Back to School

Y'all it has been a fantastic summer.  I experienced a bunch of new things, maintained a healthy lifestyle, and pushed myself towards new training goals.  I still can't believe I agreed to train for a half marathon. I also can't believe I ran more than one 5K, didn't pass out or vomit, and placed in two of them!   I've enjoyed reflecting on all the changes I've gone through in the last year.  Looking forward to celebrating more milestones.

With the start of the school year comes a return to diligent meal planning and prep.  Gone are the days of just making sure I have food in the house and cooking when it's time to eat.  No more eating off actual plates with a napkin and time to enjoy what I'm eating. Back to eating out of plastic (or glass) containers while doing at least five other things.  Back to carting around the big lunch cooler and answering the never-ending question, "what exactly do you have in there?"  (The answer is:  Meals for the entire day and about half-gallon of water.  I also carry a protein bar in case I'm held up somewhere and don't have a meal.)
Also gone are the days of working out whenever I feel like it. From now on, my workouts are scheduled.

These may seem like simple things, but for me the end of summer is a little scary.   I run the risk of skipping meals and workouts as school starts and my life becomes hectic again. Skipping meals isn't too much of an issue since I've learned to stop caring where I am when I eat.  If it's time to eat, I eat.   Even though I have learned how to say, "I can't. I have to go workout" it's still difficult.   I also struggle with the excuse of being tired or having been on my feet all day.  Neither of those are legitimate excuses in my world.

So, the fridge is loaded once again with assorted BPA-free containers of food that will nourish my mind, body, and soul.  The new lunch box (ruined the other one with too many trips to the beach; tee hee) is ready to be packed with meals to get me through my first day.  Water bottles are filled and ready to hydrate. I've mentally prepared for when I'll be working out and which days will be devoted to certain workouts.

I'm saying good-bye to summer, but not to my commitment to my own well-being.  Be good to yourself, folks.  It pays off in the end.

PS-- New recipes on the recipe page this week.