Enders_Shadow's Group - eating clean & getting lean - FULL

Kristen, 

Thanks for starting this group. It is exactly what I've been needing to get back on track for the new year

Bkg: Started triathlons in 09. I came from a cycling/roadie background, then added in running and swimming and it just progressed from there. Swimming is still my weakest area. I'm prefer longer course races and did IMFL 09 & 12 and IMTX 11. Last year was supposed to be a HIM focused year but I tore my lateral meniscus and ended up having to have surgery. After surgery I put on a few pounds mainly out of depression and lack of exercise. I started eating clean and really enjoyed the results and how I felt on a daily basis. But then I got busy/lazy and have gone back to my old ways of eating junk food. I really enjoy planning menus, pre-packing my foods for the week and trying new recipes. 

Family status: 50 year old female, married, empty nester with 2 kids (20,22). Elementary Physical Education teacher

Current Training: I don't really have an off season. Right now we're focusing a bit more on running and swimming while maintaining the bike. I had knee surgery 3/13 and am now just building my running back. The plan is to spend the first part of the year working on speed and shorter courses then transition into HIM and IM training. I would also like to add in more strength/core training during the winter months. January and February will be 5k and duathlon races with focused training for the upcoming year. Then we'll move back into sprint triathlons

Race Schedule: (***tenative)

Memorial Hermann 70. 3 or Sprint on 4/6

    Or 

NOLA 70.3  on 4/14

Qualify for AG Nationals

Lots of sprints, Olympic races all season

HIM- September 

IMAZ

Weight Loss: I've always been relatively lean looking. After the kids were born I was at my highest weight for 4 years. When I started cycling most of the weight came off with exercise. However, now that I'm older I have to really watch what I eat in order to not gain weight. My goal is to focus on diet quality and nutrition instead of weight loss. I'm addicted to Diet Dr. Peppers and am embarrassed to admit how many I drink in a day. Kristen we may need to have a talk about how you got away from your soda habit. 

Why I'd make a good mentor: I've been in several mentor groups in the past. I really like meeting new people and learning new ideas. Like Kristen, I don't visit the main forums or post often. But I will send inspires and love being in a mentor group. Hopefully some of the clean eating ideas that have worked for me in the past will help someone else with their journey. I'm looking forward to having a group to be accountable with. Favorite new fitness gadgets: Vitamix, Fit Bit Flex and WIthings scale. My blog is private but I will add in group members to the friends list. 

Hi Kristen, I'd like to join your group.  Need to clean up my diet in the new year and drop a few pounds.  I'm working nights the next couple days and will have company over the holidays so will post a bio after christmas if that's ok.

Sorry! I forgot to add in my first name to the bio- Rene

Question #1 

What's YOUR definition of clean eating? What part(s) of your clean do you have the hardest time with? 

My definition of clean eating is real foods ( lean proteins, veggies, fruits, grains and dairy) and drinking more water. I don't personally believe in "dieting" or restricting foods. It is easier to have a clean diet when I add in higher quality foods frequently during the day. Planning ahead and pre-packing meals have been the keys to eating clean or healthier. 

Clean is not:  fast foods, chips, french fries, Domino's pizza, crackers, processed foods etc., 

I have a tendency to go overboard when eating out or drinking good dark beers especially during heavy build phases of IM training. I've gotten into the habit of thinking that I can eat whatever I want because of training. Normally my body needs the extra nutrients but the foods that I choose during those times are not nutritionally sound. I crave carbs and salty foods. I don't like sweets but if it's in the house then I'll eat it. I've gotten out of the habit of having salads with lunch and dinner. 

Goals for the Week: 

 -add back in my daily mid morning green smoothie. Green smoothie: spinach, carrots, ginger, cucumber, banana, strawberries, chia and flax seeds blended up in the Vitamix,

-get back into the habit of taking my iron and Vitamin D supplements on a daily basis.

-Drink 10 glasses of water a day 

-replace 1 Diet Dr. Pepper a day with Green Tea 

- start logging my foods (again) on My Fitness Pal.  

