I'm sort of in the same adjustment period. Last job, and the 6 month 'sabbatical'? Desk slouch. Now? Active! So, I'm having to adjust my eating style. And I've been feeling better since my body wants serious amounts of protein, fruits, and veggies.
Lately, I've been living off of takeout, but it's from two different Japanese delis, so it's at least vaguely healthy. (Fried tofu, rice, and veggie tempura FTW)
Oh man, so don't worry about fly! It's only ever used in short races and IM's which stands for Individual Medley. It's an event where you do a bit of each stroke: Fly, Back, Breast, Free so a reverse IM is kind of brutal because it makes the hardest stroke at the end. Fly is totally exhausting and never used in open water swimming which is what triathlons are all about. Free is really the only thing you need to worry about. Back and breast are nice for taking breaks if you're feeling really tired but in general if you're going for speed you're just going to do free the entire way.
I think you're making the right choice. Following a diet to the letter all the time isn't necessarily healthy, and it can have some negative psychological side effects, as you've experienced. Listening to what your body wants is important. I tried following the paleo diet for a while, but I refused to give up cheese. I generally eat that way anyway, so it wasn't too difficult. You're already pretty athletic, and I imagine your body is going to crave the activity, if you stop for some reason. I know mine does when I don't have time to be more active. I've had great results listening to what my body wants and needs. I think you will too.
Yeah, I love being athletic, and I definitely love how strong I am. But I get trapped into thinking I just need to drop 10 pounds and then I'll be HOT BY GAWD and the problems begin. So. Acceptance and self-compassion before any further attempts at diets. Yes.
You know, I never think of you as being unhealthy or overweight. FWIW. And I think it's way more important to listen to your body than to force yourself into routines that will make you resentful and miserable. Eat well, within reason. A piece of cake or candy every now and again should be seen as a treat and not as a guilt-magnet.
That's the thing! I'm not fat, and I know it! I just get into this horrible feedback loop: Well, with all the exercise I do, if I could just drop those 20 pounds, I'd go up hills so much faster *and* look hot in a bikini. So I pick up the Diet du Jour, do great for about 2 weeks and drop about 5 pounds, then mess up somewhere, say mcfuckit and binge because I wasn't perfect and it's my LAST CHANCE TO EAT it kind of thing, then end up worse than when I started.
So yah, a) accept what I am and shake what I got, b) if I quit the cycle, I'll probably end up better eating normal than diet/binging anyway.
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Lately, I've been living off of takeout, but it's from two different Japanese delis, so it's at least vaguely healthy. (Fried tofu, rice, and veggie tempura FTW)
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If you have any questions about swimming, feel free to ask. It's one of the few things in the world I feel like I'm actually really good at.
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(My first class was classic -- coach was yelling out "4 by 100 free then 4 by 200 reverse IM!" and I said great, uhm, how long is the pool again?)
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So yah, a) accept what I am and shake what I got, b) if I quit the cycle, I'll probably end up better eating normal than diet/binging anyway.
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