Well here we are friends, through the holidays, probably ate to many cookies and not trying to get back on track. No? Just me? Well lucky you! For me I probably had one to many sweets, ok maybe 5 too many and a few too many beers. I like beer and donuts, it could be worse. Post a wonderful run of bronchitis I am not back on track and finding myself carrying around a little extra. Did this all happen over the holidays? Absolutely not, it was due to my own mistake or course of mistakes that made me sit down and really think about what I was doing.
We've all heard it right? That famous phrase that at times infuriates us enough to even harm a small puppy....wait for it......
"Oh you do triathlons, you must be able to eat WHATEVER you want!"
Well let me be the first to say, no, no I cannot eat whatever I want. This also leads me to my next point, do not and I repeat DO NOT EVER FOR ANY REASON take nutrition advice from a professional triathlete that weights 150 lbs soaking wet, possibly even holding a brick.
Awhile back I read an article from a very famous, pretty quick, triathlete. You may or may not know him. Mr. Andy Potts. You haven't? What do you live under an effin rock?!
Now listen, don't get me wrong, I am not saying that everything in the article was bad, nor do I have anything against Andy. From what I can gather through social media he is an awesome down to earth guy and he is wicked smart when it comes to this sport. He did however give me just the amount of ammo that I needed to just go off the deep end. He stated that "if you want a bowl of ice cream, have a bowl of ice cream." Now granted for him, he could probably have a bowl of ice cream every night if he wanted and still not gain a pound. I am no professional in nutrition by any means, but I can gather that Andy Potts logs a little time training. Maybe, I mean I am not sure, but I just have a hunch that he probably trains twice a day most days. He is also focusing on the half and full distance race, so he's burning a few calories here and there. Still I do not think that this was the point of his article. I think he was simply implying that you can treat yourself every once and awhile.
For someone like me however, I was looking for any and every excuse to eat whatever I wanted. I have NEVER been able to do this before, why did I think I could do it now? Oh that's right because I was a triathlete! I could eat whatever I wanted! WRONG! This was when I realized that my mood, energy and everything else had decreased significantly. What was going on?! I was blaming everything I could, when deep down inside, I really knew what I needed to do. Cut out a few sweets and add a little more greens.
So now here I sit, back on track and focusing on next year. Do I eat ice cream and donuts still? Yes as a matter of fact I do, but only on as what coach Dave calls it an "earned day". Just because I swam doesn't mean I get a donut, just because I did a long ride doesn't mean I get a cheeseburger from Five Guys EVERY time. You're not an effing dog, don't reward yourself with food!
Do I blame this fully on Andy Potts and him telling me to eat ice cream if I wanted it? Yes, he's an ahole and I'll never root for him again. No absolutely not, he didn't hold me down and make me eat the ice cream. I was looking for affirmation that what I was doing was ok and I found it in that article. That little thing between your ears is crazy powerful. If you are looking for something, you will in fact find it sooner or later.
My advice to you? Get MyFitnessPal, track your calories and be smart about it. Your food is your fuel and it will either help you or hurt you. There are so many articles, blogs and posts out there for you to read and do with it what you may. My best piece of advice is don't take everyting for 100% truth, any idiot can sign up for a blog, look at me ;). And lastly, track your calories and do not over eat. If you can "afford" some extra go for it, if not you better earn it!
All for now
Keep FSU and Do It For Yourself
I don't post on here daily but feel free to find me else where!
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