Dear World,

I’ve been thinking a lot about my health and body recently.  Marathon training makes you super aware of what you’re putting in your body (and what you’re not) which is what first prompted this, but I’ve also been noticing how in the past year or so how much easier it is to let a few pounds creep on.  I spent most of college and early adulthood carrying around about 15 pounds of extra weight.  When I became a vegetarian and started long distance running I dropped most of it but I’ll still struggle with 5 or so that shouldn’t really be there.  When I’m not eating well and exercising the way I should it’s reallllly easy for a few more than 5 to creep on… 

I’ve found a workout routine that works really well for me- training for a few half marathons each year, an occasional marathon, and tons of yoga keep me pretty fit.  These days I’m a pescatarian, eat tons of fruits and veggies, and don’t drink a ton but I still don’t have a great food rhythm.  I usually eat really well until about 2 PM then start craving chocolate and soda (which I avoid most days) then either eat a sensible dinner and binge with a super unhealthy snack later in the evening OR eat something terrible for dinner. Plus, while overall I’m pretty happy with my body, I still carry some extra weight around my stomach and hips that I’d love to get rid of.

So I’m trying a little experiment.  I’m not worrying very much about calories (this week I’m logging 40 miles plus some yoga…) but am trying to lower the amount of carbs I eat (the afternoon before long runs aside) and up the amount of protein and healthy fat I consume.  I’m also trying to eat a hearty breakfast (usually a normal breakfast followed by a breakfast “snack” a few hours later), a bigger lunch, and a super light dinner.  

Here’s what I ate today:

• Breakfast: Coffee, water, quinoa berry bowl (quinoa, raspberries, bananas, sliced almonds, and some agave nectar & cinnamon)
• Breakfast snack: two hard boiled eggs
• Lunch: Grilled fish, oven baked root vegetables, spinach salad with avocado and tomatoes
• Snack: Apple and peanut butter, diet coke
• Snack: gatorade (post-8 mile run)
• Dinner: smoothie (two bananas, three table spoons almond butter, cocoa powder, squirt of honey, almond milk)

People who know more about health and nutrition than me… how am I doing?  It’s more calories than I’d eat if I wasn’t training for a marathon but I feel pretty solid about it.  I’d love to hear thoughts, tips, etc.  Advice??