodplan #notadiet #maintenanceweight pic.twitter.com/zbV1iFDErT— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 18, 2018
Lunch much earlier today: Cheeseless tostadas (I was out of cheese!)- worked well without- used additional avocado. My goodness- lots of flavors on this plate! #foodplan #enjoyyourfood #routinelunch pic.twitter.com/lCHb1gdw8k— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 19, 2018
Dinner-6.5oz 93% lean beef burger grilled w/40g red onion atop a 3.2oz portobello mushroom cap, 62g refined sugar-free natural tomato basil sauce, and 2oz (56g) mozzarella. 120g green beans, 179g red potatoes prepared w/1 tablespoon half&half and 3g butter. #foodplan #notadiet pic.twitter.com/HynZnfMJMw— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 19, 2018
Naturally sweet- this 185g bowl of strawberries is a treat! Some are better than others- these are the best I've had in some time. #naturalsugar #sweetness Refined sugar-free doesn't mean sweet free! #lastfoodofday pic.twitter.com/4ImiPwwJP1— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 19, 2018
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Sunday, June 17, 2018
June 17th, 2018 Zeroed
June 17th, 2018 Zeroed
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I met my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
I've stayed zeroed in on my daily plan practice lately for good reason. "Zeroed in" means staying connected with support friends, taking a little more time with meditation and prayer, and making sure I'm also doing the other things I need to do in order to keep me well.
Look, I've struggled with how to share this on the blog, but it's important that I share it--not in great detail, mind you, out of respect for her, but at least share it so you'll know why lately, I haven't felt like writing too much. My relationship with Cindy has, unfortunately, ended.
As a first-class emotional/stress eater, it takes an enormous amount of effort to do positive and supportive things instead of self-destructive things. If you've read every single day of this blog, you know this isn't the first time--it isn't even the third time...anyway, I'm looking at my side of the street in all this and realizing, I need to work on me some more before I'm truly ready for a happy, healthy relationship.
Things didn't go as planned today. But it was okay. My youngest daughter had to cancel our visit--totally understandable!!! Courtney has her hands full with three little ones! I picked up mom for her weekly trip out and about. Mom and I enjoyed a meal together before stopping in for a good visit with my oldest daughter, my little granddaughter Raegan, and first-time father, KL. You can tell KL is loving being a dad. I wished him a happy first Father's Day and he beamed.
I'm a little bit blue this evening and that's normal, okay, and it'll pass.
On a brighter note--my goodness, that article from NBC has made its way around. Judging from the dramatic increase in pageviews and social media connections, there's plenty of new readers on this blog. If you're one of them, welcome!! I'm glad you're here! As you can tell, it gets very real around here every now and then.
If you're reading on a mobile device, you might not be able to see the archives--but on a desktop or laptop view, and maybe a tablet, you should see the archives listed on the left-hand side of the screen. They're indexed by year, month, and day, all the way back to Day 1 at 505 pounds on September 15th, 2008. I can't believe it's been almost ten years. Wow.
You're also invited to connect with me on Twitter: @SeanAAnderson MyFitnessPal username is SeanAAnderson. You can friend me on Facebook and check out the 17 episodes (so far) of my podcast Transformation Planet wherever you find your favorite podcasts!
Today's Featured Tweet:
Today: I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained refined sugar-free, I met my daily water goal, and I stayed well connected with exceptional support.
I've stayed zeroed in on my daily plan practice lately for good reason. "Zeroed in" means staying connected with support friends, taking a little more time with meditation and prayer, and making sure I'm also doing the other things I need to do in order to keep me well.
Look, I've struggled with how to share this on the blog, but it's important that I share it--not in great detail, mind you, out of respect for her, but at least share it so you'll know why lately, I haven't felt like writing too much. My relationship with Cindy has, unfortunately, ended.
As a first-class emotional/stress eater, it takes an enormous amount of effort to do positive and supportive things instead of self-destructive things. If you've read every single day of this blog, you know this isn't the first time--it isn't even the third time...anyway, I'm looking at my side of the street in all this and realizing, I need to work on me some more before I'm truly ready for a happy, healthy relationship.
