Binges, Boot Camp, and Track Workouts

Today Liz and I ran 4 miles together on the track.  
We were both "coming back"  after a weekend of some serious binge eating
 that left us feeling Blah. 
We vowed to drop that and focus on the future, 
but it really got me thinking and reflecting.
What I can do to keep moving forward in this little
"Be Healthier" journey.

I am going to hash out a few thoughts here for a moment.  

So take a seat and have a listen.  

Would love to hear your opinions as well.

We seem to have this funny notion in our head.  That we can eat what we want as long as we "get a few miles in".  I thought this theory as well.  During my first marathon training attempt in 2012-2013, I was an un-educated-20-something-runner, trying to run a marathon to lose weight and round off my bucket list.  While training, (slacker program 3-4 days a week mind you..) I rewarded myself with pizza and pasta, burgers and fries, and cookies and cakes because hey, I earned it... I worked that off.    But my friends...

 that idea of earning is a slippery slope.  

I spent 3-4 months with this theory and you can probably guess what happened.  I gained weight.  Whoa whoa whoa, a big reason I am running this damn thing is to have this big goal, motivation to run, therefore more running, therefore more shedding of the pounds.  If I am training and gaining weight than what the hell is the point!  Well an injury stopped me at the mile 18 week of my training so I took some time off, swore of running, and sat back and reflected.  

Fast forward to round two:  I learned from my mistakes.  I integrated yoga and body pump into my running program, I stretched more, I stopped worrying about speed, and changed my diet.  I ate smart to better fuel my runs, instead of running long distance and then shoveling pizza down my throat.  

It is a big change in mind set to sit down and say  "I am going to eat better to help my body run better" than "I ran 10 miles today now I celebrate with pizza".  After my first half marathon I mocked Jill for eating a salad after.  Jill enjoyed a chicken salad while I housed a supreme pizza.  Well now I get it Jill.  

Well the second time around I finally ran my marathon, 26.2 miles injury free-  feeling GREAT, and about 15-20 pounds lighter than the first attempt.  

Fast forward again to post marathon, casual running, and more focus on full body workouts.  I have a 4:30 or 5:30 alarm set every day to make sure ---4:30  get to a 5:15 gym class or 5:30, make sure I meet Liz for a 6:00 run.  

At these classes, we work our asses off.  Like sweat pouring from your face, not-sure-I-can-do-another-burpee-ever-again hard.  

I have made it a habit to track my workouts.  When I get home and look at this long list of my workout, it dawns on me.  "I worked so hard.  SO HARD- and I got up SO EARLY".  Is it really worth eating crap after I worked so hard to make my body better?   What was the point of sweating and ass kicking if I am going to go down a few hundred cake pops.   Might as well just sleep in and eat the cake pops.   

Was all that champagne and cupcakes reallllly worth it?

Never is.  

Monday I did that ass kicking work out, and after, I didn't celebrate with cupcakes, I celebrated with good healthy stuff.  

This morning Liz and I did a 4 mile workout on the track.  

  

I have worked hard to lose weight, 

and I want to keep working at it.

I am a true believer you cannot outrun a bad diet.  

And while exercise is important, healthy eating is the base.  
And before you get mad- no- I am not telling you to cut out everything "bad" in your diet. I am just saying I need to allow a treat and really cut out these BINGES.

Cheers!

(but I am cutting back on the champs 

so lets raise our carrot sticks instead)