Monthly Archives: May 2012

Foodie Swap

By Posted in Food, LowerCarbohydrates Tagged , , 16 Comments

I didn’t really think I would get *that* much interest in my lower carbohydrate post.  I would have done it sooner.  Anyways-I’ll answer all questions in a later post.  It’s something I’ll certainly be keeping up with throughout the summer, posting interesting relevant topics on the blog.  I’ll probably keep it as a Wednesday topic because in my brain that is the day I correlate to food.  So if you only want to stop by then-that is your best bet.  ;)

I’ll answer the most asked questions now, because well…I can.

Did you feel lethargic when you first started?

Yes, yes I did.  For a period of about a week and a half, I could not eat more than 2000 calories because I was so damn full.  (I was  originally eating about 2500).  Not only was it extremely hard to eat those calories, I felt like I had eaten like 5000.  I did not force myself to eat that many and in fact, I probably only ate about 1500. (I didn’t lose any weight as stated).  Then I slowly began to get more hungry and was able to eat more.  (You can’t deny this part of the phase and starve yourself…the hunger doesn’t go away).  I did not immediately cut down my carbohydrates to 150 but gradually over the course of about 3 weeks.

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But-I participated in the Foodie Swap (who am I?) hosted by Lindsay this month and I must post about that today.  (must like someone is holding a string around my neck…).   Basically, you get randomly paired with someone who also wants to participate.  (But to make matters more confusing you don’t get paired with the same person that is paired with you…HA!).   I was paired with someone who does not blog, but should because she knows Delicious food better then I do!  

First I apologize, as this photo I took of all the goods could be done better by a five year old.  Alas, I didn’t realize it until now and have eaten everything. 

Next month, I’ll be better.  Anywho-all this stuff was the so freaking good. 

The salsa-I’m a salsa fiend. I eat salsa like I eat ketchup…well I just eat it and a lot.  Next up, the pad thai.  At first I was like oooh fancy ramen noodles?  They kin d of are but they are so good and if you know me-you know I’m very hesitant about trying Thai food.  I got super sick from some a few years back.  The STEAZ tea was interesting; it was like carbonated raspberry tea (also good).  Finally, the fruit and nut mix was by far my favorite.  I seriously ate it within 24 hours of it coming to my house.  I had a few awesome runs after that ;) .

Question for you:  Have you ever done a food swap? 

Lowering My Carb Intake

By Posted in LowerCarbohydrates, Reads Tagged , 31 Comments

I promised I would continue to discussing more of my eats on Wednesday, I also promised that I would talk more about my lower carbohydrate diet and how it’s working for me (lower carb, not calorie). 

So what better way then What I eat Wednesday’s.  Though I never formally participate, I do sometimes post food posts on Wednesdays…so I guess it counts.  Anyways, working with my professor (who is a registered R.D as well) has taught me a lot about nutrition and health that I would have never even thought about.

If you had asked me in January what I thought about lower carbohydrate diet, I would have assumed lower carbohydrate=lower calorie=weight loss.  Terrible assumption since I’ve essentially been eating a lower carbohydrate diet for 4 months and have lost not weight.

A normal American gets between 300-500 grams of carbohydrates daily.  Most bagels have about 80 grams, a slice of bread 20, potatoes 60, a medium sized apple 30…you can google more. I’m eating around 100-150.  For someone running as much as I am, that is considered extremely low carbohydrate, for someone not…that is “normal-low”.

 What sort of carbohydrates am I eating?

Starchy vegetables (think potatoes!), leafy greens, fruit…but not grains.  In all honesty, all I really did to achieve lower carbohydrates was to cut out my grains and extra servings of bread.  Cutting out wheat flour (in pancakes), breads, bagels (most of the time).  Cutting out grains instacut most of my grain/carbohydrate calories.  You would actually be pretty surprised of how many carbohydrates milk/coffee creamer has.  (another reason I buy full fat creamer!). 

Sweet potato pancake with peanut flour

Though I don’t advertise it a lot on the blog, I’m not a fan of most fruits.  I just don’t care for them-so I’m not getting a lot of carbohydrates through fruits (unless it’s raspberries).

So if I’m not getting carbohydrate calories, what am I getting?

Protein and fat.   Obvious yes, but that is what I’m getting.  I’m still eating upwards of 2000 calories daily via proteins (meats, eggs, protein flour, Greek yogurt), fats (eggs, avocado, peanut butter and oils).  Oils are more then making up the amount  of calories I need.

Eggs+Veggies=staple

So why?

Well it all started as an experiment for class.  My nutrition class we were given an opportunity to try this for a couple weeks and do a report on it…so I did.

But then I ran my fastest half.

And then I became less sluggish.

And then my face started clearing up.

And  then I just  felt better all the time.

So here I am a poster child for lower carbohydrate diets and with my professor, I continue my research.

If you have specific questions, email me at lolzthatswim at gmail or ask anonymously here. 

Question for you: What do you think of lower carbohydrate diets?

Memorial Day Funskiis

By Posted in DailyMusings Tagged , , , 20 Comments

My memorial day was a lot of fun.  I normally spend it being lazy, opening my pool that I manage or just hanging out.  This year was different as I drove all the way to Charollettesville, VA.  (all the way, meaning….2.5 hours…ha).

