Editor’s Note: Susan McCreath has been selected to participate in the Year of You, a fitness challenge hosted by The Manteca Bulletin and CORE Athletic Performance. McCreath is keeping a weekly journal, highlighting the strides and struggles of her fitness journey. These are her thoughts and feelings shared with you.
Day 188
It is hot and sweaty in the gym. I am not a huge fan of the heat, but once you kind of get moving and get sweating it’s just part of the deal. Plus, you always feel more accomplished and proud of yourself after you sweat it out.
Day 189
I was sitting at work today and I got thinking about how good a Diet Pepsi sounded. I have had soda few and far between on this journey, but this thought was becoming overwhelming. I started thinking about the closest place to get a Diet Pepsi and Taco Bell was the place. I ended up in the drive thru and then somehow convinced myself that a chicken taco salad was a good choice! As I finished my lunch I soon started to realize that neither were a good choice and I was becoming sluggish. That night I had the hardest time going and staying asleep; a hard reminder of what toxic food does to your system.
Day 190
Meetings, meetings, meetings. Food everywhere! But, I am happy to say that I avoided all of the food and ate what I had packed for the day … minus the one brownie that was sitting on the counter at home tonight. It was definitely worth the calories, but I somehow blamed my daughters for their lack of respect for leaving food like that lying around. Lots of new people starting at the gym; it’s nice to see others sweating it out and trying their best on this fitness journey especially in this muggy heat.
Day 191
My son leaves tomorrow to return to Oregon so we decided to go out to a nice restaurant. Why is it that my son and husband have these huge plates of food filled with red meat and potato creations, while the four ladies at the table all order a salad? So stereotypical!
Day 192
Let the games begin. The school year is fast approaching and I am getting pulled in a million directions. It pulls me off my feeding schedule like I’m an animal or something! I have to remember to eat my small meals/snacks, otherwise I get way too hungry and then eat two meals together and I don’t feel satisfied. Water , water, water … I can tell I need to drink more by how thirsty I am.
Day 193
A full day of back to school shopping with my girls and we find ourselves in one of my old favorite – Panda Express. However, this time was different. I ordered a panda bowl with veggies on the bottom and chicken on the top. Progress! No rice, no chow mein and it tasted pretty good except I could really notice how much salt was in the food. Took my 4-mile walk tonight which is something I have really come to enjoy on my weekends again. If nothing else, this journey has made me more aware of my food choices and brought back some good feelings associated with exercise.
Day 194
Is it bad that my legs are sore from walking the mall yesterday?!?! Or, is it just Sunday and a lazy, overcast muggy day and I have no energy? Or, it could be me realizing that school starts this week and I’m enjoying my last few hours of calmness. Anyone who works for the school district understands these feelings I’m having today. Nonetheless, I get my walk in and get my food prepped for this busy week ahead.
Connect with Susan McCreath and CORE Athletic Performance trainer Robert Iniguez on the Year of You Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/theyearofyouchallenge.
