I won’t be so ego-centric to actually think that you know about my “eating disorder” as my dad teasingly calls it.  The bottom line scoop is that for as long as I can remember, eating+exercise has always been a tough combination for me.  My dad thinks I’m nuts.  When we were riding in Italy, he’d put sandwiches and pizza in his bike jersey pocket.  I’d have potions and shakes and my latest experiment.  Last year, it got more challenging. 

Let’s suffice it to say that on a daily basis, my body began rejecting food it didn’t like at the time.  I tracked, counted, researched; I received advice from dieticians, nutritionists, doctors, coaches.  Blah Blah Blah.

On January 20, Autumn and I watched SuperSize Me.  Autumn is my 8-year-old daughter.  Fascinated, she proceeded to watch it over and over (not exaggerating — like 10 times over the next several weeks).  As a side note, I had to ask her to watch it with headphones on in the car because I get so agitated over our decisions (as an economist, it is fascinating and unnerving) on eating and ‘voting with our dollars’ on items we eat.  And what the heck is up on our acceptance of advertising to kids — I envision that some day we will revolt (like we did with cigarettes) against advertising that pushes unhealthy food-substitute (I can’t even call it food) items on our children.  Maybe some day I’ll get on my soap box on that topic, but not right now.  I’m going to attempt to stay on topic.

On January 21, inspired by the concept to do an eating experiment, I began “Purify Me”.  I decided to put only natural, unprocessed food in my body.  Previously, I thought I didn’t eat many processed foods — but I found that when I was tired (frequently!), I grabbed pretzels or ate rice cakes instead of making rice.  

Wow.  I feel better.  I wish I had done some measurements to share with you — but I can tell you that I have thrown up only twice.  And both times I was experimenting - once with meat and once with number of calories per hour on the bike.  I was able to move beyond my ‘Monster’ addiction.  I stopped opening the car door at the stop lights to puke on the street (not in line with being a good role model for Autumn).

Autumn supports me, but hasn’t totally joined up.  It does make my heart smile, though, that she understands the concept that she is choosing what to use to fuel her wonderful and perfect body.  The night before I left for California, we went to the local weekly bike race (she races, I spectate).  She chose water to drink when she was thirsty instead of the other options and said, “Mom, I feel good choosing water.  I know it is the healthiest choice.”

FYI - my staples:  Egg whites, fish, veggies (including my infamous “Skinny Soup”), fruit, rice, beans, oats, and yerba matte tea.  When I work out, I eat homemade ricebars - eggwhite, white rice, and salt; and Clif products (my exception to non-processed).

So, I share this not because I think it is “The Answer” for you.  I share this as an idea, a seed that you may plant. 

:) J