Nutrition Challenge

So, I've been getting some questions about how to balance good nutrition with good training.  Sometimes it's hard to be good at both.  Here's a scenario for you:

Your training has been going amazingly well.  You are making it to Kelly's spin class every Monday morning and sweating it out to some rockin' good music (shameless plug for my 9:30 cycle class!).  You are in the pool 2 or 3 times a week.  You have gotten your run to 3 miles without stopping.  On your "off" day, you are taking a yoga class or doing some strength training, BUT the scale says the same thing, or maybe you've even gained a pound or two!!

What's that all about???

In my own experience and in seeing others trying to master fitness and nutrition, I think it is very common to have the "I worked out today, so I deserve a treat" mentality.  While it is true that you need to correctly fuel good training, good training does not give you an excuse to eat whatever you want (unfortunately).

In reality, most of us know how we should be eating, we just don't eat that way.  (Really...you know what you should do.)  For me, a huge downfall is the daily splurge.  What's wrong with that, you say?  Well, if I splurge every day, it's really not much of a splurge, is it?

So this is all well and good, but what can you do about taking control of what you put in your mouth?  I am not a fan of diets--deprivation just makes you want it more.  BUT, I am huge fan of a challenge.  So for the past few months, I have been participating in my very own nutrition challenge.  Here is a link to the post on my blog about it.  My goal, every day, is to eat at least 4 veggies, at least 3 fruits, and to not overeat or splurge.  If I am successful, I give myself 3 points.  My weekly goal is 18 points, so that gives me a little leeway for a treat here and there.

What I like about my challenge is that I am very motivated to eat the right things, as opposed to trying to avoid the wrong things.  If you are eating all those fruits and veggies, it's really hard to have room to eat crap.  Another rule I like to go by is making sure that most of what I put in my mouth is good for my body.  Case in point:  I avoid empty calories like pretzels.  Pretzels are not bad for you, but what good are they doing for your body?  I think in our society "healthy" is a term that has been very misused.  Sure, maybe it's not bad like french fries, but how good is it?

Not everyone struggles with good eating, but if you do, a challenge might just be the way to go.  Don't negate all of the good work you do at the gym by making poor choices in the kitchen!!  If you would like to join me in my quest for good nutrition, just leave a comment, and I will check in with you every week to see how you are doing.  Remember the goal is 18 points a week!!  You can do it!!