Hello there! I’m happy to report that I am no longer down with the sickness. I woke up still pretty snot infested on Saturday, but by Sunday I was feeling a ton better. I skipped the track 5K, which I was bummed about. But I did do a bit of light running on Sunday just to stay within doctors orders…sorta. And this morning I was well enough to hit up the master’s swim with no snot rockets.
Speaking of master’s swimming, there’s a new-to-me coach that’s fabulous. No more just completing a workout off a sheet of paper. This is a real, legit group workout. I was sucking wind big time but it’s exactly what I need to prepare for the Frogman 5K. We had a 200 meter time trial today (3:49 oof.) and that was tough after taking so much time off. I’ll be happy to see that number come down as I get stronger.
And speaking of stronger…
I debated posting this because everyone has BIG opinions on diets and nutrition but I’ll just put on my earmuffs should you have any opinion different than mine. Kidding, kidding.
Let me start by saying THIS IS WHAT I AM TRYING FOR ME. And I AM NOT A DOCTOR. Nor AM I A NUTRITIONIST, PERSONAL TRAINER, or DOLPHIN TRAINER. That last thing has nothing to do with this post. Just making sure you read all the big, capitalized words.
Also, I’m super duper hopeful that I can do this. I’ve been known to back slide with food on many, many occasions. (Haven’t we all though? It’s hard!) This is part of the reason I’m going into all of this here on the “Accountability Machine.”
As you may know, I went through that whole gain a bunch of weight during college thing by eating and drinking a bunch of junk and not ever working out. I was very unhappy with how I looked and more importantly, how I felt. So after I graduated college I made a change. I started the South Beach Diet and began my journey with fitness. First, at the gym doing every cardio class I could get my hands on, and then into running.
I did really well with South Beach and made it a lifestyle for about eight years. But… then I started sliding backwards. I began buying cereal again. And eating way too indulgently on the weekends. I was maintaining but as the years progressed, the more carby, sugary processed foods returned to my diet. Can you say Cheez-Its?
I’ve now seen the scale go up by about ten pounds. And while the majority of my clothes all still fit, my barometer jeans are unbearably tight. Like stuffed sausages tight. I know I’ve been doing the relationship fun eating thing with the S.O., even though since he has Celiac he still seems to eat healthier than I do when we go out. Plus, he’s a naturally tall and lean dude with a high metabolism. The jerk.
I’ve discussed all this with my close friends Meghan and Tori, as well as my sister, and all three have said that I look great. As good friends do. This is obviously awesome to hear but I know that I’m letting too much junk in to be healthy. And I know that to run my very best and eventually (fingers crossed) qualify for Boston, I need to be in tippy top shape. This means healthy and lean!
Lately, I’ve been feeling extra focused and motivated. I think it’s taken me a while (almost a year actually!) post ironman to have that fire re-lit and regain some running confidence. And I don’t mean confidence that I’m where I want to be, but confidence to know that I can absolutely get to where I want to be. That’s the key difference in what seemed to be missing for several months.
Ok great, so what?
So, I’m heading back to my roots and cutting the sugar and carbs for two weeks. (It’s phase 1 of South Beach Diet.) And while, yes, it’s a “diet” it has worked for me and after those two weeks I reintroduce “good” carbs, like sweet potatoes and whole grains. I know that there is a big debate about low carbs/high fat and endurance athletes but again, I know what works for me. (And as an aside, following South Beach tends to be low in calories naturally, even though I won’t be counting them. And I’m not going buckwild with like pork rinds and chicken wings. It’s a healthy diet, I promise.)
Is this going to be hard? Yes. Will I tell you if I don’t make it? Yes. Will it be worth it? You bet your butt.
I’m working out how I’ll fuel for my long run this weekend and next but with a little input from friends who eat this way regularly, I think I’ve got it under control. After this first two weeks, I may continue fueling this way if it works. If not, I’ll try other carb sources or go back to gels if I have to. It’s going to be trial and error.
I started my two weeks yesterday. I know the first three to five days are the toughest as your body works through the sugar withdrawal. I’m ready for it and told the S.O. just to ignore me if I fall asleep mid-sentence or act really grouchy. Ha!
I’m in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM advocating or telling any of you how to eat. This, again, is something that has worked for me and I’d like to try it again. Let’s just say this is an experiment you get to watch. I’ll be your running guinea pig.
