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 291

My son arrived home, but did not mention anything about my weight or what I looked like. In all reality none of my children have said much about my weight loss. I truly believe that for them it is a non-issue. I am mom, plain and simple. My girls will often pick out things that I consider too revealing for my arms or my legs, but they have never seemed to have an issue with it. We are truly are own worst critics.

Day 292

A parent meeting at school this morning with a tray of muffins and scones and a tray of fruit. Once again, the scones and muffins were devoured by the parents and the fruit tray sat untouched. Tonight, I attended the digital literacy night for the district and they had platters of cookies sitting out. It never ceases to amaze me how people will take 5-10 cookies each without hesitation. Personally, I can eat that many cookies, but when at a public event I would not take more than 1-2 for fear of looking greedy … or fat.

Day 293

Why is it so natural to compare ourselves to others? I have this really bad habit of looking at people and then asking my husband if I am as large or larger than them. It pretty much happens every time we are in a car and someone will either walk by us or we pass someone on a street. It’s gotten so bad that I don’t even ask the question anymore my husband will just be driving by someone and will say, “yes” or “no.” The best part is when he will say “no, never!” That means I was never as big as the person he is looking at. I can only imagine what people must say about me when they drive past me in a car.

Day 294

I love all the motivational and inspirational quotes that I see throughout the day in classrooms and on the Internet. They always motivate me in the moment and I think about what great sayings they are, but man they are hard to live by 24/7.

Day 295

Friday is jeans day, but today I was feeling pretty pudgy so I opted against the jeans and went for the free-flowing skirt! I must say that the free-flowing skirt was a great idea when I found myself in a Mexican restaurant for dinner and drinks after work. However, I’m thinking that the jeans might have limited my carb intake a bit more this evening. 

Day 296

I attended the Lincoln School Holiday boutique today and it was great to see so many familiar faces. It was also great to reconnect with friends and others from the community that I have not seen in quite a few months. I am continually amazed by how many people actually read this blog and have found motivation or inspiration from it. I have been far from perfect in this journey, but I truly feel that I am representative of the majority of women and men who are living a day to day battle with food, work, family, time, etc.

Day 297

I have decided to sign up and play in an adult volleyball league. I even got recruited to play for a team. I’m not sure how my knees will hold out, but I figure I got to give it the old college try. If nothing else I can play without jumping. Of course my vertical is probably about two inches so it really won’t be that big of a deal. I went to dinner with my son tonight and ordered some chicken and vegetables. When dinner was served I commented on how healthy it looked. I’ve decided he is oblivious to this whole journey when he replied, “Were you expecting something greasy?” And “Do you want to share the brownie and ice cream with me?” 

Connect with Susan McCreath and CORE Athletic Performance trainer Robert Iniguez on the Year of You Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/theyearofyouchallenge.