“You Ate What?”

A lot of people have been asking me what I ate during my training.  Although time consuming to prepare, it was actually pretty simple.  Meal 1 – 1 whole egg, 3 egg whites, ¾ cup oatmeal, 3 oz of lean meat (chicken breast, sirloin steak or fish).  Meal 2 – two scoop protein shake with 20 oz of water.  Meal 3 – 5 oz lean meat, ½ cup brown rice or 4 oz sweet potato, 2 cups vegetables.  Meal  4 – 2 scoop protein shake with 20 oz of water.  Meal 5 – 6 oz lean meat and 2 cups of vegetables.  Dessert – sugar or fat free jello or pudding.  And that’s it.  Everything was carefully measured out.  You didn’t miss anything between the lines.    If it’s not written above then I didn’t eat it.  No pasta, no fruit, no sausage, no popcorn, no cheese, no milk or dairy products, no hot fudge sundaes.  NADA.  Now there were things I could have substituted that I don’t like, but the above is simply what I ate for four straight months.  My excitement came in the form of my pudding cup at the end of the day (dulce de leche or chocolate mint) and I was able to add variation by switching vegetables and meats.  I also found a wonderful muffin and waffle protein recipe for my first meal every morning.

My training has stopped for the summer and last week was my first real week of ‘normal eating’.  I was told to ease back into regular meals, but I don’t think I listened very well.  Sunday (5/18) –  Qdoba for dinner, Monday – Panera for lunch with a caramel pecan brownie, Tuesday – popcorn at the movies,  Thursday – Quizno’s for lunch and Famous Dave’s (2 sausage links, corn bread, baked beans, apples, and corn) along with Homemade Pie and Ice Cream Kitchen for dinner, Friday – a gyro with fries for lunch and a Krispy Kreme doughnut (chocolate iced crème filled) back at my office, Saturday – a cookout (2 servings including Adrienne’s wonderful macaroni and Arnita’s peach cobbler), Sunday – brunch at Blu, two cookouts (more great food) and dessert at J. Alexander’s (carrot cake).

Sunday at 3:00 in the morning – an overly full stomach and heart, heart, heartburn.  I didn’t feel sick, I just couldn’t move.  I was supposed to celebrate my birthday on Monday by going out to eat with my friends for lunch, but I had to cancel.  I felt if someone stuck me with a pin I would have exploded.  Instead I had a healthy birthday and we went walking around Seneca Park for exercise.  I fortunately/unfortunately got most of the meals I missed eaten in one week’s time.  I was worried about ‘blowing up’ but luckily I also worked out throughout the week at the gym.

While I won’t continue the extensive meal plan unless I’m getting ready for another competition, I also won’t just let loose like I did last week.  I believe there is a great way to balance the two and I’ll find that balance right after I eat that one bowl of whole wheat pasta with sausage from Macaroni Grill!!!!  (-;

(and yes, it’s no wig – the hair is cut)

M.Y.  May 2008