Things didn't go as planned today. But it was okay. My youngest daughter had to cancel our visit--totally understandable!!! Courtney has her hands full with three little ones! I picked up mom for her weekly trip out and about. Mom and I enjoyed a meal together before stopping in for a good visit with my oldest daughter, my little granddaughter Raegan, and first-time father, KL. You can tell KL is loving being a dad. I wished him a happy first Father's Day and he beamed.
I'm a little bit blue this evening and that's normal, okay, and it'll pass.
On a brighter note--my goodness, that article from NBC has made its way around. Judging from the dramatic increase in pageviews and social media connections, there's plenty of new readers on this blog. If you're one of them, welcome!! I'm glad you're here! As you can tell, it gets very real around here every now and then.
If you're reading on a mobile device, you might not be able to see the archives--but on a desktop or laptop view, and maybe a tablet, you should see the archives listed on the left-hand side of the screen. They're indexed by year, month, and day, all the way back to Day 1 at 505 pounds on September 15th, 2008. I can't believe it's been almost ten years. Wow.
You're also invited to connect with me on Twitter: @SeanAAnderson MyFitnessPal username is SeanAAnderson. You can friend me on Facebook and check out the 17 episodes (so far) of my podcast Transformation Planet wherever you find your favorite podcasts!
Today's Featured Tweet:
Father's Day breakfast. 3 egg whts & 1 whl egg atop sprouted grain Ezekiel toast, w-1/2oz cream cheese on bottom & topped w/1 .8oz slice colby-jack. 2nd Ezekiel toast with 53g avocado seasoned simply with salt&pepper. 353g Cantaloupe cut into a bowl w/135g strawberries. 649 cal. pic.twitter.com/HSKP7DNqKP— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) June 17, 2018
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Exercises that will tone your abs in just one month
Here are eight exercises to help you start transforming your abs in just 30 days.
Pilates double leg stretch
Start from a seated position on your mat with your legs bent and your feet under your knees. Extend your right leg up to the sky, while extending your left arm straight forward at shoulder height. Then do the same with your left leg and right arm by pressing your navel to your spine. "Imagine a ping pong ball at the inner center of your lower belly," said Matles. "Inhale through the nose, into the ball, exhale [and] shrink the ball, making it tiny toward the center of your belly button by lifting the pelvic floor, pressing navel to spine, and wrapping ribs and hips to the mid line at the core. This is the breath/body connection throughout these exercises which is part of what we call Contrology," she explained.
Exhale and hold pose by scooping out lower belly and creating the curve in back to maintain. Inhale, then exhale and roll down on your lower back, maintaining the architecture of the chest lifted toward knees throughout the exercise. Repeat (do two sets of 10).
"This exercise tones the transverse abdominal muscle, rectus abdominal muscle and obliques," said Matles. "You can modify by keeping head and chest on mat."
Pilates crisscross
Lie on your mat with a neutral spine (your pelvis should not be tucked or tilted) legs bent, feet under your knees. Interlace fingers behind your head, shoulders soft and down, with wide elbows. "Connect with the ping pong [ball]," said Matles. "Exhale, curl your upper body off the mat leading from the center of the chest by shrinking the ping pong [ball]."
Inhale. Then exhale and extend your right leg as you rotate the center of chest over to the right (try to keep the elbows wide as you bring the left armpit toward your right knee). Inhale and return to center. Exhale and extend the left leg and rotate the torso to the left. Repeat (do two sets of 10).
"This exercise tones your obliques, transverse abdominal muscles, and rectus abdominal muscle," Matles told me. "You can always place a yoga block the long way on the floor to rest your feet on, if you'd like to modify."
Russian twist
Starting from a seated position, raise your feet two inches from the floor. Interlock your hands together in front, and begin shifting your body left to right, touching the ground each time for 20 seconds. Want to bump up the intensity? Try holding on to a weighted medicine ball throughout the exercise.
Fitness expert Dempsey Marks, who created the PreGame Fit wellness plan, is also a big fan of this exercise. "Russian Twist is a fantastic full-core exercise that engages all of your ab muscles including your rectus abdominis, internal obliques, and external obliques," he told me via email. "It also helps strengthen your lower back."
