on diets...

Dieting isn't something I've ever done. It's not something I think I could even do. It's kind of the reason I run. I want to stay in shape...but I LOVE food.

I heard or read a good point the other day. Wherever I heard or read it...I'm sorry. I'm not giving you credit. I just don't remember where I saw it. Many people feel the need to diet because they feel as though they need to lose weight. They want to consume less calories. Many Americans over eat. The problem with a lot of diets is that they still encourage you to over eat. It doesn't kick the eating addiction. Dieters just replace sweets and high calorie food with low calorie options. They can eat a lot of empty calories, and so they do.

The problem with this is that people will eventually get sick of the empty calories and start replacing those with higher calorie options. This is why most diets end of failing.

My take on it:

Calories aren't bad! Fat is good! Carbs aren't even all that bad! You just need to eat in moderation. Did you know that if you start cutting back on food, your stomach will start to shrink?

I'm not the healthiest eater in the world, but since I started training for the marathon, I definitely eat better! I can't eat as much fried stuff, I don't eat a lot of sweets, I don't drink as much alcohol, and I don't want to. I don't feel like I am starving myself either, and I eat a good amount of calories. In fact, after my 21 mile run yesterday, I consumed 1500 calories within 2 hours after the run.

I monitor my calories. I don't do this to make sure I am cutting down. I do this to make sure I get enough.

Here is what i ate today (and this was not even a good example of a day):

Breakfast: Oatmeal and banana (lacking on protein, I know)
Snack: peanut butter crackers
Lunch: I forgot my lunch. Whopper Jr. with no cheese or mayo, apple slices
Snack: a piece of Andy's bday cake with the frosting taken off (Don't like frosting)
Dinner: tonight was red beans and rice with kiabolsa, glass of milk
snack: I am probably going to eat some pudding :)

To drink today: Water, and a glass of milk.

Today was in particular not a pretty day, however I still don't feel like I over ate...nor do I feel like I under ate. I ate what I wanted.

This is more of a ramble. What's my point? I don't like diets. I like healthy, active lifestyles. I like healthy eating. I encourage people to exercise. I encourage people to eat. I want you to eat healthy. It's possible to lose weight without starving yourself people! I promise!!!!

Not even sure I made sense...

PS... I plan to post next about the making of Andy's b-day cake. :) I may have said that last post too...not sure...but I'm too lazy to upload pics :)