It’s only been four days since Alexia’s Summer Lovin’ Challenge started and I have to say… I am kind of sucking on my goal progress!
Since I’ve started training for a long distance race again, I can feel myself slipping back into the ‘all or nothing’ eating mentality I had when I was at my worst point in binge eating. The longer my runs get over the weekends, the more I feel like I can eat.
I don’t like thinking like this for two reasons.
One- I don’t want to feel as though I’ve ‘earned’ my food. I eat dessert every day, regardless of whether or not I’ve exercised or not. It’s usually not somethings particularly high calorie or decadent, but I keep my portions in check and I don’t feel guilty about eating something. Lately, after my long runs, I’ve not been paying attention to my portion size and I eat past the point of fullness just because I feel like I ‘can.’
Two- Because I don’t pay attention to my portions, I end up eating way more than necessary, and because I have the ‘all or nothing’ mentality, I figure that I’ve already blown my day and continue to eat more. As someone prone to binge eating, this is not a good thing!
I woke up this morning reminding myself that all is not shot to hell. I want to get back on track, and it’s not too late to do so!
To remind myself of my goals, I wrote them down and plan to put them on the wall next to my bed.
I also wrote down my training plan for this week and posted it under my goals.
I think a countdown until my next race will help keep me motivated, too. Only two more weeks- ahhhhhh!
Getting back on track with healthy eating is made easier when your green smoothies taste like ice cream.
The consistency was a tad watery for my liking, but it was delicious- just a banana, vanilla protein powder, and spinach.
Dinner was simple, healthy, and just what I was in the mood for.
I sauteed some tofu and broccoli until nice and brown and covered it all in this a-ma-zing sauce from Trader Joe’s.
Star of the show!
My sister made brown rice, and although I’m not a huge fan of rice, I fancied it up a bit to suit my tastes.
Spicy Lemon Rice
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup brown rice, cooked
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- Juice of half a lemon
Directions:
- Pretty simple- put it all in a bowl and mix!
I am positive any vegetable would taste good covered in curry sauce.
Deeeeelicious. Since I refuse to ever give up dessert, I think I hear a bowl of chocolate tofu mousse calling my name!
What do you do to get yourself back on track with healthy eating or exercise?
A trip to Trader Joe’s and a run. Everything kind of falls into place after that. Now that we mentioned it, I know what I will do tomorrow. Need to get into track too! OC in 14 days!!
I used to have that “all or nothing” mentality, but I’m slowly start to slip away from it (yay!). In general, I kind of try to look at my week and plan ahead… if I know I’m going out to dinner one day, I really try to just make better choices the rest of the week so if I want to have something deep fried and greasy, I won’t necessarily regret it. I know that if I deny myself anything, all that makes me want to do is eat a ridiculous amount of it. If I have a bad day, I try to remind myself its one day of my life and that its not going to be the end all or be all of my weight loss!
Eating fruit and going to the gym usually makes me feel better if I have a particularly out of control day
What protein powder do you use? Impossible to find a good one here in Australia, I’m thinking of an international order!
I got it from Swanson Vitamins! I’m planning on doing a post on it, but if you want to check out, it’s pretty cheap and delicious! You can order it on their website
Ah, damn that all-or-nothing mentality! I struggled with that forever! If I have an off day (or week) – I just get right back on track without wasting any time feeling guilty! It works for me!
I do the same thing as you girl. On game days I usually eat like crap because I know how many calories I burned. It is something I’m working on because obviously nutrition is huge in terms of recovery and now I have a game sunday and a game monday. I’m working on properly refueling with good food so that my body will be ready for my next game!!
So exciting that your half marathon is so soon!! And GMs always help keep me on track along with a nice big breakfast
I had a bit of a crazy weekend and had a couple cheat days Saturday and Sunday. I still food journaled though and kept track of what I ate, so I don’t feel like I completely fell off the wagon.
I have a menu planned out for tomorrow, so it’s nice to know I have some good stuff planned out!
To get back on track, I sweat it out with a run and make sure I drink plenty of water!
i thnk you are on the right track!! im same with you- ill write down some goals and a schedule and just make a plan so i feel im on track!
