diet epiphany's, caffeine, life, etc...

New thing, starting posts with lyrics:

...I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose
Fire away, fire away
Ricochet, you take your aim
Fire away, fire away
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium...

David Guetta feat. Sia - Titanium ... one of my favs, meaningful in many ways.

So, I had a strange epiphany on the escalator of Viacom Networks this morning... I think changing my eating may prove to be more challenging then everything I over came in my work outs. Exercise is easy (in a way), you know it's going to be hard, you have to push yourself, you expect to sweat, you expect pain. After all, the slogan "no pain, no gain" makes sense to everyone. But eating is different, especially to someone who finds comfort in certain foods and routines.

I eat the same thing every day, not to bore you, but here is a sample of my daily menu:
Breakfast - 3 egg whites, plain oatmeal, pineapples in juice, 2 cups water, handful of vitamins, 3 advil
Mid-Morning Snack - Coffee w/fat free half & creamer, banana & dry oat cereal
Lunch - Turkey & low fat cheese on pumpernickle, handful of peanuts
Afternoon Snack - Apple or orange, Chobani yogurt
Pre/During Gym - Sometimes an Emergen-C (before) & Xtend Amino Acid drink (during)
Dinner - Chicken with veggies or a salad or some form of soup, depending on how busy we are

I realize a few problems with this. Firstly, I think I am eating too much and definitely not the right balance. The theory that you should eat 5 small meals is good for metabolism and all but there isn't a proper ratio to what I am eating and there is a lot of sugar in what I am eating (the pineapples, the cereal, the bread). There are certainly not enough greens being consumed by any means what so ever. Also, peanuts are not the right type of nut for protein and good fat (my allergy to almonds doesn't help here). I think that the foods I am eating are spiking my blood sugar, which causes your body to release insulin to bring it back down. Insulin is actually a fat storing hormone. When insulin is released we are forced to burn sugar for energy rather than stored fat. According to The Zone you want to keep blood sugar from spiking so insulin is not released and your body will be forced to burn fat for energy. When you eat the proper balance you actually release glucagon, which is a fat burning hormone. This comes into play even more for me since I have PCOS, which can mimic diabetes in some sense. When you have PCOS your body does not break down sugar properly causing the sugar to turn to fat. Diabetic diets are recommended for those with PCOS.

After reading my 40, 30, 30 book this morning I realize I have to make some major changes ... and that kind of scares me. I think the one area of my life I have not made enough changes is in my diet, to be completely honest. I am not sitting down to piles of unhealthy food, at all, by any means, but the balance and the amount is just not helping me on my plight to drop these last 65lbs. I also allow myself to cheat on the weekends too easily, which is something I have addressed. I think that changing my diet is one of the final challenges I have to over come in this journey. I have to allow things to be uncomfortable, allow things to be difficult, feel hunger, let my body adjust, and let go of my comfort and routine. I think that since we have been so busy for so long I just found the easiest way for us to eat quick and healthy foods on the go but this new plan is going to take some time and effort for it to be a success. The calorie cut is going to be an adjustment, for some reason I have this fear of being hungry or letting my blood sugar get too low (especially before a work out) but I have to just go with it and let my body change. I am so used to keeping things comfortable, I need to embrace the uncomfortable.

I think one of the hardest things is going to be limiting caffeine. The plan calls for minimal amounts of caffeine, I think one 8oz cup in the morning is acceptable, but the point is that while eating a balanced diet and exercising you shouldn't need caffeine to get through your day. I rely too much on caffeine as a crutch and it's horrible for my body. I need to break this addiction.

Life is about growing and changing, sometimes it's hard, sometimes it sucks but we can't really opt out. The suggestion is to start the 40, 30, 30 as soon as you are finished reading the book... well I am just about done, almost time to dive in. I am excited, but definitely apprehensive to make the change. I know the results will be well worth it and if I was able to conquer an "advanced" Spinning class I am sure I can handle anything this journey throws at me!

Speaking of Spinning, in exercise news, Lisa and I had our own epiphany after our work out last night about where we were and where we are now and how we got here. Nothing like a mutual therapy session on your evening walk home, lol. I was starting to wonder if crying after workouts was normal, then I was blaming PMS! I am really lucky to be going through this journey with my partner by my side. I honestly don't think I could be married to someone who doesn't get it, or get me, on every level. I am extremely blessed.

Finally, in other news, I tried some of my new makeup today and I am in love. Except for the mascara, it's going back lol.

K, bye!