Kicking It Up A Notch

Melissa

I am IN! I just got married alittle over 2 months ago and was eating super clean, working out constantly, etc….For the most part, I still am, because it is a way of life for me…but let’s just say the wedding gifts (amazing food processor, kitchen aid mixer, new vino glasses and all the other fun stuff) have been getting QUITE alot of use!!! After 2 months of celebration, traveling and wonderful times with friends and family, I definitely need to buckle down…thanks for the inspiration! Onward!:)

Kristen

Your post is so timely for me. I was just thinking this weekend I need to do a revamp of my diet. I was so in the mindset of thinking I am such a healthy eater, that I ignored the fact I was eating more and more junk every day! Latley I have been mindlessly eating my son’s processed snacks that I usually would’nt touch with a 10 foot pole! I am in for this challenge:)

sheri

I hear about eating cleaner…I am with ya. I was actually thinking about this on the weekend. I am along the same lines as you, less wine, less dark chocolate during the day. I want to up my green smoothie intake as well as fresh juice since I have my own juicer!

Yay..for the awesome hill run! Hills are hard for me too…killer workout for sure! But they can also aggravate my IT band so I try not to do them to often.

Jess

I am with you on the clean eating! Been “bad” the last couple of days– must.stop.baking. I have 8 pounds to lose to finally make it to my goal weight and then I will stay there! I am looking forward to following along with you… my fridge is stocked similarly. 🙂 Best of luck to you as you continue training!

Amy

I am on that bandwagon with you –training for a late October marathon, and my body is desiring a little nicer treatment, i.e. cleaner eats! I am picking up my supplies tonight after work! A body in motion does not forget the extra bites and sips here and there!

Lindsey

Too bad you do have to stress what you’re REALLY saying but we always appreciate you going the extra mile to keep us entertained with your blogs 🙂

Good luck with reducing the sweet tooth! Maybe you could get some yummy tea that will replace your cravings, OR drink crystal light! I have no idea if that type of product falls into your good/bad list, but you can drink it all the time or freeze it for a sweet popsicle.

Amy

I have also ramped up my diet to prepare for my half marathon in October, but i LOVE having something sweet after dinner. How do you feel about Supercharge Me cookies? I think they are a pretty good calorie/nutritional investment-what do you think?

Thanks

Courtney

I love it! I AM trying to peel off a few pounds as well as train for a 5 miler race this weekend and a sprint tri at the end of September and I need to properly fuel myself and get the most food I can for less calories and that usually equals eating clean!
I’m in!
Courtney
Adventures in Tri-ing

Katherine

Clean eating feels SO GOOD! 🙂 I love having a fridge stocked full of veggies and cupboards stocked with whole grains and beans! Avocados are an awesome addition I use it like I would cheese so the fact that they are pricey doesn’t bother me – cheese is just as expensive!

Katie

Have you ever tried millet? It’s a delicious whole grain that cooks (and tastes) a lot like rice. It’s perfect made into veggie “fried rice” or just with a bunch of veggies mixed in, like a one-bowl salad. Eating whole grains is easier when there’s lots of variety! Quinoa is another favorite, and again, it cooks in no time (quicker than brown rice!) It would be a great help to your training because of the great amino acids it contains. I like to make it with edamame stirred in w/ sesame oil and soy sauce. Protein + Fiber = tummy full of HEALTHY goodness! Both are inexpensive and available @ Whole Foods.

Organic Ashley

Way to go Jenna! I just decided that I am going to do the same thing. Sugar has definitely been sneaking its way back into my life and not happy about it. I feel best when I eat clean and that’s my goal with a few adjustments for allergies. No gluten for this girl!

Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope

Sounds like a great workout! I love playing around with hills on my treadmill.

And YUM to tempeh!!! My favorite is raw tempeh in a soft pita with spinach, romaine, cucumbers, and green peppers. 🙂

GREAT haul grocery shopping. Sounds like you have a great goal to work towards.

Evan Thomas

That’s great, I’ll take the challenge with you! That’s kind of how I already eat but I wouldn’t mind making it official. I know I’m a runner and have a lot of “free calories” to eat refined food but I really would rather eat the better stuff for me. It’s more nutritious and potentially more delicious

Lindsay

I feel the same exact way these past few weeks! I’ve found myself lately eating WAY more chocolate, white pasta, bread, dairy, ICE CREAM, BEER, and all kinds of stuff I normally do well at portioning/eating in moderation. I think it’s the coming change of season! While I like my weight, and I am training for a marathon and obviously get enough exercise to stay thin, I do not want to grow an alcohol gut or be squishythin just because I got lazy with moderation vs overindulgence line. So I too am trying to eat cleaner too! Besides, as yummy as junk is, good food tastes better!

