Yes, I spoke too soon. How can I amaze myself when I can’t even get my self out the door to run in this weather? It is warming up to 50 today, so it should be perfect right after lunch. That’s my plan.
My other plan seems to be eating everything I can get my hands on. I haven’t stopped being hungry since the marathon. I must get his under control because I need to lose ten pounds before February 17th. I can’t believe I ran a marathon looking like I swallowed a buffalo.
The whole nutrition thing is so tricky. I need a plan that will work with the whole family. My sister is following the RAVE diet, RAVE stands for: no refined foods, no animal foods, no vegetable oils, no exceptions & exercise.
This plan sounds good, but I don’t know if it’s a plan the entire family follow. Especially the no oil part, we love our olive oil in this house. And Michael is a big meat eater, and loves any opportunity to slap some raw meat on an open flame.
Emotionally, I’m really drawn to the idea of not eating animals. Preparing a whole turkey this year was tough. And I could live without the guts stuffed in a bag and then re-stuffed back into the turkey. Seriously, who eats guts? I like my meat cut up into little pieces and placed under plastic wrap so it has no resemblance of an animal. And the books I’ve read on how animals are treated and slaughtered is very sad. So I choose not to think about it while I consume my steak.
Intellectually, the books I’ve read such as the Paleo Diet, which suggests a diet similar to that of our Stone Age ancestors which is high in lean protein with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables makes so much sense to me. Our bodies are primarily made up of protein and water, we need those to survive. I’m also a big evolutionist. But to get a healthy animal you’d pretty much have to raise it in the backyard and slaughter it yourself.
I don’t know. What’s a girl to do? There are so many options. Of course portion control is a part of it losing weight, but I want a plan that is healthy as well. Perhaps all this writing is just a way to avoid running again. Anyone know of a get rid of your back fat diet?
It’s a shame our bodies are not made of chocolate cake. Life would be so easy then.
Diets that have catchy names or are named after a person and that carry huge restrictions do not work. Let me repeat that – they DO.NOT.WORK. Not for long, anyhow.
Eat less, run more, lose weight. Keep it simple and it will work. Complicate it and restrict yourself and at some point you’ll go nuts and start eating the best tasting but most fattening foods like they are about to become extinct. All the wieght you lost will find you again and it will bring some friends along, too.
You knew that, though – didn’t you?
It’s tough about the animals part, for sure. I was a vegetarian for 8 years and vegan for about a year. Now I eat some meat, but not a ton, and am partnered up with someone who eats meat-based meals more often than not. That makes cooking for both of us a challenge sometimes.
What helped me was making a list of all the dishes I love to make (and eat), and then figured out ways to make them healthier and/or vegetarian. Also, that Ellie Krieger show on the Food Network is awesome, and I use her recipes all the time.
I did Weight Watchers for a few months earlier this year to help lose the 20 lbs I’d gained in grad school. It took a couple weeks to get into the swing of things, but then it became easy. Recording everything I ate really helped me, and WW also made me a LOT better about getting in lots of fruits & veggies (grad school: not so good for that). It also helped me put exercise into perspective–a 3 or 4 mile run isn’t an excuse to pig out the rest of the day (but a 16-miler is! :).
As for meat, have you looked into CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture, I think)? I don’t eat meat, but I’m pretty sure some CSAs provide local, organic, free range, etc meat.
A meat -free diet is truely the way to go! I have been a runner (long-distance, competitive ) and a vegetarian for 27 years!!!! I am very lean, strong and young looking for my age because of it. Focusing on mainly protein (soy products) and vegetables and a decent amount of pure peanut butter sustains me, gives me energy and health. I do allow myself “rewards”, when I eat sweets (simple carbs-we all need something!) Sounds like that “rave diet” may be the way to go! Don’t consider it a diet, but rather, a healthy lifestyle alternative. Also- olive oil, in a reasonable amount, is quite healthy, as is a glass or 2 of red wine!! Good luck!!
If you want good meat, go to a butcher. Its fresher and usually not mass processed.
Stop reading those books about where dinner comes from and think veggies and fruit with lots of water to go with those big ol’ juicy steaks.
Pecan pie is optional in small portions.
i keep wondering why carrots taste like carrots — but are good for you. and chocolate cake tastes like chocolate cake — but is bad for you.
who thought that up?
not.me.
The Paleo Diet sounds good. Just ban (for yourself) dessert and anything too sugary. Have 2 squares of chocolate, not half a block.
To keep your energy up during the day, graze on nuts, dried fruits (if not sugary) and fruit. Drink lots of water. Good luck.