I usually go back to planning – i.e. meal and workout planning just as you have and then really focus on why I’m doing it all. I tend to know that I’ll feel rubbish in the long run and how much better I will feel sticking to my healthier habits!
Oh I can sympathise with this. I think half- and marathon training can really mess with your appetite, both physiologically and mentally. I just wouldn’t really feel hunger signals, but knew I had to eat, so I’d eat to the point of fullness, like you say. But then that messes with your emotional appetite…
I think like others have said, meal planning is good. Sort of take the emotion out of the equation and think about how much your body needs for fuel, and what’s good for it. Obviously what you enjoy, too!
Yep, that mentality is the story of my life.
I admire you a lot for facing up to it and being proactive in tackling the problem: I think I’ve just become resigned to my situation to be honest!
xxx
I TOTALLY understand the all-or-nothing binge eating mentality, but you can GET PAST IT girl, and I totally admire your positivity and outlook! You are awesome and you WILL achieve your goals
I think you have some really good thoughts…you can get back on track! I like Gena from Choosing Raw’s little phrase “don’t make one day of falling off the track into 2″ or something like that…
I think checklists and written goals are great to keep you motivated. I like to do that, too.
I think the visual reminder is a great way to stay on track! Does this mean you are down to two weeks!? I’m sure you will do great, I remember when I was running longer distances I felt like I was hungry ALL the time, so don’t be too hard on yourself!
All or nothing – such an easy trap to fall into! Good for you for seeing it and turning it around. Race is coming up! How exciting! Rock it out the next two weeks, you can do it!
ah I have actually been feeling the exact same way recently. I constantly need to remind myself that even though I am running more doesn’t mean I can pig out like a cow! I am loving your reminder notes you made, I am actually going to make some for myself and hang them on my wall! good luck on the next two weeks for your half, I have one in exactly two weeks too! so exciting
First, I love that you write your goals down
Second, you have incredible handwriting and I’m in looove with people who write well.
Third, deeeelicious recipe!
I still struggle with the all or nothing mentality as well. Once I start eating junk, it’s REALLY hard not to have the “well I already messed up so I might as well keep eating” attitude. I just take things one day at a time and remember that it is NEVER too late to get back on track!
It’s so easy to fall into the all or nothing thing. It’s funny, but I can manage balance during the week when I’ve got routine, but I get messed up at the weekend.
I’m glad you’re not giving up on dessert all together
I’m the same way when it comes to desserts. I need to be more goal-oriented and not just eat b/c it’s there. Love this post.
I hate having that all or nothing mentality! It’s so frustrating. Stay on track girl – I love the idea of writing goals down n putting them next to your bed. A workout n grocery store run usually puts me back on tracj’
To get my eating back on track, I do a photo diary – it helps discourage me from random ass snacking throughout the day. Currently on that kick now
As far as exercise, if I know I’m slacking, I just force myself to get back into it. No magical exercise tips!
I definitely get in the mentality of I can eat whatever after long runs because I’m so hungry. I know I need to eat more, but I should probably eat more nutritious foods instead of tons of bowls of granola. That thai red curry sauce sounds really great! I find that a veggie full meal helps me get back on track.
I think for most people it’s hard to get back on track either with working out or eating right but for me I love eating healthy after a night of naughtiness
If I have my cheat meal then the next day it’s oatmeal for breakfast and back at the gym. I think I’m the only oddball who goes on vacation and comes back ready for eat all my healthy foods. Vacation food really takes a toll
I definitely have my days where I eat everything but the kitchen sink. But I try not to get too down on it (easier said than done) and just start myself over the next day…
Writing everything down is so key, I am such a list person. I have to-do lists, grocery lists, shopping lists, you name it, I’ve got a list for it!
Writing it down makes it more real. I always write it down!
I do the same thing with always allowing myself a treat. Normally it’s oatmeal with fun toppings, but there’s always a treat allowance. I never tell myself I’ve blown it. I don’t allow myself that. Your on the right track! Your eats look delicious!
All or nothing mentality SUCKS, I was that way when i was over weight… I dont go crazy now that i stopped counting calories but i have my moments…
Im so jealous your training for a race, i’m ITCHING to start training again!
All or nothing gets old fast. And when you mess up, it can really derail you emotionally.