The End of Diets

On my new journey to a fit and healthy life I have not only changed my habits when it comes to exercise, I have also changed my habits and view on food. I will be the first to admit, I love food. But, no matter how much I love food there is no way I could have lost 20 pounds in the past 5 months by just increasing the amount of exercise I was doing. My way of eating was not only bordering on unhealthy, but was also unsustainable. I am a carb lover; pasta, bread, cereal, cookies, pastries and so on. I was a sucker for Mom's homemade mac & cheese and secret family recipe chocolate cake. Also like most Americans I had lost my sense of portion sizes. To me a bowl of cereal was not the 1/2 cup or cup listed on the box, but inside the size of the big blue bowl in my cupboard.

 My problem with the love affair with carbs was not only exaggerated portion sizes, but also that I would often and almost always choose a them over things I needed like protein or veggies. It isn't that I don't like vegetables, I love them. But my craving for carbs (and sugar) always won. This caused me not only to gain weight, but also to feel tired, sluggish and feel constantly hungry. For a while I also thought that I had a gluten intolerance. Come to find out, I just wasn't getting enough fiber. At the end of some days I would realize that I had only have 1 serving of vegetables or worse, none.

I had tried dieting in the past. These "diets" consisted of me giving up chocolate, ice cream or desserts. I tried Weight Watches once for about a day. I've also bought diet pills from the pharmacy, but been too freaked out to take them (who actually knows what that stuff does to you!). During college I lost weight by measuring everything I ate for an entire summer. Although that worked back then, I really have no patience for it anymore. Instead of cutting out certain foods or measuring what I ate, I changed the way I looked at food.

Eating fruits and vegetables made me feel better. I had more energy when I ate less heavy processed foods. I also started eating 5-6 small meals a day instead of 3 big meals. I also have taken on the mentality of the say: "Eat dinner like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper." My first meals of the day are larger and dinner is no longer massive (and if it is, it is mostly vegetables).

What I Eat:

Breakfast - is all about fueling up for the day.

• Instant Oatmeal - Maple Brown Sugar (lower sugar) with a cup of blueberries
• Banana
• Stonyfield Farms Yogurt Smoothie
• On days I go to the pool or workout in the morning this is my pre-workout fuel
• 2 cups of coffee with french vanilla soy creamer

Snack - something that I can take on the go that will hold me over until lunch (which is usually closer to 2 pm than noon).

• 1 cup of raspberries or blackberries
• 5-6 VT Smokehouse Pepperoni Peices
• 5-6 peices of Cabot cheese

Lunch - my last big meal of the day - it gets me through any afternoon. Cutting out carbs at lunch has helped me to not get that sleepy sluggish after lunch feeling.

• Green Smoothie
• 2-3 cups green spinach
• 1 cup strawberries
• 2 frozen bananas
• ~1 cup unsweetened  almond milk
• 2 spoonfuls chia seeds
• ice
• Put this all in a blender and blend until somewhat smooth. It usually makes a quart sized mason jar full. It tastes really good and fills me up all afternoon.

Snack - fuels me up for my afternoon or evening workout.

• 2 brown rice cakes with peanut butter and nutella 
• baby carrots or an apple

Dinner - is really all about portions with everything except veggies. My plate is at least half full of veggies (if not more). I tend to eat later, so don't want to load up on heavier foods so I can get to sleep easier.

• Protein - usually grilled chicken, steak or pork chops
• Veggie - this summer has been a lot of fresh veggies, either steamed or grilled. 
• Carb - if I have any, I have a half cup to 1 cup of brown rice, egg noodles or whole wheat pasta

The one thing I haven't done in my healthy eating make-over is deny myself the food I love. I don't say no to chocolate or ice cream or pasta. I just don't say yes to it every day or every time I have a craving. I stock up on things like dark chocolate covered almonds and dried fruit. Something with a little bit of sugar to satisfy any craving I'm having.

Overall I have realized I just have to listen to my body. I know when I have a "bad food day" because I am tired, sluggish and have no energy. I focus on what foods make me feel better and try to eat those.

Water!

Water, I drink lots and lots of water. I rarely drink other liquids, sometimes Honest Green Tea, milk (chocolate after long runs) and wine or beer occasionally. But water is key. Most people don't drink enough of it.




My 2 Cents
Listen to your body! Eat foods that make you feel your best. Avoid foods that make you tired and sluggish. Eat fruits, protein and as many veggies as you want and drink plenty of water!

My Life

C and I after my first 13.1 race!

