Eat For You Dietitian

It’s the 1st of August of 2019.

I think we’re all thinking, where has the year gone and how do we only have 1 month left of summer left?

If you have yet to put your bikini on, do it today. If you have yet to wear that summer outfit you’ve been looking at for ages, do it today. Sometimes I feel we are always waiting for  tomorrow or next week/month/year before starting something new. Let’s all stop waiting. It doesn’t have to be a new year or new day to be ‘healthy’ or ‘fit’ or whatever. Every move you make is shaping your health over the long-term. Let’s bring it back to basics; sleep well, rest when your body is telling you, move daily, eat for you, explore books, places, culture …

Today I wanted to write about my progress and Why I run?

I run because:

I can

And one day I won’t be able to

I look forward to listening to my audiobook/podcasts/music

I’m looking forward to the meal/snack waiting for me at the other end

To get me from A to B when commuting (when it takes me the same amount of time walking and then train)

Even though that person ran past me I am still a runner

19 days and counting since I completed by first ultra-marathon. In case you didn’t know, I think I’ve said it enough time to friends, family and work colleagues.

After such a big race you need to give your body sufficient amount of time to recover as although it was a positive physical and mental challenge for me, it also created a lot of stress on my mind and body. I’ve had to prioritise sleep, food (when don’t I prioritise food) and most importantly rest. Resting was annoying, especially last week when the trains were delayed due to the heat and I couldn’t cycle to work as it would be 2 hours cardio in total.

But I’m back this week and gearing up for  my next running challenges. Even though they seem like a fraction of the distance of an ultra-marathon I know they will be tough and exhilarating. I want to train to be faster. 5km, 10km and 21km (half marathon) are scheduled for the next couples months, which doesn’t give me a lot of time but the race days are still just days. My running goals will forever continue.

I’ve never been one to follow training plans and I have recently been recommended to find an online running coach to support me in my training. I think I have almost found one who is highly recommended, so I look forward to learn more about how effective training actually looks like, as opposed to me ‘winging it.’  I have also finally committed to seeing a physiotherapist as I will still like to walk/run pain free in 50 years time and it is time to stop ignoring niggles. You wouldn’t ignore a bleeding cut so why ignore a painful niggle?

As a registered Dietitian I work in the NHS and primarily within the community setting which ranges for IBS, weight management, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic conditions, oncology, supporting individuals at risk of malnutrition and many more. I do not specialise in sports nutrition and it is not a focussed area as part of dietetic training. Therefore I have been doing my own research and learning within the areas of sports nutrition. My eating habits are not perfect and the amount of growing evidence on how to optimise your training through a food first approach is fascinating. My favourite book so far is Training Food: Get the Fuel You Need to Achieve Your Goals Before During and After Exercise by Renee McGregor. You don’t need additional protein shakes, bars etc. Granted I use sports energy gels for long distance running (2hrs+) however during my ultra marathon I made my own energy drink (water, orange juice, salt), followed by orange squash, mini cheddars and freddos at pit stops and then made up dioralyte solution half way (yep the sachets they recommend when you have diarrhoea – it’s the electrolytes!). I only had 2 out of my 5 energy gels I carried with me as my body at the time was craving real food. My next step is to make my own energy gels or balls to trial on long runs. I’m thinking a key ingredient should be peanut butter or jam.

What’s coming up for the rest of 2019?  

Upcoming races:

Victoria Park 10k this weekend (fun race)

Richmond Run Fest 5k (aiming for sub-25minutes) mid-september

Ealing Half Marathon (aiming for sub-2hours) on 29th September

My training will include:

Cycle commuting which is about 2 hours

3-4 runs per week – usually running home from work, We Are Runners run club, parkrun

Stretching daily (must remember)

Yoga sessions at least twice weekly

Strengthening sessions either bodyweights or resistance bands at least twice weekly

I’m a massive fan of the Fiit app which allows me to work out and move from home whenever suits me. If you haven’t tried it yet and are tired of going to the gym or to a class I would highly recommend!  

Can you set yourself a non-aesthetic based goal today? What have you always wanted to do?