Well, several of you mentioned nutrition when I asked if there was anything I should post about. I am certainly not a doctor or a dietician, and I, by no means, consider myself to be a super healthy eater. In fact, I have a ridiculous sweet tooth... especially for cookies. And I have an uncontrollable Diet Coke addiction that I know I would be better off without. I love cheese - melted, sliced, shredded, whatever. Twizzlers and peanut M&Ms mysteriously appear before me from time-to-time. But I did make some big changes in my diet when I started running.
I used to be the casserole queen. And when I say queen, I mean that I would cook double or triple recipes of several casseroles and separate them into enough to serve the family twice and freeze them. You know what the majority of casseroles entail, right? Cream, cheese, oil, butter, etc. I mean there has to be something to goo it all together. My favorites were King Ranch Chicken, Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Casserole, Husband's Delight (which has a center layer of cream cheese and sour cream). Mmmmmmm, good. You know what? I honestly can't remember the last time I made a casserole, and I rarely miss them (but apparently the kids do since Lily requested King Ranch Chicken for her birthday).
Yes, I'm generally somewhat boring with what I fix. I find the less the preparation, the less likely I am to add fatty sauces or ingredients. (BTW, I cook most things in just a smidge of grapeseed oil - I love love love the flavored grapeseed oils from WildTree.) And I have really increased the amount of vegetables I eat. For instance, 2 years ago, I would've had a sandwich on wheat bread with light mayo and turkey and cheese. Today, I had this sandwich:
A flatbread with a couple slices of roasted turkey, swiss cheese (sorry folks, I will not give up cheese), dijon mustard, spinach, tomatoes, carrots (yes, I like carrots on my sandwich), and red bell pepper. I tend to put vegetables into just about anything I can sneak them into (which I never would have done in the past). If I make a spaghetti sauce, I'm usually chopping whatever veggies I can find to throw in - zucchini, carrots, spinach, or whatever. Even something indulgent like grilled cheese, I like to add spinach and tomatoes to it. Same with eggs - spinach, bell pepper, whatever I have hiding in the fridge. (Yes, mom, I know, I put spinach in everything.) And for the record, yes, my kids eat it. In fact their lunches usually have raw carrots and bell pepper. Sometimes I put raw broccoli in there too.
I thought I'd share a photo of my casserole days and my current days, but apparently I was never in front of the camera (I'm usually the one taking the photos). My weight loss was around 30 lbs. For my height of 5'11", it wasn't a huge difference, but still noticeable. When I lost weight, I was focused on that. I wasn't running nearly as much, and I was keeping tabs on my intake. Now with the amount of running I do, the focus has changed to the training, and I'm less focused on food, although one day at a time, I try to make small decisions that are good. Enough small decisions in favor of healthy options and it will start to add up.
As for things like carb-loading, I do try to up my carbs about 2 days prior to a race or really long run. And I do have a standing tradition (which will be interrupted this Friday, though) of eating at our favorite little Italian Restaurant, Cosa Nostra, the night before a race. Although I do try to stay away from the cream sauces, and I try to moderate the quantity so that my stomach isn't too heavy.
During a race or long run, I typically eat something every 4-5 miles. Usually GU or Sports Beans, although I'm looking to change this up a little because I still feel ridiculously hungry on long runs.
Post-race, I seem to crave fajitas. Mmmmmmmm... They seem to hit the spot every. single. time.
I won't talk about snacks, because it's my weakness. I must work on this.
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15 comments:
Hi Lesley! I just wanted to stop by and say great job with your running. I found you through skinnyrunner. I am a fellow Texan too. I am signed up for the Dallas Rock N' Roll half marathon, which will be my first. I might join you for the White Rock.....but half that is. ;) Great blog and Great job with your running!!
I put spinach & carrots in my kid's sandwich & he loves it. Our favorite quick dinner is a whole wheat tortilla w deli turkey, one slice of cheese (can't give it up either), spinach, mushrooms & avocado, sprouts if we have them. Really filling & for extra flavor we sprinkle balsamic vinegar on it.
Looks like yummy food! I still have a weakness for casseroles and one-pot meals, drives my wife crazy!
Stopping in from skinny runner! I also will not give up cheese :o) Which is why I think I could never be vegan.
Hi! Just found your blog through skinny runner. As a relatively new runner, I'm excited to learn from you!
Stopping by from Skinner Runner's blog to say hello. I'm a novice runner (have only run two races but run almost daily at the gym). I'm excited to learn from your experiences.
Dang it. I was really hoping you were going to say that grilled cheese and French fries was the key to a svelt runner's figure. Shucks.
Um. Pretty sure my family would love your casseroles!! Thankfully, I'd probably be allergic to the ingredients so I could just enjoy the smell!
If you feel hungry on longer efforts add a little protein snack somewhere. A handful of trail mix, Clif Shot Roks, anything. It won't serve much athletic purpose but will keep the stomach settled longer. As for post-race fajitas, you are absolutely right. Livestrong had a taco bar and that hit the spot big time.
Love this post!!! You look great. You mentioned something a while back about not losing weight even though you're training more now than ever. Do you want to lose more weight? You seriously look great, and it doesn't look like you have anything to lose! Congrats on the 30 pounds! Noticeable or not, that is awesome!
Snacks are my problem area, too! Cookies and Twizzlers are the worst! Ramsey and I had veggie burgers and tons of veggies for lunch. It was great. Just don't ask me how many cookies I ate while I was making lunch. :)
I can never eat much after a race. I spend a few hours feeling slightly nauseated, and then I get a mini appetite.
Well, I'd love to see more food posts if you run out of other subjects (or not)!
You are awesome.
Look at all that yummy food! You cook AND run AND make amazing jewelry?! love it.
I'm addicted to twizzlers. NOR red vines. TWIZZLERS.
Ummm, that should have read "NOT" red vines. ;)
what a difference...from casseroles to wraps. my diet is under the same sort of evolution. but i will always have a weakness for junk food....and pizza...and chips....and chocolate, oh, i need to stop it!!!
Great post. Good ideas for good meals. I don't use gels anymore because they are rough on my stomach. I have found that protein and carb powders mixed with water and cliff bars work well for energy and to keep me from getting hungry. Good luck!
Stopping by from skinnyrunner as well. Love the blog! I have always been pretty active and just moderately watched what I ate. I recently took a break from running and the weight started piling on...I guess it's time to step it up. Keep up the good work! I
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