After my whiny, feel-sorry-for-me post last Friday I couldn’t very well go without updating you on my progress, could I? Last weekend I bought this magazine . See, I’ve gained SIX pounds since January. That’s about a pound a month and I couldn’t figure out why, I mean, I’ve been running like crazy and doing way more exercise than I’ve ever done before, so it didn’t make sense. This article put it in perspective for me:
“There is this myth that anytime you train for a race, all of a sudden, the weight’s going to drop off,” says Sue Abell, a personal trainer and owner of the Tread Powerfully fitness group in Burlington, Ont. “They think, ‘I’m training now, I’ve burned all those calories, so I can eat whatever I want.’”
This was SO my problem. I would be starving after a long run, naturally, so I’d stuff my face and think it was OK because I’d just burned anywhere from 1,000 - 2,000 calories. But then I’d inhale 3,000 calories without even blinking an eye. The article made me realize just because I’m logging some serious miles and time at the gym does NOT mean I can eat whatever I want. It also pointed out that I should have something within 30 minutes after a run or workout. If I did a long run and didn’t have something within 30 minutes it wouldn’t matter what I ate the rest of the day, I would still feel hungry.
So, enter Spark People. I was hoping that once I got to a place of maintenance I would be able to stop tracking every morsel I eat. But, clearly that is not an option for me since when I quit recording what I eat, I overeat and then gain weight. I’m pretty sure I will have to use some sort of device to track my food for the rest of my life. Oh well, I’ve been doing it on and off for 1.5 years, I’m getting used to it.
All week I have been tracking my food and watching what I eat. I got up at 5 am, three mornings in a row to workout. Two runs and one spin class. By yesterday morning my body was SORE so I slept in and snuck out of work mid-morning to do an hour-long, gentle yoga class. Back to the gym this morning for strength! I’m getting back into a regular routine, slowly but surely.
I’ve really been focussing on what I eat. Not depriving myself, but not stuffing myself either. I was cooking supper the other night and went to grab a handful of wheat thins out of the cupboard to munch on. I had to stop and remind myself I was about to mindlessly eat 90 calories. Not a lot, but it adds up.
I’m also working on revamping my meals. I have a sweet tooth, there’s no point in fighting it, so I’m allowing myself three deserts a week, but in order to get desert I have to be willing to eat a skimpier dinner. Here’s what I made on Wednesday night:
1 banana, 1/2 cup frozen yogurt, 1/2 cup sliced strawberries, 1 tbsp chocolate sauce and a sprinkle of granola. Yes, it was still 400 calories BUT a regular banana split from somewhere like DQ is around 800 calories! Next time, I’m going to only have half a banana too because a full one was a little much. And all I had for dinner Wednesday night was chicken and salad so I allowed myself a treat afterwards. Last night I had veggie pizza and salad, so no treat. It’s all about balance.
My official weigh-in isn’t until tomorrow, but as of yesterday morning I had lost 2 pounds! My goal is to lose about 1 pound a week, I want to take it off slow and steadily.
Tomorrow is that trail run that I signed up for–6.5 km (4 miles) of mountain-running. I’ve heard that the first hill is so steep that people had to use their hands to get up it last year! I’m really looking forward to it though, now that I’ve been joining these local run groups I will know quite a few people there so it should be fun! Here’s a picture from the first trail run I ever joined, it was my favourite one so far because of the gorgeous view of the city!
I’m the one with the brown pants, white shirt and red hydration belt! Beautiful view, hey!
So, I’m curious, does anyone else out there find that they have to keep track of everything they eat all the time? Or do you just do that when you want to lose a few pounds? Hit me up with some more healthy recipes, dessert ones are especially appreciated 
PS: LG; I have been trying to email you r.e. online dating but it keeps bouncing back to me! Could you send me an email please amber (at) girlwiththeredhair (d0t) com. Thanks!
{ 20 comments }
Yes, I have to write down what I eat or really change my mindset about eating if I want to lose weight. I’m so excited for you and your new routine! You’ll be great with it, I’m sure.
I really need a new one myself.
I have to track to get started (about the first 5lbs or monthish time frame) and then I’m ok for awhile. Major events (like my brother being home for the weekend and going home to my family who are all awesome cooks and don’t take no for a an answer - much like myself - but don’t cook low cal low fat) derail me and then I have to start tracking again to get back on track.
I fall into something intersting though, that I’m never hungry after a work out and have to force myself to eat. Which is bad on different levels.
