Heidi’s homemade donuts!

I am going to side step from my dedication to old running buddies for a minute.  The holidays are fast approaching and a lot of people seem to have food on their mind.  Well, I can relate because food is always on my mind.  I really don’t like the words “binge” and “detox.”  These words seems to be flying around.  People tend to “binge” on Thanksgiving and Christmas and then “detox” when it is all over.  I know that I really don’t like over-stuffing myself.  I have never been one to eat more than I can handle at Thanksgiving.  Maybe that is because I am quite the picky eater.  I don’t like homemade stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes, yams, cranberry sauce or green bean casserole made with cream of mushroom soup.  I guess you can say that I actually end up eating like a bird.  However, I will admit that dessert is by far my favorite part of the holidays (but, you guessed it, I don’t like pumpkin pie).

As I was brushing my teeth last night, I considered what would happen if I had an injury that prevented me from doing any form of exercise.  I would probably become a giant blob.  Not that I am a bad eater (far from it actually when you compare me to most Americans), but I do have that awful obsession with pastries.  And even though I am usually involved in semi-healthy snacking (sesame crackers, bananas, berries, Kashi bars, nuts), I am a very frequent snacker.  Yep, I wouldn’t want to find out what happens if I stop exercising.

However, I don’t diet and I will not diet (and it did take me quite some time to accept this).  You know what?  I didn’t even “diet” to lose baby weight.  At least not “diet” in the way that most Americans do.  Why would I just eat protein without any carbs?  That makes absolutely no sense.  What in the world is up with the juice diets?  How can anyone just live on juice?  Obviously someone who doesn’t exercise.  I am on a pescatarian “diet”, but it is not one of those fad diets.  I just choose not to eat any meat besides seafood.  I also choose to eat mostly whole foods and limit the processed food.  And one good thing about not eating meat is that it limits restaurants.  There is no reason to go to a fast food restaurant now because most of the options include some type of meat.

Of course I am not a perfect eater (I think I already mentioned that).  I really, really love any type of baked good (unless it has pumpkin in it).  Chocolate is my favorite thing in the whole world.  Fortunately, processed baked goods are not very yummy when compared to the homemade version.  That makes it a bit easier to substitute a few healthier ingredients.  And it is kind of nice having a lactose-intolerant husband because that keeps my options limited.

My adversity to the words “binge” and “detox” stems from my mother.  Yes, she taught me how to be a runner, but she definitely didn’t leave behind any words of wisdom when it came to food.  I have her food/exercise journal that I often browse through.  The word “binge” seems to appear on quite a few pages.  On the other pages I notice how she limited her food intake during her many “detox” episodes. I suppose I am just trying to do the opposite of everything unhealthy that my mother did.  I am hoping to live beyond 44 years.

Sure, you might say that I will need to “diet” when I get older because my metabolism will slow.  Let me just tell you now that my metabolism is already slower because my thyroid can’t seem to get it right.  So, I will just look at you and shake my head.  How about just eating right all of the time?  I believe that doesn’t mean that you have to turn your nose up to unhealthy treats all of the time.  Just keep it all balanced.  These experts keep talking about a balanced diet.  That is a diet I think I can do.  Balance it with a bit of activity.

If you must know, I don’t count calories.  I do check my weight every now and then.  Gosh, it is almost funny to realize that I weigh less (and am a hundred times healthier) than I did back in my early twenties when I always seemed to be “dieting.”  Once again, I feel like I need to mention that I love scones, muffins, brownies, cupcakes and cookies!  After running 10 miles on a Saturday morning, I deserve a scone and latte!  I suppose I kind of base my eating on my activity for the day (or not).

Does all of this “non-dieting” make me an evil monster in the woman world?  Probably.  Oh well.  I can’t go a day just eating vegetables… sorry, I would have to say that I am weak in that area. Non-disciplined.  Non-motivated.  You definitely won’t find any inspiration from me.

Beer.  Beer is good.