Today I got out at lunch time and ran a 5K. I did it in less than 40 minutes, so it was easy to do on my lunch hour. It was a beautiful day, and I passed a tall ship on the way.

There is just something so empowering about running at lunch time. I feel like I’m taking charge of my day, and making time for myself. I know that it would be easier to just work through lunch and get more done.

It’s slightly nerve wracking to walk from the bathroom out the door in my running clothes. I wonder if people will say anything, which would be embarrassing for me. I wonder if I will be looked down for taking the full hour and maybe a few extra minutes to change my clothes. It’s a risk, but it’s worth taking.

Once I’m outside and running, I feel like I can do anything. Plus, I know that I can go home at the end of the workday and I don’t have to go to the gym. That’s a good feeling. I’ve earned my downtime.

I stuck to my calorie cycling plan today. I was right in the 1300 range and my deficit was 1100+ calories. So today I was right on. Tomorrow will be a higher calorie day. I need to eat 1800 calories, which will take some effort.   I have gotten used to not snacking during the day.  But I will bring a banana to work, and I will eat something before going to the gym.  It shouldn’t be too hard, I just have to be conscious of the calorie goal for the day.