On Sunday I ran 9 miles at an average pace of 11:55. That’s not my best but it’s actually pretty darn good, considering I’m carrying an extra 22 pounds more than I was this time last year while training for my last half marathon. 

After my run on Sunday I ate (moderately) well. I had my coffee, my electrolyte drink, banana, a handful of yogurt pretzels. Then when I could actually eat a real meal, I had chicken breast, red potatoes and green salad with lots of veggies and dark leafy greens. Then I had some yogurt and raspberries. Then for dinner I had a big salad with beets and greens, lemonade, pizza, and a kids scoop of ice cream.

Not the greatest meal, but not the worst I’ve had lately.

Then, as it always does on Mondays, it began. 

The feeling of runger. 

 By about 10:00 I had sat through a meeting and all I could think about how hungry I was. This was of course, after I had eaten my nutrient dense breakfast just hours before. I was grateful to find some cottage cheese in last week’s lunch bag that I forgot to take home on Friday. Then at lunch I found myself face to face with a giant grilled chicken breast, brown rice and roasted veggies. Then I found some more of those yogurt pretzels (oops).  On the way to the gym I found some almond butter in my car and wolfed that and a banana down.  By the time I got out of my coreworks class and had an hour until rehearsal, I looked at my tracker and realized I was going to have to take out a points loan in order to get through dinner. 

I hate when this internal battle begins. 

I caught myself knowing I had to eat something to get through rehearsal and the…

• I am in the middle of training for a half marathon side of me said “spend a few extra points and eat something nutrient dense that will satisfy you so you don’t crash”
• I am trying to lose weight side of me said eat something with as few calories as possible and just “get by”
• Fat kid side of me said “there’s a taqueria next to the gym” 😂😂😂

I struggle because the numbers game is so engrained in my brain. If I eat within a certain target of numbers I will lose weight. But then I struggle because I know that I am also being active like a maniac and that’s just not always enough fuel. 

I used to be very in tune with my hunger levels and staying within a number target before I became so active. 

I find myself looking for guidance from other runners who have lost and maintained weight because I find them to be more relatable than just people in weight loss mode at this stage in my journey. 

I just want you all to know that weight loss isn’t a one size fits all. Gotta find what works for you. And sometimes that changes through different stages in life. ❤️

Cheers to healthy eating!

Vanessa