Day 302 Knowing Too Much To Ever Go Back

Day 302

Knowing Too Much To Ever Go Back

Thank you for your supportive comments to last night's blog. After re-reading my writing and the many comments and e-mails, I realized that I need to ease up a bit on myself. Not “take it easy” ease up, but I need to realize that there honestly is no turning back now. I need to get that fear out of my head. I couldn't change my brain back to the old eating habits if I tried. Seriously, fitness and life coach Melissa Walden put it best... “you know too much to ever go back.” And as far as the exercise is concerned, it's not the end of the world if I occasionally take a day of rest from working out. I guess when it's such a part of the daily routine, and then I miss, it reminds me of a time when I didn't concern myself with exercise. But those days are long gone. I need to get over myself, geez. The number one thing I tell people that ask for advice is “be consistent!” Consistency has played a major role in my success so far, so when I show any inconsistency, it drives me nuts. But we're human and it isn't going to be perfect. In contrast to some of the hard struggles some are experiencing, my post must have sounded like a little spoiled baby pouting. I'm over that. Onward and downward we go!

I stopped by to see a friend that I know is struggling today. I wasn't there to verbally attack him or offer a tough love speech about how important this is, I was simply there. He could see the difference in me even since the last time we were face to face. I honestly didn't have to say a word. I know where he's stuck. I've been stuck in that place many times. It's a place where we allow our world of stress and circumstance to pull us down into a dark place where nothing matters anymore. The fact that losing weight and getting healthy can only improve our overall outlook in these tough situations becomes completely lost. It's easy to give in to our emotions, to decide that “with everything going the way it's going, I just can't stay focused.” But don't let those circumstances steal away your life. Decide that no matter what comes along—nothing is going to take this away from you. It can try, it can take everything else, but not this. It's too important. We're talking life and death here. The positive effects of losing weight are so numerous and powerful, it can make a bad situation seem a little better, and a desperate situation seem a little less hopeless. I've never shared personal financial circumstances or details of just how stressful my journey has been at times, and I'm not starting now—I never will, wouldn't be appropriate. But let me say this: If I allowed my stress and personal circumstances to rule my journey, it would have ended flat out on day 2. Only a handful of people know what struggles we've faced and continue to face along this ride, I say this because I don't want you to think 'easy for you to say Sean.' Everything I'm saying, I say from experience. If you're lost on your journey, I just want to hold up a light on the road so you can find your way back, because that detour you're taking is a dead end my friend.

I took a nap in the late afternoon and ended up sleeping a little longer than I wanted. Sometimes I think the body just takes over and says “uh, excuse me, I need re-charged, like right now.” The girls tried to wake me for a YMCA workout, they were unsuccessful---and I was so tired I didn't even remember their attempt. But they did go and they logged a wonderful workout. That's cool, even when “the leader” is sleeping, they know exactly what to do and how to do it. I'm so very proud of them! Oh, you can bet, especially after last night's situation, I'm getting a workout! I'm fixing to head out to the trail to get my sweat on...and it will not be hard, because after temps rose above 100 F today, it's still ninety degrees with high humidity out there. Courtney is insisting on going with me, it'll be her second workout of the evening. When you're feeling as good as she is lately about her progress, it's hard to keep her down. She's ready to go workout at a moments notice. And these girls are really overprotective of their daddy. They don't like it when I go out there to a dark trail by myself. Daddy might get mugged! It would take a really deranged mugger to approach me at 6'3 and 316 pounds. I may not be real tough, but they don't know that...unless they read my blog. But I doubt that any muggers read my blog. Courtney is going to make me erase this. “Dad, what if somebody reads that and learns you're an easy target?” Sweety, they'll be really disappointed! Maybe surprised at my new Ninja type quickness...And after they listen to my iPod, they'll be confused at what I consider “workout songs,” Jason Mraz-I'm Yours, how is that a workout song? Sailing—Christopher Cross?? This guy is nuts! They'll listen and get so introspective, they'll hunt me down and give it back with apologies.

I hope everything is well in your world. I sincerely appreciate you reading and giving me your feedback. Many times the comments have opened my eyes to the reality of my sometimes silliness. I'm doing great, we're headed to a place we once dreamed of, and the rewards and scenery along the way are benefits that only come with a consistent positive effort. Not a perfect effort, striving for absolute perfection is a sure way to find undeserving disappointment. No, just a consistent positive effort will do just fine. Goodnight and...

Good Choices,
Sean