OMGoodness, I can’t stop eating cider doughnuts. I have been dreaming about them, on runs, at work, probably in my sleep. I am salivating as we speak, like one of Pavlov’s pups.
A friend came over to the house the other day, and during our visit, after first offering her some doughnuts of course (she declined), I proceeded to house maybe 3 of them. She said “pfftt. Must be nice to eat whatever you want, running all the time,” and as usual when I get comments like these, I just kind of said..”yeah I dunno; maybe,” and went on with the previous conversation. *I should note I probably would have eaten another doughnut, had she withheld her comment.* I wasn’t mad or anything, but I think people sometimes really believe that runners can just eat TONS of whatever kind of food they want, and that’s ok. I think this is also a big misconception for people beginning a running, or any time of fitness, regimen. Do I eat a lot? Kind of. But I almost never eat doughnuts. They are a fall treat. I eat a lot of fruits and veggies, mostly. Even people who log a lot of miles have to watch what they eat. It is okay to treat yourself once in a while. (My friend happened to catch me at a ‘treating myself’ moment. I hope she doesn’t think I eat like that all the time! Maybe I should have made that clear.) If you don’t treat yourself sometimes, I think all that denial makes you crazy and you end up thinking about food all of the time. And that will make you not happy. Treats also make it easier to be good most of the time! I will share with you my food philosophy. (I should also note, I am SO proud of my food philosophy; as someone who has had some food issues in the past. A talk for another day).
1. EAT BREAKFAST! I swear, some days B-fast is what gets me out of bed. My fave things to eat for breakfast are: cinnamon raisin toast, with peanut butter and a banana (by the way, I consider myself a cin/raisin bread connoisseur; more on this another day), omelets, or oatmeal with some kind of fruit ad nuts in it. If I am *treating myself* I LOVE French toast or a Belgian waffle with real maple syrup. And of course, coffee, with all of the above.
2. Snack #1: I usually have a snack mid-morning (this works for me, because I have breakfast usually between 4 and 5 am, and this snack gets me to lunch), and it usually consists of some plain yogurt, with some raw almonds and some thawed frozen or fresh berries.
3. Lunch: Lunch depends on how much I am running, and the time of year. In the spring, fall and summer, when I am running a lot, I usually have a turkey or tuna sandwich with a small salad, a few pieces of fruit, and/or veggies with hummus. Sometimes I will just have a magnificent salad with all kinds of things in it…beans, meat, cheese, etc. But over the winter, I will usually do a half sandwich and a cup of soup. I love to make a big pot of soup and use it for lunches during the week.
4. Snack #2: I usually have a piece of fruit before I leave work, a banana or a couple of clementines or an apple. This gets me through my commute and keeps me energized for a work out right after work.
5. Snack #3: This isn’t something I always do. It is usually after a workout. But sometimes I will have maybe an apple with some almond butter, or some apple sauce or some grapes or something once I get home, before cooking dinner. This helps me not to pick at what I am making for dinner!
6. Dinner: This varies. But I do try to have a dinner that consists mostly of lean meat and veggies. If we do have pasta or something starchy, I just make sure to have a pretty small portion. This isn’t because I am watching carbs or anything. I jus don’t feel great by bed time if I eat a ton of starch. Could I eat my body weight in macaroni? Yes. But I know I will regret it later. However, if you are striving for weight loss, then watching your carbs might be something worth looking into.
…..7. Snack #4????: Sometimes, yes. I will do another small snack after dinner, usually in the summer when I am running a lot. I like Popsicles, a handful of caramel rice cakes, more fruit, a handful of cheerios, etc.
I feel good when I eat like this, and as I said, I do eat more during the months when I am running more. For the most part, it’s healthy stuff. I do treat myself sometimes, like I mentioned with my cider doughnuts. I also like a piece of cake now and then, or a warm chocolate chip cookie with milk. I also love dark chocolate in any form, and ice cream! BUT, here is my absolute rule for treats: I never eat packaged crap. The truth is, I don’t even like it that much! Chips, packaged cookies, crackers, fruit snacks, etc. are all things I avoid. My thinking is “what if I eat these 10 oreos, and then someone invites me over for fresh baked cookies?” I would feel wayyyyyy too guilty afterward if I did oreos and fresh baked cookies. So, in my mind, I am always in a state of saving myself for something homemade or from someplace I really like to eat (mmmmm Panera bread.) Once you do this for a while, those foods aren’t even appetizing anymore. I used to love Chips Ahoy! soft choc. chip cookies…the ones in the red package, but now when I see them I’m like “meh.” They are full of yucky preservatives anyway. But hey, if oreos are your version of the cider doughnut, then by all means, save yourself for those! Like I said, treats make being good easier.
I’m hungry now. I am thinking it’s time for a snack. :)
