Running Lite

Since I'm getting more thematic these days, I thought I'd run with this idea.

I just got off the phone with my Dad. We had, like, an hour long conversation. That fact in it's self is story worthy, because who talks to their Dad that long? I'm lucky that I can do that. However, that's not what I'm going to write about.

During one of our many conversations the issue of "My Diet" came up. With blushing and humbleness, I've gotten a few wonderful people fooled that I'm a skilled runner with worthy advice. Among those people are some of my Dad's training buddies. He mentioned to me today that during a long run he was asked about my eating habits and how it pertains to my running. "What does Lacy eat?"

I thought it would be fun to list the normal daily menu for all those inquiring minds.

Fair warning though, I'm not recommending anything. I'm just telling you what I do and that's all.

An important note to factor in is that I used to be overweight. During the first year of my marriage, then my pregnancy, and my post-delivery years, I put on a nice chunk of weight.

To be very honest, I gained 15-20 lbs in the first 6 months of marriage. I gained 60 lbs during pregnancy, getting me up to 200 lbs on my 5' 7" frame. I only lost 40 lbs after Judah was born. So, I walked around at about 160 lbs for the first 2 years of Judah's life.

Most people don't believe me, so I thought I'd post some proof.

Believe me now?

Long story short on Mother's Day 2005, I started a diet. I counted calories using this formula.

Females: take your desired weight multiplied by 11. Males: desired weight multiplied by 12.

I wanted to weigh 120lbs. So, 120 x 11= 1320. I ate a diet of 1320 calories a day. No exercise, no adequate water intake, no focus on balancing food groups, just counted calories.

Since my goal was to lose weight, I was successful. May not have been the healthiest regime, but it worked. It worked so well, in fact, that I went over board. I was wearing sizes I'd never imagined and I took it too far. I reduced my calories even more and was very unhealthy. I was essentially battling an eating disorder. I was cranky, tired, and gaunt looking.This is a random picture of me. I look rail thin. What's more telling is my meal. It was the end of the day and I hadn't eaten a thing. I'm eating a 100 calorie soup and drinking a bottle of water. This was a typical day for me during this time period.

Thank the Lord that this didn't go on for too much longer. Not long after this picture was taken, I had a binge. I ate way too many animal crackers in the middle of the night one night. I woke with the guilt that many bulimics or anorexics refer to. Instead of doing something harmful to myself, I dug around in my closet and found the closest thing I could find that resembled a running shoe. I put them on and told Kenton, "I'll be back soon."

I was back in a matter of minutes, sweaty, panting, and falling on the floor. I'd barely made it around the block. But I think we all know what happened from there. To my surprise, as I type this, I'm realizing that, that event took place nearly 3 years ago to this very day.

It's been a learning process learning how to deal with body image, weight, diet, running, and burning/consuming the right amount of calories. I've been wrong, right, and somewhere in between. I can proudly say that I have maintained a healthy weight for nearly 10 months now. The best part is that I've maintained it by eating right, key word being EATING!

Okay, so here you go, here's my weirdo diet. There's still many crossovers from my dieting days. (I was not blessed with a super metabolism, so I don't get a free pass!)

TYPICAL DAY'S MENU

64 oz. of water before lunch

Lunch:

Salad with carrots, cucumbers, and celery.

2-3 Slices of Turkey

Fat Free Balsamic vinaigrette dressing OR salsa as dressing

1 rice cake (I can't eat gluten..so no bread for a normal sandwich)

1 piece of fruit. (Usually a grapefruit or orange)

Snack:

Sometimes I get a snack in the late afternoon. If I do, it's usually a piece of fruit. Sometimes it's a rice cake, or even a few pistachios.

Dinner:

It varies, but it's very common for us to have:

2 egg omelet with lots of veggies. (Broccoli, spinach, onions, bell peppers, anything in season)

Salsa to top it.

Piece of fruit

OR

Grilled chicken breast

Grilled veggie (like corn, squash, or zucchini)

Most of our dinners are light. Kenton's trying to lose weight, so I try to support him by eating the same dinner as him.

If we go out, he' skips the carbs and I get to indulge.

I love love love, Tsunami's Coconut Curry Chicken with steamed rice!!!!

But here's my secret about where I get most of my calories.

BEDTIME SNACK:

I'm nearly ashamed to admit this to the whole world. I eat about 18 quarts of air popped popcorn each night!

I love it and can pack it away!

Again, here's proof. Kenton snapped this at midnight on my 27th birthday. I had fallen asleep with the giant popcorn bowl next to me. I can eat up to three full bowls of that a night.

(18 quarts is probably a giant over estimate, but, it's big bowl and I pack it away!)

Now, I know I eat more than that through out the course of a whole week, but generally that's what I do. I know there's room for improvement. Especially because I need to learn to refuel properly to protect my muscles and restore my body after my runs. And please know that I get to indulge in "bad things" now and then too.

One of Kenton's customers owns a DQ and refuses to let us pay, so the sweet offer of free ice cream calls my name too often these days. Considering it's loaded with sugar, calories, and too many other bad things is one issue, but considering I'm lactose intolerant is another one completely!

So, there you have it. One runner's journey through the food pyramid. It's not perfect, but as my running has shown, it must be working for me!