Need Fuel...

Kinda a short post today.

Been a crappy week of running. In fact, it deserves a redo. I do not feel that I made as much progress as I needed, so I am redoing this week next week. Part of my problem this week, I think, is the food that I have been eating. Don't get me wrong, my food habits of late has been some of the best I have had in the last 10 years. I am eating healthier than I every have, and I am very conscientious of what I eat. The problem I am noticing, is that some days I have a good amount of energy to run, and others I am slogging and barely able to put one foot in front of the other. The difference? I am betting that the food I eat is the culprit.  There seems to be a subcategory of healthy foods called "Foods you should eat if running".  Who knew.  This area requires some exploring, and some eating habit changes.

So...

A few changes are in order...

For breakfast - protein shake. I typically grab a piece of fruit, or a bite or two of something left over from the previous nights dinner or I don't eat anything at all. I will now be mixing a protein shake each and every morning. I currently use On Gold Standard Whey Protein when I get into the office after I hit the gym. Good quality protein, tastes pretty decent and works well. This should work fine in the mornings for breakfast as well.

After Workout - protein shake.  Works good now, should continue to work well.

Lunch - Vegetarian.  Steamed veggies, salads, fruits and nuts.  As close to as raw as possible.  This should help keep my calories down, while ensuring I am getting some healthy carbs and fiber as well.

Afternoon Snack - Nut Butter and Crackers or Fruit etc.  3 or 4 Stoned Wheat crackers and some cashew or almond butter should do the trick.  I may swap this out with a piece of fruit and string cheese or perhaps a fruit only smoothie.  Just trying to keep my metabolism going, and curb that afternoon hunger streak so I don't go home and binge on left overs and un-healthy options in the pantry etc.

Dinner - Lean Protein and Veggie or Fruit.  My wife has really turned into a great cook.  She makes all kinds of great foods.  My plan is to eat a small portion of whatever she makes, as I am sure it will be yummy.  I will supplement that small portion size with raw veggies, salads and whole fruits.  75% of my meal should come from the raw foods, while ensuring I still get to eat some of my wife's great cooking and we don't all have to prepare different foods and can still enjoy eating as a family.  You know what they say, a family that eats together stays together.

Before bedtime snack - Nut Butter and Crackers or Fruit etc.  Just like the afternoon snack, this is to help balance my metabolism, as well as provide some fuel storage for the next days run.  This I think will be a very important step.  I currently do NOT eat a bedtime snack.  This should be interesting.

I also plan to start keeping a food journal, where I hope to denote the food I eat and its impact on my energy level when running.  My gut is telling me (no pun intended) that there is a heavy correlation between what I am eating and why my energy level is high and/or low when at they gym.  Can't wait to try this out, starting now!

I am enjoying this journey, and am very excited to apply a learned lesson so soon.  I am keeping my fingers crossed.


-Aaron