Last year I ran my first half marathon. After watching my brother C.L. complete countless marathons and triathlons I decided it was my turn to step out of the crowd of supporters and onto the race course. At the end of the first half marathon I thought I was going to die. I spent my time at the afternoon family BBQ curled up under a shrub in agony. After that I slept for 15 straight hours, only to wake up barely being able to walk. But, being the Lyons that I am, I didn't let that stop me. I continued to run and attend bootcamp throughout the summer. By Thanksgiving I had finished 3 half marathons and a marathon relay. My times steadily improved and I began to feel more comfortable with running long distances.

Our Ironman!

Another thing that has inspired me to want to do more, watching my brother finish the 2012 Lake Placid Ironman in around 13 hours. I would be lying if I said I wasn't competitive. While watching him race and cross the finish line of the Ironman (and every other race) I have thought if he can do that, so can I.

 So, Who am I?

To give a little more background about myself. I grew up in Middlebury, Vermont and am the youngest of 3. I played soccer for as long as I remember almost all year round. In high school I played lacrosse and skied a few seasons on the Nordic ski team. I also spent some summers swimming on the Middlebury Marlins Swim Team. I was an athlete through and through. I ran to get in shape for the sports seasons or ran during season. Until now I ran to stay in shape for the season, not for fun or for fitness. I also don't think I ever ran more than 4 miles until last year.

My New Fit Life!

It took back injury and some personal hardship to realize I needed to really make a positive change in my life. Yeah, I had run a few half marathons, but I still wasn't taking care of my body. When I started physical therapy for my back issues I (and struggled with even the most basic exercises and stretches) I knew I had to make a change. Also seeing the numbers on the scale slowly increase to close to 200 lbs. and my doctor telling me that my BMI was too high, I knew it was really time. No more excuses, it was time to change my life. So I got a gym membership and started swimming two days a week. I could get my cardio in while taking care of my back. I slowly began running again. I also set a goal for myself - to complete a triathlon this summer. So I signed up for one.

Finishing up my 14 mile ride

Swim, Bike, Run

I signed up for one of the Vermont Sun Triathlons at Branbury Beach State Park on Lake Dunmore in Salisbury, Vermont. On August 11, 2013 I was going to swim 600 yards, bike 14 miles and run 3.1 miles. I spent my spring and summer training. I swam at the gym two days a week, ran at least four days a week and biked at least two days a week. As the race got closer I paired up my biking and running workouts - to get used to the feeling of getting off my bike and running. Well, that training paid off. I finished in 1:34:39, much faster than my goal of 2 hours! I also won my age group! As I crossed the finish line all I could think was how awesome I felt and that I couldn't wait to sign up for another race and that training for an Ironman is definitely in my future.

What's This Blog All About?

To me this blog has several goals. 1 - to keep tabs on myself and my training. I need to keep myself accountable and on track. 2 - to help and inspire others. Since I have completed my triathlon (and during my training) I had many friends mention that they had always thought about signing up for one, but just weren't sure. I am here to say: Just Do It!! Sign up, train your butt off and have fun! I am also hoping to find some more training partners here in central Vermont, because training is always more fun (and motivating) with friends!! And lastly- I want to inspire other to change their life like I did. Eat cleaner and healthier, get fit and start living a happier life!

My Health and Fitness Goals

The first step to keeping myself in check is to lay out my goals for all to see. I initially wrote this list last year. Since then I have made some adjustments and am always looking to add to it or adjust it as needed.

Fitness

Pre-race awesome!

• 2012: complete (2) half marathons - 
• I completed 4 half marathons and 1 marathon relay!

• 2013: complete (2-3) half marathons and (1-2) triathlons
• I've completed 1 half marathon and 1 triathlon so far!

• 2014: complete (2) half marathons, (1) full marathon, (3-4) triathlons

• 2015: complete (2) half marathons, (2-3) full marathons, (4+) triathlons, including a half Ironman

•  2016: complete (2) half marathons, (2) marathons, (4+) triathlons, including a half Ironman

• 2017: complete a full Ironman!

With this list typed out it looks a bit crazy! My overall goal is the full Ironman in or by 2017. So, whatever I need to do to reach that goal is what I am going focus on. Other health goals I have are:

• Run a sub 2:00:00 hour half marathon

• Run a sub 4:00:00 hour marathon

• Get weight down to 165 pounds (about 15 more pounds to go!!)

Hiking with my dog Odin

• Get BMI down to a healthier level

• Eat more local organic foods (including local meat)

• Switch over to eco-friendly/organic health and beauty products

• Make all my own cleaners (no more toxics) 

•  Hike, kayak, camp and get outside!

• Travel!

So stay tuned. I am going to be sharing my training plans, healthy recipes and foods, as well as my successes and failures. No matter what happens with the Ironman, I am planning to stay positive and happy and enjoy every minute I have with my friends and family.

Lyons Family!