Eating well

The first step to eating well begins with your grocery list!

My rule of thumb: SHOP THE OUTSIDE AISLES. Skip the chips, cookies, canned stuff (preservatives), cokes, etc. Stick to the fresh stuff. Now, there will be some things you'll need from those aisles of temptation, but beware. And remember, if there isn't that other stuff in your pantry, no one else will be eating it either. It is a great way to set a good example for the rest of the family.

Breakfast: Oatmeal is a GREAT. Cereal is a good choice, too. Add some blueberries, raisins or banana or your favorite fruit for sweetener. I also make smoothies- it seems like it would be a hassle, but it isn't- www.runnersworld.com has great smoothie recipes. Drink a glass of water.



Snack: Banana (good for potassium), a handful of almonds, an apple, yogurt, carrot sticks- about 100-150 calories worth or something yummy. Drink a glass of water.

Lunch: I love sandwiches because you can pretty much cram all the food groups into one- bread (whole grain), cheese, meat, and pile on the veggies- bell pepper, lettuce, tomato, sprouts, avacado. Forget the condiments- with all that goodness, you wouldn't taste them anyway. Drink a glass of water.



Another snack

For dinner: www.eatingwell.com. I bought the "Healthy in a Hurry" cookbook a couple of years ago, and it is our go-to for dinners during the week. It is basically 30 minute meals or less. I really only buy cookbooks with the calories and nutritional information listed. Drink a glass of water.

Must eats for dinner:
FISH FISH FISH- there are great ways to disguise it like the Beer Batter Talapia in the Eating Well Cookbook.
Cooking Light Weeknight casseroles (make ahead)
Frozen veggies- They are great and easy to pop in as a side to one of your meals.

For you veggie eaters out there: FIND A COOKBOOK. It can seem monotonous without one.



For hard cord workout days:
I eat a piece of peanut butter toast before a short run. I eat Skittles during a long run for instant simple sugar. I always always drink a sports drink (low calorie) after a long run or long workout- 1 or more hours.
I carb out the night before- not endless pasta at Olive Garden, but a pretty good portion of whole wheat pasta or grains of some sort. Easy on the fiber. WATER- lots.

***I am NOT a nutritionist, and these are things that work for me. And for you ladies, at your next "well woman checkup," tell your doctor you've started running and get his/her advice or just let them know your lifestyle has changed.***

I have done a lot of research on eating right for my exercise routine, so spend sometime Googling- you will find out a lot!

Discussing the previous Five Questions.....

1. Why have you added fitness to your lifestyle?
Like Sarah B., I too had a baby last year and want to lose the baby fat, plus weight that I already had to begin with. I want to get in shape and just feel, physically fit. I've always been a little overweight, but never like what I am right now. I decided it's time to make a change, not only for me, but for my son, Mason, and my husband, Phil.

2.Who/What inspires you?
To be honest, Sarah B. you do. Just reading your blog, and seeing how you made exercise/running part of your everyday life. You speak so highly of the success you feel after running 8 or more miles.
Also, since I've started my walk/run program, Phil has been inspiring me with his encouraging words.
What: Just knowing that I would feel so much better by losing this weight and being in good physical shape. The image of playing, outdoors with Mason this summer and not being out of breath!

3. What do you find challenging about finding the time to fit in a workout?
Everything. During this past week when I got home from work and picking up Mason, which is around 5:30, I would usually go straight to the treadmill, to just go ahead and get the workout over with. Because I found if I don't do it as soon as I get home, I won't do it. (Mason is my cheerleader, as he plays and watches me on the treadmill.) The weekends are not as bad. The past two Saturdays, I've waited until Mason takes his morning nap, to do my walking/running. My goal would be, to get up earlier in the morning and do my exercise routine, so that when I get home, it's already done.
If anybody has any tips on budgeting a working mom's/wife's time, please advise.

4. What is the best part of working out?
The feeling of accomplishment. "I did it."

5. Do you workout/run/walk, etc. to music? What is your favorite song(s)?
When I'm outside I don't listen to any music, although, purchasing an IPOD did cross my mind this weekend. When I'm inside on the treadmill, I have the radio on 92.9. I did find when a really good song came on, I had a little more pep in my step.

A question I would like to add:
6. What do you eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that fits a healthier lifestyle?
I too am not on a diet, but I am interested in any recipes you might have for making a quick, easy, healthy dinner. Also, what do you try to eat for lunch that's healthy, but filling? Any suggestions are appreciated!



Keep Running!!!!!!We Can Do It!!!!!!

Five questions

Since All In Stride is a blog set up as a forum to discuss our journey to a healthier life, I thought I'd throw out some questions to spark some dialogue about why we're doing what we're doing.

1. Why have you added fitness to your lifestyle?
I have never made a true effort to make time for fitness, and after having a baby, I wanted to lose the weight (almost 50 pounds), and I knew I needed to be in shape to keep up with him and still have energy to spare. Now, I am in the middle range of my BMI for the first time.



2. Who/What inspires you?
Who: My mom and my sister have been the inspiration behind my desire to lose weight, start running and run my first marathon. What: Knowing that I can run 13 miles motivates me to run it again. I know my body can do it, I have to keep my mind on board.



3. What do you find challenging about finding the time to fit in a workout?
Even as a stay-at-home mom, budgeting my time wisely is an art I have not perfected. I find that I will often make excuses to not get on the treadmill, especially- I'll create a list of things to do or get on the computer. But it ALWAYS pays off when I get motivated. If I don't have time to run, I'll lift weights (or canned food) or my son or wash windows or was the car- I'll find something that resembles exercise.

4. What is the best part about working out?
Let me clear this up. I am not on a diet. In fact, I have decided I will never diet again.
I CAN EAT WHATEVER I WANT. I am not exaggerating. I run because I love to eat: pizza, BREAD, pasta, hamburgers, Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner, Jelly Bellies, Chinese and I love beer- REAL beer (like Rogue and Fat Tire and Sam Adams), not the light stuff. I'd rather run five miles and eat what I want, than drink some horrible 60 calorie beer and eat a rice cake.

*Disclaimer: I certainly don't eat like this every day. I do eat a healthy diet and try to make sure I'm balancing my veggies and fruits and complex carbs, but I never feel guilty about eating any of my favorite foods whenever I want.

5. Do you workout/run/walk, etc. to music? What is your favorite song(s)?
I love LOVE Vampire Weekend especially the Walcott on their self-titled album. The Ting Tings have several great workout tunes- especially for you walkers. I highly recommend the third track on We Started Nothing. Led Zeppelin IV, CCR, The Submarines, Beatles, Jimmy Smith (Satin Doll and Organ Grinder's Swing)... so many more, but if you ask my husband, he'd include the Empire Strikes Back soundtract.



Keep these questions, add more... keep the conversation going!