I have a great recipie if you like strawberries and eat egg whites email me and I’ll send it over. Also, the No Pudge Brownie mixes are FANTASTIC. I like to make it with fat free cherry yogurt and it adds a little something extra.
i hate writing down what i eat. when I’m so busy — like this week. it gets to the point where i don’t eat that much. and my company is a food service company so we see pictures all day long. I did try the writing down, but that didn’t work for me. it makes me more obsessive.
i tend to nosh on a fiber one bar. it’s great goodness! or have a glass of choco milk! and it’s low calorie!
i don’t track everything i eat, but i definitely gain or maintain when I’m starting a high training regimen. i’ve put on about 6 lbs’ this week just ramping into half ironman training. and it takes about 3 months for heavy training to start showing in body shape by itself.
when you get into really long endurance training (like 15 mile plus long runs on the weekends) you don’t lose weight at all. it’s really freaky.
I also have to track what I eat - otherwise I have no concept of how much I eat in a given day! Since joining WW, it has been so helpful to record everything online.
Good luck w/ that trail run - sounds like it will be really challenging!! I suck at running hills - could benefit from doing some trail runs, but there aren’t really any around my city unfortunately!!
Have a fabulous weekend!
This post was so inspiring for me! I’ve been trying to watch what I eat and keep doing my 30 day shred workouts and keeping a positive attitude. My problem is, I love food. I love variety. And it’s hard for me to stay on track. Keep it up! I’m doing my best also so hopefully we can reach our goals!
wow, you are so healthy! i wish i had the stamina or the mindset to do this, but i’m just too happy with how i am right now to worry about what food i eat and what food i ignore. good on ya and major kudos!
I track what I eat to make sure I get enough protein and good calories. I find that it helps a ton keeping me maintained but I don’t track on the weekends because I feel like I know enough to maintain balance and I don’t want to be a slave to my spreadsheet when I’m supposed to be enjoying me weekend.
You’re going to lose the weight faster than you think! You are motivated girl!
I am totally the same when it comes to maintenance… once upon a time when I was at my goal weight I was like “woot! I’ve done it! Now no more dieting or tracking!!”.
Then I put on 10lbs and I’m fighting AGAIN to work it off. Sigh.
That mountain trail sounds awesome!! Excited to hear how it goes.
GOod work. Sometimes you need little reminders to get you kick started again. I know that feeling for sure! After Europe I was like OKAY now, let’s get back on track!
I don’t have to track what I eat in order to maintain (usually), but I absolutely cannot lose weight without counting calories. Those people who just cut back a little and drop lbs. amaze me, because I can’t do that.
Oh, and I really admire your running, Amber. You make me want to get up off my couch!
I have read a lot recently about people gaining weight training for races, and it definitely makes sense. I find that I don’t have to literally count calories on a daily basis but since I eat many of the same things I do have a general idea of how much I eat each day. Of course on weekends I tend to eat more
EVOO = extra virgin olive oil
Hope you can use some of my material!
H =)
I tried writing down what I was eating, and while I think it might have helped me a little bit I didn’t keep it up very well
I have also basically accepted the fact that I will have to count every calorie that passes my lips and will never be able to eat whatever I want! Stinks, huh? I’ve fell off the diet bandwagon big time lately and have been eating (and drinking) whatever I want so far this summer. Not good. Your posts definitely inspire me to jump back on though!
I don’t track what I eat as I am not trying to lose any weight. Now that I’m running, I have started eating more to balance it all. But I’ve read that keeping a food journal does help a lot when trying to lose weight.
The mountain trail looks great! I so wish I live near one.
Have you tried banana soft serve? Simply delicious! You can have dessert everyday!
http://www.choosingraw.com/this-post-will-change-your-life/
I have to track everything, I have selective memory when it comes to food, I remember all the salad and tuna I ate, but conveniently forget all the snacks. I get too obsessed when I have to count exact calories. So now I have a checklist based on portion sizes I know, 2 proteins, 1 carb, 1o vegetable etc. I find that easy to track.
I think I’m going to have to start keeping track of every morsel I put in my body. I am borderline diabetic (Type 2) and I cannot loose weight for anything, it seems. I’m going to have to talk to my trainer about this. I tend to not eat enough, so she had me eating more, but I still can’t lose weight. She says I don’t need to, but I WANT, too.
Good for you Amber!!!!! You’re doing great
That dessert looks so yummy that I think I just might have to do it myself 
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