If I only knew what adventures were going to happen…

Something that has been asked to me a lot via email is what do I eat when I travel?  Do I get nervous that it isn’t my normal food, or food that I’m used too?  Does it make me anxious? 

*First, I eat enough to fuel me.

The answer to being nervous and anxious-well no not really.  Don’t get me wrong-I love the travels I do and I love eating out, but eating out everyday for a week is when I normally get sick of it.   There comes a certain point though when all I want to eat is homemade food or not make a big production of going out to eat.

Plus-I’m forever hungry so I’m always eating more than everyone else combined.  Why yes those are 5 powerbars and 3 muscle milks in my back pocket…problem?  I just always remember that a week is nothing in your big scheme of life.  You can get back on board when you get home and not worry in the moment.

This weekend I was lucky enough to go hang out with my running buddy and his family in Charolettesville.  His grandparents made homemade ice-cream (the best I’ve ever had), we had ribs, brisket.  Everything was so good.

If I hadn’t mentioned before, Tim is also a collegiate skiier, so water skiing was like…no big deal…for him.  For me it was instadeath. 

I “preferred” this water bouncy thing.  When they were pulling us around, we thought it would be funny to dive off when they weren’t looking. 

Oh my stars.

It was. 

Question for you:

1.       What do you do about traveling and eating?

2.       How was your memorial day? 

Elizabeth River 10k (42:07)

By Posted in Running Tagged , 20 Comments

Okay I lied yesterday-I decided to post a recap today.  Not that it really matters. 

This previous weekend, I raced my first nonhalf marathon in god knows how long (close to 6 months!).  It was a weird, very hot experience.  I promised that I would take my summer races “easier” to allow to peak appropriately for cross country in the fall.  That is easy enough because I don’t have to try it’s so darn hot.

Anyways we (dad and I) got to the race around 7:00.  I warmed up with the young kids running club.  (I help coach them periodically when I’m home).  They were racing the 1 miler.  I helped pace a female who ran a 7:25!  I’m so happy for her.

Anyways after the 1 miler, I quickly changed shoes and got ready the 10k.  It was already extremely hot but I was over it.  (This was the most I’ve warmed up for a race in well…at least 6 months because I don’t warm up for halves and 10ks are pushing my warmup factor).

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As per usual race start, I needed to get up front to chat to all my friends.  I NEVER go to the race start without chatting a bit.  (Saturday mornings are my big dailymile social hour).

The first mile I ran with a pack of four other females.  We were fighting for the spots 3-8.  (The first two ladies were god knows how far ahead! )  By the second mile it was me and two other woman and we were somewhat separated.

By the middle of the race I had sweat through my entire singlet (I’m not a big sweater..ever).  There was a water hose and I took full advantage of running through that.

This is where I caught up to the next female who had separated herself.  We are both rather small (meaning we don’t take up the entire two lane road between us), but she was running up my ass.  I wanted to pass her but she continued to cut me off (nearly tripping me several times).  Literally she would swerve in front of me and 100% prevent me from passing.

I’m not aggressive-at all (in life or running) but she about drew my last nerve.  I started to surge and then hault, alternating between 6:00 min and 7:00 min pace.  I ran to her left and then to her right.  Honestly, I was just trying to be as annoying as possible.   I like to get under people’s skin and this seemed to be rather annoying her.  She was trying to beat me and my antics were not amusing her…

Finally around mile 5 during one of my surges (I knew she was dying), I took off.  Downgraded and got my tempo going.  I ended up beating her by about 45 seconds. 

I was fourth female overall and first in my age group.  I’m certainly content with that.  Of course I’ve gone faster in half marathons and harder courses, but the heat is no joke and I’m not about to race like a moron. 

You might actually think I’m legit or something here…

Take away from this race:

Heat forces to you to slow down (good for my peaking for XC in the fall)

Question for you:  What are your optimal race conditions? 

Tales of the Humidity Training

By Posted in Running Tagged , 14 Comments

Training training training.  I realized I never posted a blog about training last week since I was graduating.  So I have a lot of ground to cover.  I’m not going to bore you too much though because it isn’t like I did much of anything different between the weeks.

My only goal (I’ll pound this into my thick headed skull) is to stay off the treadmill and stay injury free the entire summer.  That being said, I have already been struggling to do most of my runs at 8 minute miles because it is so darn hot.  Oh well-I don’t really care either way (I don’t time but it’s pretty easy to gauge pace).

Let’s see-this week I had a total of 75 miles. 

With the exception of Saturday’s 10k race (I’ll post about it sometime in the week…probably Tuesday…mark your calendars…;)) It was all easy.

The beginning of the week I was in Pa and ran with Tim (as well as today’s long run in Charolettesville, VA).  I know-I’m all about some travel lately. 

Obviously not running…actually we are at a bar. (running..baring…close…) 

On Thursday, I got to run a 5 miler with a good friend of mine Theresa. 

Obviously winter time.

I haven’t been cross training like I would like (broken record) but I’ve been busy traveling and dealing with personal things and running is easier then driving to the gym and swimming…or ellipticaling.  I’d like to say I’ll get back to that but I think I’ll start swimming in a couple of weeks again when I have more time.

So key point of this blog.  I am still running easy throughout the summer, loving it and not worrying about pace.

Questions for you: 

How are your workouts?

Do you like working out with friends or solo?