McFlurries and Muscles

Here is my big news, I finally joined a gym.  Primitive, by today's standards of neon lighting and kettle bells, but I kind of like the way it feels like I'm working out in someone's basement, it reminds me of the kind of gym some of bodybuilding's most famous have worked out it.  And I know, I've been subjected to some of the DVD's as my husband pores over them frequently. 
I will admit, it was a bit intimidating at first, not knowing where any of the equipment I needed to use was located, but I found my way around after a few minutes of scoping out the equipment.  And compared to the rickety old cable-based home gym I've been using all of the equipment felt so smooth that I was able to lift heavier.  My gym opens at 5am, and my fellow morning trainers were mostly older folks and a few very muscular men.  I didn't let it intimidate me though, when I needed a weight, I went right over by the free weights where the muscular men were working, and took what I needed.  I was focused on the work, and surprised at how much heavier I could lift this morning.  I am still having problems doing lunges though, my quad muscle tightens up and feels like it's going to tear.  So today I had to end my first set at 5 reps and I didn't attempt any more of them.  I will keep trying each time, until I can figure out what I am doing wrong with my form.  I have legs again on Thursday.
It felt really good to be awake and in a well-lit gym with all the equipment I could ever need, music playing and people pleasantly bantering around me.  I can tell I will get a lot out of this decision to join.  And there is a lap pool, whirlpool and sauna for the weekends when I have a little more time to spend at the gym.  For $10 a month, I can't go wrong!
I went a little off the tracks this weekend, having two cheat meals.  The main courses I chose were both clean, one an ahi-tuna wrap with spinach and the other, chicken fajitas.  The chips and salsa were not the accessory to the crime, but the crime itself, and last night, I took it to a whole new level and had a Rolo McFlurry from McDonalds for dessert.  It's a limited time deal, ya know!  Actually, yesterday was a day that was irritating me with crunch-cravings, and not the kind that get you flat abs.  I wanted to crunch something salty, and chips were calling me.  This is the week where cravings always set in, the week before the monthly disaster.  While I know that it is a flux in blood sugars that causes the cravings, I was driving myself MENTAL craving chips.  And in my opinion, Chili's chips are the absolute best!  So when my husband got home from a photo shoot and mentioned that he was in the mood to eat out, I was happy to oblige.  Probably not my strongest moment on a diet, but I didn't let it get to me too much, because I knew it would fix my craving and I'd be able to get right back on track after.  And that was the case.  I don't plan on doing that every weekend, because it won't equate to the kind of results I am seeking, but once in a while I am willing to listen to my own body and let life fly a little.  I think that is healthy as long as it is in check, it's how I assume "normal" people eat. 
But today, after having a great leg workout, my metabolism is roaring again!  It is 9am and I am already eating my second meal for the day, and I can feel my body starting to buzz from the clean food coming to the rescue.  Today as I was walking into work, I defined what I don'tI am thinking about a year from now, how I'll look, how much weight I will be able to lift, and how I'll feel.  When I think of the future, I only see good things.  Maybe that's a bit of the just-joined-a-gym excitement, but whatever it is, I plan on having a successful year!  Who's with me?