You Are What You Eat

"You Are What You Eat" is the most Cliche statement ever, but it's so true!  I've proved it over the last few weeks!

Recently, I wrote about my Food Intervention and how I finally turned a corner in my need to eat better to fuel my body. I've never really had 'bad' food habits, but I know they're not that great. I get really grossed out at TERRIBLE eating habits.  I can't stand it when I watch people eat a 'salad' loaded with fried chicken, blue cheese, buttered croutons, then turn to me and say "oh I had a healthy meal" !?!?!

I even had a chat with the guy that runs the cafeteria at work.  They have no healthy options.  I don't mean for them to go off the deep end, but his idea of healthy is a 1600 calorie portion of pasta, or a half sandwich and cup of soup OF ANY KIND?!- He even called me out in a newsletter saying I asked him to create healthy choices.  UGH! not those kinds!

I usually watch my portions and I'm conscience of my fat/calorie intake, but I'm not eating there anymore.  

It wasn't until I really stepped up my workouts that I finally realized how much food is a part of my fuel. Many of my friends wanted to give me books about nutrition (don't feel guilty if you were one of these friends, I assure you there was more than one). Thing is, I KNOW, but I didn't WANT to!  I loved my carbs (see the food intervention post).

Anyway, about 3 weeks ago I decided I couldn't do it anymore. I had to make a switch. I started packing my lunch.  I made that smoothie in the AM, had the fresh fruit, cheese, fresh cut veggies, triscuits,whole grain turkey sand, etc.  And I have the NUMBERS to prove the efficiency!

I go to a spin class MWF that has a power meter and level gauge.  I'm not telling my 'numbers' for fear of embarrassment, but when I started I was pretty bad.  After building some strength I increased about 10%. Then when I changed my diet, my power and sustained level increased 25%.. yes 25%!!!  I tend to slack on the weekends, as it's expensive and a pain to make all the healthy food.  I noticed that Mondays I was about 5-10% weaker than on Wednesdays!

I'm starting to feel more and more guilty about eating crap (and by crap, I'm now thinking about the bowl of Panera Tomato SOUP I had last night)!  I know how it's going to slow me down, I know that the meal I chose didn't contain enough of a breakdown of protein and carbs, and it had way too much fat in it.  I don't like this guilt, but I guess it's putting me on my way to eating healthy all the time!

I do have more energy, although I can't say it makes me want to get up in the AM. I get up at 4:15AM so who "WANTS" to get up then??   I am more powerful though and the numbers show it!