Week 3 of getting ready for the US Open and Figure Competition was bust! It was my worse week yet. I was supposed to be training hard for both and eating clean for breakfast, lunch, and post-workouts. Well it was such a crazy week that I don't feel like I really had time to figure out the lunch thing. I barely got any Taekwondo training in. I am not happy with the way my stomach looks and I am feeling weak and tired.
So, I'm starting week 4 as of yesterday. This week I am going to continue to train and all 5-6 of my meals need to be clean. By clean, I mean that they need to be high in protein, lots of fiber, complex carbohydrates, low sugar, and low fat. I am really struggling with the protein because I am so picky with meat. I also have to find ways to add more time to train for Taekwondo. I am losing the space I was using at the gym to practice forms, and I really don't have a place at home.
Today I ate pretty good. I finally found some quinoa, now I gotta learn how to make it taste good because as is is nasty. The problem is, I am really hungry right now. I know I am getting enough calories and protein, so maybe not enough fat...I have not idea. My morning workout was legs and swimming. I'm getting a little stronger with my legs, but today my back was really bothering me, so I was limited on going low on squats and presses. My swim went well, nothing out of the ordinary. Because it is Memorial Day both of my Taekwondo schools were closed. Luckily, Jim was home and held paddles for me to kick for about an hour. YAY!
Jimmy and I just started Crossfit in Murfreesboro and a lot of the athletes there are very into the Paleo Diet (It really shouldn't be called a diet because you're not restricting calories. It's more a way of eating or a lifestyle). Anyways, we decided to try it out and it feels really beneficial. We both feel like we have more energy, I'm not as hungry as often, and while it could be the fact that I am working out and gaining more muscle, I've also lost belly fat. The diet is really heavy on protein and eating all the veggies and fruits you want. It emphasizes healthy fats from nuts, seeds, avocados, etc. It prohibits grains and artificial sugars (i.e. high fructose corn syrup, etc.). It sounds similar to the way you're eating already. I suggest it because some of the recipes might leave you feeling fuller. If you want to read more about it Robb Wolf is one of the main guys behind it and he has a website at www.robbwolf.com. One example of a recipe we've ate that left me feeling full was a spinach salad with eggs, bacon, tomatoes, and olive oil and lemon juice as dressing. Today we had chicken, sundried tomatoes, coleslaw, almonds, a diced apple, balsamic vinegar, oregano, and olive oil all mixed together as another salad.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear that others have difficulty with maintaining a good diet as an athlete. I have a horrible diet. I am working toward cleaning it up and fueling my body correctly. Problem is...I don't know how...so I am researching, researching, and researching. My concern is properly fueling for the sports that I do. Any input is welcome! :O)
ReplyDeleteI understand the research part. I seem to spend most of my evenings researching and trying to figure this all out. You do a lot of cardio with the 3 parts of a tri, I would think that you would need good carbs as well as protein to sustain. When I was a runner, we always carb loaded before a race.
ReplyDeleteSarah, it's good to see you are getting more active! I hope that your diet works for you in the long run. I couldn't imagine getting full off of a salad. i tried the other day. It had lots of fruit and shrimp. I was hungry an hour later.
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