That’s it for now. I will keep you all posted and if you see me licking the windows at the cupcake shop just gently nudge me along…
You can do it. I started 21 Day Fix today and I'm on Day 16 no soda. I am like a stuffed can of biscuits just waiting to pop out of my jeans and that's just not cool. WE CAN DO THIS. You have to do whatever works for you. Good luck! 🙂
You can definitely do this! I'm feeling like Nancy, too, that whole busted can of biscuits look is never a good one. Last week was incredibly hard moving Kay to Tally. So much harder than I thought and I'm still an emo mess. This week I'm choosing to survive as we get David off to college on Saturday. Then…I'm going back to a low carb/paleo-ish plan as well. It worked a year ago and I'm up 15 since then, so it's time to buckle down. Just not this week while I'm and emotional mess.
I started changing my eating 1-2 years ago when it started to become really apparent that my la-la land fantasy of eating whatever I wanted and being able to race like a rock star was probably not going to happen. I don't follow any specific diet or anything like that and I'm not super-strict about it, but I do make an effort nowadays and I feel pretty good about the outcome of that effort so far.
P.S. Those swim practices are real ass-kickers, aren't they.
Good luck! But I know you've got this! It is especially good that you have done it before and know what to expect. I have been tossing up 21 Day fix and Whole30, but I just can't find ANY motivation. So for now, I am going to keep this week gluten free and see if that makes me feel any better
I'm in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM advocating or telling you how to eat. I too struggle with my weight: At the moment I'm 12 lbs over my 'ideal' weight, but I've been there for (or worst) for a while now. I prefer NOT to diet, as I believe that temporary changes do not create lasting effects. I just try to eat healthier than in the past. I create little 'rules' for myself like 'only 1 serving of chocolate per day", or 'try to snack around 3pm'. The real culprits are eating out (!!!) and snacking.
I think you look great. But you'll notice weight creep before anyone else and it is a lot better to catch it and deal with it early. It's tough to lose 40 lbs as I've had to do.
Good luck and stay healthy!
Rick Stiles
You'll have to keep us posted how you do. I feel like I've tried everything, but these last 5-8 lbs won't budge since I turned 40 years old.
Food is the hardest part. You can work out like a maniac, but you still may not be where you want to be physically. This whole not running thing has been tough, but it's made me approach eating in a different way (NOT without struggles). You're a strong lady and you can do this! Let's go eat vegetables together sometime soon!
I'm doing the gluten, dairy, egg free diet right now, as you know. I've lost a few pounds too. My energy is nonexistent, but, you know, who needs energy when you're training for a marathon and raising a couple kids. lol
I wish you the best of luck with your diet. I'm with Tori and Meghan, you look great to me.
You just KNEW I had to comment right? 🙂
My thoughts on this have changed quite a bit over the past three years, but I think you have the right idea here. It really comes down to "real food" and I feel (again, my PERSONAL feeling) is that the South Beach variant is one of the better ones. Still comes down to what you can sustain long term. Sugar is a BIG culprit for me, but as you know I have numerous health issues helping that area along.
I liked your comment on friends telling you that you look great. I have this discussion on the podcast a lot. I know they are friends and trying to be positive, but I have friends tell me that I am not fat all the time. They tell me that because they like/love me, so I take it as it is meant, or at least try to. :-). Our issues are much different though. You need to lose 10, I need to lose 60 (or so). SB Diet will get that 10 of you pretty quick.
Great job on the swimming also!
Oh, and I had no idea the SO was Celiac. That's diagnosed celiac?? I would like to talk to him about that sometime.
Girl, What a good read!! I have been going over and over in my mind the fact that i NEED to change what I am putting in my body simply for the fact that I want to get a BQ (in January would be nice). Ever since I go prego with Rye my sugar intake has gone WAY up. I mean if he does not finish his oreo I CAN"T just toss it dang it that would be a waste. I still don't know what I am going to fuel my long runs with but I better find out and SOON. Cant wait to see how this plays out for you and maybe it will kick me in gear as well!!!!
I am with you on the food thing. Lord knows, I love a good cheez it. Or a good cupcake. Either one. I think the IM training kind of kept weight at bay but the minute I cut back to a normal amount of training, I crept up about 8 or 10 lbs. Before when I ate healthy it was just to lose weight, now my mindset is more of that I probably just need to be consuming a bunch of junk just for general health purposes. Anyhow. I started making an effort a little over a week ago. Feeling good so far! Hope your first days went well too 🙂