Today starts the second week of training for the Fort Hill Brewery Half Marathon.
Last week went pretty well. I did the strength training when I was supposed to. I ran the miles, and I rode my bike (a.k.a. cross training). I rested too.
Week 2 should be similar to week 1. Strength training, running, cross training, etc.
What I am adding in this week, is nutrition.
It has becoming increasingly apparent to me that I had caught the "Covid-19". Not the virus...but the added weight from not maintaining a healthy lifestyle, as can happen when living through a pandemic. Throw in a shot of peri-menopause, and you have a recipe for 20 lbs of YIKES!
So, it is time to get back on the health wagon. I had already cut way back on junk food and alcohol consumption. Now its time to start getting those fruits and veggies back in the diet, and rely less on the comfort foods like pasta and potatoes. And cookies.
Hence, some meal prep work.
Monday was a day off for everyone in our house, to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.
The boys and I took a nice long walk in the woods across the street, and talked a lot about MLK, his legacy, some of the things he did, why it is important we remember him, etc. It was a great walk, and it not only got them off the screens for a couple of hours, it allowed me to spend some quality time with them. Something I know will be in short supply when training really ramps up.
After the hike, I began working on the list of dinners for the week. I try to pick good healthy meals that I know everyone will like, but also that are easy to prepare. For two reasons. First, I don't really enjoy cooking. Second, did I mention I don't really enjoy cooking?
If I win Powerball, the first thing I will do is hire a cook. Then a maid.
Anyway, a few years ago I discovered the Skinnytaste website. Gina Homolka is the author of the site, as well as several Skinnytaste cookbooks. I originally found her 7 day dinner plan (which has no been expanded to breakfast, lunch and dinners!), and it gave me some new ideas for dinners. And they were healthy.
Lots of veggies, lower fat, and easy(ish) to use. She's my go to when I want to try things out.
One of the first things I made during my "meal prep" Monday was Western omelet muffins. It made 12 mini omelets, which I 've been eating for breakfast rather than a bagel with cream cheese. Definitely healthier (more protein, less bread), and it carries my energy through the day, rather than the spike and drop that I would normally have.
I also cut up a bunch of veggies, that I will roast sometime during the week.
I don't always follow her meal plans, but they give me ideas on how to mix things up, so I don't make the same thing over and over again.
It also helps when I go to the grocery store. Another thing that I may "hire out" if I win the lottery.
So far, the week has gone well. I've been following my plan, although I did have to rearrange some things due to forgetting a cub scout meeting, but the intent is there, and that is a big step.
I will definitely keep making these mini omelet muffins for the future...I'll just swap out different ingredients. They are delish!
Instead of just going through the motions, and doing what is easy, I am doing what is hard, so down the road, it will be easy.
And my knees will thank me in a few months hopefully, when they aren't getting pounded by the extra weight when I run.
Which reminds me...time to go make some Carne Asada Fries. Thank you Skinnytaste!
