Cravings

This week, I was reminded by Triathlonmom that we are halfway in our training program to Eagleman – and, thanks to her efforts, a very cool counter has been added to the footer of my blog where I can watch the days tick away to this major race.

I know our training is about to move up to the next intensity level. And I know that I need to seriously evaluate my nutrition plan – for both workouts and races.

Overall, I’ve made a few changes in my diet since my last nutrition post. I am eating more without gaining weight. Breakfast is becoming a regular occurrence. I’m remembering to take a sports bar or jelly beans for workouts that will be over an hour. Most of the time, my beverage of choice is water (well, and some wine, too).

Yet I seem to have predictable hankerings. For a post-workout breakfast (still can’t figure out how to eat anything more than a sports bar before early morning workouts), I really want a bagel. So I pick one up at Manna Café, the little food shop in my office building. Lately, I’ve been adding either a Naked Fruit Smoothie or V8 to my purchase to have as a mid morning snack. Yep, often a cup of coffee is on my receipt, too.

At lunchtime, you can usually find me online at Christopher’s Runaway Gourmet (and usually TRIgirl LD will be waiting with me). This is probably my most balanced meal of the day – low fat chicken salad, fruit or cucumbers, small piece of cheese and a slice of yummy, crusty bread – with butter. I can eat this stuff day after day to the amazement of some of my coworkers.

Dinner is probably my most unusual meal. I crave cheese and salt. So many nights, I end up cutting up some fresh mozzarella, seasoned nicely with some good ole kosher or sea salt. At least when tomatoes are back in season, I can add a few slices for a healthier and less bizarre supper.

While my overall nutrition is better, my guess is that it isn’t good enough. I know the drill - more fruits, veggies and whole grains. My main problem is that I’d rather skip a meal than waste calories on something I don’t want or won’t enjoy. And I think there may be a small fear that if I eat the healthier choice – let’s say whole wheat bread vs. the bagel – I’ll still want the bagel and will end up eating it – or something similar – before the day is done.

Small steps - and I’m ready to take the next one or two. Just need to figure out which ones are most important – or the ones I’ll be more likely to adopt.