Risat’s BodyBlog

Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside them was superior to circumstance." Bruce Barton

We are not talking about good carbs, but I’ve been eating those too, we are talking about the bad carbs. Like white squishy bread (like Wonder bread) that has no redeeming qualities to it whatsoever.  It all started when I was sick a few weeks ago, all I could eat that day was two pieces of dry toast, I was able to leave it alone for a while, but lately that’s all I want, well, that and the bread I ate at lunch yesterday, the bread and the olive oil dipping sauce. This is the abreviated version of how much I’ve eaten in carbs, even I’m too embarrased to write how much, but I need to break their hold, lol.

Training for fitness events keeps you on a high protein/low carb diet. I had been eating a ratio of 50/30/20 (protein/carb/fat) while preparing for some of the contests I had participated in, energy was always a struggle because the body wants carbs to fuel up.  Runners eat a higher carb ratio, more like 30/60/20.  Pasta, bread, banana’s, all of those yummy foods to fuel the race.   I had some of my best times eating like that.  It’s been a struggle to find a good balance.   Adding carbs should also help me to put a little weight on (always a struggle for me),  now if I could only stay away from bread and just make it good carbs…..

Whew, made it through day one of the chocolate fountain, I’ll have to admit I called just about everyone in my building to stop by and have some (the sooner its gone the better, the smell of the chocolate is overpowering), but alas, it will be turned on tomorrow and I will have to endure it all over again, but I am strong and will not let it get to me…..rotflmao…..I brought my grilled chicken out, of course everyone commented on my choice, but I stayed strong, didn’t let their comments get to me, and feel really good about that. I know what my goals are and I will stick with it. All in all I did better today (closer to my calorie goal) and will work to achieve the same (or better) tomorrow.

Its the dreaded holiday party and the chocolate fountain is flowing, maybe I can just grab a pieceof fruit….I brought my lunch so I should be safe…..it dangerous over here, lol…

My body space goal has "gain, gain, gain" listed as my top priority during this time period. For me that means I need to eat, no I mean really eat.  Imagine going to an all you can eat buffet and really eating all you can eat. Well. I’ve never been very good at "all you can eat".  Yes, I’m a cheap date.  I eat healthy, I just don’t like to eat a lot of food. As a runner I could get away with that, eating the right amount of carbs so I could continue to run, but now, trying to gain muscle, well that means I need to eat and for me that is tough. How did I do this week, well the scale is evil so I don’t plan to step on it for at least a month, but I did manage to meet my goal 4 out of 7 days this week.  Weekends are the hardest, I pack my lunch for work and now I think I need to pack it for the weekend too.

I know what I need to do, I just have to do it. Eat every two to three hours, trying to keep it clean (chicken/tuna) adding in more carbs (baked potatoes are the best) and just  eat more. So the week ends knowing that I can do this, focus more, keep training hard.

Speaking of training, I trained legs today, really killed then actually. Today I met with Trainer, he can really make me work hard. I must have been cheating on my squats in a previous life, because there is no cheating on them with Trainer, lol…so tomorrow when I walk up the stairs at work (I refuse to take the elevator) I will remember each and every squat…and cursing his name….

Final running note, ran my last 5K for the year, time was slow (22:13), three rotten hills in this race, won 1st place women overall, but for me its about performance not medals.  Back to training and eating…

I am so glad this work week is over and what’s best of all is I successfully negotiated a dangerous event that occurs every friday in my office.  Donuts are little time bombs ready to go kaboom at any time. We get two dozen of the evil little sugar pills and I always hope that after the staff meeting they will all go away.  Yes, it is off season for me right now and I am trying to put a little weight on, but donuts are not on my list of goodies.  When they don’t empty the box immediately, they sit on the credenza across from my desk. Folks is my office get a big kick out of offering the evil little pieces of dough and sugary icing.  They tell me that they are made in Arizona and anything made in Arizona is fat free, sugar free and calorie free.  Can anyone confirm this? Let’s also talk about how people justify eating junk food. One individual take Juice Plus and this justifies him eating regular food (name whatever fast food resturant), another uses candy as comfort, all have health problems and are overweight. I have my first aid/CPR certification (for many reasons), but worry one day I might have to use it on one of them.

I don’t consider myself better than anyone, I just want to live a better lifestyle and be healthy.  I’ve learned to tune out most of the comments, continue to eat my chicken and tuna, my salads, soybeans, whole grain cereals, protein shakes, my every 2-3 hour meals are growing on them, most know that I am not going to change for them, they call me skinny, I say I am healthy, if they ask a questions I answer honestly, I don’t offer advice, unless it’s asked for. I’ve seen some of my habits influence my co-workers, but I don’t think it will ever make donut Friday go away…I can deal with that, maybe one day I’ll have one (hehe) and invite everyone to watch. 

Soon I’ll tell all of you and our holiday brunch….they get out the chocolate fountain and that lasts for at least 2 days!

Meal #1 - Protein shake w/fruit juice, fruit, water, 2 scoops pro powder

Meal #2, - 5 egg whites, serving puffed kashi w/skim milk

Meal #3  - 6oz grilled chicken breast, 1/2 cup brown rice, asparagus, banana

Meal #4 - 6oz low sodium canned tuna on romaine lettuce leaf

Meal #5 - Muscle Milk

Meal #6 - ezekial bread w/npb

Meal #7 - green salad w/kidney beans, 6oz grilled chicken, 1/2 cup brown rice

Meal #8 - 1/cup NF yogurt w/1/4 cup granola

(If I workout, I usually have another protein shake)

Yes, I am nutrionally challenged.  When I just focused on running it was easy, carbs were my friend (potatoes, breads, white rice). I kept eating enough calories so that I could run that 10, 12, 16 miler.  I ran off everything I took in. No problem right?  Fast forward 4 months after my marathon. I am at the same weight (109 lbs, more or less) that I was back then. Not so worried about the lbs, but am tired of being called skinny.  I have limited my cardio to 2x per week (yes that is correct), HIITs usually no more than 2 miles and have raced only two 5Ks (one more this weekend for mental stability before I limit again). I try to consume a ratio of 50/30/20 (protein, carbs, fats) with my calories upwards of 2000/daily (good healthy protein, no fast food).  Some days are harder than others, I am constantly full (almost painfully), but I want to add muscle, so it’s time to up the ante again.  I’ll post a nutrional day here soon, so I can receive comments. Any help is greatly appreciated, but the saddest part for me is I have had to give up (or limit) my running/cardio so I can gain this elusive muscle.