an accidental experiment

So last week, as I began "training",  I knew I would need to really tighten up my diet. I knew that not only do I need to lose some weight to make things easier on my joints and for the health benefits, but I also need to eat with fueling my next run always in mind.

Thus began an accidental experiment.

Monday thru Friday I ate every meal with running in mind. Should I eat a cookie? Probably won't help my run... Should I drink a glass of wine? Probably will dehydrate me a little too much.
You get the idea. Now, I wasn't perfect. I did have a beer or two over the course of the week, but for the most part I kept things very tight. I watched my portions and kept a journal of everything I ate. To my amazement, weight was FALLING off and I felt great for all of my runs!

Then the weekend hit. GAH!

This wasn't just any weekend, either. Nope. It was OU/tx weekend! I dutifully turned down my husbands offer to go pick up pizzas and instead made homemade whole wheat pizzas. I even loaded mine with an assortment of veggies and light on the cheese. I had a hard time with portions though...and the ice cold Summer Ale staring at me from the refrigerator. I ended up having pizza for lunch AND dinner and a total of 2 beers That was Saturday.

Sunday. On Sunday I took Addison to Flagstaff to run errands and grocery shop. Epic Diet Failure. I'm talking hot wings, beer (she had mini corn dogs and milk, thank you very much) and ICE CREAM. Sweet, sweet ice cream... We had a blast and it was totally worth it.

So here is where the experiment came in. I looked back over my journal for the week and realized that I had not eaten hardly ANY animal products all week. At. ALL. I had meat twice, milk twice and NO CHEESE. I also did not eat much that came in a package. I ate strictly whole foods with the exception of whole wheat English Muffins and of course the aforementioned beer. I didn't drink any pop, not even diet. I had black tea every morning and iced tea at lunch. (Hey, a Mommy has to have caffeine!) Well, until the weekend. The only reason I even THOUGHT to look back over it was that all day Saturday and Sunday I felt like poo. During the week I felt light and fit and energetic. This weekend? Slow, heavy, sluggish.

Now, back the vegan bus up. I don't plan on forgoing animal products all together. However, I do think there is a correlation and that I need to keep meat and other products (particularly cheese) to a minimum. I think a plant based diet is probably the way to go, with as little processed food as possible and as little added sugar as well. And before you jump on my back about a lack of protein, I had black beans and whole wheat cous cous pretty much every day last week. (I made a big batch on Monday and just reheated it for lunch each day)

I'm sharing this info with you for two reasons:
1. Have any of you experienced the same? Or PLEASE give it a try and tell me if you have the same results
2. I think keeping a training journal is very important. I write down EVERYTHING that I consume and also make note of any workouts, how I feel that day and anything else I think might be important to remember later

Let me be clear. This wasn't and isn't easy. Especially today, trying to get back on the wagon. But, I'm trying. Trying to make the wisest choice I can with the goal of running 13.1 miles. That keeps me focused. I ended up gaining half the weight I had lost over the week back, but still came in at a deficit! YAY!! It scares me a little to realize how addictive food products are. Intentionally so.