Eatable Moments: Clydesdale Crossroads

Clydesdale n. in running or road-racing sports, a heavyweight classification for (male) participants weighing more than 200 pounds; a runner in that weight class. Also attrib. Related: pogie, holeset, English, Sports (Etymological Note: From the breed of large.)

In the past week or so, I have continued to be at a dietary crossroads of sorts. While I have thankfully been able to return to some semblance of training, I have also been dealing with a voracious appetite. As a result, I have seen my weight balloon to a recent high of 193 lbs. Last summer, while in Wyoming preparing for the 196 mile "Get Your A** Over the Pass" relay, I weighed in at a recent low of 174 lbs. This would mean that over almost 7 months, I have seen mteh scale readings swing twenty pounds. On a smaller scope, nearly a month ago, I weighed in at about 184 lbs., a change of almost 10 pounds.

Most (actually all) of this sporadic weight gain (and loss and gain) can be attributed to my incredible lack of discipline when it comes to some sweets (I'm looking at you Ben & Jerry' ice cream) and my use of comfort foods when stressed. Just this week, I have half-joking/half-sincerely begun voaclizing the possibiloity of embracing this potential wieght gain by just "going for it" by adding on the necessary 10 additional pounds. With a total body weight of over 200 lbs., I could then sign-up (and maybe place) in races which could, in theory, promote my ascension to the "King of the Clydesdales." Insanity.

Laying in bed early this morning, my hips aching and my legs feeling like lead, I've realized that I must right the ship and get my eating under control. Truth is, I have a pretty good sense of when my "problem" eating times of the day are... I just need to address those "eatable moments" by increasing and balancing the quality of my caloric intake in such a way that I maximize the energy and minimize the dead time which can lead to unnecessary weight gain.

In order to focu my efforts, I will attmept to journal what I eat over the next few days to best determine an effective starting point, a practice I have used before to varied effect.

Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!