Managing the Eating

The Picture above pretty much describes how I feel all the time now. It's difficult to transition back to normal healthy life after eating like a cow due to 3 and 4 hr rides regularly. But I'm getting closer. And in response to the goals question, mine are these:

1) High Nutrient-Calorie Ratio. I believe I often get out of whack because I eat the High Glycemic index foods first (or snack on them), and it changes my appetite. Snack on Fruits and Vegetables. Eat Fruits and Vegetables first during meals before eating the other stuff.

2) Portion Control (Especially on the Carbs). I like eating plates of pasta. My body has always done well with carbs and lots of them. But it does affect the way I feel. Not enough, and I feel totally drained without energy; too much, and I just want to sit on the couch and eat ice cream. Neither are good, healthy, or solid lifelong decisions. So I'm going to try to figure out what a reasonable serving size is, and limit my intake to just that. Only eat these at meals, thus snacking on?...produce.

But someday, I will find a burrito like the one pictured above, and I will straight dominate it.

At least we're better than Mississippi, West VA, Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Tennessee

This post is mainly meant to be a provocateur for Steve. State obesity rankings are in.

So my question is this: what's it like to be a vegetarian in the fattest state in the union?

Is a Strict Diet Worthwhile?

I've been thinking a lot about diet these past days. Mostly, I've been wondering if my fitness level would go up if I was on a diet I actually attempted to control what I eat. I currently assume that I can put pretty much anything into my mouth given the amount I'm working out. I know this is a bad assumption, but I do it anyway 'cause I like to eat! Currently, I'm an ovo-lacto vegetarian, which seems pretty good for me. I eat the occasional fish/seafood, and am considering throwing in other meats every so often for the protein.

My biggest concern is probably the way I eat after I get back from a long run--my body seems to be telling me to eat sugar, and I comply. My energy level is quickly up after an ice cream sandwich or two, and every so often a popsicle. What would be a more healthy option to get the energy levels up quickly and sustainably?

Is anyone very strict with what they eat? If so, when you got on the diet was there a noticeable change in energy level?



Also, wondering what everyone else is training for. I'm doing the Chicago Marathon at the beginning of October.