One week out from our training program. This week was Groundhog's Day both literally and figuratively. Of course the little rodent saw his shadow and we will have six more weeks of winter - which in Wisconsin, does it really matter? It has also felt a little groundhog day around here since it feels like we are repeating the same day every single day for the past few months (actually, almost one year). Now don't get me wrong my family has done some awesome things during the pandemic - I am not complaining at all about our extra time together - it just feels like it is never going to end. Mid-week I was a little over the whole thing and drug my feet to get motivated (note to self: read last week's post about motivation versus discipline). All I did this week was my three required runs - no cross training. However, I did have some revelations about nutrition (stand by for that long winded discussion).
Nutrition Goals. For me, the goal of the first six weeks of this training was to focus on the last few pounds I have to lose. Well, more than a few - ideally I could lose another 30. I lost about 60 pounds prior to the "lock down" and was able to keep all but 15 off over the last year. One would think it is easy to keep losing weight at home. Um, no. Wow, hard. Why? No idea. I lost the weight while finishing my doctorate degree that required weekly clinicals. My family was super busy and I think I just focused on planning, meal prepping, and really didn't have time to eat off plan. For whatever reason, that was just not as easy being less busy and at home. Not to mention, we love to cook and bake and spent months trying new recipes during periods of quarantine.
Restrictive Diet. How did I lose 60+ pounds? A very restrictive carb diet - yes, the ever popular keto diet. A few things about that...... As a long time nurse and new nurse practitioner, I totally understand the risk of a restrictive diet. I know they are hard to maintain and I know they only focus on one area and not overall nutrition. I know there is risk of gaining weight back once stopping a restrictive diet. I also know people analyze the macro content of these diets - low carb and high fat. Some think that is dangerous. I get that. But isn't it just as dangerous to be overweight? Isn't the risk of Type II diabetes just as dangerous? For me, it worked in a big way. I have tried to lose weight for most of my adult life and it was really the only thing that worked.
Why did it work?. Of course it worked because if you limit your carbs your body will respond by burning stored fat. That's the science reason why it works. But at the core, why did it work? Back to discipline again. I learned so much during the restrictive diet. I learned about portion sizes - normal portion sizes. I measured everything. Wow, a person can really overeat without knowing portion sizes. I learned where hidden calories come from - where hidden carbs and fats come from. I learned to plan ahead - pack lunches and snacks. I learned to control my choices. I made the choice to not eat carbs. Who knew - you can control what you eat! I learned to not eat if I am not hungry. I learned that you can actually deal with stress in different ways than eating. I am a huge emotional eater. Guess what, there are ways to handle emotions without eating! I learned I am actually in control of my choices. I learned discipline. I have zero regrets about a restrictive diet. I would recommend it to anyone - but for the right reasons - not as a magic fix but to really take some time and learn about calories, carbs, fats, proteins, portions, your body, self control, alternatives to emotional eating, and yes most importantly - discipline.
What now? I planned on staying keto through this first six weeks of training and then was going to transition to a more sustainable plan for marathon running. I am five weeks in and probably stayed total keto five days. Struggle bus with a capital B. Right about the time the Groundhog's day effect was happening, I stumbled upon someone I follow on Instagram who was highly successful losing weight on keto who announced she was leaving the keto world behind and moving towards intuitive eating. This got me thinking - what makes sense for me? My cousin Jenn on this training plan focuses on the "non-diet life". She referred me to Noom and this week, the rest is history. I am no longer dieting.
What now - for real....... I am taking everything I learned on the restrictive diet and applying that to my nutrition. I will still manage my carbs because I do feel better when I am not experiencing the carb overload bloat - but I won't severely restrict them. I will still pay attention to portion control. I will be mindful of emotional eating. My athlete friend (and honestly one of my inspirations) that I refer to in most of my posts commented that she "loves my relationship with nutrition and food". That was a few weeks ago and I didn't really agree with her at that time. But this week, I believe her! I feel like a weight has literally been lifted from me. Weight loss is still important to me - but guess what, I lost weight these past two days NOT dieting. Who knew.
What on earth does this long talk about my nutrition have to do with a running blog??? Well obviously it takes nutrition and fuel to run and I can't run 26.2 without being somewhat mindful of nutrition - but I am so happy I made a shift this week in my nutrition relationship. Throughout the training plan, I will share nutrition victories versus diet strategies. Yesterday I enjoyed a snack that I have not had in forever.... apples, peanut butter, and low sugar chocolate chips. HELLO!!! Healthy and balanced. I measured the peanut butter to avoid extra calories, but quite honestly - I ran six miles yesterday and had plenty of room. One more thing before moving on from nutrition..... to my closest running buddy and partner in crime Liz..... we got this. She was also super successful on keto crushing her weight loss goals. I didn't really tell her that I was shifting gears because it just sort of happened.... but I am not leaving you in the diet dust...... we are still in this together.....
Running - are you ever going to talk about that this week?? Yes we ran!! 3-3-4 this week. No real cross training but also no guilt about that either. We have reached the "polar vortex" section of our Wisconsin winter this week. I really don't feel like I need to prove to myself I can power through a -20 degree run. I hate the cold and am pretty proud of the cold weather running we have already done. I am pretty sure there is no medal or finishers donuts for running outside this week (if there is, maybe I will reconsider it). We did get outside early in the week before it got ultra cold, then it was treadmill the rest of the week. I had a not so good run at the gym the other day. Just wasn't in to it - stopped a lot, hopped off a lot, eventually ended early and did a little elliptical. I know there will be good days and bad days - but I also know there is no quitting 26.2 so I came home from the gym and ran 4 miles on my treadmill. All in all - it was a boring week with all runs accounted for. One more week until the 18 week training plan begins!
. February goal: 52 miles. 
This week..... 3-3-5 and our last week of three days a week running - next week we start the plan and up the running to four days a week. Stay warm!
Carrie and the crew
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