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Discussion: Nutrition question
Subject: Nutrition question By: Jenny A. Written on: 2006-06-22 08:51:28 Message: Looking for a little advice on how to feed myself during training this summer..... A little background, I'm a stay-at-home mom, caring for 3 elementary school age kids. During the school year, I do most of my workouts while the kids are at school. In that case, I eat a pretty balanced breakfast (healthy carbs balanced with some protein), and work out a few hours after I eat, followed by a something to re-fuel post-workout. Over the summer, most of my workouts will likely be in the early morning before my hubby leaves for work. I have been getting up at about 5:00 am, and am usually finished with my run or bike by 7:00 (will mostly be doing my swims when I take the kids to the pool during the day). I know I need to eat somethig before I work out, but don't want to fill up too much, and I'm also not sure if I should pretty much be eating just carbs, or a mix of carbs & protein when I am going to work out immediately after I eat like that. I have basically been having maybe a little bit of fruit and some water pre-workout, then a more balanced meal post-workout. Is that a good approach? I'd also ultimately like to drop some weight. I have dropped > 15 lbs since I started training, and would ultimately like to drop another 10 - 15. I'm not in a big hurry for that to happen, I figure it will come off eventually, but I also want to eat in a smart way that will not interfere with my ultimate goal to loose the weight (or more accurately, to reduce the amount of body fat I'm carrying). Any advice?? Jenny
Subject: RE: Nutrition question By: Tim O. Written on: 2006-06-22 09:00:28 Message: Jenny, congratulations on you and your husband making the decision for you to be a stay at home mom. All the studies show that this is the BEST environment for your kids and will give them the best opportunity to be great adults. My wife and I made the same decision 6+ years ago and she is in the same boat as you for training. She eats a small amount before she trains and trades off watching kids with our neighbor who has become a stay at home mom/triathlete as well. See if you have another mom in the neighborhood that wants to trade babysitting time for workouts. As far as what to eat, my wife and I go by what Monique Ryan publishes at VeloNews. The web site that has lots of help for nutrition is http://www.velonews.com/train/ . Have a look at all the articles related to "The Feed Zone" and go from there. Keep training!!!!!
Subject: RE: Nutrition question By: Jael A. Written on: 2006-06-22 09:53:34 Message: Jenny, I just wanted to second what Tim said. Also, sometimes, if I have not time to eat before workouts I will have a Hammer Gel before I go running, swimming or biking (or Power Gel). It will get me what I need to make it through whatever I have to do. If you are going swimming, I found out, that I need to take the Gel at least 10 to 15 minutes before getting in the water. I took the gel once right before starting swimming and I had stomach aches for the first 10 minutes I was swimming. Just a suggestion.... Also, congratulations on being a stay home Mom and a Triathlete... I hope I "find a husband" as undertanding and caring as yours!...Ha! Ha! Jael
Subject: RE: Nutrition question By: Jenny A. Written on: 2006-06-22 10:55:24 Message: Thanks, Guys... Yes, I'm lucky that my husband is very supportive of my triathlon aspirations. Unfortunately, his work schedule is such that there's not a lot he can do to help in terms of watching the kids during the week. He leaves for work by 7:15 in the morning, and most evenings isn't home until 7:30 or later (often MUCH later...). So, evening workouts are generally out for me too. He doesn't usually work weekends, though, and I've arranged to have a teenager in our neighborhood come and watch the kids for me one evening per week so I can go on out on a training ride with our local bike club. So, I think between early morning workouts a couple days/week, swimming while the kids are at the pool, one evening bike ride, and weekend training, I'll do okay over the summer. The kids might just have to endure the baby-sitting room at the gym every once in a while as well, but they don't mind that too much.... Tim, thanks for the velonews link. I've started looking at some of those articles, and will definitely be trying to work my way through them in the near future. Jenny
Subject: RE: Nutrition question By: Stacey U. Written on: 2006-06-22 14:01:37 Message: Jenny, I have to go back to work at the end of July after a 6 month maternity leave, and I'm dreading it, not just for the time I will be away from my kids, but also for the time-crunch in my training that I know is coming, as I prepare for a 1/2 IM in November. Luckily I have a great hubby just like you, so hopefully all will go well as I jump back into the 3 ring circus of life- family, work, ...triathlon! Stacey
Subject: RE: Nutrition question By: Ty D. Written on: 2006-06-22 17:51:26 Message: Jenny, Monique Ryan also wrote a book called "Sports Nutrition for the Endurance Athlete". I got the book and have just started reading it. I skimmed a lot of the different sections, and it is very comprehensive but simple. It will help you to create the type of diet you want, whether for weight loss, training, or both. And it only costs about $12 on Amazon.com. It came highly recommended. Jael told me about it and I cannot put it down. ty
Subject: RE: Nutrition question By: Paula O. Written on: 2006-06-23 03:47:33 Message: Jenny, How wonderful it is that you have found a way to balance your mom responsibilities with your workout needs! I too have done the early morning summer routines when the kids are out of school. I have had success with using meal replacement bars in the morning before workouts as they provide calories but don't fill up your stomach too much. The best I have found so far are the balance bars which give you more protein and fat than a typical energy bar. After my workout I eat "real food". That combination seems to work well for me. For a long time I just had coffee before a workout and finally realized I needed more calories for workouts lasting one to two hours. good luck P.
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