You are what you eat...

For better or worse, I truly believe we are what we eat.

I know this based on what I have done to my body over the course of my life.

Why this post?  The other night, my wife and I watched Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead.  The movie was about the journey of two men (and a few others) from obesity to a more healthy lifestyle.  They started out their diet/life changes by doing a 60 day juicing fast.  They talked about how their energy level shot up and how much better they felt overall eating fruits and veggies.

Almost 4 years ago, I was mostly sugar and processed foods.  I was also around 215, tired, low energy, unhappy, and just not a good person at all.

That was me in August of 2008, just before I started my diet.  By diet I mean a life change of how and what I eat.  Not the fad diet to lose a quick 10 pounds.  I mean a conscious choice to change my life and to change the life of my family.  I saw my young kids eating like me and wanting the same garbage as their daddy was eating.  I could not continue to do this to myself or my kids.  I had to HTFU and make the change.

And I did!  I lost 60 pounds within a year and did my first triathlon.  5 weeks into the diet I decided to reward myself with a piece of cake at a wedding.  It was delicious!  7 layers of different types of fillings and cake.  My stomach started feeling "off" after about two-thirds of it, but I powered through, just like I usually would.  My body hated it.  My stomach started hurting more and more over the next few minutes.  Within 15 minutes after I finished it I ran to the bathroom and threw up.  My body had rejected all that sugar.  I knew I had made the right choice and that I would never look back.  

But, it's not as easy as it sounds.  It has taken a LOT of will power and sacrifice.  I had a lot of cravings and was able to suppress all but that one pice of cake.  I had a headache for about 4-5 weeks because of the severe cut in sugar and caffeine.  But it was all worth it!  Just like one of my favorite quotes: "I didn't tell you it was going to be easy, I told you it was going to be worth it."  And it has been.  I am so much happier.  My energy level is amazingly high.  My family eats healthier.  We are all happier.  THAT makes it worth it.  WE are HAPPY and HEALTHY!

I cut out a lot of processed foods, ALL deserts, candies, soda, junk food, etc.  After 4 years the worst thing I eat are homemade muffins (we use 1/2 sugar and 1/2 honey instead of all sugar and apple sauce in the place of any oil in the recipes).  I inserted a lot of fruits, vegetables and as much organic foods as we can afford.  Here's a typical day for me:

Breakfast:

1 mini bagel or whole large bagel with 2 tbsp of organic peanut butter (just peanuts, not sugar or oils added).

6-8oz of orange juice

1 coffee with 1 tbsp sugar and 2-3 oz of 40 calorie vanilla flavored unsweetened almond milk

Lunch:

4-6 oz organic granola

6-8 oz organic greek yogurt

Fruit

Carrots with hummus (love me some garlic hummus)

Water

Snack: 

Coffee with 1 tsp sugar and 2 creamers (processed, but what I have to use to get a coffee fix :) )

Granola bar/ Clif bar

Dinner:

Varies!

We eat lots of organic chicken cooked a variety of ways, pastas, veggies with each meal, homemade soups and stews, etc.

Water

Snack:

bowl or organic cereal: 6-8 oz; 6 oz of almond milk (this is my usual night snack)

We have been eating fresh air popped popcorn with a touch of butter.  We found a microwave air popper that is amazing!

I also have 1-2 other cups of coffee throughout the day.  Yeah, I'm an addict.

I watch my portion sizes.  Being carefully with how much you eat is as important as what you eat.  Keep your portions small if you want to lose weight.  I eat more when running, obviously.  I have not been running much since October 29th (the partial muscle tear I aggravated about 5 weeks ago) and my weight is still under 160. I was above for a bit, but got back under within 2 weeks.

I also make sure I get enough protein and fiber as well.  If you're trying to lose weight, fiber is key.  Fiber will help you feel more full than other foods as it is much slower to digest.

Almost 4 years later, and I am still living the same healthy lifestyle.

As for juicing for 60 days?  I see nothing wrong with this kind of jumpstart.  We're in the market for a new blender (my 40+ year old one finally broke) and we're probably going to be getting a blender/ juicer combo.  Will I juice for 60?  Nope, but I think I'll juice for 4 or 5 just to "jumpstart" my body.  Will I cut out coffee?  Eh, probably not :)

If you are looking to lose weight and get off the couch and run, contact me!  I can help by providing running help (see my coaching page!!) and nutrition help!