Diet Changes: A few small steps can snowball in success

After Ironman Lake Placid I decided to make some major changes to my daily diet. I gave myself a week to enjoy some of the foods I had been waiting until after the race to enjoy and then it was a total food overhaul.

Initially, I cut out all artifical sweetners and limited my processed foods and indulgence meals. Where I work everyone gets a cake for their birthday. I use to be that girl that ate it because I thought I deserved it due to all my training. Now I was the athlete saying "I don't eat that." rather than "I can't eat that." It was so much easier than I had dreamed it would. Apparently, my goal for a Boston Qualifying marathon time in November was driving me more than I had ever imagined it would.

The more I continued to make better choices throughout the day, the more I realized how wonderful I felt and how amazing my workouts were going. I was nailing paces and distances that use to be difficult and some that were even too fast to even be a possibility.

My new found tummy and training success had me wanting more. I have been really into blogs and following fellow runners/triathletes on Instagram and realized how amazing these athletes were and how little meat they ate. I started experimenting and the less chicken, pork, steak, etc. that I ate the lighter, and heathier I felt. There it was again, the HR and pace on my Garmin decreasing as my mileage and speed workouts were increasing. I contacted Marni Sumbal of Trimarni Coaching and Nutrition. {www.trimarnicoach.com} and together we came up with a game plan to continue to fuel my success. (To date, it has been about 5-6 weeks since I last ate meat. I really don't remember the exact day)

Instead of chicken, pork, ground beef, turkey...etc. I now find my protein sources from nuts, seeds, nut butters, eggs, cottage cheese, tofu, tempeh, fish (averaging 1x/week at most) I've also been more aware to how much protien is in other sources of food. It's incredible. I don't remember the last time I cooked anything using canned "cream of" soups or any package that has more than 3 ingredients! (Usually that's mixed veggies)

Instead of granola bars and cereal, I have oats or plain greek yogurt with fruit, cinnamon, and seeds. I also eat more fruits and vegetables than I use to. Which instantly plays a huge part in a cleaner diet. On days when I train in the morning I'll put together some oats with almond milk, protein powder, chia and sunflower seeds, craisins, and unsweetened coconut flakes. Then in the morning I'll add a chopped apple and either heat for 45seconds-1min or eat it cold. On days when my training is extra long I might add in a few dark chocolate chips for fun!

Here are a few examples of my recent creations.

Lettuce, rice (cooked in pineapple juice), carrots, roasted peppers and onions, avacado and pineapple.

Sides: Cottage cheese and fresh artisan bread.

Salmon with sauteed apple and onion on a bed of brown rice and a side of broccoli

Taco Night:

Lean ground beef for Jason and Boca Veggie "Meat" crumbles for me.

Toppings: Corn, black beans, lettuse, guacamole, salsa, carrots, cheese

Taco Salad

 

Left over quinoa, frozen mixed veggies and broccoli with sauteed tempeh.

**I am not a dietian or nutritionist. I solely base my decisions off of experimentation and reading/researching for myself.