I don't have to look like everyone else!

A bit up and down with my food but I've stopped worrying so much about keeping carbs down. All my life I have never thought about carb, protein, calories and when I was active I never really had a problem with weight. Now that I am in the fitness industry I over think it and beat myself up for really just eating what I used to always eat.

I have made a real effort to cook everything from scratch and eat as close to it's natural state as possible. I have great healthy cook books at home and I am really enjoying using them. I think my favourite breakfast has been pear, date and cinnamon porridge, main meal - asian poached chicken with veg and soba (buckwheat) noodles and lots and lots of homemade soups (Moroccan sweet potato, leek and chickpea)

I am also focussing on a more positive opinion of body image. I DON'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT! Everyday I say that I am happy with how I am now and I eat to be and feel as healthy as I can be. Not as thin as I can be.

Today

M1: pear & date porridge

M2: protein shake with greens mix

M3: Low carb/high protein soy noodles, zucchini, tomato and ricotta bake

M4: Chai latte / kit kat (post workout - ok not so great but I did ride for 90 mins!)

M5: veg and egg mini frittata (small muffin size)

M6: Lamb and veg

Food combining??

I have continued to say "Hunger is not an emergency" during the day and it really helps! I'm definitely not starving myself but I'm eating when hungry not just in case I get hungry.

I know a few people that have had long term digestive problems and have recently tried the 'Great taste, no pain' way of eating by Sherry Brescia. Long story short your meals are carb and veg (including legumes) or animal protein and veg and then fruit is eaten on it's own.

Have always had mild IBS and bloating after carb/protein meals so following my 'natural approach' I will also try the 4 day trial. I like the idea b/c it doesn't really restrict foods (although sugar doesn't really get included) just the timing is changed.

Meals today

2 poached eggs with avocado and spinach / tea with milk

A more natural approach

I've come to the conclusion that when I focus on 'weight loss' I do really well for a few day, maybe even a week and then I have a bad weekend and then it all goes bad. I also become really obsessed with the food I eat, the amount of carbs etc.

However I have a real passion for healthy foods, finding out how to use different ingredients from the health food store, market etc and ways to include the most amount of nutrients into each meal. I also love trying new recipes and making my changes to them. So have decided to become a natural eater. While I'm pretty close to it already, I'm not going to be too concerned about eating carbs outside of the training window, or what kj's are in what, I'm just going to eat as close to the natural state as possible, wholegrains, legumes, seeds, fruits and veg and good old home cooking!!

If I find a great recipe i'll post it.

I also read something the other day on Precision Nutrition and even though I knew it already it really hit me....

HUNGER IS NOT AN EMERGENCY!!!

I am so paranoid about my metabolism slowing down that I continue to eat at set times even if I'm not hungry or eat just in case I get hungry. Why??? "It's not an emergency!!!!!"

Weekends - hmmmm

During the week I have been pretty good, still learning but developing good habits. I'm best when I plan my meals and actually look forward to sitting down and planning the next week.

However weekends are definitely my downfall. I have this mindset that it is the weekend off from work so it is also off from eating well. My husband is also home more and although he eats fairly well he can also get away with eating not so well on weekends and I give in too. I'll try to plan my weekend meals a little tighter but also allow for some treats.

I've increased my deadlift to 55kg which I'm pretty excited about and look forward to increasing it further in the coming weeks!!!!

Food so far today (having a vego day today although probably too many eggs!)

7:30am - 2 poached eggs, avocado, sun dried tomato, spinach and wholemeal english muffin

10:30am - homemade protein bar

12:45pm - veg and egg frittata and miso soup

To come

arvo tea - hot choc (natvia, cocoa, protein) apple

dinner - bean/pea salad with haloumi

I don't feel any lighter however I have had a few people ask if I have lost weight (the scales definitely don't show a loss of weight). So next week I am booked in to have a VLA tests done which will show me my fat, muscle % and hopefully give me a better indication of how I'm going.

Tried a few new recipes some worked some haven't (carb free pancakes - yuck!), veggie/feta burgers with a yoghurt mushroom sauce (really good!). I am also putting the homemade protein bars in the freezer and they are even better and don't stick to my fingers when I am eating them.

Big ride yesterday and heading to the gym today so overall feeling really good!

Mmm Mmm

Just made a chocolate mousse that is almost too good to be true

Dissolve 1 tsp gelatine into 1/4 cup boiling water, then add tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, cool

Beat 2 egg whites to soft peaks than gradually whisk in sweetener (used a stevia based one, approx tbsp) and then 2 egg yolks.

whisk the 2 together when at same temperature

Divide into 3 bowls and leave in fridge for at least an hour

I added in orange rind to add flavour.

(not all natural ingred's, but not too bad as a special treat!)

DAMN!!

Weighed in this morning and I have gone up this week to 68.1kg!! I haven't been that heavy for a while and it shocked the hell out of me. I had been pretty good this week and exercised everyday and yeah there were a few hiccups so if I stayed the same I could understand. But to increase?????? It better bloody be a lot of fluid!!!

After a little sook, I've sat down a planned the weeks food and just returned from the supermarket. I've got a bit if catching up to do!