I don’t talk a lot about nutrition and food on this blog, because quite frankly, I have no idea what I’m talking about. I’m a big fan of keeping my mouth shut on crap I don’t know a lot about. I’m also a fan of letting people eat, drink, and workout how they see fit and what works best for their body. I’m kind of like Switzerland. Not saying I don’t ever raise an eyebrow at something that seems kooky to me, but generally, I live and let live.
All that being said, I read the hashtags on twitter and the blog posts about shakes and diets and what not and I’ve tried almost all of them. I’ve mentioned on this here blog how I gained a lot of weight in college and the one thing that helped me the most, besides becoming a gym-rat turned runner, was the South Beach Diet. I read the book, followed the plan, and for whatever reason, this method stuck.
After reading Katie’s post the other day on what works for her and what she’s been doing it really forced me to take a look at how far I’ve gotten away from South Beach. I called her up and we chatted for a few on our past eating habits and how I feel like Katie is a always more than a few steps ahead of me on training and nutrition and for that I am grateful. I love when she learns something new because then I get to read about it on her blog and thus, I learn something new.
Anyway, going back to my eating habits and thoughts on food, I have a sordid history with food. I love eating. I don’t say that as an “OMG I love food! I’ll just eat a slice of pizza,” person. I say that as an emotional eater who will eat an entire pizza if given cause. I used to have serious binge sessions (without any purging) and I come from a long line of folks who like to eat their feelings. Happy equals eat, sad equals eat, insert emotion here equals eat. Yes, I am that person. I am keeping it real with this post because sadly, I do feel a shame in admitting this.
I’ve come full circle with food and now try very hard to eat when I’m hungry and enjoy those treats I do allow myself. Lately, those “treats” have been sneaking in more than I’d like, and I know part of it is because the S.O. and I eat out too much. And of course because I was using my workouts as an excuse to eat with reckless abandon.
I think the bottom line in all of this is that I need to go back to my roots. I am not going back on South Beach, but I do think the principles of that diet (along with many, many others) are the best way to eat. And it’s definitely the old K.I.S.S. method. Keep it simple stupid. Don’t eat all the sugars. Don’t eat all the carbs. Try to like and eat more vegetables (I’m not a good veggie eater). Drink lots of water. Eat some fiber. Eat some healthy fats.
I’m currently in a mind set that I want to get leaner to get faster. I know not everyone is in this head space and I should want to eat healthier to feel better and be healthier (like my wise friend Katie). That will be added benefit for me, for sure. The carrots that are currently dangling in front of me are HITS Ocala 70.3 and Ironman Chattagnooga. I’m hoping I can remember these races as I pass up the monthly birthday celebrations held in my office.*
How do you eat? What veggies are your favorite?
*If an occasional chocolate slips by, that is ok. And it’s ok for you too! I’m anti-food shaming!
We really should talk. I think we agree more than either of us thought. 😉
Beth, I love it! Yes, I'm Italian and FOOD IS LIFE. But everything in moderation.
Yes, I can down a whole pizza easy!
Good for you for braving the food topic. I haven't gotten there yet. I remember thinking years ago that training for long-distance races would take care of my food woes. But alas, in some ways it made them worse. Now I like to have basic guidelines for my eating (mostly vegan, mostly gluten-free), but I won't be hard on myself for going outside of them. Not being in training, due to injury, is a whole other battle. One I'm trying to make peace with but hope I don't have to for too long!
I like food too much and make excuses! ha We considered doing a Paleo style diet where we focus more on fresh and less on easy. The problem for me is portion control. I want to eat it all NOW!! I wait for my stomach to tell me I am full and that is usually too late
Right now I am OBSESSED with arugula and Matt is loving kale.
I can take or leave kale.
I try to follow a similar plan to the Zone Diet. But I always leave room for cheats. It's tough to make decisions for lifetime eating, especially when I love treats like pizza and cheeseburgers so much.
Food is my biggest struggle! I have often said that I don't need a personal trainer…I need someone to follow me around and slap bad food out of my hand before it makes it to my mouth!!! I really like veggies…a huge salad is my favorite!
I did actually eat an entire little ceasars pizza by myself one time just because Kelley and the kids were out of town and I had the house to myself. That was before I was a triathlete, and yes, I barfed it up later.
Since thanksgiving, we've been doing mostly vegan and it's led to PR's in every race, ok both races, a 5k and a marathon. I absolutely love it.
I agree different things work for different people. I try to keep my focus on getting 7 servings of veggies each day and that makes a big difference because I will automatically think about protein too. what i will probably always be working on is keeping out the sugar! I think it's fine in moderation, but depending on my training it's not moderate.
I don't know if you've read Matt Fitzgerald's "Racing Weight" book, but I just finished it and so much of what he said resonated with me. He believes in food quality rather than some particular food groups or others.
I know that I always feel "healthier" when I'm making more of my meals. If I make 5-6 dinners a week and eat out or do take out once or twice, I find that I stay pretty healthy.
I've never been an emotional eater or a stress eater. My problem has always been, simply, I almost never stop being hungry. I could stuff it in until I'm about to pop, and 30 minutes later, I could eat. I'm still trying to figure out something that works that I believe I could also stick with.
I know when I cook at home, we usually do pretty healthy meals, but I will go overboard on the portions. The problem is, if I control that, I'll just be starving to the point of wanting to eat my own hand off later in the night.
Oh, and vacations and holidays, everything goes out the window.
I do love a good pizza! mmm. For the most part, I eat pretty clean but definitely have some binge episodes. I know it is shocking that I am not perfect… I feel 1000% better when I am packing my lunches and planning out meals at home. Both for the $$ and my muffin top 🙂
This post is exactly where I am right now. I am an emotional eater too and I found that doing higher distances I "justified" eating more or cheating more often I have since gained 10 lbs of weight I fought so hard to lose last year! I am trying to eat whole foods and very little processed items to start out the change.
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