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 298

I was reading a research article today that was talking about whether or not exercising makes you smarter, or if it increases your memory capacity. We all know that it is good for you physically and emotionally, but does it really help you become smarter?  The research was showing that women who exercise while they are pregnant produce smarter children. Hmm ... my kids are all pretty smart and I did a varying amount of exercise with each pregnancy so not sure about that piece of information. The article did go on to say that exercise increases your memory capacity and reduces your risk of dementia. So, guess my choices in life are to be out of shape and out of mind, or healthy physically and mentally.

Day 299

I was talking with my son today before he headed back to his base when he asked me how my workouts had been going. I told him that I had been a flake lately, that between work, volleyball, moving, etc. ... that I just hadn’t had time. He looked at me and told me that he knew I had been on this journey since January, but that he never really said anything because how I looked to him never really mattered. He then told me what a great mom I have been never missing school or sporting events and he was glad that I was that kind of mom. 

Day 300

Wow...is it really 300 days into this journey? Amazing how time flies. The year will be over before you know it. I am just really glad that I am not 300 pounds today.....something that I truly believe could’ve happened if I had not started this journey. My life and health were spiraling out of control 300 days ago. I am not where I need to be yet, but I am moving in the right direction. A lifestyle change.

Day 301

One pound at a time! This was the saying on the Facebook page today. Why is it that you have to fight to lose a pound, but when you are gaining them they come on in increments of 5 pounds? Some staff members and myself were looking at pictures today at work. They were trying to figure out how old/what year a particular picture was taken. It was simple for me once I looked at the pic. I was skinny in the picture.....thus, the year was 2009!!!!! They were amazed that I could rattle off the year like that and I told them that it was simple.....when I taught and left French Camp in 2009 I was skinny … when I returned as an administrator in 2013 I was fat.  4 years = 50+ pounds!! Thus, my point is proven regarding gaining weight in 5-pound increments. 

Day 302

My other son returned home from Oregon today for a short visit. This is the son who worked out in the same gym as me prior to leaving for college. When he asked me how my workouts had been going he did not have the same response as my other son. He made me feel much more guilty for having missed workouts.

Day 303

Walking is something that I do try to do every day, even if it’s just laps around the playground with the students. Tonight I walked with my husband in the cold.....nothing like that to make you feel healthy and smarter!! We also talked about how both of us have been missing workouts because of our schedules and we discussed the importance of getting back on track now that some responsibilities have dwindled. 

Day 304

Sunday is my favorite day of the week. It’s my day to get caught up from the previous week and get organized for the week ahead. My food is prepped and my workouts are on my calendar. It’s time to finish this journey on a strong note. Strive for progress not perfection! Words to live by.