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Saturday, June 16, 2018
Things You Probably Didn't Know About Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's New Home
An official statement released from Clarence House, the official residence of Prince Charles, on Monday brought news that Prince Harry and Suits actress Meghan Markle are engaged. It also shared that the couple of 16 months "will live in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace" where Prince Harry has dwelled for the past four years. But what exactly does this mean for the soon-to-be newlyweds? Here are seven facts you might not have known about the cozy cottage that soon will be home to one of the world's most famous couples:
- It might as well be the official royal "starter home."
Prince William and Kate Middleton also lived in the two-bedroom cottage, which contains a couple of small reception areas, when they first got married. They then moved into Apartment 1A, formerly the residence of Princess Margaret, in October 2013.
- Other former residents include Princess Diana's sister Lady Jane Fellowes and her husband, Sir Robert Fellowes, who was formerly Queen Elizabeth's secretary.
- When Kate Middleton first moved in, she gave the cottage a light freshening up, with a new coat of paint.
Prince Harry, who moved in approximately four years ago, did the same thing last spring, sparking rumors of Markle's impending move-in.
- Its unofficial nickname is "Nott Cott," as insiders (and the press) often refer to it
- It was named after Heneage Finch, 1st Earl of Nottingham.
- Nottingham Cottage comes with only a small yard—reportedly one of Kate Middleton's biggest disappointments with the property. Meghan Markle, who previously ran her own lifestyle website, might have to put her gardening aspirations on hold.
- It's widely understood that Nottingham Cottage is a temporary living arrangement for Prince Harry and the Suits actress.
When their family started to grow, Prince William and Kate Middleton perused other potential properties on the grounds of Kensington Palace, including Apartments 8 and 9, but the Duchess of Cambridge was reportedly uncomfortable with living in Apartments 8 and 9, which was the former marital home of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Once the couple settled on Apartment 1A, the four-story, 20-room space underwent a $7.6 million renovation, which included all new heating, electric, a new roof, and the stripping of the bright colors former resident Princess Margaret favored. But Apartments 8 and 9 aren't even an option for Prince Harry and his fiancée in the future: Those apartments have since been turned into a staff area. However, Apartment 1, directly next door to Apartment 1A, has also recently undergone a renovation, and would be a potential option. It also is just slightly larger, coming in at 21 rooms.
source:architecturaldigest
What's really going on with Tamron Hall
After the big news broke, the Today show was quickly thrust into the media spotlight as audiences tried to figure out just why Hall had quit and if NBC's newest hire, former Fox News star Megyn Kelly, had anything to do with it. Keep reading to learn all about Hall's decision to leave the popular morning show behind, and find out how the broadcast journalist had behaved when the cameras were turned off and what scandals awaited her after her NBC exit.
Hall's exit was abrupt
"Tamron Hall will be leaving NBC News and MSNBC when her contract expires this month," a spokesperson for NBC said. "Yesterday was her last day as an anchor on both networks. Tamron is an exceptional journalist, we valued and enjoyed her work at 'Today' and MSNBC and hoped that she would decide to stay. We are disappointed that she has chosen to leave, but we wish her all the best."
Hall joined MSNBC and the Today show in 2007 and 2014, respectively.
Did Kelly get in the way?
Other show insiders are apparently unhappy with the decision, especially after the Today's Take program's recent surge in ratings. "Everyone has been left in the dark and no one knows why there's such a disruption when shows are doing so well across the board," a source told Page Six. "People are pissed," another source said. "The third hour was beating every syndicated show across the board. They were in over their head and bit off more than they can chew when they hired Megyn."
She's handling everything like a pro
But was she difficult?
Another insider said, "TV is a cutthroat business and Tamron is one of the best," adding, "Behind her are a long line of people she stepped over to get to the top. She makes friends with the right people and ignores everyone else. But this time she was out played by Kelly."
A source for People also alleged that there is "bad blood" between Hall and NBC.
NBC tried to get her to stay
"She was offered a lot of money to stay … and she turned it down," a source revealed to the publication. "She doesn't currently have another offer, but her contract was up. And they offered her a new deal."
A second source told People, "Insiders are surprised that she left." Ya think? Considering that most people would probably jump at the opportunity to rake in a seven-digit salary, we're pretty darn shocked too. We guess the promise of big bucks just wasn't a good enough reason to make the TV journalist want to stay on with the network.
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