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 244
We had a parent meeting at school today and the staff provided some breakfast type goodies: muffins, scones, cookies, etc.! We also provided a huge platter of fruit: watermelon, strawberries, grapes, and cantaloupe. At the end of the meeting all of the platters were basically empty except for the fruit platter. It had hardly been touched. So even though a healthy alternative was provided everyone pretty much avoided it. I’m thinking at the next event we will only serve fruit and see if people will eat it if it is their only option!
Day 245
How can 10-pound dumbbells feel like a 100 pounds? And do I really need a spotter for 10-pound dumbbells? Geez, what a weakling! The best part is when you can’t even feel your arms anymore because it’s at this point that you realize that tomorrow morning your arms are going to hurt!
Day 246
I had a meeting after school today and they served us dinner. As I was moving through the line to pick up my dinner, several people asked me if I was going to eat what was being served. A variety of sandwiches, chips, fruit and drinks were being served. I replied to several people that I was starving and that I was going to eat! Sometimes it’s difficult feeling like others are watching your every move and critiquing what I am eating, but sometimes it is very helpful having watchful eyes on me. I passed on the chips and only ate half my sandwich while I drank some water!
Day 247
Picture day at school. There is a lot of stress involved in knowing that your picture is going to be on every class picture that the students take home! As I’m getting ready in the morning I become upset with myself – another year of not looking how I want to look like in my school picture. When I arrive at school I take my obligatory picture. The photographer was super nice and took a couple shots and let me choose which one I liked the best. I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised when I looked at the pictures. My double chin and puffiness in my face has gotten much better!
Day 248
Jean day, the day I decide if I have lost any more weight or inches! The day is off to a good start when the ladies in the office comment that I look like I have lost more weight and that it’s time to buy some new clothes!
Day 249
Alumni reunion at San Jose State football game. We will be seeing people that we haven’t seen in about three years. I guess it’s natural to feel apprehensive and wonder what others will think when they see you. Will they even recognize me? Will they look at me and secretly think how fat and out of shape I look? I mean these are people that knew me when I was skinny and in shape! The event was fun, but I definitely felt like people had to do double-takes on me. Of course, I had to do some double takes on others as well!
Day 250
Sunday prep day. Food bought, cleaned, cut and ready for the week. Now I just need to get some more workouts in! This week is looking good.
Connect with Susan McCreath and CORE Athletic Performance trainer Robert Iniguez on the Year of You Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/theyearofyouchallenge.
