I'm not as thin as I was several years ago, when I hit my peak with training, running, and really watching everything I ate. I've settled into a size that works for me - I don't have to be super restrictive on what I can eat and still get away with maintenance, imperfect as it may be. That said, I know that I have been eating more than I need, and I blame part of that on running so much - I'm just weirdly hungry for certain things, and I indulge. I could be doing better on that front, for sure.
It feels like I'm only getting about three days of decent eating in each week - Monday through Wednesday. And it shows - my stomach is bigger than I'd like. I haven't been into eating fresh fruits as often as I used to, and truth be told, same goes for vegetables. I'll eat them if they're put in front of me, but I can't be bothered to purchase and prepare them very often; I also don't crave them like I used to. This isn't the first time I've blogged about getting off on my fruits and veggies, so obviously it's either cyclic for me, or, much as I try to change my habits, the sad truth is that it's not a complete transformation for me...yet.
Adding into the mix is that my stomach reacts unfavorably to running long distances, which means I have to be careful about what I eat, fiber-wise, a couple of days before the run. Thursdays and Fridays are very light on fruit and veggies, and heavier on bread, crackers, and protein. After I do my long run on Saturday, I eat dribs and drabs of food at Blue Baker, but not a lot, as my stomach isn't ready for much food. I'll eat something indulgent for a late lunch/early dinner (cheese enchiladas, or tostadas, along with chips and salsa, of course), and then on Sunday, I'm back to my regular breakfast, but we go out for another late lunch/early dinner, where I usually split another indulgent meal with Jeff (pulled pork sandwich with fries is a favorite), and then we have frozen yogurt, which is oh so conveniently located right next door to our favorite Sunday eatery.
So yeah - after all these years, I am still figuring this out. But even though I'm not super thin, I'm so much better off than when I was a massively overweight, completely sedentary person, so I'll take what I have right now and continue to experience my active, mostly healthy lifestyle in my imperfect way. It's enough for me right now, and I'm happy to be here.
Personally I would rather have a little extra weight on me and be super active, than be thin and be sedentary. I think you have settled into a nice routine, of activity and not depriving yourself, which is where I aim to be at! You are living, and that's what it is all about!! :)
ReplyDeleteI think all the really matters is that you are healthy and you like
ReplyDeletewhere you are weight wise, and activity wise. I've been doing this
since 1997 and I can say it really is a journey and not a destination.
I know how I eat and how I exercise have changed many times since
I started.Last year I started eating the way I eat now and it seems
to keep me healthy and energized but who knows the way I eat may change
again some day but for now I am in a good place.
My eating is cyclical as well although its seasonally cyclical. I absolutely have to prep veggies on the weekend so that they are ready to go with our meals. I'm a roaster as I find it easy enough to just pop them in the oven and do other things while they are cooking. I don't know why it seems that starchy carbohydrates are just easier to eat but that's the attitude I get when I don't have veggies prepped.
ReplyDeleteAlso, distance running is just not the best way to lose weight. In fact it can be a vicious cycle because you need the calories to do the distance. Much easier to just maintain. If you're happy and healthy that's really all that matters, because you're definitely not morbidly obese any more!
My veggie eating is cyclical, but I never have a problem with fruit LOL!
ReplyDeleteThe heavy cardio is so hard to balance. I did pretty well with eating and cycling this summer, but it was a lot work with my brain than I wanted because sometimes you just want to enjoy.
Your last paragraph-- that's where I am too.
ReplyDeleteI can get down on myself sometimes, but when I think about what my life would have been like if I had not undertaken this healthy journey, I am very happy with where I am.
I think that it's a myth that runners can lose weight easily because they run so much, but you also need to fuel the run. And I love how you and Jeff split plates - Tony and I could never have done that because we both liked different things!
ReplyDeleteI think sometimes running can actually work against you as far as weight goes because it takes so much fuel to do the kind of distances you do.
ReplyDeleteYou have really given me something to think about here. I never kept track of what I ate a few days before my long runs but I think I should. I need to be able to eliminate as many bathroom breaks as possible and I think getting into a rhythm of only eating certain things might help.
ReplyDeleteIf it's a cycle you know you will be okay eventually with eating fruits and veggies.
ReplyDeleteI eat my fruits on work days because I bring it to work as a snack. At the weekend I never eat fruit unless I use it in a meal. As for the veggies, I'm okay with that, I use them in almost every dinner and often eat a salad for lunch at work.
You will be okay, I know.
I think you've found a wonderful balance between activity, and eating mindfully. You inspire me Shelley!!!!
ReplyDeleteI adore the line about settling into a size which works for you.
ReplyDeleteTHIS is the balance and dance of life.