Army Strong Stories

One of the facts of being on night shift is that I am forced to plan ahead for everything I eat, and it definitely shows me all the holes in my eating habits. Since everything In Georgia closes by 9 (except for that brand new Steak N Shake, which is open to 10!) I can no longer run to Taco Bell for a quick lunch to eat at my desk. Here is how meal planning works for me:

As I'm packing up my lunch box before heading out, I think healthy things every well-trained, health-conscious semi-athlete thinks: I need to pack two servings of vegetables and one serving of fruit, a small protein bar to help keep me full, and atleast one entree-sized meal for the middle of my shift. Into my bag goes an apple, a bag of carrot sticks, a Special K Protein Bar, and a microwavable pasta meal. And a mountain dew, because that's the only thing with enough sugar and caffeine to keep me going.

Here's how my shift goes: I get in at 6, and am usually feeling fine, since I probably ate something when I woke up around 3 and snacked around 5 after working out. I eat carrots around 7:30, because those are healthy and good for you. I refill my water bottle atleast every other hour, so I know I'm drinking lots of water. Around 9 I'm feeling pretty hungry, so into the microwave goes my pasta. Around midnight I eat my apple, and realize the only thing left in my bag is that 90 calorie protein bar. And I'm pretty hungry. So what do you do at midnight in Georgia? You pay your NCO to go to the 24-hour shoppette for a box of Crunch N' Munch and eat the entire box before 6. Then you go home, pass out for 6 hours, and wake up starving.

Some people say that insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. I remember this the next day as I'm packing up my apple and carrot sticks, and throw in an extra banana. Because surely that will keep me fuller......