Day 320 Time Doesn't Care and Less Bread, Naturally

Day 320

Time Doesn't Care and Less Bread, Naturally

I used another personal day from work and I certainly appreciate the time. I remember how in the beginning I was afraid of weekends or days off work, because I didn't know how I would handle the change of routine. On a workday, the day can be nearly over before you know it, on an off day you have so much more time to 'watch' yourself. In the beginning I really had to be careful, now I'm so far along, that good choices have really become a part of my life. I don't worry about the days off or the weekends anymore. Like everything else on this journey, it gets easier as time goes by. Time is magical in its powers.

As much as I say “don't worry about time,” it's a crucial part of this journey. What I mean is, don't stress about the amount of time this journey will take, just let time work for you. I've allowed time to work for me. We all progress at different speeds, and time passed makes things easier to handle, it firms new habits, it shows us amazing results, it does wonders if...and this is a big IF...It does wonders if we remain consistent, holding up our end of the deal. Otherwise time can be very cruel, it'll pass on by without any regard to our situation and wellness. Time doesn't care what we do. It's job is to keep moving. If we do our job, and time is doing its job, then amazing results follow in little time. Someone once said, “I wish I had more time,” and I wanted to say “stop spending all that time wishing for more time, and make the best use of the time you have...you'll be surprised at what you can do in a short amount of time.” Maybe you didn't need as much time as you thought. And when you've made the best use of your time, then you're actually giving yourself more time later. Time for a new paragraph.

My mom is still making wonderful strides in her weight loss efforts. I'm so happy for what she's been able to accomplish in a relatively short time. It wasn't that long ago that she could barely walk to her mail box without stopping to catch her breath. Then she started walking as far as she could...a little at a time, and it got easier and easier. In the beginning a mile seemed so far away. But she kept doing it most everyday. She made it to a mile recently, and now she's walking more than a mile every night. She's consistent with her calorie budget too. And you know what's happening? She's dropping weight. She's realizing that she can do this and she's not 'out of time,' she's actually adding time to her life. She spent my entire adult life up until I started losing weight, worrying about me. Then I started losing consistently, but she didn't completely get it, she didn't understand my approach. It contradicted some of her deeply ingrained ideas about weight loss. So it was my time to worry about her. Now, neither one of us worry about the others weight. She knows where I'm headed and I know where she's headed. It's a really wonderful thing.

I was thrilled to find that our longtime friend Rachel has started her own blog. I've written about her recently, even posted a picture. Irene and Rachel have been best friends since middle school. I've known her since junior high. Rachel and Neil and their kids have really become a part of the family, and it's always fun when we get to spend time together. Her husband Neil is a stand-up comedian waiting to happen. He has a real gift in recalling real life stories that keep you interested and result in huge laughs. The guy is awesome. I encourage you to give Rachel's blog a look. You can find it here: www.creatingthemeinside.blogspot.com She writes: I am going to take a lifetime of bad habits and ways of thinking and turn them around to transform myself into the person I have always felt I was inside; a thin, healthy, vibrant woman; full of life, love and happiness. She's going to have an amazing journey and story to share, and an absolutely incredible transformation. Enjoy!

Amber wasn't feeling well this evening, Irene's at work, so Courtney and I laced up and headed for the YMCA. She grabbed her favorite elliptical and I jumped on the treadmill for some jogging/walking cardio. After a couple of miles I headed for the racquetball court for a match against the wall. It doesn't take long in that court to really get a workout. My game is simple when it's just me and the wall: Keep the ball moving. As long as the ball is moving, so am I. It works very well. You know, I thought I could fly in that court after the first 100 pounds. Now that I'm just about at 200 pounds lost, well...I know I can fly.

I found an amazing “reduced for quick sale” deal on some lean sirloin steaks tonight. Our fridge will not be fixed until in the morning, so we're on a meal by meal basis on the grocery trips. I grilled them up, warmed some green beans, baked a few potatoes...and walla! Dinner served at just under 500 calories per plate---and that's even with some steak sauce! One thing I've noticed that's kind of interesting, our bread consumption has gone way down. We always made sure that bread was a part of a meal like this. But since we've cut the portions and counted the calories, we've all just naturally pulled away from the bread. And we were such huge bread lovers! Hot rolls, you bet! The more the merrier! You know those brown and serve rolls that are always on sale around the holidays, oh my---I use to devour at least four or five of those things at a meal like this---and the butter too! Eliminating most of the bread and butter and not really missing it, has been a nice, completely natural progression. We never said: “OK—No more bread at mealtime!” No, never did. If we want some we have it, but we have all just naturally cut down in an effort to best utilize our daily calorie budgets. Speaking of those brown and serve rolls, I just remembered a not so proud past “out of control” moment of putting a whole package in the oven at like two in the morning, browning them perfectly, then rubbing butter all over them and eating nearly the whole package in one sitting. OK, not nearly...I ate the whole thing! Tell me I'm not the only one!

I haven't had time to read my blog roll today. My focus has been squarely on our personal issues within our family. I will have time to get caught up reading and commenting tomorrow. I look forward to it! Irene will be walking through the door any moment and we're planning on spending some time together. Thank you for reading. Goodnight and...

Good Choices,
Sean