My Day in Food

Your comments to my last post were awesome, thanks guys! I will try my best to keep posts like that coming (school is starting to kick my ass already, so you’ll have to bear with me).

Some of you expressed interest in seeing my daily diet, kind of as “A Day in the Life of a Runner.”

I’m sad to say I still have yet to run since the Achilles incident (it’s been about 1.5 weeks and I AM GOING INSANE). The good news is that it’s been feeling progressively better, but I’m still not sure as to when I’ll be free and clear to run. So I’m still cross training like a fool because it doesn’t cause any pain.

I don’t usually post everything I eat because that’s not really my focus on the blog (uh, and I’m forgetful with the camera…), but here are Wednesday’s eats, mashed in with a little daily recap.

• 5:22 a.m. My alarm beeps. LOUDLY. I bound out of bed like a gazelle.
• 5:30 a.m. I grab a banana and water bottle and leave my apartment for the gym. Almost slip and fall no less than seven times in four blocks (ice storm, remember)

• 5:40 a.m. Begin my workout – 36 minutes on the spin bike, 24 minutes on the elliptical (I’m into even numbers, y’all), core work, stretching and some PT
• 7:10 a.m. Risk death walking back through ice to apartment
• 7:30 a.m. Breakfast: Barbara’s Shredded Spoonfuls and Oats, cinnamon, mixed berries, almond milk (I don’t measure portions, I just fill the bowl. It’s very scientific)

• 7:45 a.m.  Decaf coffee and quick e-mail checking before I leave for work

• 9:25 a.m. Arrive at work late because of gnarly ice storm and because the 6 train IS THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE.
• 9:30 a.m. Work ensues
• 12:00 p.m. Lunch occurs. I don’t snack between breakfast and lunch because I’m usually pretty busy, and strangely not hungry. The second the clock hits noon I am ravenous. About one-half a large container of Fage 2% Greek yogurt, sprinkle of cinnamon, one whole sliced pear, handful of walnuts, three dried figs and a Dove dark chocolate (very important)

• 12:30 p.m. Sometimes I go to Trader Joe’s for groceries, but this time I had to hoof it down to NYU to pick up a reading packet for one of my classes
• 1:15 p.m. I was a speed demon and made it back in a flash (i.e., instead of walking I took the subway)
• 3:30 p.m. Afternoon snackage – carrots and celery with natural peanut butter

• 6:00 p.m. Confession: I am a grandma (if you didn’t know this already). I usually eat dinner at work or in class, any time between 5:45 and 6:45 p.m. Today I was  hungry quite early, but I went with it. Quinoa (probably about 1/3 cup), grilled cauliflower, crimini mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, sweet potato, chicken and goat cheese with some romaine lettuce

I usually eat this cold, but it can also be reheated. Since I don’t normally eat dinner at home during the week, I madk a giant batch of something on Sundays and package it up for the week. It’s kind of a pain, but not having to think about dinner during the week is worth it!

• 8:00 p.m. Evening snackage – I always have a snack after dinner, usually consisting of Fage 2% Greek yogurt mixed with Dark Chocolate Dreams PB and a few handfuls of Barbara’s Peanut Butter Puffins

I didn’t have school on this particular night, so I spent some time on class readings, blogging and catching up on life’s happenings.

• X:00 p.m. I’m not telling you what time I went to bed. You’ll make fun

You may be wondering how many calories I consumed, but to be honest I don’t really count calories (unless my pants are feelin’ tight or I want to make sure I’m getting enough during hard training).

I’m a firm believer in listening to your body when it’s hungry and when it’s not, and eating whole, delicious unprocessed foods as much as possible.

Living in New York, the land of takeout and $12 salads for lunch, I’m kind of in the minority when it comes to what I eat in that I rarely buy prepared meals or takeout. By making most of my own meals, I know exactly what’s in them and feel much better not having processed crap or unknown ingredients in my body. It’s also a lot cheaper!

I’m not completely crazy though – I love exploring NYC restaurants as much as the next foodie!

Question: Are you a takeout person? Do you brown bag it a lot?