Ummm….oops! My post I had scheduled for earlier today accidentally published late last night instead. Looks like you got a three-fer here on FFF yesterday! I have lots to talk about anyways so it works. Did you miss those posts because they published so fast? I started something I’m excited about and need some suggestions for workout music!

Moving on. So, last night I was yet again unable to participate in the Fit Blog Chat of the week. The topic (courtesy of Monica) really intrigued me, however. It’s interesting to see what has changed over time in this topic, as I have let my food rules go.

Q1) Does when or how much you exercise impact what you eat? How?
When I exercise doesn’t really impact what I eat, but how much I exercise certainly does. I have to fuel properly for my activity. When I follow a regular exercise program, I make certain that I eat enough quality foods. I tend to crave healthier things when working out consistently as well.

Q2) What do you eat before you work out?
Right now, its usually my Chobani + apple snack like I mentioned yesterday. I typically like to have something lighter about an hour or so before I begin my workout. That equates to a snack with faster acting carbohydrates (like fruit) and protein (the yogurt).

Q3) What do you eat after a work out?
Right now, I work out after Peter gets home from work. That means I go workout, then come home and immediately prepare dinner. So whatever we have planned for dinner is my post-workout meal. Before I would have never let this happen. Post workout needed to be a protein shake with BCAAs (proteins for muscle recovery added in) and it would be the only time I “was allowed” to eat anything with sugar. Check out this flashback photo!!!

Q4) Do you eat more indulgently if you have exercised or plan to? What's your treat meal?
Nope. Like I mentioned above, I tend to eat better when working out regularly. I have more energy and want to keep that feeling. I enjoy the whole package of caring for my body – moving and eating nutritious foods. I used to equate eating treats with the calories I could burn in a workout. Now, I fit in treats when I want them…not because of the workout I did (or didn’t do) that day.

Looking at these questions I realize how far I have come. In my past, I planned workout nutrition to the tee. My food and workouts were so closely intertwined that I easily was sucked into the all or nothing mentality. Workout and eat good. Don’t workout and go hog wild with food. Or the opposite – don’t workout and don’t allow food….until I still end up going hog wild with it. I had to do things perfectly and follow all of the recommended guidelines.

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Now I want to focus on fueling myself throughout the day and believe that will sufficiently work for my exercise. When I train for a more serious event, like my possible goal for a half much later this year, I will then of course make sure to find fuel that works best for me pre and post workout. But for general fitness? It’s no sweat anymore. Pun totally intended. 😉

Question of the Day – What about you? Do you have specific things you do for pre/post workout nutrition? How does your eating relate to your exercise?

That title seems like quite the oxymoron, doesn’t it? Many perceive intuitive eating as completely go-with-the-flow in moment to moment eating decisions. Doesn’t planning negate that concept? I don’t really know the answer, but I do know that I would say I practice it.

Most of you know how much I believe in intuitive eating. I wrote an entire series reviewing its principles after all. (You can find all those posts under my Top Posts page). At the same time, however, I have to plan out much of what I eat..and when I eat. As a mom coordinating schedules for two others, I have to make time for myself to eat because otherwise I honestly may forget to eat. That’s no fun and only leaves me ravenous and out of touch with my body. Also, we have a pretty tight budget when it comes to groceries; meal planning has to occur.

For this reason, I typically eat the same things each week for breakfast, lunch, and snacks as they are the items planned for in my meals. Dinner is something new every night, but also planned while making my grocery list. My meals this week, for example, look something like this -

Breakfast = oats topped w/ natural peanut butter & fruit, an egg on the side

Snack 1 = a banana and some Cocoa Roast or Cinnamon Roast almonds

Lunch = a sandwich on bakery fresh 9 grain bread w/ turkey, tomato, spinach, mustard, pickles, onion and veggies w/ hummus on the side…some dark chocolate for my sweet tooth

Sometimes I will have leftovers for lunch instead of the above.

Snack 2 = a container of Chobani and an apple before heading to the gym

Dinners = last night we had roasted chicken & carrots, fresh green beans, and whole wheat macaroni & cheese (thanks, Alisha for the care meal! delicious!!!)

Dessert = If I’m craving something, I will have a small somethin’ somethin’ for dessert. You can imagine this happens in some form most nights. 😉

So, how can I call this intuitive eating if I know ahead of time what I plan to eat? In my opinion, there is one basic difference that allows this style of eating to work for me and still be intuitive on a whole. My plans are simply due to lifestyle and not set with the intention of having control over my food. This way I can still practice true intuitive eating with the following adjustments if necessary:

• If I still feel hungry over what I planned to eat, I do not hesitate to have more.
• If I truly don’t feel like eating something, I don’t force it. We do have other options I can make work when I don’t feel like having a planned meal.
• I still focus on eating mindfully and being aware of cravings caused by emotions, stress, fatigue, etc.
• I plan foods and meals I truly enjoy and I know I will want to eat. I don’t plan foods because they are “good” versus “bad” or fit a certain caloric allotment.

So, there you have it. My approach as “planned intuitive eating”. It works for me.

Question of the Day – Do you plan out meals or take things one meal at a time? What ways do you practice eating intuitively?

Also, do you like the occasional “my day of eats” posts to see what I have or do you prefer it more sporadic with showing a snack here, breakfast there, dinner every now and then?