You might remember I posted some time ago about the book Racing Weight. It was recommended/reviewed by Mawil and it made absolute sense to me. Not so much that I need to achieve a certain weight to race better – I’m not racing – but that there is a perfect weight for me, I just have to let myself find it. I was getting a bit stressed because I was loosing and loosing (very slowly) … and you know people around, at a certain point, start raising concerns (i.e. mom saying “you can’t loose more weight”). It’s the same with becoming vegan though. I learned about it, obsess about it, figure out how and what works for me and keep on top of the science and then I have the necessary arguments to convince others, that this is the best way for me. The ME part is especially critical.
With the weight – after reading the book – I relaxed about it. I think, as long as all I’m loosing is fat and building muscle, I’m OK. And to be honest, I feel better each day. I don’t think that is because of weight loss, but more because I am becoming fitter and healthier.
So how are things progressing or going now?
This I wrote in May this year:
When I re-started last year I was at 88 kg with a body fat % of 34.2 % and 32.2 % muscle. I am now at 28.1 % fat, 33.9% muscle and 71.6 kg.
Today I’m at 66.5 kg, 34.5 % muscle and 26.3 % body fat – my height is still 175 cm :D.
I’d happily take it and stay this way. I’d happily taken the stats from May and stayed that way as well.
There is one thing though … I’ve increased duration of my runs about 2 weeks ago. I don’t think I increased the amount of food I eat. I just eat as much as I can and want. Yesterday I had my first bad run in ages and I have the suspicion that lack of hydration could be the culprit, as well as not eating enough the day before. So it’s a good time to review and rethink my food intake. Usually, skipping a meal because of a stressful work event, wasn’t a big deal. I didn’t notice. Now it appears I do. So with all that rambling, what’s the point?
First of all – if you want to still lose weight – take it slow, run slow … generally slow down! Eat slow as well and let your body absorb more of the nutrients. I did learn that my insatiable hunger from before was mostly cause by the fact that my body didn’t get everything it needed. No wonder … I was living on a more or less processed chunk food like diet – at least if I compare it to now.
Another point is that if I increase the duration of my running, I need to make extra sure that I get enough fuel. Maybe it takes some time to adjust?
I think I found a way to sneak in more fuel, but I will experience with this over the next days, while I do some extra rest (think lazing on the sofa playing MMORPGs and reading books and blogs). My idea is to eat one piece of fruit after every meal (but evenings). If it’s an apple I can dip it into some nut butter. It worked at least for the duration of today. I’ve already had 2 meals and 2 kiwis!
Now with all that out of my way, if you can think of anything with tons of calories that is not sweet, plant-based, with loads of calories that I should try, let me know! Until then I try and think of ways to sneak in more calories in the roasted butternut squash soup I am planning on making today. Next to fruits after each meal, I could try and add a soup up front.
SlowRunnerGirl 