Eating less now = easier race day
This has become my mantra.
I like to eat. I really like to eat Trader Joe's Jo-Jos. The chocolate kind (chocolate wafers with chocolate filling...mmm...). I like to eat them late at night right out of the box. Before I know it, I've downed six or eight - three to four servings. I like to eat an entire white chicken and broccoli pizza. I like to eat burritos with lots (and lots) of cheese with chips and salsa. I like to eat roasted corn chowder that I learned has 500+ calories and 26 grams of fat per serving (it's a big mac in a bowl!).
I rationalize that I can eat this much, because I'm running so much. The jo-jos have carbs, the pizza has good olive oil, protein-rich chicken and vitamin-loaded broccoli. The burritos pack protein. The corn chowder has corn and, well, some green stuff floating in it. I have a justification for everything I eat.
And I wonder why I haven't dropped much weight since starting this training cycle.
After gaining 20 pounds since my gallbladder removal (70 lb weight loss, then 20 lb gain), I realized I weigh more this time around (that's a "duh" statement!). That means the race is going to be that much tougher. I've lost 5 lbs in three months; if I could lose just 10 more lbs in two months, put this 5'3" woman at 140 lbs (hardly underweight!), I would be in much better shape for ZG. Think about it - 10 lbs times 32 miles and 8000 ft of elevation gain. That's a lot of stress on my knees and my cardiovascular system.
Therefore, I have decreed this week that I will eat better, eat healthier and eat less in the next two months in the hopes that I will put my body in a better position to handle ZG. The biggest problem: I am an emotional eater. So, I enlisted Chris's help; he agreed to be my support system on this, as long as it doesn't make things go sour between us :)
The first week has gone well. Most days I've overcome the little challenges (the jo-jos are calling my name....) It's a struggle, but I keep reminding myself of the bigger (smaller?) goal: eating less now = easier race day. It goes right along with my training: running more now = easier race day. I am totally in the "make the race day easier" mode, so I'm hoping the eating falls right into place.
Wish me luck!
Comments
Just keep it up!
I find getting the miles in isn't difficult, it definitely is the fact I have to stop eating pizza and burritos at 3:00 a.m. every other night.
I guess we could both rationalize it's some demented form of carboloading, but why lie to ourselves like that? :)
Good luck in the future!
Posted by: Michael "Shogun" Hatamoto | February 8, 2008 03:11 PM
Portion control is the hardest thing isn't it? If you could just eat one jo-jo or a cup instead of a bowl of soup, or two pieces of pizza, you'd be good. (I'm saying you, but thinking "me" - I like food waaaayyy toooo muchhhh!) Good luck Angie, I'm sure you can do this!
Posted by: backofpack | February 8, 2008 03:41 PM
That's a great strategy! Good luck!
Posted by: Sarah | February 8, 2008 06:03 PM
It's funny I always gain weight when I train, Lots of weight like 20 -40 pounds.
I always figured it was healthy weight.
Who knows.
Posted by: troy | February 8, 2008 08:14 PM
I wish you luck.
Its rough to stand back and recognize the difference between hunger and stress cravings. I've been trying to control it myself. I give in too many times. I think that makes it worse when I know I'm eating for the wrong reasons.
One thing I've been trying to do is keep better food around when the stress kicks in. Trail mix instead of cookies. Nuts instead of chips. Mint tea instead of Dr Pepper. It works most of the time.
Posted by: Chris G | February 8, 2008 08:38 PM
You have put in words my feelings exactly. My problem is that I start the day out eating healthy but by mid-afternoon 'forget' that I am eating healthier or that I am preparing for a race.And that, coupled with the after-school merry-go-round of homework, soccer, basketball etc aggravates my appetite instead of killing it.
As they say- try, try , try until you're sure you wont succeed.
Posted by: NB | February 8, 2008 09:18 PM
I'm with you on the eating, Angie. I am an emotional eater as well and the stress has been high the past couple of weeks. Good luck with the eating, or lack thereof.
Posted by: Rob | February 10, 2008 07:55 AM
I think many people can sign their names under it. Lets support each other through the healthy choices and "less is more" goal. The hardest part, yes, to always think. Leave yourself reminders. For me the way to go is simply not to buy high-calories foods. Not here - can't crave them. There is no sweets around the house. No peanut butter. No good cheese (and I don't like American cheese). Lets hold hands:)
Posted by: olga | February 10, 2008 08:13 AM
That is a fantastic way to look at weight loss!! That is going to help me!
Posted by: Javamom | February 12, 2008 08:35 PM
Oh, I do wish you luck. You did it before, and you sound highly motivated. That will carry you a long way (though less weight will do that too!)
Posted by: Anne | February 13, 2008 08:01 PM