A long run of Thirteen Days of clean eating. And I’m still going.
I am feeling remarkably good, sleeping the sleep of magic fairies, and starting to “de-fluff” —meaning, while I’m not sure if I am losing any weight, I am sure that I am feeling less puffy and fluffy.
Workout: Today was an actual long run on the schedule.
Woke up early and hit the lake with the Expert. I had a long run of 10 miles today after a 40 minute crazy-choppy open water swim. Andy (my bike) is in the shop at All3Sports (getting new brakes), so I chose not to ride the road bike…and instead tackled the long run for the weekend.
Swim Bike Dude, Don, and his friend Michelle (along with me and the Expert) were the only folks out at the lake this morning. It was a really turbulent lake due to the high winds. Kinda freaky turbulent. But the Expert and I swam it, and made it out alive. For the first time, I missed my wetsuit. Usually, we swim about 1900m in 40-45 minutes or so… today we probably covered half that distance and had to work ten times as hard to make it happen.
And I swear I saw six dead bodies in the lake, swallowed 120,000 mouthfuls of water, and then came out of the water a stronger swimmer. Good stuff.
Picture isn’t even close to showing chop.
The Expert took off on his bike, and I strapped on the Camelbak, plugged in my headphones with the Pear Sports 10 Mile Run Workout (I’m in the process of reviewing this product, so I’ll post that up soon…but suffice it to say, I’m in love)… and I started the run.
Great run. Lots of hills. I only walked a few times, and only because I wanted to. Usually I feel that I need to walk… this run was different, for some reason. I can only think it’s having to do with the nutrition. I tried to stay in Zone 2 most of the run, and I forgot how “easy” running can be when I pay attention to my heartrate and really work to keep it low.
I drank water mixed with natural coconut water in my Camelbak, 15 dates and 2 clementines for fuel, and it was enough. I am finally adapting to eating and training this way.
Pre-Workout: 1 hard-boiled egg
Workout: 40 minute open water, 10 mile run
Post-Workout: Didn’t plan, and only had a clementine, but we ate pretty quickly afterwards.
Lunch: Went to Outback Steakhouse with the Expert. There is one right down the road from the lake. I ordered a side salad with olive oil, salmon with a plain sweet potato.
I snacked a few times today, because I just found myself hungry. But only on some cashews and olives.
The girl Swim Bike Kid and I did a little shopping.
She came out looking like Audrey Hepburn.
And the boy Swim Bike Kid came out as Captain America. Both look good to me.
Dinner: The Expert made a red curry with beef brisket, peas, carrots, okra and sweet potato. He put the beef in the crockpot before we left for the lake this morning, and when we returned, he made the curry. Was so good. I have been dying for a change of food pace, and this was great. The Expert loves to cook – he’s such a foodie, and I am glad. Otherwise, I would just eat hard-boiled eggs at every meal (as has veen shown).
An electrician is in the Hell House right now, claiming that he has fixed the eletrical issues. I literally stared at him with my yeah right face. We’ll see. As of now, going on 6 weeks of terror, the Hell House has earned its name.
Today, I find myself missing bread and tortillas and cookies. I’m not sure why. Oh wait, yes I am ….because bread and tortillas and cookies are delicious. The reprogramming of my brain is taking longer than I had hoped.
Still, I am blown away at how healthy I feel and how well I am sleeping. That alone makes it worth it.
Ran by this Courthouse today. Stopped to take a picture, because I had been inside as a litigator a few times, and it was fun to know that I was running by…and would likely never be inside of it again. At least not as a lawyer. I guess if I commit some crime in Forsyth County, then yes.
Do you think you’ll continue the Whole 30 eating philosophy after the 30 days? I’m soooo scared to try it!! (Mostly because I’m scared I’ll fail and I’m afraid my family will move out 😉
Your talk of feeling so healthy with the diet change intrigues me, but I’m such a carb person. I don’t think I can cut out so much. Pasta is my love. But really, I need to clean up my diet. Keep talking about how awesome it is, hopefully I’ll get inspired to make some serious changes (but I can still have pasta every now and then, right..?)
Congrats on your dedicated workout today! I am fairly new to your site, so I am sure you have mentioned this before, pls forgive the repeat. I am very curious about your mention of HR and zones. What kind of HRM do you use and have you had issues with it registering? Also, I switched to Polar and it worked (originally) but whenever I run like I normal for me (slow) it quickly goes to 170+ and I struggle to get it back down short of long walk breaks and short run intervals. Very frustrated 🙁 Open to suggestions.
It took me a whole 21 of the 30 days of my Whole 30 to stop craving the carbs (frankly, I was MISERABLE until about the last week). I did the Whole 30 with my husband and could not quit/cheat (hooray accountability buddy!). It was definitely a life-changing experience and I learned a lot about the kinds of foods my body likes/dislikes. Whole 30’s are challenging and a bit scary, but SO worth it! I’m sure many triathletes can relate to the sacrifices we make to come out as better versions of ourselves on the other end. To me, Whole 30 is a very similar experience. Good luck and looking forward to hearing your results for the rest of the 30!!
15 dates has 1005 calories (70 calories/date if they’re majools). They are all sugar. Cashews and any nut are also very high calorically. From what I see in your posts, the reason you aren’t dropping weight (and you should be losing 1-2 lbs per week at least) is that the amount of calories being consumed is too high, even with your current w/o load. It really is Calories In vs. Calories Out. But there is another key ingredient you need to be aware of because it stores as FAT every time you consume it and that’s fructose, and especially so with High Fructose Corn syrup. a very informative lecture on sugar/fructose and why it’s basically the reason we gain and store so much fat is on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM
Have you ever seen the documentary Forks over Knives? I recently applied their suggestions and I’ve lost 13 lbs. in 5 weeks and that’s without exercise. I was shocked. And I feel amazing. And the acne that I’ve fought forever with prescription meds is gone completely. I start training next week for a half ironman in the spring. I’m betting even more weight will come off. I’ve had 5 kids and I’m a month away from being 46 so I’m not some twenty-something with a hummingbird’s metabolism.
You push yourself so hard on your workouts, I’d like to see it finally pay off for you Meredith.
Ummmm…. not quite. I had 15 dried dates… that’s about 300 calories. They are organic and have no added sugar. I’m well aware of the calories in and out. The reason I (historically) have not lost weight, I am well aware of. I’m doing Whole30, and I feel amazing. I have cracked the “code” —it’s just a matter of if I can stick to my own plan.
http://shop.mariani.com/Pitted-Dates/p/MAR-1313480&c=Mariani@RaisinsDates