Karla

I just tried steel cut oats for the first time and I am hooked! They are so much better than the instant ones I was eating. I love mine with milk and brown sugar.

MaryHelen

Hi Jenna, I discovered your blog about a year ago and have to tell you that it has inspired me to eat better! If you are eating “cleaner” maybe I will too, LOL! In all seriousness, reading about others eating wholesome, real foods has inspired me to eat better. Last night, I made quinoa and my fam loved it (even my picky husband) You mentioned that you are traveling the next two weekends, do you have any plans for keeping it clean while on vacay?? That is where I usually throw my good intentions out the window for sure!!

Melissa

I love your clean eating idea. I’m running a 1/2 Marathon on October 11th so I’m going to try to clean up my diet too.

I’m going to print your list and hang it on my fridge as a constant reminder to keep it clean. :o)

Bec

I find that sometimes I get off track with my eating and I just need to focus on eating the goodstuff to get me back into a better routine!

Lara

Great plan. That is exactly I how I eat 99% of the time and it truly does make a huge difference in how I feel.

skinnyrunner

good luck, not that you’ll need it. sounds like a great, healthy approach!

Jolene (everydayfoodie.ca)

I like how you emphasize that you are NOT on a DIET! I tell people that I have a food blog, and they automatically tell me that I don’t need to lose weight – why do people assume that just because wants to be healthy, and eat wholesome foods, that they are trying to lose weight. Strange isn’t it?

Jessica

This post is also very timely for me. I’ve been treating myself a little too often recently, especially when it comes to sugar. I feel like for the most part the rest of what I eat is ok but at night my sweet tooth kicks in and I think I need to take it back a couple of notches. Plus, I feel like i’ve gained a few unnecessary pounds and I feel just sluggish and kinda..blah you know. So i’m definatly in for this challenge, for sure. Also, I want to see how it affects my running. I’ve been trying to build up to longer runs. I started not even being able to run a mile but now i’ve worked up to 3 miles (which I feel is lame compared to you and other bloggers but it’s a big accomplishment for me). Anyway, I know I need to fuel my body better with more veggies, especially fresh ones, and less sweets.

Also, one quick question. I used to be hooked on Special K Protein Plus cereal and had it for breakfast EVERY morning for like two years. I started eating it back when my relationship with food was very unhealthy and I was focused on calories and this cereal had low calories and high protein, thereby keeping me full for a long time. But i’ve recently tried to cut back on lots of processed foods and lean towards products with a shorter and/or more natural ingredient list. Anyway, i’ve been relying on oatmeal and cereal for breakfast and i’ve found a brand of cereal that I love but it’s kind of high calorie wise for me, combined with 1/2 banana and some skim milk, compared to the special k. It’s Nature’s Path Optimum cereals, especially the blueberry cinnamon. I was wondering what your thoughts are on this line. Also, any other suggestions for a breakfast that is filling and nutritional?

Andrea

I love this idea of eating cleaner! I am in! I got married May 22nd and feel like i have fallen a bit off track sine then. People tell me “it’s because you are not stressed and you are happy.” That is no excuse. I feel as if I have been laking in the fresh foods dept and exercise. I know I can do much better. Here’s to eating more fruits, veggies, fresh fruit, regular workouts and less sugar and processed foods. I bought the Eating Clean book and I need to begin following it.
Over the past few months I have gained a few pounds, feel more tired and am just blah.

Thanks Jenna for the motivation!

Nicole

Don’t let anyone tell you that you are doing something wrong! If you want to eat clean, that’s great! It WILL seriously help with your performance. I have definitely noticed a difference in my run, swim, and bike times since I have cut out a lot of the sugar. This is not to say that I don’t have cookies, chocolate, or wine at all, but I just don’t have them everyday. I enjoy them even more when I actually have those foods now! Good luck!

Molly

I’m challenging myself the same way…I do still want to treat myself occasionally, but I found myself treating myself a little too much every day, to the point that I was over-full and sluggish regularly. I got a few extra pounds, so I’ve started going back to my clean eating.
It’s amazing how a green smoothie tastes like ice cream…all I needed was a little reminding that healthy food feels AND tastes better!

Jennifer

interval workouts are def the way to go!

N. D

so, balance bars.. used to be a staple for me. Then I realized (and I’m a vegetarian) they have FISH GELATIN in them. That ended my run with balance bars.