Unfortunately, I do know what Chik-fila is. I love their Spicy Chicken biscuits with strawberry jelly. That is my favorite post a.m. swim breakfast on the way to work. 

Since I normally swim almost every morning before work this isn't the best choice from a nutritional, diet or budget standpoint. lol... I just need to get back in the habit of cooking oatmeal and packing it in the Mr. Bento thermos so it's hot and ready after the swim. 

My bio as promised:

 NAME: Cathy

STORY: Started running in July 1998.  My first race was the 2000 Ottawa Marathon.  Have since run several marathons, half marathons and many shorter races.  In Aug. 2006 was the runner on a relay team at our local tri.  Decided to do the race solo the next year so joined the Y and took some swimming lessons in Oct 2006.  Around this time I also found and joined BT.  Signed up for a bunch of races in 2007, starting with a sprint and finishing the season with a HIM.  In 2008 I did the Muskoka 70.3 which turned out to be the last tri I have done.  Our first grandchild came along in the fall of 2008 and family time took priority over training time.  In Oct 2009 I ran a half marathon with a friend and started down a long road of injuries and family issues that totally derailed any race plans I tried to make.  This year things have settled down somewhat and I've tried since Aug to get some running consistency again but I am dealing with yet another injury, which seems to actually be more related to my work than to my running.  Still trying to figure it out but plan to restart running this week after a 10 day break,

FAMILY STATUS: Married, 2 grown kids, 3 granddaughters

CURRENT TRAINING: Mostly running this year.  I did set my bike up on the trainer a couple weeks ago.  Last spring I joined a local bike group and did a few rides with them but they spend more time eating than they do riding so won't be renewing that membership.

THIS YEAR'S RACES: None
 
2014 RACES: Registered for Ottawa half marathon in May.  Goal is under 2 hours. (PR is 2:04)

WEIGHTLOSS: Currently at 141 lbs, would like to be under 130 in May.

Looking forward to being part of this group. 

hi - i've never joined a mentor group but would be interested in this one.  i KNOW for a fact clean eating is crucial to having the body i want, and just struggle with the accountability of it.  before i started tri-ing, i was a competetive bodybuilder.  i ate super strict and super clean but it's not really sustainable in a normal life.  as an extrovert, the appeal of triathlon was the sociability of the sport.  i'd like to somehow get to an 80/20 clean/cheat ratio but i just get lazy and undisciplined and make bad choices.  i'm getting "older" and just working out is no longer enough to balance off the daily trips to the vending machine at work!

name:  marilyn
age:  31
family:  married, 2 dogs
this past year:  focused on training for the chicago marathon, which i ran with BT member lisac957 and absolutely loved, but was detrimental to my figure!  
this coming year:  planning on sticking to the half marathon and sprint/olympic distances to see if i can get fast.  better nutrition will help with having the energy to execute this plan as well.
weightloss:  i honestly don't go by numbers, but there are some things in my closet that i would like to fit in better.  i'm tall and my body sits in the 150 - 160 neighborhood.  i have no desire to get much below 150 because then i lose the little bit of curves i've got, but i'd LOVE to be closer to 150 than 160.    in my bbing days i was 150 off season and looked great, 135 for competitions and looked sick.

Happy Holidays! Since I haven't officially started eating clean again it seems like a great time to post what we're eating for the holidays. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.

It will just be our immediate family (husband and adult kids) for Christmas this year. Then we'll go to my parents this weekend to celebrate with the extended family.

No one in our family really likes traditional holiday foods so we'll be having Mexican food instead. Tonight we're having grilled steaks, salads, baked white or sweet potatoes, and acorn squash for Christmas eve dinner. Tomorrow morning we'll have bacon, eggs and biscuits or breakfast taco's  which is a treat as everyone normally eats oatmeal.

Christmas Dinner:  Green Chili  Chicken Enchilada's, chips and guacamole, salad, Vegetarian Tamale pie for the vegetarian in the house, Mexican Rice and fruit for dessert.

BTW- I live in Texas in case you couldn't guess from the Mexican food holiday meal.