I get a lot of questions from runners or readers or runners who are also readers but probably not reading while they’re running… asking for posts and pictures of what I’m eating. Seeing what exactly other people eat is interesting. Even if I have zero desire to change my diet or cooking methods – if someone is posting a day of eats or if I see it in a magazine or on TV – I stop and check it out.
And it’s particularly helpful for runners, especially new runners to see tips and good examples of how to fuel.
But I’m not always a good example. Heck, I’m rarely a good example.
At least on the internet.
In ‘real life’ I do eat a lot.
AND in ‘real life’ I do eat a lot of vegetables and whole grains and healthy fats.
But most of that is thrown together in between writing projects and doing laundry and responding to emails while talking on the phone. And my new method of making salads involves putting most of the stuff that makes a salad pretty to photograph on the bottom. I put protein and roasted veggies and beans or whatever else – in the bowl and then top with greens and dressing.
(I personally think this is genius since those other goodies taste good as is and the greens are what need a little dressing.)
My point is – it doesn’t really beg to be photographed.
Things that do beg to be photographed: donuts, pizza, sushi, cookies…
So there are a lot of those pics floating around on my phone. And that’s a big part of the reason I don’t share more ‘what I ate’ pictures.
Example: This weekend on Catalina Island I ate fries and a cookie and ice cream.
I also went home and had a big salad.
Oh, and I ate all the M&Ms out of the trail mix I brought along on the way home.
I started the day with a green smoothie:
But I ate some of my brother’s hash brown bites on the boat ride over there.
I’m eating a lot of watermelon right now (not right this second, but in general since it’s in season).
Okay, right this second too.
And I was randomly craving a bran muffin so I got one from the bakery and had it with milk as a pre-dinner snack yesterday.
I have lost weight recently – and I definitely want to share what I did to lose weight if you’re interested.
But I still overeat sometimes – even while trying to practice intuitive eating.
I eat a lot of healthy foods. But I did recently go the donut shop and get 2 donuts and 6 donut holes and eat all of it without making it a big deal on the blog.
Sometimes the balance isn’t a steady line – it’s a course with a lot of ups and downs that evens out in the big picture.
I eat a lot of the same foods everyday – but that is because I like them, not because those are the only foods I think are acceptable. My favorite healthy foods are pretty much the same all the time and so are my favorite treats.
Today I’ve had half a Quest Bar and iced coffee before my run.
Post run I had yogurt and fruit with nuts.
Then went to an event with California Avocados where I had half a pack of these apricot crackers upon arrival.
Lunch was the most epic avocado everything meal. (more on that soon)
And I just got home where another watermelon is calling my name.
I’ll probably have lean ground turkey with veggies and carrot noodles for dinner.
And I’m super into having a spoonful (or two) of CRUNCHY peanut butter for dessert.
I think it’s a pretty good 80% healthy / 20% indulgent balance. But it’s something I should keep better track of if I want to make sure I’m fueling in the best way possible for half or full marathon training. <- Light bulb! To be honest, that just came to me right now because I usually make an effort NOT to keep track of anything too closely because I don’t want to obsess over it (or at least that’s what I’ve told myself).
I just wanted to share that I don’t usually post a full day of eats simply because all the Instagram accounts and Pinterest boards around now seem to have hired Martha Stewart’s personal photographer and food stylist. Everything is so perfect and delicious and the lighting is dreamy… And my salad with Sriracha and random veggies that are going to go bad if I don’t eat them today – doesn’t make healthy eating appealing.
But since I’ve been getting more requests I’ll share more meals here and on Instagram and Instagram stories (I post everything on Insta to Facebook too so if you’re not on IG, check it out there). They won’t be super fancy pictures but it can be a better picture of healthy and fun fuel.
So, I don’t know where I’m going with this now… but I just wanted to share what I’m eating.
And by ‘share’ I mean talk about it – NOT actually share any of my food.
If you need me – I’ll be in the kitchen making out with the watermelon.
Lauren says
Yes please share!!! I am a serial binge eater and also trying to lose baby weight…send help now!!!
MomOf2 says
Love that you say balance isn’t a steady line but that it evens out. It’s that way for me too. I don’t deprive myself of what I really want but I also try to make good choices and not go totally overboard. That is what’s worked best for me. Loving watermelon right now too! I definitely get good ideas from you so cheers!!!
Hanna says
Yes! I would love to hear more about your recent weight loss while still eating intuitively. I am just starting down the road of I.E. but struggling because I still want to loose some lbs. I am also working on starting to run regularly, albeit very slowly with numerous walking breaks but I am determined! Love your blog! Thanks
Crystal says
Yes, please share your weight loss success!
I thought you have been looking extra slender.
Samantha Tully says
I feel like seeing the “real” stuff is super motivating! I’m sure others feel the same way, too. We don’t always have beautiful picture-worthy healthy food around, but can still make healthy choices and I’d love to see that! Also, love what you’re doing with the balance and the “eat unhealthy delicious things sometimes and not kill myself over it”. I’m really trying to work on that as well. I’ve realized that eating a donut is so much more fun if I’m not agonizing over how terrible I am for eating it! 🙂 Thanks for being motivational and making me laugh!! 🙂
Melisa says
I can probably name everything I ate in the last 2 mos. I eat mostly the same foods everyday. Boring but I like it.
Mary says
Yes I want to hear about your recent weight loss! It’s a constant struggle, and I want to lose weight without counting things or feeling deprived.
Kathy says
I totally know I ate a half of a half gallon of ice cream and and glass and a half of white wine for supper….how do I remember that??? Holy Bloated Batman!! I was miserable all night and into sleep…somewhere between snoozing and waking the bloat went byebye…thank god!!
Actually I thought you looked like you had lost weight too….yes please share any tips are helpful as I am constantly trying to make something “click” over here in my head instead of opting for the lovely supper like I had last night.
;-(
Caitlin F. says
Yes! Would love to know how you lost some weight. I’ve been proud of my increased mileage lately, but not so proud of my increased appetite. I feel like the more I run the more I pig out. So if you have any tips on that, my grocery budget would be grateful.
Megan says
It IS genius to put veggies, protein, beans at the bottom of a salad! Only leaves need that dressing. I 100% concur. Thats what I usually do if I pack a lunch for work. Also I went to toppers pizza today and at the salad buffet I only get veggies/beans/sunflower seeds and skip the lettuce/greens. If Im paying for a buffet salad – Im getting the goods. That lettuce cost them .0001 cents. Gracias pero no gracias. I feel that is also genius….hopefully someone agrees 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
I know the woes of unphotogenic food. Sometimes when I look back at my photos, I think, “why did I even eat this? It looks disgusting…” BUT LOOKS AREN’T EVERYTHING. Haha.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Cheryl says
Yes, but only because I logged it. I’m a listmaker, lol.
Sally @ sweat out the small stuff says
I could probably name most of it but sometimes I eat chips and forget I ate them! So sneaky.
marty says
yes i also assumed it was due to stress… but glad to know its intentional……………
Nicole says
I figured you had lost weight because of personal stress lately. I’m glad to hear it’s been intentional and something you are doing in a healthy way. <3