Diary of a student-athlete

I learned that food in association should not be by "What it tastes like," but, "What does this do for me?" I look at food as nourishment, not gratification, and seeing the results empirically I am driven to adhere to consistency because the quest for wellness is equally as enticing as it is challenging. 

I started this year in experimentation (as I've done all others). I would ask questions such as, "Can I survive if I take the sandwiches out?" "How can I get the most out of my breakfasts?" and "Is there anything I can do better?" For breakfast, I switched from General Mill's Basic 4 or dry toast to Post's Raisin Bran. For protein, I took out soy milk and came back to skim milk (which was a great reunion!), and continued on the coffee regimen (I say regimen because, from my previous blog, I learned I'm addicted).

For lunch, I took out the half-sandwich and started making fruit salads or bringing a duo of apples, oranges, pears or plums. For dinner, you'll see it all, from Puerto Rican style black beans, to spinach and ground turkey lasagna to paprika-mushroom grilled chicken. With this food array, I have the energy to balance 15 senior engineering hours, hold a part-time job as a biofuels lab assistant, complete five to six days of world-class physical training, be a leader of an organization and, of course, to be a blogger right here and now.

Food dictates our direction

I am not illustrating my personal food diary or schedule to aggrandize myself, or to otherwise assert my college experience as unlimitedly awesome. Rather, I am insisting that regardless of where you want to be in life, such effort takes initiative. Initiative takes chances. Chances may mean failure. If you are willing, however, to learn what it takes to push yourself to the limit, I hope that you can see how something so simple and so neglected, can be life-changing and personality-altering.

At the end of the day it may not seem like it, but it is food that ultimately dictates our direction.  Be patient, challenge yourself and adapt to overcoming failures.

In the words of Michael Jordan, "I've failed over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed." This is why we, as Texas A&M Aggies, will also succeed.

• Breakfast: Raisin Bran, Skim Milk, Coffee
• Lunch: Two apples, oranges, plums or pears or a fruit salad.
• Dinner:  Actual recipes with nutritional emphasis
• Body fat: 5.4%
• NCAA 800-meter Ranking: To be continued.

Joey Roberts is currently the 800 meter school record holder of Texas A&M's track team. Upon achieving his bachelor of science in civil engineering in May 2012, Joey plans to explore a master's and doctorate's degree in environmental engineering. As an avid runner, Joey is passionate about his wellness, which sparked developments in his personal attitude, fitness and diet.